MTA must pay $72,5 million to woman hit by bus

A Florida woman who was partially paralyzed claims she was hit by a bus in New York. According to ABC News, a woman filed a lawsuit against the New York Transportation Administration (MTA), and the court awarded her compensation of $72,5 million.

A city jury found in favor of 68-year-old Aurora Beauchamp, who was hit by an MTA bus on Manhattan's Lower East Side in March 2017. This happened at a pedestrian crossing while she was crossing the road. After the collision, the bus dragged the victim under its wheels for about 6 meters.

Beauchamp, who grew up near the scene of the accident and now lives in Bradenton, Florida, suffered serious injuries to her pelvis and was left paralyzed in her left leg. She said that this terrible incident happened when she was going to her mother to tell her about her diagnosis of uterine cancer.

“I've crossed this street 100 million times in my life,” she said. “I felt good, and after a moment I realized that I was under a bus and fighting for my life.”

The six-member jury deliberated for about three hours on Feb. 22 to reach its verdict. Beauchamp's lawyers said the verdict is one of the largest in the history of MTA bus accidents. The bus driver pleaded guilty to failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian.

On the subject: The New York City Council passed the Immigrant Labor Bill of Rights, guaranteeing fair wages and protections for immigrants.

The MTA intends to appeal, agency spokesman Tim Minton said. “This is further evidence of how excessive amounts in personal injury lawsuits are impacting funding that could otherwise be used to provide transit services,” he explained.