Amtrak, families want deadly crash lawsuits consolidated

Amtrak has joined a bid to have the lawsuits filed over a deadly crash in Philadelphia consolidated before the same federal judge.

Lawyers for some of the eight people killed and 200 injured when the speeding train derailed initiated the request.

Amtrak says that 19 lawsuits have been filed so far in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The rail company says its liability is capped at $200 million.

The pending lawsuits include wrongful death claims filed on behalf of two businessmen killed in the May crash.

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Acclaimed chef Eli Kulp is among the survivors seeking damages. His lawsuit says he suffered a broken spine and remains paralyzed.

U.S. District Judge Legrome Davis has been handling the Philadelphia cases. The parties have asked a court panel to assign him all of the related cases.

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