Family Of Michael Brady Launch $1.6M Wrongful Death Suit Against TriMet

PORTLAND, Ore. — The family and estate of Michael Brady, 51, the man stabbed to death on a MAX train in an unprovoked attack in March, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against TriMet. They say TriMet failed to protect the slain father from foreseeable violence on its MAX trains.

Portland Man Stabbed To Death On Trimet MAX Train

During his commute home on a MAX on March 29, Brady was stabbed several times in the torso by alleged suspect Shondel L. Larkin, 51.

Shortly after the attack, Brady died on the platform at the 82nd Avenue Transit Station. According to investigators, Larkin’s attack on Brady was unprovoked.

Brady and Larkin had no interaction on the train, despite sitting near each other. Larkin later told the investigators that he heard voices and the voices convinced him Brady was going to kill him. Larkin was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.

Family Of Slain Portland Father Files Lawsuit Against TriMet

In a wrongful death complaint filed in the Multnomah County Circuit Court, the family said as a common carrier,  TriMet has a duty to ensure the safety of its passengers. Adequate security and warnings about potential violence on its trains should be provided.

The lawsuit alleges further that TriMet was aware of previous incidents posed by dangerous individuals and ongoing safety risks on its trains, but failed to take necessary precautions.

The suit goes on to say that despite knowing about the threats, TriMet’s board members and senior management did not implement sufficient security measures or warn passengers, particularly mobile crisis teams that could deter violence and safeguard its passengers from foreseeable danger.

It said  TriMet should have known violent individuals were frequently on its MAX trains.

The lawsuit alleges that if Brady had known about the danger, he would have chosen alternate transport and still been alive, and if TriMet provided adequate security measures and personnel on the MAX train Michael Brady was stabbed on, he would have got home safely “to have dinner with his wife and son.”

A jury trial has been requested in the lawsuit which seeks damages not less than $1 and not exceeding $1,660,400, plus attorney fees and other costs for Brady’s pain and suffering and compensation for his family’s loss of companionship and services.