Lawsuit Resulting From 2003 Chicago Derailment Settled

A suburban Chicago woman who was injured when a Metra commuter train derailed has settled a personal injury lawsuit with the transit agency.

The attorney for Kathryn Kuk says she will receive $1.8 million under the agreement. Tim Cavanagh said Tuesday the 54-year-old Kuk has undergone two lower back surgeries, and will need additional surgeries.

The lawsuit was being tried in Cook County Circuit Court. According to Cavanagh, Metra admitted liability in the case, but the issue in court was the extent of Kuk’s injuries.

About 45 people were injured Oct. 12, 2003 when the train, carrying about 200 passengers, sped through a switch and derailed.

Metra spokesman Michael Gillis says the agency is committed to installing technology that prevents train collisions and speeding accidents by overriding human error.