A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge handling the cases vacated a Jan. 4 trial date and urged both parties to “work diligently” to resolve the remaining case, a six-figure serious injury lawsuit, Ringler said.
“We fully expect that last one to resolve in the next three to four months, but there is no guarantee,” he said.
In October, Ringler said 90% of the cases had been settled for about $30 million with six cases remaining.
The recent settlements, which await approval from the Metrolink board of directors, bring years of litigation to near finish, even as the rail agency grapples with lawsuits stemming from the deadly Chatsworth crash last year that killed 25 people.
Prior to that crash, the 2005 Glendale derailment — which occurred when a Metrolink train hit a parked Jeep Cherokee left behind by Juan Manuel Alvarez on the tracks near Chevy Chase Drive, killing 11 and injuring nearly 200 others — had been the deadliest incident in the rail agency’s history.
Alvarez was sentenced last year to serve 11 consecutive life sentences in prison for causing the derailment.
“All of those involved that were injured or who lost loved ones are very pleased to have this resolution behind them to move forward with their lives,” Ringler said.
Angela Starr, a Metrolink spokeswoman, declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.
