Cook County Train Accident Lawsuit: Chicago Ballet Teacher’s Family Sues Two Railroad Companies for Illinois Wrongful Death
Three months after 26-year-old Katie Ann Lunn’s SUV was fatally struck by an Amtrak train in University Park, her family is suing Illinois Central Railroad Company and Wisconsin Central Ltd. (both are owned by Canadian National Railway Co.) for Cook County wrongful death.
The tragic Illinois train accident happened because the crossing signal lights and warning signs at Stuenkel Road weren’t working properly. The safety malfunctions prevented the crossing gate from coming down until the train had almost passed. Lunn’s vehicle, which was attempting to cross the tracks at that time, was struck by an Amtrak train that was moving at a speed of about 79 mph.
In their Cook County wrongful death complaint, the plaintiffs are accusing the defendants of negligence and human error. They contend that the two railroads did not make sure that the crossing-protection systems were working properly and also failed to implement any type of plan to warn train engineers and motorists to slow down prior to entering the crossing. The Lincoln Park woman's family says the companies canceled slow-zone orders that required that trains slow down when going through the crossing. Their Chicago train accident lawyer is calling Lunn’s Illinois railroad crossing accident the most “preventable and needless” fatality he has ever encountered.
The Federal Railroad Administration, which is conducting an ongoing investigation into the deadly Illinois train crash, has confirmed that the crossing gates, bells, and flashing lights at the crossing were turned off because were repairs were being made.
Chicago Train Accidents at Railroad Crossings
Railroad crossings are a common site of train accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians. This is why train operators and engineers must exercise caution when driving through one—even when the train has the right away. Railroad companies must also sure that the necessary crossing safety and warning mechanisms are in place and that they are in proper working condition.
Family of dancer killed by train files lawsuit, Chicago Tribune, July 15, 2010
Suit filed over Joffrey dancer / teacher's death in train crash, Chicago Sun-TImes, July 15, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Rail Crossing Malfunction Caused Will County Train Crash that Claimed the Life of Lincoln Park Woman, Chicago Injury Attorney Blog, April 21, 2010
