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.
Cresson is a borough in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, 75 miles (121 km) east of Pittsburgh. Cresson is an elevated place known for its beauty. Mineral springs add to its attractions. It is above 2,000 feet (610 m) in elevation. Lumber, coal, and coke yards were industries that had supported the population which numbered 1,470 in 1910. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population at the 2000 census was 1,631. The location was named Cresson in 1854, as a memorial to philanthropist Elliott Cresson. Railroads, specifically the Allegheny Portage Railroad, fueled the growth of the area. Many famous businessmen from Pittsburgh maintained summer residences in the area.