(Bloomberg) — Four passengers on the Amtrak train that derailed last week sued the railroad, claiming the May 12 accident could have been avoided.
The lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Philadelphia list injuries suffered by the victims including fractured ribs, torn knee ligaments, internal and head injuries and abrasions. One passenger, Felicidad Redondo Iban, a Spanish citizen, required multiple surgeries in an attempt to save her arm, according to the complaint.
Eight passengers were killed and more than 200 injured when the train, traveling twice the speed limit, derailed. Federal regulators said it was going 106 miles per hour as it approached a curve in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood.
The speed was "outrageously fast" given the nature of the curve, according to the complaint by Philadelphia attorney Robert Mongeluzzi.
"Amtrak has been on notice of this dangerous turn and tracks in the location of Frankford Junction for decades," Mongeluzzi said in the complaint. "Had proper precautions and safety measures been implemented by Amtrak and the train operator, this tragedy would have been prevented and countless innocent lives would not have been devastated."
In addition to Iban, the plaintiffs include Maria Jesus Redondo Iban, Daniel Armyn and Amy Miller. Two plaintiffs are spouses who weren't aboard the train.
The lawsuit also names train engineer Brian Bostian, who was interviewed on Friday by accident investigators.
Amtrak officials weren't immediately available for comment on the complaint.
The case is Iban v. National Railroad Passenger Corp., 15- cv-2744, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia).
–With assistance from Jeff Plungis and David Lerman in Washington.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.