SEATTLE, Nov. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Lara Herrmann announced partial settlement of the Herrmann Law Group's four cases in the Ride the Ducks litigation currently underway in the King County Superior Court for a total of $8.25 million dollars.
The lawsuit arose out of a tragic accident in which 5 people were killed and dozens were injured that occurred on September 15, 2015 on the Aurora Bridge in Seattle. One of RTD Seattle's "duck boats" blew an axle, crossed the center line where it collided with a bus carrying students from North Seattle Community College on a sight-seeing tour. A duck boat is a military amphibious vehicle converted for use on land and water touring in Seattle. Plaintiffs allege, while defendants deny, that the fractured axle was the result of poor design, manufacture, and maintenance by a combination of the two Ride the Ducks companies.
According to attorney Herrmann: "The largest settlement was for $7 Million dollars in the case for an 18-year-old Indonesian boy, Privando Putradanto who lost his life in the accident. He came from a wealthy family and had a bright financial future ahead of him as he was slated to take over his father's businesses after completion of his education in the USA."
Herrmann further explained that their firm's other 3 victims survived the crash, but all experienced severe PTSD while also suffering significant physical injuries. Jae Won Jang, a college student from Korea sustained permanent physical injuries to his neck, shoulders, low back, and one ankle while suffering from near debilitating PTSD. His case settled for $600 thousand dollars.
Florencia Irena, another student from Indonesia, will receive $375 thousand dollars. She fractured her collar bone as well as suffered serious emotional problems. She was sitting next to a Japanese girl on the bus trip to Gasworks Park. She switched seats with the other girl after the park, just before the bus was headed over the Aurora Bridge. Florencia survived; the other girl did not.
Finally, Na Ra Yoon, another Korean student, will receive $275 thousand for her injuries. She sustained fractures in both hands, and like the others, was severely traumatized by her horrific experience in this violent accident.
"One victim related that the immediate aftermath of the accident looked like a war zone. People have begun to recognize PTSD for the very real and often severe injury that it can be. Many victims are affected for life," Herrmann explained.
The attorney emphasized that this settlement did not include the City of Seattle and the State of Washington who are also named defendants in the lawsuit over safety issues with the aging bridge. "We settled with Ride the Ducks Seattle and RTD International only. We are still engaged in negotiations with representatives of the City and State," she concluded.
Trial on over the claims of 40 victims, referred to as the "Dinh Group" is currently underway in King County Superior Court. The Herrmann Law Group joined with the plaintiffs' Dinh Group represented by their trial attorney Karen Koehler of the Stritmatter Kessler Whelan Koehler Moore law firm. These 4 are the first of the Dinh group to settle their cases against Ride the Ducks Seattle and RTD International.
Contact: Lara Herrmann
Phone: 253.380.5272
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Anthony Marsh
Phone: 206.457.4204
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Crystal Lloyd
Phone: 206.457.4210
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE Herrmann Law Group
Related Links
http://www.herrmannlawgroup.com
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