ZAPPED AMTRAK TRESPASSER SUES

ZAPPED AMTRAK TRESPASSER SUES

August 31, 2008

A Queens man who survived an electric shock and fire two years ago when he climbed atop an empty, stopped Amtrak train after a night of bar hopping in Boston is suing the railroad - because Amtrak didn't do enough to protect trespassers like him.

Brian Hopkins, 25, of Astoria, was discovered engulfed in flames at about 4 a.m. atop the high-speed Acela train, having been jolted by 27,500 volts from arcing overhead wires.

Hopkins had been visiting friends in Boston when he suddenly proclaimed that he "wanted to get back to New York" and left a friend's house at about 2 a.m., according to published reports at the time of the July 2006 incident.

Hopkins, an architect, apparently tried to pry open one of the parked trains before climbing on top.

He suffered third-degree burns over 85 percent of his body, and doctors have since amputated his left hand and leg, according to the lawsuit filed last month in Brooklyn federal court.

Amtrak "should have known that persons trespassed" in the South Station area where Hopkins was found, he and his parents contend in court papers.

The family claims that Amtrak should have monitored the area, cut off the electricity going to the overhead wires, and even parked its trains somewhere else when they weren't in use.

Amtrak declined to comment on the pending litigation.

ZAPPED AMTRAK TRESPASSER SUES - New York Post

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I hope this case gets tossed out of court and this idiot is sued by Amtrak for trespassing and causing damage to the company.

Damn skippy, this guy is a huge dumbass. "YOU DIDN'T PROTECT ME FROM MYSELF, I"M SUEING!!!!!"

I really, really hate how people refuse to take responsibility for their actions. I can't even possibly think of what he could bring to court to help him and keep him from getting his newly-crippled ass laughed out of court.

Oh wow, hes gonna get judged...

It may not be as funny as it sounds, more like sick to me! Most likely, because he will probably win. I was rear ended by a drunk motorcyclist and his girlfriend was injured (not seriously-but rendered unconscious). As he and another cyclist were visiting 30 yards away from her and she unconscious, he could have cared less. I bet he really cared when he and I were both sued; because we were drivers and she was considered and "Independent Bystander" so to speak! I was making a legal left turn when he hit me and got sued by his passenger. She wins from everyone!!!

It depends on the laws of the state, I guess! But, really sucks to me! Is it a crime for having no common sense-guess not! PR :wtf:

idiot whiny little idiots like him have had a great share in some of our stupidest laws taking place...

so do they have a big role in prices we pay for things... from expensive medicine to train tickets n everything in between..

most major companies have an account they put their doomsday money in, for times like this when they get sued... and they take that money from customers

That guy sucks.