Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
The Boston Globe reports that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is adding defibrillators to its commuter trains in case of passenger heart attacks. Last week, MBTA officials said that thirty cardiac machines have already been installed and the MBTA plans to outfit its entire fleet of trains by the end of the spring. The MBTA is also training its conductors and assistant conductors in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator use.
The installation was urged by Marlene Allen, a Wellesley women whose husband died on a commuter rail train in 2002. The passenger suffered a heart attack and had to wait for medical attention while the commuter train made its regular stops. The train conductor stopped at three different stations during a 20 minute period but there were no cardiac machines on board the train and the conductor did not promptly call for medical help.
As a result of her husband’s death, Allen won a $3.9 million settlement from the MBTA and Amtrak, which at the time had a contract to run the MBTA’s commuter service.
Widow glad MBTA to get defibrillators, Boston Globe, February 3, 2009
MBTA installs defibrillators on commuter rail, Associated Press, February 2, 2009
Our Massachusetts wrongful death lawyers can advise you on your legal options if you have lost a loved one while riding the MBTA.
