If you have been injured on a SEPTA bus, trolley, train, or even at a station, you may be able to receive some compensation for your injuries. However, because SEPTA is a government agency, some very specific rules will apply to your claim. Below, you will find a general overview of a lawsuit against SEPTA, including limitations on recovery, and an explanation of how consulting with a personal injury attorney can be beneficial.
SEPTA is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, and it functions as the public transportation authority for Philadelphia and the surrounding area. SEPTA operates as a state agency. Pennsylvania’s governmental immunity laws govern any claims, which limit the ability to successfully recover compensation from government agencies. People most often sue SEPTA for:
If you have been injured in one of the aforementioned ways, in order to win your claim, you must prove SEPTA’s negligence directly caused your injury. However, even if you are successful in proving this, there will still be some limitations on your recovery.
Pennsylvania limits the damages you can recover from SEPTA, regardless of the true cost of your medical bills. According to Pennsylvania law, total damages awarded cannot exceed $250,000 for a single person or $1,000,000 for a single accident where multiple parties are injured. This limit applies to every person with a claim, regardless of how high your medical bills or other costs may be. Additionally, specific types of damages, like punitive damages, are not available in lawsuits against government agencies like SEPTA.
Besides the statutory cap on damages, you and your attorney must also follow many other rules and procedures in order to win a successful claim against SEPTA. Failure to follow these specific rules and strict timelines can lead to immediate denial of your claim, and you will lose your right to receive compensation.
If you have been injured on a SEPTA bus, train, trolley, or at a SEPTA property and are wondering if you can file a lawsuit to be compensated for your injuries, call one of our experienced personal injury attorneys as soon as possible. We will help you determine whether you have a claim, handle the complex rules for filing your claim, and maximize the chances of a successful outcome.