Victims of California Train Crash Seek Help From Congress

Victims of a deadly train crash in Los Angeles four years ago have expressed disappointment in Congress’ failure to increase a railroad liability cap that they believe inadequately compensates them for their pain and suffering.

Victims and relatives of those killed on a Metrolink train met with an aide to Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Friday. They asked for Feinstein to press lawmakers to raise the limit on how much money railroads can be forced to pay in damages to victims and their families.

In 1997, the liability was capped at $200 million per accident.

The train ran a red signal light and slammed into a freight train, killing 25 people and injuring dozens of others in 2008.

A contractor and the transit agency settled lawsuits last year by agreeing to establish a $200 million fund to compensate victims.