I read of a case in which a non-employee person was killed by being struck by an Amtrak train. The family of the deceased wants to know how it happened, and has sought to get the video from the forward-facing camera, and the info from the data recorder. Amtrak refuses to grant these requests.
Why would Amtrak refuse these requests?
Please refrain from making comments about trespassing, possible suicide or what have you. I am only asking why Amtrak would refuse to give this info to a grieving family. I know very little about the case beyond what I stated above.
Still in training.
Lithonia OperatorI read of a case in which a non-employee person was killed by being struck by an Amtrak train. The family of the deceased wants to know how it happened, and has sought to get the video from the forward-facing camera, and the info from the data recorder. Amtrak refuses to grant these requests. Why would Amtrak refuse these requests? Please refrain from making comments about trespassing, possible suicide or what have you. I am only asking why Amtrak would refuse to give this info to a grieving family. I know very little about the case beyond what I stated above.
Because if they said "yes" the request would not stop at one grieving family and lawyers would have a new mining source of potential suits. Soon Amtrak would have to hire an employee or a small staff to deal with such requests. So why establish the precedent if you do not have to. I think Amtrak's position is smart from a business standpoint and the decision was probably made by Amtraks legal department.
I won't ascribe any possible motive, but why would a grieving family even WANT to see a video of a loved one getting splattered by an Amtrak train? What kind of comfort would THAT give them?
It passeth all understanding, as the saying goes.
To see if it was a real suicide or whether someone else was involved?
I have trouble watching some of the mixed martial fights that are shown on TV because I can imagine the brain damage being done. But I get a perverse feeling watching them. Similar with football games.
I will ask how it came about that this news went beyond anyone outside of Amtrak or the family group that made the request.
It seems unlikely Amtrak felt the need to spread it around. And that leaves.....
Anyway. If "they" want such information, it might better be requested by the executor or administrator of the deceased person's estate.
As far as Amtrak's reasoning, I expect it started with the phrase:
"Can anyone here state that there will be NO downside to giving this information to the requesting parties? If so, please write that down, and sign it, for later."
Ed
I saw a Facebook post by a family member.
Why would they want the info from the data recorder?
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
In the end they will get it all during the discovery phase of the coming lawsuit.
zugmann Why would they want the info from the data recorder?
I believe it was in hopes of finding out if the horn was blown. The individual did not mention a lawsuit. Said the family just wanted to find out what happened.
Lithonia OperatorI believe it was in hopes of finding out if the horn was blown. The individual did not mention a lawsuit. Said the family just wanted to find out what happened.
So, lawsuit.
zugmann Lithonia Operator I believe it was in hopes of finding out if the horn was blown. The individual did not mention a lawsuit. Said the family just wanted to find out what happened.
Lithonia Operator I believe it was in hopes of finding out if the horn was blown. The individual did not mention a lawsuit. Said the family just wanted to find out what happened.
They probably just wanted closure as to what happened but also with idea of filing suit if any negligence was shown, like no horn. Just like the woman who stood too close to #844 taking pics and was hit by the train. I saw the video before it was removed from YT and hard to watch a body being thrown into the air. The family did not sue UP on that, as they were not at fault.
AFAIK, that is their right.
Sunnyland They probably just wanted closure as to what happened but also with idea of filing suit if any negligence was shown, like no horn. Just like the woman who stood too close to #844 taking pics and was hit by the train. I saw the video before it was removed from YT and hard to watch a body being thrown into the air. The family did not sue UP on that, as they were not at fault.
You certainly saw a different video than I. She did not "stand too close". She lept at the locomotive.
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