Metro-North is dealing with more than 30 personal injury lawsuits stemming from a train derailment and collision in Bridgeport two years ago, and more are expected in the next week.
On May 17, 2013, an eastbound train derailed and collided with a westbound train in Bridgeport. More than 70 people were injured in the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that a cracked joint bar on the eastbound line caused the derailment. The NTSB said that because Metro-North had deferred regular track maintenance, the crack went unnoticed before the accident.
According to The Hartford Courant, Metro-North is working to settle all legitimate claims stemming from the accident.
"Pay now or pay later, that's the lesson of Bridgeport," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. He said Metro-North could have avoided costly litigation by investing in upgrades and maintenance of the railroad.
"Investment is a sound way to prevent lapses in safety and reliability, which can produce litigation that are even higher than the investments needed to prevent them," Blumenthal said.
Passengers and crew still have until May 17, the two-year anniversary of the accident, to bring legal action. According to state law, any personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date the injury is sustained.
