Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog

In Boston, Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) officials say the agency has suspended several bus and trolley drivers for texting or talking on their cell phones while on the job. Since May 28, when a trolley crash in Newton killed a driver, the MBTA has suspended nine employees. Their suspensions range from three to ten days, which is the maximum punishment short of termination.

A train accident in California last month reminded the public of the dangers of distracted train operators. Federal investigators went public with their finding that a train operator had sent a text message just 22 seconds before he collided with an oncoming train, killing 25 people. Last week, a Green Line trolley operator lost his job after he was captured on camera with his son and nephew at the controls of the train.

Rene Mardones, a community organizer for the T Riders Union said he agrees with the MBTA’s decision to crack down on cell phone use. “It’s going to improve the performance of the drivers because they’ll be more focused on what they’re supposed to do.”

T suspends 9 drivers for using phones, Associated Press, October 3, 2008

MBTA suspends 9 for cell phone use, Boston Herald, October 3, 2008

Continue reading "MBTA Suspends Drivers for Cell Phone Use on the Job" »

MBTA transit police are investigating a bus crash that occurred last Monday in Lynn, Massachusetts and left John Pappas, of Lynn, with serious leg injuries. The 48-year-old man was struck by an MBTA bus and was listed in stable condition (as of last week) at Massachusetts General Hospital. Doctors performed emergency surgery after the bus accident.

Soon after the 2:34 pm accident, Pappas’ loved ones arrived at the scene. They found debris, including the clothes and shoes of the victim, strewn on the street next to a parked car.

Lynn Police and Transit Police questioned he bus driver, Ceferino Rosa, also of Lynn, as well as passengers who were riding the Route 436 bus from Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers to Central Square in Lynn. The bus accident occurred on a side street that runs between Chestnut Street and Ford Street in Lynn. The bus had taken a detour, since Chestnut Street was closed in directions for construction.

Police blocked off the street late into the evening of last Monday so they could examine the scene of the accident.

Police identify bus crash victim and driver, The Daily Item, August 13, 2008

Continue reading "Lynn, Massachusetts Man Hit by MBTA Bus " »

Less than a month after a train accident on the D-line in Newton killed train operator Terrese Edmonds, 24, the MBTA has suspended another driver on the Green Line. The driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and will not be allowed to return to work until passing a “fitness of duty examination.”

Boston magazine first reported on the safety issue in June when an employee and several people noticed a trolley driver drifting off to sleep on the C line. Several passerby attempted to report the incident and the customer service representative, who was later reprimanded, dismissed their concerns.

Min Perry, 37, of Wellesley, who was trapped in the wreckage and injured in the May 28 crash on the D-line, has filed a lawsuit against the MBTA. Since that D-line accident, a Needham commuter rail train fatally struck a 15 year old boy in Roslindale last week. In addition, a 79-year old Newton man was killed and a 52-year old Wellesley woman was seriously injured in a three-car train crash in Coolidge Corner on Thursday, June 12.

If you were injured in an MBTA subway, bus or commuter train accident, then contact our Boston injury lawyers. Our team of attorneys will recover payment for lost wages and medical bills relating to the accident. We have successfully handled hundreds of MBTA injury cases.

T driver who fell asleep on job suspended, Boston.com June 28, 2008

Newton man killed in fiery Brookline crash, The Daily News Tribine, June 20, 2008

Investigators rule out track, break problems in train crash, Courant.com, May 31, 2008

Train operator dies after Boston accident, CBSNews.com, May 28, 2008