A lawsuit has been filed by a 61-year-old nurse who suffered a broken leg after a fare evader knocked her over at the 95th Street Red Line station in Chicago. The incident, which occurred in 2025, involved private K-9 security guards employed by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). According to the complaint, the guards observed the fare evader's actions but did not intervene, allowing the confrontation that led to the nurse's injury.
The nurse, who was traveling on the Red Line, was struck by the individual attempting to evade fare payment. The impact caused a fracture in her leg, requiring medical attention and resulting in time away from work. The legal filing names the CTA and the private security firm as defendants, alleging negligence for failing to protect passengers from foreseeable harm.
Attorney Ken Hoffman is representing the nurse in the case. He argues that the presence of private security guards is intended to deter fare evasion and maintain safety on CTA trains, yet the guards' inaction in this situation demonstrates a lapse in that responsibility. The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to the injury.
The episode has drawn attention to the broader issue of relying on private security personnel to enforce fare compliance on the city's transit system. Critics have questioned whether such arrangements provide sufficient protection for riders, especially when guards are tasked with both fare enforcement and public safety.
The CTA has not publicly commented on the pending litigation. The case is expected to proceed through the courts, where the court will consider the responsibilities of private security contractors and the extent of the CTA's liability for incidents occurring on its platforms.