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.
Taos Ski Valley is a village and alpine ski resort in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 56 at the 2000 census. Until March 19, 2008, it was one of four ski resorts in America to prohibit snowboarding; officials announced the change several months in advance. The climate, culture, and geography resemble a Swiss village, including an elected city council. The ski area, Taos Ski Valley, Inc. , was founded by Rhoda and Ernie Blake, and is still managed by the Blake family. It has a one to one ratio of expert to beginner/intermediate terrain, and has the highest rated ski school in North America.