Sounds like media Hype. I don't believe everything that I see on TV or in the news. Anyway, Sounds like something for the courts to work out.
Media hype? I think not. UP or any large company only have one thing in mind at all times, protect the stockholders! If they can(UP) handle the settlement in house they save tons of money,always go outside the system look out for yourself and family, don't sign anything while your laid up if you do the disclaimer in small print will state you give up all your rights and that will be the end of any future actions. tell the so called company "I have your best interest in mind" to pound sand!
Bingo, this is how it works. The stakes are high, and the railroad will do everything it can not to pay out. I have told my wife that the first thing to do if I get hurt/killed on the job is to call my parents and have them round up the lawyers, then do not sign anything the railroad hands her. Adam
Unfortunately, in most cases the UP claims dept/lawyers are at your door before your family even knows that there was an incident. And yes they do use intimidation and harassment tactics to get them to sign. We were told the very first day on the job, if something happens tell them to leave and call the union rep and YOUR lawyer. How do I know this to be true? Eight years ago some punk kids threw racks at our engine. One was big enough to shatter the cond side window striking the cond in the side of the head and face with the rock and several glass shards. Not going to go into the details as who knows whos reading this. But long story short UP claim rep goes to wife's place of business and tell her about her husband. Tells her to sign an waiver releasing the RR of all responsibilty and she will recieve $3000 to compinsate medical bill and any lost time at work. Understandbly she wasn't thinking clearly. Luckily some coworkers and her boss overheard all this and her boss very bluntly told her not to sign anything and offered to get her a lawyer if she didn't have one. She was refused to call his cell phone or the hospitial to find out anything. Claim rep said she would sign, if she didn't they wouldn't get anything from the UP and if they got a lawyer it would end up costing them more since UP is a major corp with lots pull and specialized lawyers that deal with these things. Finally her boss and some coworkers had enough and excorted her out. Claims rep then calls the manager at hospital tells of the situation and he tell the cond to call his wife and tell her to sign. He tells manager to go to H*() they ain't signing nothing to they talk to someone. Manager then threatens cond with insubodination. A screaming match ensews and manager is told to leave by the hospital. Cond is pulled out of service, lawyers and union get involved. Cond wins investigation with backpay from time lost. Manager gets hand slapped for threatening cond. Cond quits the RR the case goes to court and he wins. That was just one. I've heard several horror stories, but this one I was semi involved in.
Are all class I rr's this bad? I would assume so. They all are large corporations, all have interests to uphold (lining the corporate exec's pockets, and the shareholders bank accounts), and always try to get out of anything quickly and cheaply. It seems to filter down to shortlines and regionals (re: Jerry Debene's ATN issues) as well...
