Results tagged “jamesmcmillanjr”

A week after a jury awarded Staten Island Ferry crash victim James McMillan Jr. $22.9 million in damages, a federal judge slashed the amount to $18.s million. McMillan is now a quadriplegic after injuries sustained in the 2003 crash and requires round-the-clock medical care. His lawyer Evan Torgan said, "He was gratified that the judge recognized his suffering [and] he's hoping that the case is almost over" (the city is reviewing the decision). Interestingly, Judge Weinstein also reduced Torgan's payment, from a third to 20%, which means he'll get $3.7 million instead of $6.1 million. Torgan said that was unfair, but Weinstein said, "If the client should give you a gift of two and a half million dollars. I’m not approving or disapproving it.”

James McMillan Jr. was paralyzed in the 2003 Staten Island Ferry crash and now requires round-the-clock care for his extensive injuries. He sued the city for damages and, yesterday, a jury awarded him $22.9 million--the largest award yet. Per the Staten Island Advance, the amount breaks down to "$10.3 million for future medical expenses, $7.36 million for future pain and suffering, $4.6 million for past pain and suffering and $685,169 for past medical expenses." However, McMillan may not get all of it, as a panel will determine the final amount. The city, which tried to argue that McMillan deserved less money since he would die sooner, said the award was excessive, though the incident was tragic. McMillan's lawyer said his client was happy, "He'll be able to afford much of the medical care he needs, and I'm happy a jury recognizes his entitlement to it."