Lawsuits Loom in Deadly N.Y. Ferry Crash

[302Riz]

The Staten Island Ferry is not owned or operated by the City of New York, and yet victims are filing lawsuits against the city.

NEW YORK (AP) -- A mangled Staten Island ferry, its flags at half-mast, was moved Saturday from the terminal where it rammed a concrete pier earlier in the week, a crash that killed 10 people and set up the city for an anticipated stream of lawsuits.

The first notice of claim against the city was filed Friday on behalf of a ferry passenger and her 7-year-old son, seeking $10 million, said Staten Island attorney Anthony Bisignano. Dinah Washington, 28, and her son Jalil claimed they suffered injuries from head to toe in the crash.

Attorney Wayne Cohen, representing the wife of Louis Robinson, a passenger who died in the crash, said Saturday his notice of claim on a $500 million suit was in the works.

"This is the initial step," said Cohen, adding his papers will be filed Monday.

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/sto...N&SECTION=HOME

$500 million? WTF?

[Geoffrey]

no surprise.

Sure, it's tragic that people lost their lives, but were they worth that much? When people sue, all they do is hurt EVERYONE else that wants to use that service. If they win, the rates will go up to cover the lawsuit/settlement costs. In the end, everyone loses

[302Riz]

Originally posted by Kraw
no surprise.

Sure, it's tragic that people lost their lives, but were they worth that much? When people sue, all they do is hurt EVERYONE else that wants to use that service. If they win, the rates will go up to cover the lawsuit/settlement costs. In the end, everyone loses

No one person is worth $500 million. I cant beleive that someone felt justifed to sue the city for $500 million. I understand that you are upset but this is ridiculous.

The same thing goes for the victims of 9/11. The victims families want to sue the city for their losses. NYC did not cause the WTC to be destroyed.

[Snouter]

Hopefully, the lawsuit against Saudi Arabia will net some cash since they are partly responsible for the WTC disaster.

When tickets are puchased for any of these types of things, the fine print should read that the purchase and use of ticket recognizes the inherent risk involved. The lawsuits should be directed at the labor union, however, as in this case, when there is evidence that the labor union did not terminate an incompetent worker.