FELA Lawyer News Blog

LAWTELL, LA – A Union Pacific train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Lawtell, LA causing hundreds of people to be evacuated from their homes. Lawtell is located in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana in the central part of the state about 69 miles west of Baton Rouge.

A Union Pacific train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Lawtelle, LA on August 4, 2013 causing the evacuation of hundreds of people. Photo credit: US News & World Report

The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, 2013 along U.S. Highway 190 near Acadiana Rd. when 26 cars jumped the tracks in Lawtelle. Several rail cars overturned in the derailment. A 76-car Union Pacific train was on a 120 mile journey in Louisiana on its way to Livonia from Lake Charles.

Map shows location of Union Pacific train derailment and hazardous materials spill along U.S. Highway 190 near Acadiana Rd in Lawtelle, LA on August 4, 2013.

Hazardous Materials Involved

Two of the rail cars were leaking hazardous materials. Townspeople from more than 100 homes had to be evacuated urgently because one of the hazardous materials found to be leaking was sodium hydroxide. Exposure to sodium hydroxide by inhaling or contact with the skin can cause injury or death. The other rail car was leaking lube oil.

The train was also carrying another toxic and flammable chemical called vinyl chloride. Although no leakage of vinyl chloride occurred, the rail cars containing the chemical were seriously damaged and therefore posed a risk, according to railroad officials.

According to railroad officials, 1800 feet of track had to be repaired or replaced. The tracks had to be repaired before the derailed cars could be uprighted and removed. There were no injuries to any railroad employees aboard the train at the time.

The evacuation order in effect was expected to last 3 to 6 days. Displaced residents were put up at a hotel in nearby Opelousas, LA, about 5 miles east of the derailment site where they had to wait out the incident. Eastbound traffic along Highway 190 was diverted to highways 35, 357 and 358, while westbound traffic was diverted to highways 103 and 104.

The incident remains under investigation.

Blog post by Gordon, Elias & Seely, a FELA lawyer and Louisiana railroad injury lawyer who publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.

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