Family of ferry crash victim awarded $8.75M
source: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/08/25/2008-08-25_family_of_staten_island_ferry_cras...
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A little common courtesy could've saved the city from forking over millions to the family of a Staten Island ferry crash victim.
Kathy Healy, whose husband, James, died in the disaster, said Monday she held out for a maximum $8.75 million settlement in part because of repeated snubs.
"It has been a battle from day one," said Healy, 46, of Middletown, N.J. "The treatment the victims' families received was never one of sympathy or sorrow."
The grieving widow slammed Mayor Bloomberg for failing to own up to the city's responsibility for the Oct. 15, 2003, crash, which killed 11 people.
"Mayor Bloomberg never gave a public apology about their mistakes," said Healy. "No New York politician ever gave their support to help us."
Healy said she is still bitter it took officials nearly seven hours to notify her of her husband's death and that she had to pay for an autopsy report out of her own pocket.
City lawyers agreed to settle the case on the eve of the trial after a judge suggested that the city would likely be forced to pay up to the maximum amount.
"Had they treated us a little differently," she said, "maybe my decision would be a little different."
Flanked by three of her four children, Healy announced the mammoth settlement outside Brooklyn Federal Court.
The city said it agreed to settle the suit to "recognize the pain suffered by Mr. Healy's family."
Kathy Healy, whose husband, James, died in the disaster, said Monday she held out for a maximum $8.75 million settlement in part because of repeated snubs.
"It has been a battle from day one," said Healy, 46, of Middletown, N.J. "The treatment the victims' families received was never one of sympathy or sorrow."
The grieving widow slammed Mayor Bloomberg for failing to own up to the city's responsibility for the Oct. 15, 2003, crash, which killed 11 people.
"Mayor Bloomberg never gave a public apology about their mistakes," said Healy. "No New York politician ever gave their support to help us."
Healy said she is still bitter it took officials nearly seven hours to notify her of her husband's death and that she had to pay for an autopsy report out of her own pocket.
City lawyers agreed to settle the case on the eve of the trial after a judge suggested that the city would likely be forced to pay up to the maximum amount.
"Had they treated us a little differently," she said, "maybe my decision would be a little different."
Flanked by three of her four children, Healy announced the mammoth settlement outside Brooklyn Federal Court.
The city said it agreed to settle the suit to "recognize the pain suffered by Mr. Healy's family."
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