Corboy & Demetrio Attorneys File Complaint in Train Derailment, Explosion and Fire in Rockford, Illinois

On Friday, July 10, 2009, attorneys Robert Bingle and Philip Harnett Corboy, Jr., of the Corboy & Demetrio law firm, filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County on behalf of two people severely burned as a result of the train derailment, explosion and fire in Rockford, Illinois, on June 19, 2009. The complaint was filed against Canadian National Railway Company (CNRC) alleging that they were negligent in the operation, maintenance and supervision of the CNRC train and negligent in the maintenance and inspection of the CNRC railroad track. The attorneys also filed a petition for an Order of Protection seeking to preserve and protect any and all evidence pertaining to the incident.

On Friday, June 19, 2009, at approximately 8:30 p.m., a CNRC train, with 114 cars including 74 tankers filled with ethanol, was traveling from Freeport, Illinois, to Chicago. As it approached Rockford, Jose Tellez, his wife Zoila and pregnant daughter Addriana were in the family car on the south side of the railroad tracks behind the lowered gates, waiting for the train to pass. At that time, approximately 18 cars derailed, causing an explosion and massive fire. All three family members were severely burned by the flaming ethanol. Zoila died from her injuries and Addriana suffered a miscarriage. Jose and Addriana are still hospitalized.

The fire was so extensive and massive that over 600 homes in the area were evacuated and the fire, seen for miles, was still not out by Saturday morning.

Approximately 20 minutes before the train derailed, the Winnebago County 911 center phoned CNRC and relayed to a representative that a portion of the railroad track near the scene of the derailment was under water.

Attorney Bingle remarked:

The pain and suffering being experienced by the Tellez family is indescribable. This horrific and tragic occurrence appears to have been avoidable. All Canadian National had to do was stop the train.

The Corboy & Demetrio law firm has also been retained to represent the Estate of Zoila Tellez and Addriana Tellez on behalf of her unborn child. 

On Friday morning, July 10, Judge Elizabeth M. Budzinski of the Circuit Court of Cook County entered a Protective Order in the case which preserves critical evidence relating to the derailment and CNRC’s records and grants the Plaintiffs’ lawyers access to the site.

About Corboy & Demetrio

Corboy & Demetrio is one of the nation’s premier law firms. It represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases and is renowned for its achievements in the courtroom and for its contributions to the community. The rights and concerns of its clients are at the core of Corboy & Demetrio’s practice. That commitment, dedication, compassion and relentless drive has resulted in exceptional service and exceptional results for its clients. The firm has acquired more than $3 billion in settlements and verdicts and has attained nearly 600 settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million.

For further information, contact Mary Neville, Communications Director, at  312.346.3191 or mjn@corboydemetrio.com.