Following accidents that are caused by negligence, victims are often able to bring personal injury lawsuits against the liable parties. There are many types of personal injury cases, including medical malpractice and products liability.

Recently, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported that the Louisville Metro Government paid out $150,000 this month in seven personal injury claims brought by people who were injured in the 2009 zoo train derailment.

The accident occurred at the Louisville Zoo and left 22 people injured. According to a report by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, too much speed, mechanical problems and an inadequately trained operator were all factors in the crash.

The zoo was fined $37,000 by the state for a total of six violations that were found to have caused the train accident on June 1, 2009. Because the city oversees the zoo, it was faced with numerous personal injury lawsuits following the accident.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that the city has spent more than $525,000 so far in 23 settlements with accident victims. It was reported that there are also six more claims pending, which are expected to me mediated for settlement later this month.

At the time of the crash, there were 29 passengers on board the zoo's green narrow-gauge, open-air train.

One Louisville resident who was injured in the crash said he has gone through numerous surgeries after being pinned under the train when it flipped on its side. The man said the surgeries have cost him more than $350,000 and that he may eventually lose one of his legs.

This is the purpose of personal injury lawsuits, to compensate people who have been severely injured in accidents that were no fault of their own.

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal, "City settles more lawsuits over Louisville Zoo train derailment," Jason Riley, Jan. 15, 2012