2026-10-01 · Philadelphia · Bus Accidents
On October 1, 2026, the court upheld the sovereign-immunity cap after a SEPTA bus injured Hayley Freilich in a Center City crosswalk. The stipulated verdict was $7 million. The cap cut it to $250,000.
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Tell us about your caseHayley Freilich was in a crosswalk at Broad and Vine in Philadelphia when a SEPTA bus struck her. She lost part of her foot. SEPTA admitted negligence. The parties stipulated to a $7 million verdict: $1 million for economic loss and $6 million for non-economic loss. On October 1, 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that the $250,000 sovereign-immunity cap in 42 Pa.C.S. § 8528(b) still applies to that kind of claim against a Commonwealth agency.
People searching “SEPTA lawsuit,” “bus accident settlement,” or “can I sue SEPTA” are landing on this decision. A crash with a city bus, a school bus, or another government vehicle is not the same as a crash with a private driver. Caps and notice deadlines can change what a case can recover.
If a bus or another government vehicle hit you or someone in your family, send the date, the route or agency if you know it, and the hospital. This page describes a finished appeal. It is not a claim that the desk represented anyone in Freilich.
Source: pacourts.us. This page summarizes public reporting. The desk is not claiming involvement in this matter.
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