In 1908 Congress passed the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA is the legal system which ensures the safety of railroad workers and provides them with a means of recovery in the event that they are injured on the job. FELA also protects railroad workers whose jobs do not put them directly in contact with trains. While conditions have improved considerably,Railroad Worker Injury is still common due to the inherent risks of the job. The potential causes of injury or illness are numerous, and include defective equipment, unsafe working conditions, or the presence of toxic or hazardous substances. It is the right of workers to be protected from toxins such as asbestos, diesel fumes, solvents, and silica. The absence of proper protection is a strong basis for a FELA claim. Reporting injuries quickly is essential to the success of a FELA claim as delays may result in injuries being blamed on incidents outside of work.