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Practice Area

Railroad Litigation

Defending Freight and Passenger Railroads in Complex and High-Stakes Litigation

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Friday, Eldredge & Clark has a long and distinguished history representing the railroad industry, a relationship that began in 1871 with the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad and continues more than 150 years later. Today, our attorneys defend Class I railroads, short line railroads, and passenger railroads in all types of litigation throughout Arkansas and the surrounding region.

Our deep industry experience spans grade crossing accidents, Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) claims, trespasser incidents, property and environmental disputes, and regulatory matters. We understand the operational, technical, and legal challenges that rail carriers face and work to achieve efficient and favorable outcomes, often before trial.

 

Areas of Focus

Class I Railroads

Short Line Railroads

Passenger Railroads

Summary
  • Comprehensive Railroad Defense: Representing freight and passenger railroads in personal injury, FELA, and property damage claims.
  • Rapid Emergency Response: Mobilizing legal teams and experts immediately following rail incidents to preserve evidence and manage risk.
  • Regulatory & Environmental Counsel: Advising on compliance, permitting, and environmental disputes affecting rail operations.
  • Appellate & Trial Success: Proven record of defense verdicts and summary judgments in Arkansas state and federal courts.
  • 150+ Years of Industry Partnership: Trusted by major national and regional railroads for ongoing representation and strategic counsel.
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Meet the Team

Experience

Sanders v. Union Pacific Railroad Company, 2019 Ark. App. 386, 585 S.W.3d 713

Arkansas Court of Appeals affirmed a jury verdict for defendant railroad in an action brought under Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), seeking to recover damages for injuries sustained when railroad allegedly directed employee to test experimental safety bracket for huck gun

Royal v. Missouri & N. Arkansas R.R. Co., Inc., 857 F.3d 759, 761 (8th Cir. 2017)

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirming summary judgment for railroad in FELA case where plaintiff claimed injuries from operating a ballast regulator

City of Ozark, Arkansas v. Union Pacific R.R. Co., 843 F.3d 1167 (8th Cir. 2016)

Summary judgment that had been granted to plaintiff was reversed, and the case was dismissed. The City had sued to force the railroad to re-install a grade crossing

Haukereid v. Nat'l R. R. Passenger Corp., 816 F.3d 527 (8th Cir. 2016)

Summary judgment for the railroad, finding it did not proximately cause a passenger fatality

Capers v Nat'l R.R. Passenger Corp., 2016 U.S. App. LEXIS 23182 (8th Cir. Dec. 23, 2016)

Amtrak’s motion for summary judgment was granted in this case of alleged sexual battery of a passenger and affirmed by the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Stevenson v. Union Pacific R.R. Co., 354 F.3d 739 (8th Cir. 2004)

Jury verdict for plaintiffs was reversed and remanded by the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in this grade crossing case involving a fatality and a traumatic brain injury