NYC Jury Verdict Pushes MTA Toward Safer Platforms
Brooklyn jury awards $81.7M to woman who lost legs in 2016 L train accident at Myrtle-Wyckoff
MTA Jury Verdict
A Brooklyn jury ordered the MTA to pay $81.7 million to Kayla Sanabria, who lost both legs and several fingers after being struck by an L train at Myrtle-Wyckoff station in September 2016. The jury found the transit agency 67% liable for the incident, transit officials confirmed. Michael Elman, Sanabria's attorney, said the jury determined the MTA was aware of dangers of people falling or being pushed onto tracks and failed to take reasonable steps to protect riders.
Track intrusion incidents remain a persistent safety concern in the subway system, according to the transit agency. Over 300 people entered subway tracks in 2024 alone, officials said. The MTA has installed platform doors at three stations—Times Square-42nd Street, Third Avenue, and Sutphin Boulevard—though officials haven't announced a comprehensive timeline for system-wide installation. Platform barriers and protective devices are standard in many modern transit systems globally but remain rare in NYC's subway network.
The $81.7 million award represents one of the largest verdicts against the MTA in a track safety case, though the breakdown between compensatory and punitive damages wasn't immediately available. Sanabria told reporters she's grateful she was able to get some type of justice for what happened to her. The verdict came after a trial examining the MTA's safety protocols and awareness of platform dangers. Officials didn't provide details about whether the agency plans to appeal the decision.
The lawsuit was filed following the 2016 incident, though specific filing dates weren't available by publication time. The MTA hasn't issued a public statement regarding the verdict. It wasn't immediately clear whether the transit agency will appeal or what impact the decision might have on future safety investments. The agency typically doesn't comment on ongoing litigation or recent verdicts while consulting with legal counsel.
Riders affected by track safety concerns can report incidents to station staff or transit personnel. The three stations with platform doors represent a small fraction of the system's hundreds of stations, though officials haven't said when additional installations might occur. Moovit provides real-time updates and service information for all MTA subway lines, including the L train that serves Myrtle-Wyckoff station.
