Straight Track #120

This typical question from a railroader calling our office prompted us to search for alternative ways to get out the message about the right way to manage an injury on the railroad.

We are very happy to announce the result of this search: a new informational video for railroaders and their families. The video is intended as a way to better address the questions and concerns about what railroaders should do if they sustain an on-the-job injury. 

In order to get out what we believe is important health and safety information, the video is available for free in a variety of formats -- online streaming video, on CD-ROM, or on VHS format.

The idea for the production came from one local officer who suggested that we put together a "Q&A Video" relating to a typical injury situation. After our investigators and attorneys traveled to dozens of union meetings, a consensus emerged from the railroaders about what they thought would be helpful to their fellow union brothers. 

1. How to report an injury?
2. How to answer the questions their supervisors ask? 
3. What to do at the doctor’s office or the hospital ER?
4. How to deal with the Claim Agent? 

The "plot" of the video was loosely based on one of our closed cases. We wrote a script to suggest how the injured railroader might have effectively handled the various situations that actually confronted him. 

The cast of characters in the video are typical in an injury setting: the "Injured Railroad Worker", "Trainmaster", and "Physician". The ideas presented cover the very important steps that railroaders must remember in order to effectively manage an injury on the railroad. 

The video takes less than half an hour to watch in its entirety. The online version is indexed so that down the road you can review only the portions that you deem relevant to your situation. 

The sections are as follows:

Introduction 
1. First Steps After Becoming Injured 
2. Giving Informal & Formal Statements 
3. The Injury Statement 
4. Completing An Injury Report 
5. Signing A Release 
6. Light Duty Lost Wages 
7. Site Visits / Reenactments 
8. Get Medical Care 
9. Claim Agents 
Conclusion: You Are Not Alone 

Please keep in mind that every injury situation is different, and if you are injured you will most likely be confronted with different or additional situations. The advice we give in the video is meant to be general and provide you with a basic understanding of the problems that you may encounter if you are injured on the job. 

The most important point to remember is that you are not alone when you are injured. We are here to help you and provide free advice whether or not your situation requires retaining an attorney. 

BOTTOM LINE

If you are injured, call us regarding your specific situation. As your Designated Legal Counsel, we will provide you the free advice you need to protect your seniority and maximize the benefits you may be entitled to under the law. 

We hope you find the video informative and that it will start you thinking about what you should do if you do sustain an on-the-job injury. Remember, you may not need an attorney, but you do need legal advice.

REQUEST A COPY OF "DON’T GET RAILROADED"

To request your free copy of "Don’t Get Railroaded -- HF&D’s Instructional Video For Railroaders" – call us toll-free at 1-888-425-1212, or email us at info@felahfd.com . Remember to specify whether you want the CD-ROM or VHS version, which will be available in September, 2002.

WATCHING THE STREAMING VIDEO

To access it online, go to: www.fela-info.com. There are three available speeds to choose from to watch the streaming video: 28K connection, 56K connection, or via a broadband connection. The video image resolution improves with faster Internet connection speeds. 

If you have any difficulty watching the video online, please contact Bill McMahon, HF&D Webmaster at webmaster@felahfd.com. Bill will personally assist you to sort out any technical issues and/or send you a CD-ROM version of the video. 

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