Which group is covered by the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA)?

The Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) specifically covers employees of interstate railroads. This legislation was enacted to provide financial protection and compensation to railroad workers who are injured on the job due to negligence by their employer. FELA is a unique legal framework that differs from standard workers' compensation laws, as it allows injured railroad employees to sue their employers for damages, rather than being limited to a fixed compensation amount.

The scope of FELA extends to various roles within the railroad industry, offering coverage to those directly employed by interstate railroad companies. This includes engineers, conductors, maintenance workers, and other personnel whose work is integral to the operations of railroads engaged in interstate commerce.

Other groups mentioned, such as longshoremen, harbor workers, coal miners, and crew members on federal waters, are subjected to different federal statutes or regulations, such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and the Jones Act, which serve to accommodate the unique circumstances and risks faced by those specific worker categories.