Pennsylvania Woman Awarded $14 Million After Bus Crash

December 8, 2011

A Pennsylvania woman was awarded $14 million in damages by a jury Monday for an accident she was involved in with a school bus several years ago. According to NBC-Philadelphia, because of a state law capping damage awards in lawsuits, the woman will only receive $500,000.

The accident occurred in January 2007 outside of Pennsbury High School in Bucks County. The then 17-year-old girl was standing with a group of about 20 friends when a nearby bus suddenly lunged forward and hit the crowd. The girl’s hip and leg were crushed in the accident, requiring her to be put into a medically induced coma while she healed. Eventually, her leg had to be amputated just above the knee due to complications.

The woman’s lawsuit originally asked for $3 million in damages saying the accident left her “disfigured” and battling with constant depression. The school district counter offered with $500,000, the maximum amount allowed by Pennsylvania law to be awarded in damages based on a 1980 precedent setting case.

After the award was announced Monday, the girl’s attorney said he plans to either reach a settlement agreement with the school district or appeal the decision in the 1980 case.

The Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law want to hear from you. Do you think that there should be a cap on the amount victims can receive as part of a lawsuit? Or, do you think that under certain circumstances more money should be awarded to a victim? Tell us what you think by posting on our Facebook page.