Article Originally Published Here.
A Portland funeral director claims he was assaulted by two security guards during a MAX ride in October, according to a complaint filed last week.
The attorneys representing 54-year-old James Han allege battery, assault, and negligence in the complaint, which was filed Dec. 22 in Multnomah County.
The incident allegedly occurred on the evening of Oct. 14, when Han, a funeral director, was on a routine ride home from work. He says he boarded the Blue Line train at the E. 122nd Avenue MAX station.
Han’s attorney told FOX 12 that the attack happened while the train was stationary at the Gateway Transit Center. The complaint states that Han accidentally bumped into a security guard.
One guard allegedly “violently grabbed” Han, while another approached from behind and put him in a chokehold. Attorneys say the guards tried to wrestle Han to the ground by sweeping his legs, forcing him into a seat, and his head against a window.
After the incident, the guards reportedly went to the Gateway Transit Center platform and spoke with a TriMet employee, who checked on Han and told him he could report the incident. Han continued to his final stop.
Han is requesting a jury trial and $415,000 in damages from TriMet for their failure to protect him and for the guards’ “unreasonable use of force.”
FOX 12 is awaiting a response from the district attorney’s office on whether warrants have been filed against the security guards.
UPDATE:
FOX 12 also reached out to TriMet, which said they don’t comment on pending litigation. TriMet clarified Friday that the security guards referenced in the complaint are contract security personnel, not TriMet employees, as the suit claims.
