Operating within a metropolitan area unparalleled by its surroundings, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is responsible for transporting millions of people with its trains, buses and ferries every day. Anyone who has ever spent serious time in Boston or its surrounding area has an almost intimate knowledge of “The T.” As is often the case, we usually take this massively complex operation for granted as we put in our earbuds and zone out during a morning or afternoon commute. However, the MBTA deals with thousands of transport vehicles carrying, as was reported in 2008, 1.3 million riders per day. It is probable that the number of riders has only risen in recent years. As a result of this massive and regular migration of people, accidents will happen. What matters most, however, is distinguishing the difference between an honest accident that occurs when dealing with such a delicate and widespread entity such as the MBTA, and an accident that occurs as the direct result of the organization’s negligence.
When would the MBTA be at fault?
If you’re riding the green line, headed into the downtown for another day of whatever job you have, or you’re going towards Brighton or Brookline at the end of a long day, and the conductor blows by a stop light and collides with another train – which happened in May of 2009 – then the MBTA and the operator are directly liable for any pain, suffering or medical expenses that result from that negligence. If a subway station is left in a condition that is hazardous to its patrons, the MBTA is liable. For example, if stairs are left slippery during the winter due to ice, or if a spill is left near the tracks, and somebody slips and falls, the MBTA is liable.
In another case, a green line operator fell asleep while driving a train in 2008 and collided with another train. It was revealed that the operator has sleep apnea, which is definitely a condition that should be on the watch list for the MBTA while hiring people to operate massive machines at various hours of the day and night. In other cases, the MBTA technology can fail. Mostly everybody who has spent time commuting in the Boston area has heard stories of subway and commuter rail trains literally catching on fire. In some cases, the malfunctioning trains have filled the cabins with smoke, causing riders great discomfort and potential harm.
We aren’t afraid to pursue the MBTA
Thankfully, incidents of full-blown derailments or incidents where people are injured or killed are rare, but they do happen. If they happen to you or somebody that you love, it may be intimidating to stand up to an organization as powerful as the MBTA. That’s what we’re here for. The legal experts at Altman & Altman LLP are not just highly-experienced lawyers, we are Boston-area professionals in every different facet of law imaginable. For over 40 years, Altman & Altman has fought tooth and nail to get victims the recompense they are rightfully owed after incidents entirely out of their control forever altered their lives.
Dealing with the MBTA is no different. If there is clear negligence or foul play at hand, our legal team will go to any lengths to provide you with the compensation you deserve and are rightfully entitled to. Whether it’s an injury from a fall at a station, an equipment malfunction or operator error, we will pursue the proper course of action to ensure that you are vindicated for any pain, suffering or medical expenses that result. Call us today for a free consultation at 617-492-3000, or toll-free at 800-481-6199. We are available 24/7.