Twenty-six people who were hurt or had family members killed when a freight train struck a veterans parade float in Midland two years ago have settled their lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad, both sides said Friday.
Lawyer Kevin Glasheen, who represents the families, said the settlement is confidential but they “are very satisfied.” The families of two of the four veterans killed in the November 2012 crash were part of the agreement. Many others were injured.
“It’s sufficient to give them security and comfort in their lives,” Glasheen said of the settlement amount.
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An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board blamed the accident on city and parade organizers, faulting a lack of safety planning
I’d opine that they were one of several deep pockets that were sued, particularly in view of the plaintiff’s assertion that there was not enough warning.
In a case like this, folks sue pretty much everybody who is even remotely associated. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that the manufacturer of the crossing signal equipment somehow got dragged into it, among others.
That UP settled is more an indication that it was going to be cheaper to settle than that the railroad had any culpability. That’s often the case.
Oh yeah American way…drunk driver crashes into a masonry building, survives, and sues not only the building’s owner, but the tenants, the builder, and even the masonry manufacturer. Blame everything but the actual cause.
The UP, like all the big seven, has a policy of going all out to help vets. By settling out of court, they do not injure the public relations aspects of that policy. That there were four veterans made this a very special case for them.
I agree. If I am not mistaken, the driver of the float was not charged with a traffic violation. How can you explain that but for the fact that there was great sympathy for the veterans and their cause? I don’t think U.P. wanted to be seen as being on the wrong side of that, no matter what it cost them.