Woman pushed on train tracks at Toronto subway station sues TTC for $1M

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The woman who was pushed onto the subway tracks last month at Yonge and Bloor station is suing the TTC for $1 million.

Shamsa Al-Balushi, represented by Diamond and Diamond Lawyers, filed the statement of claim on Wednesday saying that even though the assailant who pushed her wasn’t a TTC employee, the TTC is liable for the incident.

On the evening of Sunday, April 17, Al-Balushi was pushed onto the tracks and rolled over under the station ledge to avoid being hit by and oncoming train.

“She was screaming in pain. Shamsa heard the subway train coming after a few minutes. She was terrified. She could hear other passengers screaming from the platform,” the claim says. “The train slowed, but did not stop until it had arrived at the platform. Shamsa was stuck, virtually immobile from her injuries, beside the train as it pulled in. Shamsa waited for approximately 30 minutes for someone to help her.”

Police, paramedics and firefighters arrived and Al-Balushi was taken to St. Michael’s Hospital.

“The TTC is liable for the injuries that Shamsa sustained, in that it failed to implement sufficient safety protocols on the subway platform, failed to provide regular supervision of the passengers, did not have adequate surveillance of the platform, and failed to promptly respond to the incident,” the claim says.

The claim says Al-Balushi suffered broken ribs, ongoing back and neck pain, chronic pain, bruising and contusions to her entire body, including her neck, head, shoulders, a general tearing and straining of the muscles and ligaments throughout her body, emotional and psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression, and emotional and psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression.

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“(Al-Balushi) has incurred, and will continue to incur medical expenses, including, but not limited to, expenses for medication, therapy, rehabilitation, medical treatment and other forms of care, the full particulars of which will be provided prior to trial,” the claim says.

“As a result of the incident, Shamsa has sustained, and will continue to suffer loss of income, a reduction in her ability to compete in the labour market, a reduction in her ability to earn an income, and restrictions in the type of employment that she will be able to undertake.”

Three weeks before the incident, Al-Balushi took a new job and is still on probation and not entitled to benefits from work.

The claim also says Al-Balushi doesn’t own a vehicle and still needs to take the TTC.

The TTC declined to comment as the matter is before the courts.

Edith Frayne, 45, of Toronto, is facing one count of attempted murder in this case.