(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A lawsuit was filed Thursday within hours of a CTA train crash on Chicago’s North Side.
Clifford Law Offices said it had filed the negligence suit in Cook County Circuit Court against the rail agency on behalf of Chicagoan Cleon Hawkins, 52. Lawyers said Hawkins was transported to the hospital after a Yellow Line train collided with a piece of equipment at the Howard station around 10:30 a.m.
Hawkins' attorneys said he suffered injuries to his shoulder and leg and remains hospitalized.
"[There was] very, very heavy impact...He flew out and hit the poles," attorney Henry Simmons said.
At least 23 commuters were sent to the hospital, and several others were injured but declined treatment at the scene, officials said. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening, authorities said. Federal officials are investigating.
“This type of crash was completely preventable,” Joseph T. Murphy, a partner at Clifford Law Offices, said in a news release. “This is an example of a catastrophic failure on the part of the CTA to make commuter transportation safe for its passengers who depend on it.”
A second lawsuit was filed Friday morning by the Clifford Law Offices. Passenger Matt Jones, 67, is the plaintiff in this complaint. He claims he was "bounced around like a pinball," and sustained injuries to his head that required stiches.
Several more passenger lawsuits are anticipated.
WBBM's Sarah Herrera contributed to this report.
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