Mothers Sued Attorneys Over Dismissed Amtrak Case
The legal malpractice lawsuit follows a federal judge's 2025 decision to dismiss a wrongful death suit against Amtrak.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Accidents
In August 2026, Siani Gordon and Wydeia Kimble filed a legal malpractice lawsuit in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The mothers allege that their former attorneys failed to properly handle their wrongful death case concerning the 2023 deaths of their children, Jahaad Atkinson and Ah'Yir Womack.
Why it matters
The lawsuit claims professional negligence after a federal judge dismissed the initial wrongful death suit against Amtrak in July 2025. It highlights allegations that counsel failed to introduce crucial evidence regarding reckless conduct and bypassed a mediation offer.
The lawsuit was filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in August 2026. This follows the dismissal of a federal wrongful death action that originally sought $20 million in damages.
The players
Siani Gordon
She is the mother of Jahaad Atkinson and is a plaintiff in the legal malpractice lawsuit.
Wydeia Kimble
She is the mother of Ah'Yir Womack and a co-plaintiff in the legal malpractice proceedings.
Emeka Igwe
He is an attorney who previously represented the mothers before being deployed to Kuwait in 2025.
Daniel Purtell
He is an attorney who assumed responsibility for the legal case following the departure of Emeka Igwe.
Amtrak
The national rail operator was the defendant in the underlying wrongful death case filed by the mothers.
The details
The complaint alleges that attorneys Emeka Igwe and Daniel Purtell did not present an Amtrak Police report documenting radio transmissions about individuals on the tracks. Additionally, the suit claims the attorneys neglected to raise evidence of willful and wanton conduct during a key May 2025 federal hearing.
Timeline
April 29, 2023: Jahaad Atkinson and Ah'Yir Womack were killed by a train.
July 2023: The mothers initiated a wrongful death suit against Amtrak in federal court.
March 2025: Attorney Emeka Igwe was deployed to Kuwait and transferred the case.
May 2025: A federal judge held a hearing on the wrongful death case.
August 2026: The legal malpractice lawsuit was filed.
Legal Context
The filing of this malpractice claim reflects the broader legal challenges involved in holding major transportation entities accountable for track-related fatalities. The action follows the 2025 federal court dismissal of the wrongful death suit against Amtrak.
This case underscores the importance of thorough legal representation when victims seek accountability from large public transportation entities. Residents of Philadelphia and surrounding areas are reminded that complex wrongful death cases often rely on precise evidentiary filings to reach a successful jury outcome.
The takeaway
The case illustrates how procedural decisions made during litigation can fundamentally change the outcome for plaintiffs seeking damages. It highlights the necessity for clear communication and full evidence disclosure between attorneys and their clients.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings involving local incidents, visit Philadelphia accidents.
