Philadelphia, Pa. – As Monday, May 12, 2025, approaches, the city of Philadelphia and the wider rail commuting community prepare to mark a somber milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Amtrak Train 188 derailment. The May 12, 2015, tragedy claimed the lives of eight passengers and injured more than 200, leaving an indelible mark on the region. This year’s anniversary will be a day of remembrance, reflection, and renewed calls for enhanced transportation safety measures.

Leading Philadelphia trial lawyers Thomas R. Kline, of Kline & Specter, and Robert J. Mongeluzzi, of Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, whose firms jointly represented many plaintiffs in the litigation that followed the incident, vividly recall the events of that day and the subsequent years of advocating for justice and rail safety reforms.

Remembering the Victims

The eight individuals who perished in the Amtrak 188 derailment are remembered below:

Legal Battles and Safety Reforms

The legal aftermath of the derailment led to meaningful changes in rail safety regulations and compensation for victims. Mr. Mongeluzzi reflected on the collaborative effort of the legal teams:

we are honored to have been part of the remarkable legal team of Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, Kline & Specter and Morelli Law, as we fought for justice for these victims, an increase in the monetary cap on recoveries against Amtrak and the requirement that all Amtrak trains be equipped with positive train control which would have prevented this and many other railroad derailments. That joint effort culminated in a $265 million settlement,the largest recovery in a train accident ever,the raising of the Amtrak cap to $295 million and the accelerated acceptance and installation of positive train control that has and will save countless lives and injuries. However, eight lives were lost forever.The catastrophic injuries many of the survivors suffered will last a lifetime. While the accident and the litigation it spawned may have a positive impact on subsequent train safety, the cost of lives and devastating lifelong injuries came at a steep price. Today we remember these victims and continue our fight to make our world a safer place.

Robert J. Mongeluzzi, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky

Mr. Kline echoed the sentiment,emphasizing the ongoing commitment to safety:

On the tenth anniversary of this tragedy,we are thinking of the families and individuals who we represented who suffered unimaginable grief and for so long consequently of this preventable tragedy. We honor the memory of those who were lost, support their families and those still healing, and carry all of their stories of courage, heartbreak, and resilience with us still today. We are hopeful that lessons have been learned and changes implemented to prevent a similar tragedy from ever happening again. safety in public transportation is paramount, and we will continue to commit ourselves as lawyers to do our part and seeking accountability when it is indeed necessary to do so.

Thomas R. Kline,Kline & Specter

mr. Morelli added outlook on the importance of the settlement and the need for continued vigilance:

The efforts of our three firms were paramount in resolving this litigation, without individual trials, which allowed the victims and their families to get some closure without having to relive the tragedy. We understand that if the money was spent by Amtrak to have Positive Train Control,the accident never would have happened,eight lives never would have been lost,and the other victims’ lives never would have been changed forever. We need to continue the fight for safety in public transportation, and to make sure that money over safety does not continue to be Amtrak’s legacy.

Mr. Morelli, Morelli Law

Survivor’s Perspective

Daniel Armyn, one of the injured survivors, shared his enduring struggles:

I’m thankful every day to have survived, and that I’ve mostly recovered from the physical injuries, but the PTSD is still very real and endless.I think about the derailment whenever I set foot on any form of transportation, or when my wife or our two kids board a plane or a train. My shattered bones mended after months of being homebound, but my then thriving design & advertising business, NewBreed, was fractured. I can never get out of my head that the derailment was preventable.

Daniel Armyn, Survivor

Contact Facts

For interviews with family members of victims or survivors, please contact:

• Thomas R. Kline: tom.kline@klinespecter.com / 215-407-1360
• Robert J. Mongeluzzi: rmongeluzzi@smbb.com / 215-850-6571
• Hank grezlak: hank.grezlak@klinespecter.com / 215-792-5566
• Steph Rosenfeld: steph@idadvisors.com / 215-514-4101