Railroad worker injuries are covered under the Federal Employees Liability Act which requires that a railroad maintains their fleet, ensuring that their trains are in good working order and free of defects. If a railroad does not comply with these standards, they may be liable for injuries to their workers. Damages railroad workers may receive include medical treatments, present and future lost wages and mental trauma. An injury on the railway can range from a minor sprain to a spinal injury so severe that it leads to death. Some of the most common injuries that affect railway workers are head trauma, knee injuries, back injuries, neck injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, brain trauma or spinal cord injuries. The Federal Employees Liability Act protects railroad workers and others as diverse as clerical employees whose day-to-day functions do not directly involve trains or outdoor activity.
The unincorporated community of Paicines is located at 680 feet (207 m) above mean sea level (AMSL) in San Benito County, California along State Route 25. Guide signs along SR25 say the community is 13 miles (21 km) south of Hollister. The community is at the intersection of Panoche Road and SR25. Bolado County Park is just over three miles (5 km) north of the community and the site of the San Benito County Fair. Hydrologic features in the area include Tres Pinos Creek, the San Benito River, and an unnamed reservoir. The area is in the San Andreas Rift Zone, a term used to describe areas on proximity to the San Andreas Fault. Areas to the south and east are mountainous. The county line runs along the Gabilan Range. The community is a gateway to Pinnacles National Monument, a federal reservation straddling the mountains along the Monterey-San Benito County line. Famous people associated with Paicines include Lieutenant General Janet C. Wolfenbarger, the highest-ranking woman in the United States Air Force. Her parents Eldon and Shirley Libby reside in Paicines. The ZIP Code is 95043. The community is inside area code 831.