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Many L’Enfant smoke lawsuits dismissed; victim’s family presses on

WASHINGTON — A majority of the lawsuits tied to the deadly 2015 Yellow Line smoke incident near L’Enfant Plaza have now been dismissed in federal court in a way that signals settlement agreements for dozens of the victims and their families.

Court records show 20 cases have been dismissed just within the last month. In one case, a lawyer for one of the victims entered a notice that the case was settled before correcting it Friday to only formally indicate that all sides had agreed to have the case dismissed.

Since June, at least 80 of the 100 or so lawsuits have been dismissed under similar circumstances.

The settlements typically include an agreement that the parties will not share the details of any agreement.

A $50 million lawsuit filed by the family of Carol Glover, a 61-year-old from Alexandria who was killed when the Yellow Line train filled with smoke, is moving ahead. The next hearing for that and the other remaining cases is scheduled for March. If there is a trial, it could begin late next year.

How Metro’s summer Red Line shutdown will affect commuters on Rockville Pike, Wisconsin Avenue

Metro's closure of three Red Line rail stations this summer will mean extra traffic on congested Maryland Route 355. WTOP checked out dedicated bus lanes Monday morning, which have been installed to keep shuttle buses moving during Metrorail's summer shutdown. From July 6 through Sept. 6, Metro will be doing major construction at three stations, which will be closed to the public and will not be served by Metrorail: Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center and Bethesda.
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