Girl wins $51.4 million for streetcar accident

The Times-Picayune ^ | 8/29/2003, 12:38 p.m. CT | The Associated Press

[gd124]

The greed of some people sickens me. The kid didn't even lose her arm. How the hell is a streetcar driver who earns nothing ever going to pay $5.4 million?

Tort reform is needed now!

[Princeliberty]

He won't that really translates into the amount
the city is liable for.


The verdict will probably be reduced on appeal.
It not right away by the trial judge.

[Dudoight]

Greed, lack of personal responsibility, along with the victim mentality. It's one of the major diseases of our society.

[tkathy]

Greedy, parasitic lawyers are destroying jobs and our economy.

[Imal]

Kerrigan said blame for the girl's injuries lies with her parents, who should have been watching her more closely.

Wrong! Parents are not responsible for watching their kids, the government is.

[waterstraat]

How did she fall out of the window? I have ridden in street cars and busses, and I never ever fell out the window even one time?

[Wayland]

Ya, bring on more regulation.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Maybe you can't fit out the window :o)

[Wayland]

I agree that the trail court judge will probably reduce this before any appeal. If not, the appellate court will. That's one reason why we do not need any tort reform (more regulations).

[KCmark]

I'm curious. Do you (people for limits on judgements) have problems with CEO's that make 600 times their average employee? Isn't it 'conservative' thought to get all you can get? If you can get it, you must deserve it?

I have my own thoughts on tort reform and the CEO issue, but I've always wondered how the difference would be explained here at FR. Thanks for the opportunity to find out.

[KCmark]

Also, Johnnie Cochran is that lawyer form the OJ trial, so I don't really take his opinion in high regard.

---

We're talking about lawsuits. Anyone who could get OJ off is someone whose opinion I would value highly ... as long as he is on my side.

[novacation]

The city will appeal the and amount will be drastically reduced. Sounds to me the the city and driver should pay nothing. An irresponsible parent is to blame.

[Poodlebrain]

First of all, the street cars are historic vehicles whose charm would be likely be reduced by any modification, which would be fought by historic preservationists.

Second, what the hell was the jury thinking? Louisiana, supposedly, does not allow for punitive damages, so just how was this young lady going to have actual medical damages and actual economic damages equal to $51.4 million on a present value basis? I guess she was a tennis prodigy or something similar with expected earnings of over $1 million per year.

Third, why wasn't the person who hosted the party, with apparently inadequate supervision, assessed with any responsibility? One would think the driver should have been focused on the traffic situation while the party host tended to the partygoers. (Even Johnny Cochran would admit that the party host's lack of deep pockets made them an unattractive target.)

[randog]

...just how was this young lady going to have actual medical damages and actual economic damages equal to $51.4 million on a present value basis?

Well, you take Johnny's cut out of it and she actually ends up getting about $53.71/year. For the rest of her life, of course (Johnny's not that cold).

[tet68]

And if there were a fire in the car and the passengers couldn't get out because of the window restraints, then
lawyers would sue the transit authority for having installed them.

[StriperSniper]

Do you (people for limits on judgements) have problems with CEO's that make 600 times their average employee?

That is an issue for the shareholders of the individual corporations.

[Mariposaman]

It appears the jury ignored a recent Supreme Court ruling which set guidelines for economic vs punitive damages. The lower courts will find it all but impossible not to substanially reduce the award.

[cksharks]

Thats where you are wrong!!!!!!!!!!! The stupid kid and the stupid kids parents should not get jack shit.This should not have even made it to trial. BIG TORT REFORM NEEDED

[cksharks]

What the hell does the one have to do with the other?????????????????? I am curious to see what someone like you would say.