Chatsworth Victims and Families Offered $200 Million Settlement By Metrolink

August 25, 2010-According to reports Wednesday Metrolink and the former train operating contractor proposed to pay $200 million for the 2008 Chatsworth train crash.

The Chatsworth train crash in 2008 killed 25 people and injured approximately 135 others, which has become one of the deadliest and costliest train crashes. The offer Metrolink and Connex have offered matches the federal liability cap law for train passenger accidents. The $200 million settlement amount if approved by the courts will relieve Metrolink and Connex Railroad of additional liability.

According to the attorneys for the victim’s the Chatsworth commuter train crash say costs will exceed the $200 million settlement offered by Metrolink and Connex.

Metrolink, which has commuter trains in five counties said the settlement conforms to federal law just weeks prior to the second anniversary of the train crash and months before the trial for damage claims would begin. Connex/ Veolia a French company worth $50 billion and Metrolink are seeking protection by federal limitations. Connex has stated this settlement would provide the compensation the victims need to recover and is the full amount that would be available to commuter rail accident victims in the United States.

This comes at the expense of the victims and survivors of passengers killed and according to one Ventura County congressman he expects to introduce legislation that would raise the federal limitation of $200 million.

According to Metrolink board Chairman Keith Millhouse the compensation would be available years faster for the victims and survivors than it would be if the case if fully litigated.

Richard Katz Metrolink board member, stated the multi-party dealings with insurance companies, attorneys and multiple parties has delayed them from offering the settlement amount until now. He said there has been a lot of pressure, while they have been trying to get recovery money to the victims faster.

Attorneys for the victims feel this is a legal maneuver at the expense of the victims and survivors and would allow the two companies to avoid full legal responsibility.

According to reports at the time of the Chatsworth commuter train crash Metrolink had $150 million in liability coverage.

According to Millhouse, who is an attorney the courts could decide the compensation amounts equitably.

Attorneys for the plaintiff’s state that past and future medical costs can exceed the amount available and for long term help the victims will need to use public funded programs, which could fall to the taxpayers. They have estimated the costs for the train crash victims could be between $400 and $600 million.

This has been a free public service message from the personal injury attorneys at:

Ehline Law
633 W. 5th St., 28th Fl.