Results tagged “statenislandferrycrash”

Officials say that the Staten Island Ferry that crashed into a dock at the St. George Terminal last night lost power when it was entering its slip. The Staten Island Advance reports, "Ferry Chief James DeSimone said the propulsion system failed as the ferry docked, and compared it to a car suddenly losing its brakes. He said the unidentified captain 'took the appropriate action' and that all crew members were given mandatory drug and alcohol tests."

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."

Yesterday, the city settled a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of a man killed during the 2003 Staten Island Ferry crash. The city is giving $8.7 million to John Healy's widow Kathy and their four children.

Nearly five years after the Staten Island Ferry crash, victims are still fighting with the city over settlements. And in one case, the city claims James McMillan Jr., a 44-year-old who was paralyzed, will die in 16 years, not 30 years, so the settlement should only cover 16 years. He is under 24-hour-care and his lawyer said he'll live a long life with proper care, "The city paralyzed him, and now they're saying that he is going to die young because of the damage they caused. They're turning a personal-injury case into a wrongful-death case." A juries were recently selected for McMillan's case as well as the case of a crash victim who died.

An appellate court ruled the City of New York cannot limit its liability in the 2003 Staten Island Ferry crash that left 11 dead and injured over a hundred others. This ruling upholds last year's decision from a U.S District Judge; the city could appeal with the Supreme Court, but the Staten Island Advance says "that option doesn't seem likely."

Almost five years after the horrifying incident where the Staten Island Ferry crashed into wooden pilings at a pier, the city will pay $6.5 million to a man who lost part of his right leg. Shriram Agni was on the front of the boat when the ferry crashed, and his right leg was "sandwiched between collapsing seats."