Amtrak admits excessive speed, accepts responsibility for fatal derailment

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The following is being released by Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C. and Kline & Specter, P.C. – Admitting its train was “traveling in excess of the allowable speed”, Amtrak today, in its first legal filings in response to lawsuits resulting from the fatal May derailment in Philadelphia, also stated “it will not contest liability for compensatory damages proximately caused by the derailment of Train 188 on May 12, 2015.” The answers were filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia in connection with the first two passenger cases filed:

• Berman v. Amtrak, EDPA No. 2:15-CV-2741 (Kline & Specter case)
• Iban, et. al. v. Amtrak, EDPA No. 2:15-CV-2744 (SMBB case)

Attorney Tom Kline of Kline & Specter, P.C., who is representing Blair Berman as well as several other Plaintiffs, said following the filing, “The admission of liability by Amtrak in the first two filed cases is an important step in a longer process in front of the injured and the families of the victims of this horrible tragedy.”

Attorney Robert J. Mongeluzzi of Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C., who is representing Felicidad Iban and several other plaintiffs, stated, “There is still much work to be done now that Amtrak has admitted fault in the initial filed cases. We now will move forward to seek compensation and a full accounting of how this accident occurred and, importantly, how future derailments can be prevented.”