EUGENE, OR – OSHA officials reported today that Union Pacific Railroad Co was ordered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to pay back wages and punitive damages to a railroad worker who was fired after he reported a work-related injury.

It was determined by OSHA that Union Pacific violated the whistleblower protection provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act by firing the railroad employee when reported a work-related injury.

OSHA officials said the employee’s treatment plan included work restrictions, but the railroad assigned the employee tasks outside the physician’s treatment plan. In turn, that forced the employee to take a medical disability leave.

The railroad subsequently issued a disciplinary letter and terminated the employee, OSHA said.

Source: StatesmanJournal.com

Published by FELA lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP