Traumatic Brain Injury Results in $29.5 M Award in Train Derailment Lawsuit

A Chicago woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2005 train derailment, was awarded $29.5 million by a jury last week in Cook County, Illinois.

The train accident lawsuit was filed by Renea Poppel, who suffered catastrophic brain damage, a broken neck and broken pelvis when a Metra commuter train derailed between Joliet and Chicago on September 17, 2008.

Two other passengers on the train were killed, and Popel was among over 100 commuters who were injured.

After undergoing 21 surgeries, Poppel requires the use of a wheelchair, is unable to smell or taste and has body-temperature-control problems.

Investigations by the Notational Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the Metra commuter train accident was caused by human error, as engineer failed to slow the train as it was changing tracks. The train was travelling at 69 miles per hour at a time when it should have been slowed to 10 miles per hour, causing the derailment.

The Chicago Tribune reports that wrongful death claims presented by the estates of the two who died in the train derailment were previously settled by Metra. It was also reported that Poppel was offered more than $16 million prior to trial.

Following a two week trial in Cook County, the jury awarded $29.5 million to cover past medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of normal life and future damages she will suffer as a result of the injuries.