More passengers sue Chicago Transit Authority over train crash

healyscanlonveugelergannon • March 10, 2014

Readers may remember hearing about an unusual train accident that occurred late last September in the western suburb of Forest Park. In that incident, which we first wrote about in  October , a Chicago Transit Authority train was stopped at a station when it was struck by an unmanned and unoccupied train. Both trains were on the CTA’s Blue Line tracks.

Approximately 33 passengers aboard the stationary train were injured after being struck by what is now being dubbed a “ghost train.” Two personal injury lawsuits were filed relatively quickly after the incident. Earlier this month, a third lawsuit was filed by four others who were injured in the September 2013 train accident.

According to NBC Chicago, each of the four plaintiffs is seeking at least $50,000 in damages from the CTA, alleging that the agency engaged in “willful and wanton misconduct.” Of the four plaintiffs (who all suffered injuries in the accident), two were unable to work for a period of time because their injuries allegedly left them temporarily disabled.

News coverage of the lawsuit has not detailed the injuries suffered by the four plaintiffs or other passengers. But based on pictures of the crash aftermath, the force of the collision appeared to be substantial enough to cause traumatic brain injuries,  whiplash  and spinal-cord injuries. This is in addition to cuts, bumps and bruises.

Although it has been several months since the accident occurred, questions linger about the cause of the accident, what could have been done to prevent it and what will be done to prevent future incidents. Until or unless the CTA is able to address some of these issues in a satisfactory manner, it would not be surprising to see yet more passengers filing their own lawsuits.

Source:  NBC Chicago, “ Third Lawsuit Filed After “Ghost Train ” Crash,” Mar. 6, 2014

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