Chatsworth Metrolink Accident Outside of the Chatsworth Station

Summary

A Metrolink commuter train appears to have failed to stop at a red light, causing a collision with a freight train that resulted in the deaths of 25 people, including the conductor's death.
Kreindler partners Gretchen Nelson and Stuart Fraenkel have extensive experience in claims arising from train derailments, including cases against Amtrak and other passenger trains.

Kreindler & Kreindler extends its deepest sympathy to the victims of the Chatsworth Metrolink accident and is available to help the victims and their families.

Kreindler & Kreindler, a world leader in successfully representing mass disaster victims, offers its expertise to those affected by the Chatsworth Metrolink disaster. Partners Gretchen Nelson (tel. 213-622-6469, gnelson@kreindler.com) and Stuart Fraenkel (213-622-6469, sfraenkel@kreindler.com) in our Los Angeles office are available to help the families address any legal issues that they now face.

On Friday afternoon, at approximately 4:20, a Metrolink commuter train crashed head on with a Union Pacific freight train just outside of the Chatsworth station, killing 25 people, including the conductor, and injuring 135 people. The northbound Metrolink train appears to have failed to stop at a red light to allow the southbound Union Pacific train to pull onto a siding to allow the commuter train to pass.

The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an extensive investigation into the cause of the accident. To date, the NTSB has reported that the trackside signals appeared to be working and were visible to the conductor of the Metrolink train. The NTSB has also reported that the brakes on the Metrolink train were never applied. The investigation will continue for many months. Similar investigations by that agency into both rail and airplane crashes have taken up to or more than a year to complete.

Kreindler attorneys have extensive experience in claims arising from train derailments, including cases against Amtrak and other passenger trains. Cases involving passenger train derailments have been settled in the multi-million dollar range. The outcome of litigation arising out of the Chatsworth crash will involve a multitude of factual and legal issues, including potential challenges to federally imposed $200 million cap on liability against a railroad's liability in any one accident. Additionally, local and national legislators, including California's Senators Boxer and Feinstein, are calling for legislation to impose obligations on railroads to install automated train control systems.

The Metrolink victims and their families need experienced lawyers to assist them with estate matters, insurance coverage and most importantly, obtaining the compensation that they are owed by those responsible for the disaster.