Mary Louise Kandyba

Railroad
Mary Louise has extensive experience handling litigation involving railroads, including crossing accidents, employee injury cases brought under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, employment matters including cases brought under the Federal Railroad Safety Act, commercial litigation, rate and tariff cases, contract disputes and occupational claims. At Wilson Elser, she is one of 40 highly experienced trial attorneys who also act as counselors and advocates, helping to anticipate and prevent situations that could result in lawsuits or administrative actions. They are members of our 24/7 railroad on-site go-teams, ensuring that potentially exculpatory on-scene evidence is preserved and that maintenance and other records are promptly sequestered, inventoried, copied and shared with investigating authorities and agencies.

Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA)
FELA cases represent a national practice for Mary Louise, and she has been admitted in various courts throughout the country on a pro hac vice basis to handle these matters. She is strongly supported by the firm’s Employment & Labor practice in the areas of employment discrimination and retaliation, particularly cases brought under the Federal Railroad Safety Act, and representation of railroads in claims brought under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Trucking
With an understanding of the unique issues facing companies that transport cargo and people, first- and third-party liability, indemnification issues, subrogation issues, and the interplay of legislation surrounding vehicle operation and ownership responsibility, Mary Louise fields issues and conflicts that can involve railroads and truckers or intermodal service companies.

Insurance
Managing risk is a primary responsibility Mary Louise assumes to assist her clients, most of whom are self-insured except for catastrophic incidents. She understands the need to balance concerns over large FELA and casualty awards against the importance of managing litigation expenses, including attorneys’ fees. In this regard, she works with excess insurance carriers on cases where the client’s exposure might exceed the self-insured retention, and has frequently developed litigation plans and budgets for these high-exposure cases.

Issues for the Railroad Industry
With government oversight and regulations changing the way transportation companies handle their customers, and consumer demand fueling the need for efficient transportation of freight in interstate commerce, Mary Louise is committed to staying abreast of legislative, regulatory, technological and other developments that impact her clients. She has represented railroads and other parties before the Illinois Commerce Commission and worked with the Commission’s Rail Safety Section on projects and issues arising under the Commercial Transportation Law. She has represented clients in administrative proceedings before OSHA and the Federal Railroad Administration involving alleged violations of federal regulations. She also is knowledgeable regarding the Association of American Railroads Interchange Rules and the interpretation of agreements governing the interchange of freight among railroads in the United States.