Victims won a $265 million settlement with Amtrak after a 2015 derailment in Philadelphia killed 8 people. Then, Amtrak changed its rules.
But if such a crash happened today, the victims would not be able to sue. That’s because of a clause the passenger rail line quietly added to its ticket purchases in January, which forces disputes into arbitration with no right to go before a judge or jury.The change is bringing objections from consumer advocates, who note that it covers scenarios ranging from ordinary ticketing complaints up to wrongful death, and even includes minors who had the tickets purchased for them.
Amtrak spokesperson Kimberly Woods said the clause was added to resolve customer claims more efficiently. She said it won't affect most customer complaints, which are settled directly with the railroad.The change has already caught the attention of at least one member of Congress: Sen. Richard Blumenthal , who said his office is looking into the issue.
David C. Cook, a lawyer who represented the plaintiffs in the Philadelphia settlement, said the Amtrak language goes "far beyond a customary contract where there is negotiation."
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