Unlike a lot of stories involving personal injury lawsuits and/or settlements, this one reports on a case that began “earlier this year,” not ten years ago:
Wall St. ferry vics get $1M
The owner of a Wall Street-bound ferry that slammed into a pier earlier this year has settled dozens of personal injury claims for nearly $1 million, a lawyer for the company said Wednesday.
More than three dozen people sued SeaStreak Wall Street after one of its vessels, carrying about 300 passengers from Atlantic Highlands, N.J., crashed into a docking barge near the Financial District on Jan 9.
The captain at the ferry’s wheel has told federal investigators he couldn’t control the boat’s engines right before the crash, which sent terrified commuters flying down stairs and banging into walls.
Four settlements filed this week in U.S. District Court in Newark show passengers sued for injuries like knee trauma and torn shoulder cartilage, with payouts ranging from $20,000 to $80,000, respectively.
A federal investigation is ongoing. — Corine Lestch With News Wire Services