Practice

Blog

Lawsuits and Claims Against the CTA

Trying to recover compensation from the Chicago Transit Authority after a bus accident, train accident, or a fall on CTA property can be surprisingly complicated and present traps for the unwary, as the CTA was the beneficiary of a special statute which has resulted in the dismissal of many otherwise meritorious cases against the CTA.

When you are a passenger on a CTA bus or riding on a CTA el train, the CTA is considered to be a common carrier.  This means that the CTA must exercise the highest degree of care to assure your safety.  This is true from the time that you board the bus or el train up until you have gotten off and reached a place of safety.  This means that the CTA is frequently found liable for injuries to CTA passengers in many different situations such as bus crashes, el train derailments, sudden stops of CTA buses or el trains, and dropping off bus passengers into hazards such as pot holes or broken concrete.

Negligence claims can also be made against the CTA for injuries resulting from bus accidents with other vehicles, pedestrians being run over by CTA buses, falls on CTA property, and other negligent conduct on the part of the CTA.

The difficult part in making a claim against the CTA is complying with the 6 month notice requirement and the 1 year statute of limitations.  Before filing suit against the CTA, the CTA must receive a notice from the injured person or their representative containing details about the accident and medical care.  Any errors made in completing the notice can result in dismissal of the lawsuit.  After the notice is filed, a lawsuit must be filed against the CTA within 1 year of the date of accident. 

SITE UPDATE:  Governor Patrick Quinn recently signed legislation repealing the 6 month notice requirement for claims against the CTA.  For people injured in an accident with the CTA on or after June 1, 2009, there is no longer a 6 month notice requirement.  They only need to comply with a 1 year statute of limitations.  People injured before June 1, 2009 must comply with both the 6 month notice requirement and the 1 year statute of limitations or risk dismissal of their lawsuit against the CTA.

Because of these short time limitations and the technical requirements of the CTA notice of claim, it is strongly recommended that people with serious injuries contact an experienced bus accident attorney such as the bus and el train accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C.

The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
100 W Monroe St.,
Ste 2100
Chicago, IL 60603

Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

Proudly Serving Many Illinois Cities and Counties, Including:
Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan, Geneva, Sycamore, Woodstock, Kankakee, Morris, Ottawa; Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Winnebago, DeKalb, McHenry, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Peoria, McLean, Champaign, Tazewell Counties

---

Blog for Lawsuits and Claims Against the CTA

• Falling railroad tie from CTA el tracks wrecks car
• CTA el trains derail more frequently than those in other subway systems
• Bolts dropping from CTA el tracks
• Baby in stroller dragged by CTA el train
• Pedestrian hit and killed by CTA bus
• CTA bus crash on South Side
• Train accident analysis
• Six month notice for cases against the CTA abolished
• Bill proposes changes in CTA notice requirements

---

Frequent Questions for Lawsuits and Claims Against the CTA:

• I was involved in a bus accident with the CTA.  Do I have to hire a lawyer to file the CTA's notice of claim?

---

Case Results for Lawsuits and Claims Against the CTA:

• Settlement for Back Injury Resulting from Short Stop

Awarded: $160,000

---

Web Resources for Lawsuits and Claims Against the CTA:

• NBC Channel 5 News Report on CTA Notice Requirement

  Description: A news piece by Lisa Parker of NBC Channel 5 News on how the CTA notice requirement puts the cases of accident victims at risk.

View All

Offices

FAQ