Galette v. New Jersey Transit Corp.

On March 4, 2026, plaintiff Marie Galette sustained severe injuries when a New Jersey Transit train door malfunctioned and closed on her during boarding at Newark Penn Station, resulting in a fractured pelvis and spinal damage. Galette filed a civil negligence lawsuit against New Jersey Transit Corp. in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging failure to maintain safe boarding systems and inadequate station supervision. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated and identified a sensor defect in the train's automated door mechanism. The case raised questions about sovereign immunity waivers and the standard of care owed by public transit agencies to passengers during boarding.

The case settled in mediation in October 2026 with New Jersey Transit Corp. agreeing to pay $4.2 million in damages and implement system-wide sensor upgrades, without admitting liability.

Whether New Jersey Transit Corp. breached its duty of care by failing to properly inspect and maintain automatic train doors, and whether the plaintiff's injuries were directly caused by such negligence, given potential claims of comparative fault and the applicability of New Jersey Tort Claims Act immunities.

The incident triggered renewed scrutiny of transit safety infrastructure, leading to legislative proposals for mandatory quarterly door sensor audits across all U.S. commuter rail systems and increased funding for passenger safety technology.