CA Train Crash Victims Get $200 Million

2/6/2011
Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton
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CA Train Crash Victims Get $200 Million

A federal judge approved $200 million for a settlement fund for victims of a Metrolink commuter train crash that killed 25 people and injured over 100 in California (CA).

The finalization of the settlement went into effect on Thursday, February 3^rd, 2011, and releases Metrolink from further liability for the accident. Sadly, these rail passengers and commuters did not need to lose their lives and suffer this frightening disaster. It was preventable. Also, unfortunately, the money is far less than the individual families deserve, but was limited but a federal law that capped what a jury could do when Amtrak or city rail services companies cause huge injuries. The winners are the insurance companies who do not have to pay for the real harm resulting from reckless mistakes by insureds. The crash was believed to have been caused by an engineer who was text-messaging and ran a red light, resulting in a collision with a freight train.

The case will move to state court next month, where a judge will begin hearing testimony from victims before deciding how to divide the money. The settlement is the largest of its kind for a passenger train wreck. However, the federal law took away the Constitutional right to a jury from the community setting the amount of fair compensation.

If you are driving or operating any type of vehicle, be it a car, train, bus, or truck, do not allow yourself to become distracted. Texting while you are driving is not only irresponsible-in many states, it's also illegal. If you must send an important message, pull over to the side of the road to do so, or wait until you can focus all your attention on it. Work rules on trains are changing after this catastrophe.

If you or a loved one was harmed in a mass transit accident, contact a reputable personal injury attorney.

IW

Category: Railroad Injury/FELA

Labels: accident Attorney CA California compensation Cooper Crash driver injury LA legal Los Angeles mass transit train victim wrongful death

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have handled hundreds of Federal Employers' Liability Act claims for railroad workers hurt or made ill while doing their rail jobs. We also have represented many people injured in train accidents. Please take a few moments to review our railroad injury case results. Our primary offices are in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008, and have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of lawyers are chosen for this professional honor.

In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill. Our attorneys have even been included in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009.

We would like to send you one of our free reports about railroad injury and FELA cases, including Dos & Don'ts When Injured at a Railroad: Your FELA Rights and What Railroad Claim Agents Agents Won't Tell You (But You Must Know).

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CA Train Crash Victims Get $200 Million

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