Dead Teen Sued for Losing Control of Flying Body Parts

[Karen]

Well, it was his choice to try to run across the tracks in the face of an oncoming train ... and yes, he paid for his stupidity with his life, but also changed that innocent bystander's life ...

I am not sure what the point of the lawsuit really is, as a teenager, he probably didn't have much money, but it does raise questions of responsibility. This was no "act of God" like a lightning strike or a tornado - her injuries are the direct result of his poor choice.

[Cataholic]

Why should HER injuries be disregarded? If the body part had shoved a child into the track of an oncoming train, and killed the child, would anyone wonder if the injuries were real or sufficient?

Sure, it is sad that the teen lost his life. Very sad. But, that doesn't really stop the rest of the world from hurting. What if the woman's injuries cost her her job (which is a real possibility here in the US)? She looses her house and her car??

[pomtzu]

Something isn't right with this story. What is a train doing going 70 mph past a passenger platform anyway? That just doesn't happen, regardless of whether the train is scheduled to stop there or not. If it was going 70, then this woman should be suing Amtrak and raking in a very big settlement, because Amtrak would be at fault in this case. My ex was with Amtrak Police for 20 years, and you wouldn't believe some of the things people sue Amtrak for - and win!!! The stories he used to bring home were almost unbelievable - not to mention the photos he had to take at accident sites.

[Catty1]

Legally there may be grounds...but I can't begin to imagine how his family and friends feel. Perhaps they can sue Amtrak.

[Cataholic]

http://www.state.il.us/court/OPINION...er/1102672.pdf

Very interesting analysis.

What about how the woman feels? Should she just suck it up? What if she had no medical insurance? What if she has $10,000.00 (or even $2500!) in medical bills? Should she just absorb those?

Catty- I don't get why you would think the trains would be responsible for what this teen did, but not the teen, himself???

[caseysmom]

Well I don't see this any different than if say he were driving a car recklessly and died and in the process injured others.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I lived a couple blocks from this train station and rode frequently. My niece looks out her apartment window over this station.

Sue Amtrak??? (By ther way...it isn't Amtrak. It is local urban transportation.) Why?? Because they have "deep pockets"??

Why should I....the traveling public pay higher train fare because someone didn't want to be bothered to realize that you don't win against a train?

I am sorry for his family...and I am sorry for the woman who was injured by his flying body parts...and I am sorry for everyone who has to read about this.

But I am not responsible and should not have to pay.