VICTIM  OF OCTOBER 15, 2003 STATEN ISLAND FERRY CRASH SETTLES PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY OF NEW YORK FOR SIX MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($6,500,000.00) DOLLARS.

ANTHONY BISIGNANO, ESQ., Lead Counsel on behalf of all claimants of the Staten Island ferry crash involving the M/V Andrew J. Barberi of October 15, 2003, and a partner in the law firm of BOSCO, BISIGNANO AND MASCOLO, Staten Island, New York, announced today the settlement of a personal injury action arising out of the crash on behalf of SHRIRAM “SAM” AGNI against the City of New York in the amount of SIX MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($6,500,000.00) DOLLARS.

A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH MR. AGNI will take place on THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY 21, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., in front of the Law Offices located at 292 NELSON AVENUE, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK 10308.

The Staten Island Ferry Crash and Sam Agni  

On October 15, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. Sam Agni was on his way home from work on the Staten Island Ferry boat Andrew J. Barberi when the ferry veered off course and crashed into an auxiliary pier. Eleven people died and 165 were injured. Mr. Agni was thrown to the ground amongst the rubble with a fractured right ankle and degloving injury. Even while bleeding and in pain, Mr. Agni attempted to assist other passengers who were also laying powerless and covered in debris. Mr. Agni was taken immediately to St. Vincents Hospital for treatment, but due to complications, Mr. Agni’s right leg was amputated six (6) inches below his knee.

Sam Agni  is 61 years old and lives at home on Staten Island with his wife Aruna. They have one son who is grown and has a family of his own. Sam Agni has worked for the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal since April 1980. Mr. Agni holds a degree in Engineering and an MBA in Finance. Despite learning how to walk with a prosthesis and dealing with the emotional issues of the Staten Island Ferry crash, he returned to work after one year. He has remarkably handled the adversities of his medical condition and  remains upbeat despite his infirmities. His positive attitude is a tribute to his work ethic and family values.

The settlement of this case indicates a new willingness on the part of the City of New York to properly compensate those who were seriously injured in the accident. Prior to the Agni case, the City settled $27.6 million dollars in claims relating to  the ferry accident. Over 24 million dollars of the settlements paid relate to six cases. Those cases include 9 million to Tina Evans, who lost both legs above the knee; 8.96 million to Paul Esposito, who lost both legs above the knee; $3 million to the Estate of Debra Castro; $1.12m to Laura Diaz who suffered pelvis and femur fractures; $1 million to Mathew Ruberto who had a back operation; $950,000 to Peter Murray who had a back operation. The road is long and we have yet to reach an end. As we continue on our journey for justice, we hope to work with the City of New York to resolve all of the remaining cases.

The Pending Civil Lawsuit

The attempt of the City of New York to limit its liability to the value of the ferry was defeated at the trial court level when on February 26, 2007 the Honorable Edward R. Korman, Chief Judge of the United States District Court in Brooklyn, issued a decision in favor of the claimants and finding that ferry management failed to disseminate and enforce a rule that required two pilots to always be present in the pilot house to guard against the possibility of incapacitation. The City appealed this ruling to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals where a panel of Judges heard oral argument on January 23, 2008.  During oral argument, Judge Robert D. Sack in commenting upon the failure of the City to require two pilots in the pilothouse prior to docking: “You have a 777 flying. You expect both pilots to be in the cockpit when it lands. You don't expect one to be in the back cleaning dishes.”  The decision of the Appellate Court is still pending.

Contact: Anthony Bisignano, Esq.
Lead Counsel for Claimants
(718) 273-4046

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