Woman blames Amtrak for slipping on water near steps

A woman claims she slipped on water in a dark hallway while a passenger on an Amtrak train.

Belinda Bennett filed a lawsuit Nov. 6 in Madison County Circuit Court against National Railroad Passenger Corporation also known as Amtrak.

Bennett claims she was a passenger on a moving Amtrak train on Nov. 13, 2007, when she slipped on water allowed to accumulate in a pathway near steps.

"This water was left in an unsafe location as it originated from the Defendant's equipment and Defendant left it without warning," the suit states. "Additionally the lighting was very poor making visibility difficult and unsafe, yet no other egress was provided."

Because of the incident, Bennett suffered injuries to her back and legs, experienced depression, may have sustained psychological and emotional damages and lost his earning capacity, according to the complaint. In addition, Bennett incurred medical costs, has been permanently damaged in her ability to work, labor and enjoy her normal pursuits and suffered pain and mental distress, the complaint says.

Bennett blames Amtrak for failing to provide her with a safe place to work, for failing to provide her with safe conditions for travel, for failing to provide her with safe equipment, for failing to provide her with sufficient warning, for failing to provide her with a safe pathway and for failing to warn of the presence of hazards.

Daniel R. Francis of The Francis Law Firm in St. Louis will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1199.