Twenty five plaintiffs have requested that their lawsuits filed filed against Metro and the District of Columbia regarding the January 12, 2015, L'Enfant Plaza smoke disaster that left one woman dead be dropped.  The request likely means that a settlement is pending, according to legal experts, however, this information cannot yet be released.  “I am bound by confidentiality, and cannot comment further on the reason for the dismissal,” said Patrick M. Regan, an attorney who has been tasked with representing several of the individuals still pursuing litigation against Metro and the D.C. Fire Department.  However, a pending settlement will be announced shortly if this is indeed the case.  Metro and the fire department have also pursued litigation against each other, blaming one another for the disaster.  

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Metro filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit as well as a claim arguing that the D.C. Fire Department should be solely responsible for what happened to its riders. In its filing, Metro alleged, "Emergency responders “delayed [their] response, resulting in a substantially longer exposure to smoke by passengers on Train 302, thereby exacerbating the nature and extent of each passenger’s injuries."  The company also stated " The communication gap stalled the process of shutting down the third-rail so that passengers could be evacuated more quickly." But the accusations were rejected by attorneys for the District, citing Metro's sole responsibility.  Both had their motions denied.  Now, Metro’s attorneys are arguing if the agency is found responsible for Glover’s death or any of the injuries that occurred that day, the District of Columbia should also be found equally at fault and help the transit company pay the victims.  As far as the individual cases left open, Regan said, “We’re working with Metro in terms of getting various materials."  He adds that it will still be awhile before they are able to go to trial. He stated he anticipated a court date will be scheduled for sometime in fall 2018.  With the closing of 25 cases perhaps pending settlement, approximately 80 additional cases remain open.

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Judge dismisses 25 cases in L'Enfant Plaza smoke disaster lawsuitIn legal action, Metro blames D.C. Fire for L’Enfant Plaza smoke casualties