In order to compensate the families and victims of those injured in the 2008 deadly rail crash in Chatsworth, California, Metrolink and its former operating contractor Connex Railroad have offered to pay a $200 million settlement.

25 people were killed and over a hundred people were injured when the commuter train collided with a freight train. The crash occurred seconds after the commuter train's engineer sent a text message.

Currently, $200 million represents the liability cap - or maximum payout - allowed under federal law for railroad crashes. The actual costs may be much higher, leaving many victims under-compensated for the economic losses and medical expenses. In fact, the Mercury News reports that California Representative Elton Gallegly plans to challenge the cap on damage on damage payouts to train crash victims. Gallegly states, "That money is going to go quickly. Whether the amount should be $300 (million) or $350 million, or whatever, I want to make sure that we have a way to see that they do receive what's fair."

An independent evaluation placed the damage amount far in excess of $200 million.

Caps in catastrophic accidents such as in the rail crash, in the BP oil spill and in medical malpractice actions, are often arbitrary and significantly limit injured victims rights to compensation. When a person, company, hospital or any other entity's negligent conduct results in catastrophic injuries with substantial long-term costs, it should be held accountable.

For more information, or if you've suffered an injury due to another's reckless or negligent conduct, contact Sette Law Office, dedicated to helping the injured.