New York authorities have agreed to pay nearly $9million in injury compensation to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who lost his legs in a 2003 ferry crash.
Eleven passengers were killed and dozens were injured when a boat drifted off course and slammed full-speed into a concrete pier on Staten Island in October 2003. Paul Esposito suffered serious personal injuries in the accident and was forced to have his legs amputated, prompting the successful compensation claim.
Esposito originally sued for $300million in damages, alleging that the crew of the ferry, the Andrew J. Barberi, along with city officials, left him to die. As he lay immobilised and bleeding heavily on the quayside, he alleges that he was ignored. The only person to offer help was a British nurse who tied a belt around his legs to stop the bleeding.
The ferry captain was sent to jail for passing out at the helm of his boat immediately before the accident, while New York's former ferry director was also imprisoned for failing to ensure the proper docking of the craft.
Paul Esposito's injury compensation will be paid in monthly instalments over the next 50 years to cover the cost of medical treatments and living expenses.
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