A successful lawsuit against a railroad will show that it is liable for injury or wrongful death. When the railroad is shown to be liable, it is responsible for compensatory damages – things like medical expenses, income lost from the accident, loss of family, loss of physical ability, social and educational experiences, emotional damages such as embarrassment, stress, and depression, decreased enjoyment of life, and other possible losses.
In addition to compensatory damages, severe circumstances in some jurisdictions can warrant punitive damages – costs intended to punish the railroad for wrongdoing.