On behalf of Jeff Antin of Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein, LLP, Attorneys at Law posted in Premises Liability on Monday, November 25, 2013.
Many people mistakenly believe that if they are injured by a New York City bus or train then they will automatically be set for life financially. However, the reality is that fighting a municipal liability lawsuit is a difficult undertaking and not always successful. Hiring the best defense is important to see positive results after a terrible accident.
According to reports, lawsuits filed against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority following subway train accidents are some of the most difficult to pursue. That’s because the MTA is not generally interested in settling out of court. In fact, an attorney for the MTA indicated that their mindset is that fighting these cases benefited taxpayers in the end.
Sources show that in the last five years nearly 80 percent of the subway train accident cases filed against the MTA resulted in absolutely no payout. That’s because the city endlessly worked to prove that the rider acted recklessly and disregarded safety hazards. While one may feel disheartened at these statistics, it’s important to point out that 5 percent of the cases produced payouts in the multimillions, and another 10 percent paid out an average of $40,000.
In one past case, the MTA fought to prove that a young woman was at fault when her leg got caught between the platform and the train; however, the MTA ended up losing and paid out nearly $13 million.
While a victim’s fight for justice may be an arduous one, it is not impossible. Going against a large organization is often made easier when a knowledgeable and successful attorney is by your side.
Source: NY Daily News, “MTA pays nothing in majority of lawsuits for people who are hit by trains,” Pete Donohue, Nov. 11, 2013