New York – Judge Awards $500G to Man Who Claimed Ferry Crash Injury Ruined His Life

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    FILE - Damage is seen on the Andrew J. Barberi Ferry as crew members work on it at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in the Staten Island borough of New York May 8, 2010. A federal judge Tuesday awarded a stunning $500,000 payment to a Staten Island man who says he doesn't date anymore because of a jaw injury he suffered in the Andrew J. Barberi ferry crash.New York – A federal judge Tuesday awarded a stunning $500,000 payment to a Staten Island man who says he doesn’t date anymore because of a jaw injury he suffered in the Andrew J. Barberi ferry crash.

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    Judge Frederic Block swallowed Michael Grynberg’s claim that he was forced to eat puréed and liquefied food due to jaw pain.

    “These changes in eating habits have produced other significant changes. Grynberg avoids social activities like dating at least in part because they involve eating,” Block wrote in his decision.

    “He would actually order ‘liquid stuff like soup’ to avoid jaw discomfort,” the judge sympathized.

    Grynberg, 40, testified at a bench trial in April that his engagement ended due to the ferry accident and that stopped trying to date women about two years ago.

    “One date asked me why I was ordering [liquid food] like I was, so it was kind of embarrassing,” Grynberg said.

    The judge tossed out virtually all of Grynberg’s other claims, including that he suffers from depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, brain damage and lost wages.

    A review of court records shows Grynberg has filed five lawsuits since 1991 stemming from accidents and job discrimination at Brooklyn College where he worked as an accountant.

    Grynberg’s lawyer did not return a call seeking comment.

    The city has paid over $67 million to settle lawsuits stemming from the 2003 accident that killed 11 passengers and injured scores of others.


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    3 Comments
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    LiberalismIsADisease
    LiberalismIsADisease
    13 years ago

    It was embarrassing to say he was on the ferry when it crashed but he wasnt embarrassed to date?? The guy is nuts, the suit should be tossed, and the judge should be REMOVED!

    Maven
    Maven
    13 years ago

    These days I can definitely use a couple of much needed dollars myself. Besides, after recently bumping my legs on a NYC subway turnstile, I just feel I can no longer get down on my knees like I used to. Anyone have this lawyer’s phone number?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    500 K is NOT a lot od $, most people I know would not sacrifice a jaw for 5 mil!!

    So I don’t see the chidush in this ruling! I think its fair for both sides.