Personal Injury Law

$1 Million Settlement To Worker Injured In Staten Island Ferry Crash

A construction worker, who was severely injured in the Staten Island ferry accident on Oct. 15 2003, has agreed to a $1 million settlement with the city, the New York Daily News reports. According to the report, 68-year-old Lloyd Joseph had to stay five weeks in the hospital to recover from severe injuries he suffered when the Andrew J. Barberi vessel crashed into a concrete pier.

Lloyd suffered fractured vertebra and a collapsed lung. This settlement caps a costly week for the city. A jury turned in a $22.9 million verdict against the city and in favor of a paralyzed victim also injured in the Staten Island ferry crash. Jurors agreed that the city?s negligence caused the catastrophic crash. The city has also agreed to pay $2.5 million to the estate of a security guard who was killed in the same accident. The ferry slammed into a maintenance pier near the St. George Ferry Terminal in what many agree is one of the worst mass-transit disasters in history. Eleven people died and scores were injured.

This was a tragic New York workplace accident which involved not only innocent bystanders but also people who were on the job. The city should have settled with all the victims instead of taking the case to a jury trial. However, we are pleased that the victims received the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve.

If you or someone you love has been severely injured or killed in an accident, please call an experienced and knowledgeable New York personal injury lawyer at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro L.L.P. to discuss your case.

Full post as published by New York Injury Talk Blog on September 15, 2008 (boomark / email).