A recent fire aboard an MTA maintenance train that injured 14 transit workers and firefighters has renewed concerns about the condition of New York City’s aging subway system. While investigators continue working to determine what caused the incident, the fire has also drawn attention to broader infrastructure challenges facing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
Those concerns come as recent reportshttps://gothamist.com/news/nycs-obsolete-subway-cars-causing-more-problems-for-riders-comptroller-report-says show equipment and infrastructure problems accounted for 31% of subway delays in 2024, up from 24% the year before. The same report found that subway car breakdowns triggered 77 major incidents during the first half of 2025, nearly triple the number reported during the same period in 2024.
Together, the recent fire and these findings have renewed conversations about modernizing New York City’s transit system to better protect both workers and riders.
Why It Matters for Worker Safety
As equipment ages, transit workers are often required to perform frequent inspections and repairs, spending more time working around older trains and infrastructure that require ongoing maintenance. This increased exposure can place workers in more hazardous conditions while also affecting the reliability of the system for millions of riders.
Your Legal Rights After a Transportation or Workplace Incident
If you or someone you know is injured in a transportation or workplace incident, seeking medical attention and documenting what happened are important first steps. Determining liability may require reviewing maintenance records, inspection reports, safety procedures, and the sequence of events leading up to the incident. Acting quickly can help preserve evidence before it is lost, overwritten, or repaired.
For injuries involving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), additional legal requirements and deadlines may apply. In general, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of an incident involving the MTA. Because these deadlines can affect your ability to pursue a claim, it is important to understand your rights and act promptly.
The attorneys at Napoli Shkolnik have decades of experience representing individuals injured in transportation accidents, workplace incidents, and other matters involving negligence. We can help you navigate this process and help you receive the compensation and accountability you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to unsafe conditions or another party’s negligence, contact us today to learn more about your legal options.