Wis. railroad worker fatally pinned between two train cars

A railroad worker was killed when he was pinned between two train cars in Random Lake.

[Did you know]

It's past time for somebody to stop all these railroad accidents! The sad part not only this persons life is lost but you can bet the RR will try and limit their liability for this accident. It's an archaic system that our fellow Americans work under. How can the laws for RR workers be so different from the rest of us in America? It's time for reform of FELA and time that the RR Titans accept responsibility for injuries to thier employees instead of lauching witch hunts after every injury accident to their employees. I expect most Americans don't even know what a different world RR workers are living in. They're not covered by Workers Comp, they don't pay Social Security but rather higher taxes for something called Railroad Retirement. When they get hurt at work their company and supervisors try to find any way to blame the individual for the injury or accident to limit their liability under FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act). It's just outrageous that RR workers are treated like this. I hope this isn't the case for this mans family but I suspect money is going to be all the RR cares about so it will be business as usual.

[mad_deaf_ man2]

well the question is why was he in between the cars in the first place and 2nd of all why would you go in between the cars at that time of the night?

[Daughter of the deceased]

Mad_deaf_man2,
The answer to your ignorant questions are as follows: because he it was his job as a conductor and he was training a new conductor and who do you think ensures that the cars are properly linked up, the boxcar fairy? My father was an intelligent man and very cautious. He has worked in the business since I was a teen. I am now a woman with two children of my own. I would have to say that he is pretty well-versed in the ways of the railyard. That time of night is when the railway makes deliveries to some of its customers. Haven't you ever heard of a 2nd and 3rd shift? My stepmother and the rest of us family has enough to deal with without having to read stuff like dumb questions such as yours. She is now responsible for the family. So ignorant comments such as yours, mad_deaf_man2, need serious thought before posting. It's bad enough that we have to lose a member of the family and then have to turn around and deal with people like you.
Cresent Phelps-Harris

[BillB St Paul]

And who said honest work won't kill you ? ofcourse it does due to the ownership making the working person work under bad conditions.

[Amy Hendrick Bush]

Well put Cresent. Your dad was definately doing his job and doing it well as he always has. Even when your grandparents owned the farm, your dad took great safety measures. Thus the reason I've never known of any serious accidents happening on the farm. It was an accident. Could it have been prevented? Who knows? I've asked myself this all morning since I've gotten the news. My thoughts have been with you, your grandmother, your step mom and siblings all day. my heart hurts because of the loss you all have just suffered. Don't let idiots like this man that even hinted that your father was being careless upset you. Ignorance like that in this world is common. We know how careful and cautious your dad has always been. This isn't the first dangerous job he's had. Love you my cousin.
Amy

Daughter of the deceased wrote:

Mad_deaf_man2,
The answer to your ignorant questions are as follows: because he it was his job as a conductor and he was training a new conductor and who do you think ensures that the cars are properly linked up, the boxcar fairy? My father was an intelligent man and very cautious. He has worked in the business since I was a teen. I am now a woman with two children of my own. I would have to say that he is pretty well-versed in the ways of the railyard. That time of night is when the railway makes deliveries to some of its customers. Haven't you ever heard of a 2nd and 3rd shift? My stepmother and the rest of us family has enough to deal with without having to read stuff like dumb questions such as yours. She is now responsible for the family. So ignorant comments such as yours, mad_deaf_man2, need serious thought before posting. It's bad enough that we have to lose a member of the family and then have to turn around and deal with people like you.
Cresent Phelps-Harris

[Amy Hendrick]

Well spoken my cousin! One thing you don't know mad_deaf_man2, my cousin, Fred Phelps was probley one of the most cautious people I knew. Fred grew up on a farm in northern New York. Farming itself is a very dangerous job. Fred took all hazards seriously, as was taught to him by his father. That's why during all the years they've owned the farm, there has been no serious accidents because saftey always preached. Fred always pointed out the potential hazards of farming, making sure everyone was aware. Now i suggest you appologize to my cousin and her family. You had no right judging a man you don't even know. Just goes to show you how very ignorant you are. I wish people like you would go crawl back under that rock where you belong.

Cresent, I don't know what to say. My heart goes out to you, your grandmother, your stepmom and siblings. I love you hon. Always in my prayers.
Amy Hendrick

[Amy Hendrick]

You have no right to make that judgement. He was doing His job, the car left the tracks, if there is any fault to be had, it's who ever is suppose to make sure the tracks are free of ice and snow. Idiots like you make me sick, no compassion what so ever. Go crawl back under your rock

Budda Bing wrote:

<quoted text>Well, apparently he was not cautious enough this time...

[Daughter of the deceased]

Budda Bing,
Haven't you ever been involved in an accident (work, vehicle, home, or weather related) where you did all the right things, but someone or something caused you to crash, have issue, or have an accident where everything happened so fast that it was all out of your control. I suppose someone could say that maybe you weren't quite cautious enough. This man did this job routinely. SOMETHING out of the ordinary happened. What that SOMETHING is has not yet been fully resolved.
All readers, please do not make judgments or snide comments when none of us has all of the facts. We only have what the press release says and this website did not release as much information as the www.sheboyganpress.com website did about the incident. The whole incident is still under investigation and I am sure that we will not have resolution for quite some time.
Now will all that said, if you do not have anything encouraging or constructive to say, we would respectfully request that one keeps his or her comments to him or herself. We are all trying to understand and cope and we certainly do not need any negativity shed our way during this troubling time.

Amy Hendrick wrote:

You have no right to make that judgement. He was doing His job, the car left the tracks, if there is any fault to be had, it's who ever is suppose to make sure the tracks are free of ice and snow. Idiots like you make me sick, no compassion what so ever. Go crawl back under your rock
<quoted text>

[Doris Burr Trenary]

I wish to convey my sincere condolences to Fred's family. Alice, Mindy and Teresa, my heart goes out to you. I know you will truly miss Fred. I never met Sarah or his younger children but I certainly wish you all the best in your time of pain and sorrow. I know he worked hard to provide for his family and as Cresent's mother, I know safety was ALWAYS on his mind.
Keep God in your hearts as you work through this troubled time.
Doris

[Co-Worker]

Ive worked with Fred on many occasions. Great man, Great conductor, He will sorely be missed. Our prayers are with the Phelps family in there time of mourning. God Bless

[RR Conductor]

Which railroad did you father work for? I am in the same career and I am very sorry for your loss.

I urge you and your family to contact Hoey and Farina law offices ( http://www.hoeyfarina.com/ ).

They are experienced with FELA laws and are used to dealing with big Railroads.

I have the number for one of their investigators who is available 24/7 if you want it.

[RR Conductor]

To the person who is looking for FELA reform...

FELA is a program that provides much better care and privacy as you can see your own doctors and tell the RR to get bent when they demand information.