NEW YORK - The city has agreed to pay $9 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a former waiter and avid hiker who
lost both legs in the 2003 Staten Island ferry crash, lawyers said Friday.
The payout for Paul Esposito was by far the largest so far in the tragedy that killed 11 passengers and injured dozens of others.
Of the other 190 claims against the city, 99 have been settled for a total of $3.6 million, city officials said.
Esposito sued for $300 million in damages in 2003, accusing the crew of the Andrew J. Barberi and city officials of gross negligence.
His attorney, Derek Sells, said the settlement was fair, given that his client's injuries “forever altered the way he can live his life.”
In a statement, one of the city's top attorneys, Lawrence Kahn, confirmed that the city agreed to pay $8,986,852.
“The city continues to express its deep regret for this tragic accident and hopes this settlement will in some measure bring closure to Mr. Esposito and his family,” Kahn said.
Rather than take a lump sum, Esposito was scheduled to receive monthly payments for the next 50 years to cover medical costs and living expenses.
With interest, he could collect an estimated $25.6 million during that period, his lawyer said.
Esposito's claim alleged that he “was basically left to die” in a trail of carnage after the ferry drifted off course and slammed full-speed into a concrete pier on Staten Island on Oct. 15, 2003.
“Paul was consciously aware that his two legs were lost. He could not move and was bleeding profusely,” the notice said. “Disgustingly, members of the Staten Island ferry crew, uniformed employees of the Department of Transportation, ran past Paul Esposito as he lay on the boat battling for his life.”
Soon after the accident, a British nurse tied a belt around Esposito's limbs above the knee, stemming the blood flow. His legs were later amputated.
Former ferry captain Richard Smith was sentenced earlier this year to 18 months in prison for passing out at the helm of the vessel before the crash.
The city's former ferry director, Patrick Ryan, received one year and a day for failing to enforce a rule requiring ferries be operated by two pilots whenever docking.
The payout for Paul Esposito was by far the largest so far in the tragedy that killed 11 passengers and injured dozens of others.
Of the other 190 claims against the city, 99 have been settled for a total of $3.6 million, city officials said.
Esposito sued for $300 million in damages in 2003, accusing the crew of the Andrew J. Barberi and city officials of gross negligence.
His attorney, Derek Sells, said the settlement was fair, given that his client's injuries “forever altered the way he can live his life.”
In a statement, one of the city's top attorneys, Lawrence Kahn, confirmed that the city agreed to pay $8,986,852.
“The city continues to express its deep regret for this tragic accident and hopes this settlement will in some measure bring closure to Mr. Esposito and his family,” Kahn said.
Rather than take a lump sum, Esposito was scheduled to receive monthly payments for the next 50 years to cover medical costs and living expenses.
With interest, he could collect an estimated $25.6 million during that period, his lawyer said.
Esposito's claim alleged that he “was basically left to die” in a trail of carnage after the ferry drifted off course and slammed full-speed into a concrete pier on Staten Island on Oct. 15, 2003.
“Paul was consciously aware that his two legs were lost. He could not move and was bleeding profusely,” the notice said. “Disgustingly, members of the Staten Island ferry crew, uniformed employees of the Department of Transportation, ran past Paul Esposito as he lay on the boat battling for his life.”
Soon after the accident, a British nurse tied a belt around Esposito's limbs above the knee, stemming the blood flow. His legs were later amputated.
Former ferry captain Richard Smith was sentenced earlier this year to 18 months in prison for passing out at the helm of the vessel before the crash.
The city's former ferry director, Patrick Ryan, received one year and a day for failing to enforce a rule requiring ferries be operated by two pilots whenever docking.