New York Judge Awards $18.3 Million to Victim of Ferry Crash
Posted on Sep 17, 2008 2:48pm PDT
Recently posted on CityRoom.com - A New York judge awarded $18.3 million in damages to a victim of the 2003 Staten Island Ferry Crash. The victim, a former fish market worker, became paralyzed after the crash. He received more than double the highest settlement amount than 130 other victims of the same crash received.
James McMillan Jr., the 44 year old victim, was granted his settlement by Judge Jack B. Weinstein of District Court in Brooklyn. After this settlement, the city will have paid out more than $72 million to victims of the ferry crash, which killed 11 people. If the judgment stands and is not appealed, it will be the highest judgment ever paid by the city in a personal injury case.
Originally, the city offered Mr. McMillan a settlement of $10 million, but he decided to take his case to trial which automatically upped his possible settlement amount. After the crash, James McMillan lost the use of both of his arms and both of his legs. McMillan's injuries were categorized as catastrophic. Catastrophic injury cases typically render higher award amounts.
The jury presiding over the case originally awarded Mr. McMillan $23 million, but Judge Weinstein lowered the amount to $18.3 million.
"The judge has rendered his decision," said Laura Postiglione, a spokeswoman for the city's Law Department." The city continues to keep Mr. McMillan in his thoughts."
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