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.
West Pittsburg is an unincorporated community in southern Taylor Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, along the banks of the Beaver River just 5 miles south of New Castle. Its main street is the north-south Pennsylvania Route 168, which crosses the river at the southern end of the community. As the name implies, it is west of Pittsburgh, although it is actually more north-northwest of the city, which is approximately 47 miles away.