A former train conductor in Florida has launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against his ex-employer, alleging that repeated exposure to fatal accidents on the tracks caused him severe psychological injury.
A Career Marred by Trauma
Darren Brown Jr filed the $60 million claim in federal court on Tuesday against Brightline Trains Florida LLC and its parent company, Fortress Investment Group LLC. Brown, who worked for Brightline from 2017 until his resignation in 2023, states he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the gruesome incidents he witnessed.
The legal documents accuse Brightline and Fortress of fostering a corporate culture that "normalized frequent fatalities, minimized emotional responses to trauma, and stigmatized requests for mental-health support." The suit further alleges the companies created an unsafe work environment through negligence and by prioritising financial goals over essential safety upgrades.
Graphic Allegations of Neglect
Brown claims he was involved in or witnessed 16 fatal train incidents during his tenure. While the Miami Herald and WLRN confirmed eight of these, the lawsuit describes one particularly harrowing event in February 2022. Brown's train struck a car that had driven onto the tracks, ripping the vehicle in half.
He was allegedly required to rush to the wreckage, where he found the 55-year-old driver "crashed and pinned inside, screaming in agony." Brown says he watched as the still-living man was extracted from the crushed car and taken to hospital.
Beyond the psychological toll, Brown makes several disturbing allegations about company practices post-accident:
- He was ordered to perform duties he was not trained for, including visually confirming whether victims were dead, despite having no medical or forensic background.
- He was forced to continue his shift and re-board trains while still wearing clothing contaminated with "biological matter, vehicle fluids, and hazardous debris" from the fatalities.
- Management allegedly urged crews to "take it to the next station" and "keep things moving" after traumatic events, treating them as mere operational disruptions.
A Culture of Indifference to Trauma
The lawsuit paints a picture of systemic indifference to employee welfare. It claims that conductors who experienced profoundly traumatic events received little to no specialised support. "A conductor who struck and dismembered a pedestrian received essentially the same leave as someone who hit a shopping cart," the filing states.
Brown argues that his mental health has deteriorated so severely he has been "effectively forced out of the railroad industry," suffering substantial economic and personal damages. Brightline's media director, Ashley Blasewitz, stated the company does not comment on ongoing litigation.
The case highlights critical questions about duty of care in high-risk transport industries and the long-term support for employees exposed to extreme workplace trauma.
