More than One Hundred Injured in Brooklyn Train Crash

Commuters on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) received an unpleasant surprise last week when their train failed to stop properly upon arriving at Brooklyn’s Atlantic Terminal. The train crash will be investigated thoroughly, but preliminary reports suggest that the train was moving erratically as it approached the terminal and it’s been suggested that the driver could have been suffering from a sleep disorder. Up to 106 people were injured in the crash and transported to local hospitals for treatment, but none of the injuries were considered serious and there were no fatalities.

 

Not a Typical Commute

The train crashed on Wednesday, January 4 around 8:00 a.m. and was carrying 600–700 passengers. Some witnesses said they noticed nothing unusual at the time, but records show that the train had been moving in an unusual way.

Instead of pulling into the station at the correct speed, the train reportedly entered the terminal at more than double the normal speed and then decelerated and accelerated erratically, finally crashing into the safety device at the end of the platform while still moving at approximately 10 mph.

 

Compared to Hoboken Crash

Almost immediately, parallels were drawn between last week’s Atlantic Terminal crash and the crash of a New Jersey Transit train last September. In that accident, one person was killed and more than one hundred injured when a commuter train came into the station at double the speed limit and then hit the bumper at the end of a platform, causing structural damage to the station. The sole fatality, in fact, was a woman struck by falling debris.

An underlying cause of both crashes might also be the same. There’s a strong suspicion that the driver in that crash had a sleep disorder, which was diagnosed only after the crash, and that this was a major factor in the accident. The same problem was behind a 2013 Metro-North rail crash that killed four and injured seventy. Metro-North put a screening program in place after that 2013 crash, but the LIRR had not. That’s worrisome, considering that the Metro-North program found undiagnosed sleep disorders in 12 percent of its engineers.

 

A Foreseeable Accident?

The LIRR has a very good overall safety record. According to news sources, their last fatal crash was in 1951. But in light of the fact that sleep disorders were the suspected cause of two fatal train crashes in recent years and that so many of Metro-North’s engineers tested positive for them, one has to wonder if the LIRR was ignoring a huge red flag at the expense of customer safety. It’s a fortunate thing that no one was killed in the Atlantic Terminal incident.

 

New York City Train Crash Attorneys

Injuries and deaths involving trains happen all the time, but most people don’t hear about them. In 2013, there were nearly 900 deaths from rail accidents. The majority of them were people walking along tracks or rail workers themselves, but passengers are sometimes the victims.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a railroad crash, turn to an experienced firm like Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP for help. We understand train accident law, and we offer a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Give us a call at 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) today to schedule a free consultation, or contact us online through the form below to learn more.

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Two Children Lose Fingers on Defective Slides—Is Your Playground Safe?

Have you ever wondered how safe the equipment is at your local park or school playground? We have all purchased products that have been recalled at one time or another, but when it comes to playgrounds, most parents feel that their children will be safe as long as an adult is watching out for them.

Many people also think that playground equipment at school and municipal parks is safe because they have strict standards when it comes to the safety of children. But this isn’t always the case, as many parks have either old and outdated equipment or equipment that has not been tested properly or even at all.

Just last month, two children lost fingers in traumatic amputations caused by a defect on a slide made by Playworld Systems. The company is now recalling 1,300 slides across the country that were sold to schools and municipalities over the last sixteen years. The side-welds on these stainless steel slides can separate and crack, allowing children’s fingers to get caught in the opening.

 

Consumer Products and Safety Testing

The government does not test most consumer products for safety before they hit the market. While some manufacturers or product makers may do their own pre-market quality testing, it may not be enough, and some companies may avoid it all together to keep costs low. Tragically, many safety hazards do not appear until consumers begin using products, which can result in serious harm and death.

The importance of product safety is crucial for makers of products and consumers alike. Recalls and lawsuits can cost companies millions of dollars, and when products cause accidents, consumers can be injured or killed, leaving their families devastated. So while Playworld Systems is offering free replacement slides and free installation, it’s too late for the children who lost fingers.

The Consumer Product Safety Act requires manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to report injury incidents when a product causes injury. These companies are required to notify the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the government regulatory watchdog responsible for protecting the public from hazardous products.

 

Holding a Negligent Manufacturer Accountable

Anyone who has suffered an injury due to an unsafe or defective product may be eligible for financial compensation. When a product is defective and causes injury, the creator, manufacturer, or distributor may be held accountable, depending on where in the chain the fault lies.

Product liability law is complex, and proving fault is a complicated process that requires the experience and knowledge of a capable product liability lawyer. In order to receive a fair settlement, it is important to have someone on your side who understands the details of product liability, from filing a claim within the statute of limitations to determining whether your case falls under negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty.

 

A New York City Defective Product Attorney Can Help You

After being injured by a dangerous product, consult with the NYC product liability lawyers from Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP. We will aggressively fight for you right to recover the maximum compensation possible for your claim. With dedication and compassion, we are here to help you get the settlement you need to get back on your feet.

Don’t let an insurance company or the legal system make a victim of you a second time. Instead, contact us at 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462). Your consultation is always free with no pressure or obligation—just answers and honest advice.

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