Federal Employers Liability Act
What Does Federal Employers Liability Act Mean?
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) is a federal law in the United States that provides benefits to injured railroad workers. Enacted in 1908, the law was introduced in response to reports of deaths and accidents involving railroad workers at their job sites.
Insuranceopedia Explains Federal Employers Liability Act
In the late 19th century, President Benjamin Harrison expressed concern over the high number of railroad worker fatalities, likening them to soldiers lost in battle. In response, Congress passed a law in 1908 to provide compensation to railroad workers injured in workplace accidents.
Under FELA, benefits are awarded only after a court investigation, during which the worker must prove that the railroad company was partially or fully responsible for the accident. FELA benefits are generally higher than those provided through workers’ compensation, and unlike workers’ compensation recipients, railroad workers can still sue the company for negligence.
