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.
Pine Island is a city in Goodhue and Olmsted counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 2,337 at the 2000 census. Most of Pine Island is in Goodhue County, but a small part extends into Olmsted County. The community has a strong agricultural base, but has been transitioning over time into a bedroom community for nearby Rochester which employs many local residents. The small town was temporarily thrown into the national spotlight in 2002 for having been the home town of the Midwest pipe bomber Luke Helder.