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Emergency brake system not enough to stop train in time


If you’ve worked on a Connecticut railroad for some time now, you likely have a good understanding of how difficult it is to stop a moving train in time to avoid collision. Your employer may use advanced technology, such as automatic emergency braking systems, to help improve worker safety on the tracks.

That doesn’t always provide enough support to avoid a crash, however. So many extenuating circumstances can suddenly and adversely affect railroad travel. Whether you are an employee or a passenger, you are at great risk for injury if a collision occurs. If you suffer injury, you will need a lot of support during recovery.

Fatal incidents are especially tragic

Trains moving at or above 10, 20 or 30 miles per hour typically cause tremendous damage if they collide with something. Such situations often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. The following list provides details regarding the devastating outcome of a recent train wreck in another New England state:

  • The collision took place at approximately 7:30 p.m. on a recent Saturday.
  • A train operator tried to avert disaster by employing the locomotive’s emergency braking system.
  • The operator’s efforts were not enough to stop the train in time to avoid a crash.
  • Investigators say there were two people on the tracks at the time.
  • The train hit a 36-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman.
  • Sadly, officials pronounced both pedestrians dead at the scene.
  • There were approximately 200 children among 355 passengers on board the train when it crashed.

As a Connecticut railroad employee, you understand the relief those passengers must have felt when no one on board the train suffered injury even though there was great sorrow in learning the fatal outcome the situation had for two people outside the train. Railroad officials offered a public statement of condolence to the families of the victims.

The Federal Employers Liability Act protects you

When you work on a railroad, the FELA provides protection against employer negligence as a causal factor in a collision that results in your injury. If you file a benefits claim or pursue litigation against your employer, you will want to make sure you understand all the rules and regulations that apply to your situation before taking any formal action.

  • $10.8 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Conductor wrongful death case. (Avery v. Metro-North RR).
  • $8 Million settlement for an Amtrak Trackman who sustained a crushed leg. (Cevasco v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.).
  • $7 Million settlement for a Metro-North Foreman whose legs were amputated. (Renert v. Metro-North RR).
  • $5.8 Million settlement for an Amtrak Conductor who sustained a head injury. (Fitzpatrick v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.).
  • $5.5 Million settlement for a Metro-North Machinist wrongful death case. (Pieger v. Metro-North RR).
  • $4.3 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Conductor wrongful death case. (Ard v. Metro-North RR)
  • $2.57 Million Verdict for an Amtrak Conductor who sustained a back injury. (Pace v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.).
  • $2.5 Million Settlement for a Metro-North employee who sustained a serious head injury.
  • Settled for a Confidential Sum for a Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company Trackman wrongful death case. (Macaulay v. Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company.)
  • $6.250 Million Verdict in 2023 which was later reduced to $2.1 Million for a Metro-North Structural Welder/Ironworker who sustained head and neck injuries and has returned to work. (Torres v. Metro-North RR).
  • $2 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Lineman who sustained an electrical burn (Curly v. Metro-North RR).
  • $2 Million Settlement in 2020 for a Providence & Worcester Railroad Company Conductor who sustained a serious head injury and returned to work for another RR as an Engineer. (Scarpa v. Providence & Worcester Railroad Company.)
  • $2 Million Settlement for a Metro-North Conductor who sustained a fractured leg.
    Settled for a Confidential Sum in 2019 an Amtrak Lineman involving an electrocution causing a permanent occupational disability. (Anderson v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.).
  • $1.85 Million Verdict for an Amtrak Ticket Agent who was assaulted. (Schneider v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.)
  • Compensatory and punitive damages Verdicts and subsequently settled for $1.8 Million in 2023 for a Metro-North
  • Conductor who suffered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Moran v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority).
  • $1.69 Million Settlement for an Amtrak Supervisor who was shot by an employee. (Cornelius v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.)
  • $1.65 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Lineman who sustained foot and ankle injuries. (Keating v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.65 Million Verdict for a Metro-North TA Employee who sustained an Open Tibia Fracture to his left leg. (Rivera v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.54 Million Verdict for an Amtrak General Foreman who sustained a herniated disc in his lower back. (Brady v. National Railroad Passenger Corporation).
  • $1.45 Million Verdict for a Construction Worker who sustained a left hip injury. (Quintiliani v. National Railroad Passenger Corporation).
  • $1.42 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Machinist who sustained a fractured rib and a herniated disc. (Hall v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.4 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Mechanical Gang Foreman who sustained burns from an explosion of steam on an engine. (Berry v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.4 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Carpenter Foreman who sustained a back injury. (Kendall v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.3 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Signal Trainee Maintainer who sustained a back injury from a slip and fall. (Moran v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.2 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Signal Maintainer who sustained a back injury and post-concussion syndrome. (Manes v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.2 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Trackman who sustained crushed legs. (Murillo v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1 Million Settlement for a Metro-North Trackman who sustained burns from pot welding and subsequently returned to work. (Burke v. Metro-North RR).

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