Amtrak Accident Lawyer — Connecticut

Amtrak was created by the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970 as a federally funded corporation. This origin shapes every aspect of how claims against Amtrak are handled:

The Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act

Under the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act, Amtrak's liability in certain accident scenarios may be subject to caps — though these caps do not apply in all circumstances and have been challenged in litigation. An experienced attorney will assess whether any cap applies to your specific claim and how to structure the case to maximize your recovery.

Common Carrier Duty of Care

Amtrak, as a common carrier, owes passengers the highest duty of care recognized by law — a higher standard than ordinary negligence. Amtrak must use the utmost care and diligence to transport passengers safely. Any failure to meet this standard that results in injury can give rise to a claim.

Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA)

Amtrak employees injured in train accidents cannot sue under standard workers' compensation — they must pursue claims under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). FELA claims have their own rules, deadlines, and standards of proof. If you are an Amtrak employee injured on the job, contact us immediately — the FELA process is entirely separate from passenger claims.

• •Track defects — deteriorated rail, faulty switches, and failing infrastructure on aging Northeast Corridor trackage
• •Signal failures — malfunctioning signals that fail to warn trains of hazards ahead
• •Engineer error — excessive speed, failure to respond to signals, or distraction
• •Positive Train Control (PTC) failures — Congress mandated PTC on all passenger rail lines; failures of this system have contributed to derailments nationally
• •Grade crossing collisions — Amtrak trains striking vehicles at highway-rail crossings
• •Equipment failure — defective brakes, couplings, doors, or mechanical systems
• •Inadequate maintenance — failure to inspect and maintain track and rolling stock to FRA standards
• •Host railroad negligence — Amtrak operates on track owned by other railroads in some sections; those railroads may share liability for track conditions

Amtrak

As the carrier, Amtrak bears primary responsibility for the safe operation of its trains and the condition of its equipment. Amtrak's own employees — engineers, conductors, and maintenance staff — are agents of Amtrak for purposes of liability.

Track-Owning Railroads

On some sections of the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak operates on track owned by other railroads. If a track defect on a host railroad's infrastructure contributed to an accident, that railroad may share liability alongside Amtrak.

Equipment Manufacturers

If a defective component — a brake system, coupling, door mechanism, or other part — contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be strictly liable under federal and Connecticut product liability law.

Government Entities

Infrastructure failures — inadequate grade crossing protection, deficient signage, or poor highway design at crossings — may implicate federal, state, or local government entities. Claims against government defendants have shorter notice periods.

• •Traumatic brain injury from impact or violent motion
• •Spinal cord injury and paralysis
• •Broken bones — arms, legs, ribs, vertebrae
• •Internal organ damage
• •Lacerations and burns
• •Crush injuries in derailment events
• •Psychological injury — PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• •Wrongful death — families of passengers killed in Amtrak accidents

• •Amtrak passenger claims: Connecticut's general statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury (CT Gen. Stat. § 52-584). Amtrak's own conditions of carriage and federal provisions may impose shorter notice requirements.
• •FELA claims (Amtrak employees): Three years from the date of injury — but evidence preservation is urgent from day one.
• •Claims against government entities: Notice periods as short as 90 days may apply.

• •Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and long-term rehabilitation
• •Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• •Pain and suffering — physical and psychological
• •Permanent disability or disfigurement
• •Loss of consortium — impact on family relationships

Wrongful death damages — if a family member was killed

Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC has been representing victims of catastrophic transportation accidents and mass disasters for over 50 years. Our firm's experience with large-scale rail disasters — including the Lac-Megantic train derailment and fire that killed 47 people — gives us a depth of understanding of federal rail law, railroad operations, and multi-party rail litigation that few Connecticut firms can match. Founding partner Edward Jazlowiecki holds a degree in Chemical Engineering, giving the firm a technical understanding of rail vehicle dynamics, mechanical failure, and federal safety regulations.

View our full case results:

• •$72 million recovered for victims of the Lac-Megantic train disaster (global multi-party settlement)
• •$36 million settlement for victims of the Windsor Wildcats bus crash (global multi-party settlement)
• •$3,420,000 product liability verdict — nail gun injury
• •$2,950,000 bicycle injury verdict upheld by the Connecticut Supreme Court

The $72M and $36M recoveries involved multiple parties and law firms.