Message from John M. Cooper, Section ChairWelcome to the home page for the Railroad Law Section of AAJ. I hope that new and returning members of the Section will benefit from this site and their membership.
The Railroad Section is composed primarily of lawyers who represent railroad workers and others who suffer injuries involving the railroad industry. The section has FELA lawyers who sue railroads on behalf of workers who are hurt on the job under the Federal Lawyer’s Liability Act (these workers do not get Workers’ Compensation), and railroad grade-crossing lawyers who sue railroads which injure or kill motorists and others where tracks cross the roads. The Railroad Law Section works closely with the Railroad Highway Crossing and Derailment Litigation Group, which is chaired by Pam O’Dwyer of Tennessee. In 2009 we created the new FELA Litigation Group, headed by Kirk Sammons of Texas, which provides another avenue to share information among the lawyers nationwide who represent railroad workers.
The Winter Convention in New Orleans in February, 2009 was very successful. Our round-table discussions had over 35 participants. Various hot topics were discussed in an informal setting led by experienced FELA and crossing accident lawyers including discovery abuses by railroads and their lawyers, attempts by railroads to obtain sovereign immunity, and special issues related to private railroad crossings.
I am looking forward to the Annual Convention in the Summer of 2009. The location has been moved to San Francisco which is a great town. I hope that you will join us for our all day seminar which will take place on Tuesday, July 28, 2009. We have a very interesting lineup of speakers. Additionally, there will be time to get to know each other better during our business meetings for the Railroad Law Section and related litigation groups, as well as at the cocktail party after the seminar day. One great thing about the Railroad Law Section is the cohesiveness of our members which in part springs from our spending time together at conventions. I hope to see you there.
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