Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile4 entries
2022
Family sues Amtrak over fatal onboard shooting
Lawsuit filed
The family of a man fatally shot aboard an Amtrak train sued Amtrak and the shooting suspect, seeking at least $100 million. The family alleges train personnel failed to seek help for the victim and that Amtrak failed to provide security measures to prevent firearms from being brought aboard.
Source excerpt
Amtrak also failed to provide security measures to prevent firearms from being brought on board the train, the suit alleges.
The family of a man shot and killed aboard an Amtrak train is suing the passenger railroad and the suspect in the killing for at least $100 million, the Kansas City Star reports.
2022
Varnadoe family files wrongful death lawsuit against Amtrak and BNSF Railway
Lawsuit filed
The family of Donald and Marjorie Varnadoe filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Amtrak and BNSF Railway over the fatal 2021 train derailment. The complaint alleges the companies were responsible and negligent in failing to prevent the crash; the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation was not complete.
Source excerpt
The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Illinois, says Amtrak and BSNF Railway were responsible for the Sept. 25, 2021, derailment in north-central Montana that killed three people — including Donald and Marjorie Varnadoe — and injured at least 44 passengers and crew members.
The family of a Georgia couple who were on a trip celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary when they died in an Amtrak train derailment in Montana has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Amtrak and BSNF Railway, which owns the tracks.
2021
Widow files suit against Amtrak and BNSF over derailment
Lawsuit filed
Rebecca Schneider filed suit against Amtrak and BNSF over her husband's death in the Empire Builder derailment. The suit alleges negligence and claims the derailment resulted from poor track maintenance and inspection, reckless train operation, or malfunctioning train control systems; these are allegations in the filing.
Company response
Apology — Amtrak
Amtrak said in a statement to the news service that it was sorry for the Schniders’ loss
Source excerpt
Rebecca Schneider, wife of 28-year-old victim Zach Schneider, filed suit Tuesday in federal court in Chicago for unspecified damages.
The 35-page filing proposes that the derailment was caused by poor maintenance and inspection of tracks, reckless operation of the train, and or malfunctioning train control systems
2021
Wescott Electric agrees to pay $54,983 to resolve claims
Settlement
Wescott Electric Company agreed to pay $54,983 and implement enhanced compliance measures to resolve claims arising from its use of Chinese-made parts during an Amtrak station fire-alarm installation and renovation project. Authorities alleged that Wescott had not determined whether the parts were American-made or sought a waiver.
Company response
Remediation — Wescott Electric Company
has agreed to pay $54,983 and implement enhanced compliance measures to resolve claims
Source excerpt
Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said Wescott Electric Company, of Aston, has agreed to pay $54,983 and implement enhanced compliance measures to resolve claims arising from its use of Chinese-made parts during a fire alarm installation and renovation project at Amtrak’s William H. Gray 30th Street Station in Philadelphia.
Wescott is alleged to have neither determined that its parts were American-made nor worked through Amtrak’s process for obtaining a waiver to this rule, authorities said.