New York City taxpayers are probably going to be liable not only for the physical injuries inflicted in Wednesday’s Staten Island Ferry crash — which include ten deaths and about 60 injuries resulting in hospitalization, some of them horrific — but also for damages potentially payable to all of the unhurt passengers, widely estimated to number 1,500. A “federal maritime doctrine allows all those who were in the face of danger and who suffered emotional distress to file for compensation, even if they were not physically injured”. Among likely claims, according to Columbia law dean David Leebron, are those from “passengers who claim to now have a fear of ferries that affects their ability to commute and earn a living”. (“City Could Face a Deluge of Suits Over Ferry Crash”, New York Times, Oct. 18; “Staten Island ferry pilot to be investigated”, AP/Globe and Mail, Oct. 16). For awards of $300,000-$6.5 million in the related area of suits by air-crash survivors with minor or no injuries, see Oct. 8, 1999, Oct. 19, 2000, and Aug. 24-26, 2001. (& welcome Samizdata.net readers)
Ferry-fear funding foreseen
New York City taxpayers are probably going to be liable not only for the physical injuries inflicted in Wednesday’s Staten Island Ferry crash — which include ten deaths and about 60 injuries resulting in hospitalization, some of them horrific — but also for damages potentially payable to all of the unhurt passengers, widely estimated to […]
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