Railroad Accidents

Over the past decade, Southern California has achieved the nation's worst record in terms of major railroad-disasters. The attorneys of Kiesel Boucher Larson, LLP know are all too aware of this unfortunate record, as we have successfully represented victims of the 2002 Burlington Northern/Metrolink collision in Placentia, California, the 2003 Metrolink crossing derailment in Burbank, California, the 2005 Metrolink derailment of two commuter trains in Glendale, California, and the 2009 Metrolink/Union Pacific collision in Chatsworth, California.

Indeed, name partner Paul Kiesel was appointed by the Court that handled the Chatsworth matter to serve as liaison counsel for all victims who brought lawsuits. Under Mr. Kiesel's leadership, the victims of the Chatsworth disaster recovered the unprecedented amount of $200,000,000 -- the absolute maximum recovery possible under current law.

Additionally, the firm's lawyers have handled scores of lesser known, but equally devastating, cases in which individuals were injured or killed in train accidents, including cases brought by railroad employees under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).

Special legal doctrines and unique rules apply to railroad accident cases which do not apply to other types of accident cases. It is a surprisingly complex area of the law, and it is thus critical that an attorney handling these matters understands it in complete detail. We do. It is also essential that an attorney handling railroad cases understands intimately the unique mechanical, operational and organizational environment in which the railroad industry operates. We have that knowledge. Victims of railroad accidents and their families deserve sophisticated lawyers who already possesses this special knowledge and the expertise to use it aggressively and effectively. With successful settlements and verdicts in California and elsewhere, we have a proven record of success in railroad cases, and we can show it.