Amtrak settles claims for 2015 fatal derailment for $265 million

PHILADELPHIA – Federal district Judge Legrome Davis on Thursday signed off on a $265 million settlement of claims against Amtrak for the derailment in Philadelphia of a commuter train on May 12, 2015, that claimed eight lives and injured more than 200.

Both Amtrak and lawyers for scores of plaintiffs approved the settlement, which came in below the federal cap of $295 million in payouts for Amtrak crashes.

Lawyers involved in the settlement talks hailed the agreement, saying it was reached with unusual speed.

“This outcome is historic, not only because of the result, but because of the relatively short period of time – from inception of litigation to reaching this agreement – and actual compensation to the victims,” said the plaintiffs lawyer, Robert Mongeluzzi.