--- description: In the fine print of Amtrak tickets, consumers are waiving their rights to a trial by jury. Learn more about this anti-consumer behavior with our blog. title: Amtrak's Sneaky Arbitration Clause --- Amtrak's Sneaky Arbitration Clause # Amtrak’s Sneaky Arbitration Clause Last Updated: November 20, 2025 Reading Time: 2 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 7 months ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » Amtrak’s Sneaky Arbitration Clause What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $18.8 Million Car Crash $2 Million Car Crash $1.9 Million Car Crash $1.37 Million Car Crash $1.1 Million Car Crash $1 Million Car Crash [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) They were adamant about getting me the best settlement. 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"*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Watch our attorneys explain how they fight for car accident victims across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With over $1 billion recovered, our team knows how to build a winning case — from investigation through trial. Video Transcript **Speakers:** Ira Sherman, Joseph Cammarata, Stephen Ollar, Allan Siegel **Ira Sherman (00:02):** I would say that Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata and Siegel has a completely different outlook on cases that other people think are garden variety automobile accidents, because to the person who is involved in that accident, that’s not garden variety, that’s altering their life. **Joseph Cammarata (00:21):** First of all, we don’t advertise. People come to us by word of mouth, either from defense lawyers, from insurance companies, from colleagues at the bar. They know that we have decades of experience in the personal injury field. They know that what we bring to bear is a group of lawyers that work and non-lawyers that work as a team to make sure we understand what the nature and the extent of the injury is. We make sure we understand and can express to a third party just what those injuries are, and we work to obtain the most compensation that we can for an individual. **Stephen Ollar (01:04):** What we do a lot of is discovery, not just discovery of the facts of the case, but discovery about insurance. It may be that the individual was operating the vehicle for an employer, and if they were acting with what we call the course and scope of their employment, then there could be potentially additional coverage that would cover a person for those injuries. **Allan Siegel (01:27):** We’ve been handling car accident cases since Don Chaikin founded this firm over 50 years ago. Since we spend a lot of time and we have a lot of those cases, we have developed a level of experience and knowledge that I think is very unique in our field. There aren’t many law firms who can say that they’ve been doing this type of work for over 50 years. **Ira Sherman (01:52):** I care enough to look to determine who this person is and how it affected them, and that takes up a lot of my conversation with our clients. In 2015, an Amtrak train traveling from [Washington to New York](https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Amtrak-Engineer-Deadly-Philadelphia-Crash-Bostian-Charges-Dropped-513089591.html) derailed in Philadelphia, killing 8 people and injuring about 200 others. One year later, Amtrak was ordered to pay $265 million to those affected. [This January](https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/08/amtrak-crash-sue-068175), the company quietly added a mandatory arbitration clause to the fine print of its ticket purchases. ### What Does This Mean? With mandatory arbitration, Amtrak passengers who are injured or killed will not be able to sue, nor band together to file class-action lawsuits. By purchasing a train ticket, customers are waiving their right to go before a judge or jury in the event of an accident – even if that [accident is fatal](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wrongful-death/) or results in [catastrophic injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/catastrophic-injuries/). ### Anti-Consumer Activity “*It’s one of the most anti-consumer and passenger clauses I’ve ever seen*,” says Julia Duncan, a representative from [the American Association for Justice](https://www.justice.org/). Consumer advocates back up her claim, stating that forced arbitration in general hurts customers, who already have a hard time resolving smaller claims with transportation companies. Senator Richard Blumenthal agrees and plans to investigate Amtrak’s clause. The clause will also be examined in a [Congressional hearing next week](https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/Amtrak-Policy-Change-Means-You-Cant-Sue-If-Something-Goes-Wrong-564715502.html?fbclid=IwAR3TakOvzlWUTdED2GuGo-vFTZ3UTSsFML8fdt6QscSN5-l-7r9pRAedZQE). Blumenthal explains: “*There’s no reason why consumer complaints about Amtrak should involve mandatory arbitration. Consumers might wish to have arbitration… but they shouldn’t be forced to*.” Arbitration is a hot-button issue in the transportation industry due to high-speed transit’s increased risk for severe injury and death. Airlines, for example, are already forbidden from using mandatory arbitration. Duncan asserts: “*The question of whether or not cases of catastrophic injury or death belong in arbitration is a really important policy question*.” ### Avoid Arbitration – Don’t Ride Amtrak While politicians and policymakers decide whether Amtrak’s clause is legally acceptable, consumers should consider alternate modes of transportation. The only way to avoid entering into an arbitration agreement is to refrain from riding Amtrak altogether. In recent years, the company has had multiple [train accidents](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/train-accidents/). About 116 passengers were injured in a Feb. 2018 collision in South Carolina and 3 passengers were killed during a 2017 derailment in Washington state. With arbitration, consumers are deprived of their access to “*public accountability through a judge or jury process*,” and according to Duncan, “*consumers fare terribly on the whole in the forced arbitration system*.” ### At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., We Are Here For You If you have any questions about arbitration or need to explore your rights in the wake of [an accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/), [our attorneys](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/attorney-profiles/) are available 24/7 and ready to assist you. **To discuss your injuries and find out whether or not you have a case, call us at (202) 659-8600 and **[**schedule a free consultation**](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/)**.** [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. serve the entire Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Virginia](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/virginia/) ([Northern Virginia car accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/northern-virginia/), [Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/auto-accident-attorneys-in-arlington-va/), [Fairfax County auto accident claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/fairfax/), [Woodbridge](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/woodbridge-va/), [Manassas](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/manassas-va/), and [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/alexandria/)) and Maryland ([Bethesda](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/bethesda/), [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/hyattsville/), [Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/rockville/), Lau Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. 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