A New York state resident brought allegations of negligence against a national railroad company in a 2015 incident.
Megan Piccirillo of Malvern, N.Y. sued National Railroad Passenger Corp. a/k/a Amtrak, headquartered in Washington, D.C., in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania on May 18, alleging negligence in a May 2014 accident.
The plaintiff was a passenger on Amtrak’s Regional Train 188 on May 12, 2014, when it derailed near Philadelphia. According to the complaint, she was seated in the rearmost passenger car at the time of the accident and allegedly was thrown about inside the train, incurring physical injuries due to striking her body numerous times on parts of the car’s interior.
The suit claims that Amtrak breached its duty of common care by operating the train unsafely and at an excessive rate of speed with inadequate personnel and systems in place; and neglecting to properly train and instruct the crew. Averring negligence, carelessness, recklessness and other tortuous conduct, the filing alleges numerous physical injuries and emotional trauma, stating that the full extent of her injuries is not yet known.
Piccirillo cites medical expenses along with loss of wages and earning capacity. She seeks compensatory damages in excess of $150,000, attorneys’ fees, and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Slade McLaughlin, Paul Lauricella, and Bethany Nikitenko of McLaughlin & Lauricella in Philadelphia.
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U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case 2:15-cv-02762-LDD