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Judge Reduces Award to SI Ferry Crash Victim to $18 Million
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 18, 2008
Modified Sep 18, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 18, 2008
Modified Sep 18, 2008
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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.”
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James McMillan Jr.
jury award
lawsuit
lawyer fee
staten island ferry crash
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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