A $338 million settlement fund for victims of a fiery train derailment that claimed 47 lives in Canada is poised for final approval, but payments could be held up by a legal challenge from one of that country’s largest railways, the Associated Press reported yesterday. Canadian Pacific, which opposes the settlement fund, declined to contribute because it contends others were responsible for the tragedy. If the settlement is approved, Canadian Pacific would be left open to lawsuits while those the railroad considers to be responsible would be shielded from further legal battles by the agreement. But Robert Keach, the bankruptcy trustee in the case, said that the railroad is engaging in a “cynical” ploy to delay payments to victims to further its own negotiating position in settlement talks. “If they really thought that they were completely innocent and that they had no liability, then they would let the distribution proceed and they would defend themselves in court,” he said.
