Train Accident Lawyer Fred Eisenberg Discusses the $265 Million Amtrak Settlement

In May 2015, Amtrak Train No. 188 derailed, resulting in over 200 injuries and eight deaths. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation discovered evidence that the crash happened because the train’s engineer had been speeding heading into a curve. In addition, per the NTSB’s investigation report, the train engineer was speeding because he had been distracted by radio chatter about a rock-throwing incident involving another train.
In this video, Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck partner Fredric Eisenberg talks about the railroad disaster during a CBS 3 Eyewitness News segment. Fred and train accident attorney Todd Schoenhaus are members of the Plaintiffs’ Management Committee (PMC) for the Amtrak Train No. 188 derailment lawsuit. The PMC was appointed by the court to represent the best interests of injury victims and the families of those killed in the train wreck. The PMC was able to help secure a $265 million settlement, which is the biggest train accident settlement in US history.
To learn more about the record-setting Amtrak settlement or discuss your situation with an experienced train accident lawyer, call our firm at (866) 569-3400 or visit our website: http://ow.ly/Yn77307l7eK

Transcript:
Our other top story tonight, Amtrak has agreed to pay $265 million dollars to settle claims related to the train derailment in Philadelphia that killed 8 people and injured more than 200 others last year. Lawyers say survivors and victims’ families will have the awards in hand by June. Good afternoon everyone I’m Ukee Washington. I'm Jessica Dean. Eyewitness News reporter Joe Holden is live near the crash scene in Port Richmond with the latest details on this settlement, Joe. Jessica, Ukee, good afternoon, and that infamous section of rail is just over my shoulder, where Amtrak train 188 wrecked, 8 dead, 200 hurt, a $265 million dollar settlement and lawyers hope it is a significant step in the healing process. Closure is now a step closer for the many victims of the Amtrak 188 disaster. Attorneys for the railroad and those representing the victims reached a $265 million dollar settlement. A federal judge approved the deal setting up what lawyers say is the largest settlement ever reached in a U.S. rail disaster. This is a settlement that, from inception to resolution, will be one of the quickest in the history of large mass tort catastrophes. Eight people were killed, 200 others hurt the night of May 12th, 2015, when an Amtrak train torpedoed into a sharp curve in the city's Port Richmond section. The train zoomed into the section of track at double the posted speed. A federal investigation found the conductor was distracted. Amtrak declined to comment on today's settlement. Attorneys say victims will be granted hearings in court, it will then be up to a federal judge to approve recommendations on awards. It will be efficient for these victims and most importantly it'll be timely because they have continued to suffer. Congress initially kept the settlement amount of $200 million dollars. Attorneys were successful in increasing it if not for the deal lawyers say 125 individual cases would have been left to meander through the courts. Absent this program, what would have happened, would be a course of a 125 or more lawsuits going forward. Each would have to be subject to a jury trial. But there is still work to do, however attorneys say they hope that all of the awards in all of these cases are handed out by next June. Live along the northeast corridor in Port Richmond, Joe Holden CBS 3 Eyewitness News. Alright Joe, thank you.