A mass transit passenger whose arm got caught in the door of an elevated train is suing the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
Philadelphia attorney Christopher L. Giddings filed the personal injury lawsuit July 11 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Atlantic City, N.J. resident Traceen Washington.
According to the complaint, Washington was attempting to board SEPTA’s elevated train line at the 11th Street station on May 12, 2010, when, without warning, the train doors closed on her right shoulder, catching it between the doors with the rest of her body remaining outside of the train.
As a result of the incident, Washington sustained injuries to her head, neck, back, upper and lower extremities, severe shock to her nervous system, as well as permanent scarring and other “ills and injuries, all of which may continue for an indefinite period of time into the future,” the lawsuit states.
Because of the accident, Washington has had to undergo surgery to correct her shoulder problems, the suit states. The medical attention has caused her to incur various financial expenses.
“This accident resulted solely from the negligence and recklessness of the Defendant, SEPTA, and was due in no manner whatsoever to any act or failure to act on the part of the Plaintiff,” the lawsuit states.
The complaint alleges that Washington, as a result of her injuries, has been prevented from attending to her daily duties and activities, and has suffered a loss of earnings because of the incident.
The lawsuit accuses SEPTA of failing to maintain proper control over the operation of its elevated train line, disregarding the safety of the plaintiff and other passengers, and failing to offer sufficient warning as to when the train doors were closing.
Washington requests judgment in her favor against the defendant in an amount in excess of $50,000, together with related costs.
A jury trial has been demanded, but a trial date not yet set.
The case number is 110700773.
SEPTA faces personal injury lawsuit over elevated train incident
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