Council Reduces Settlement For Woman Hit by DPW Vehicle
Wednesday, September 26, 2012 • 7:48am
PATERSON, NJ – City officials have revised the maximum amount they are willing to pay a 1st Ward resident who was severely injured in 2009 when her car was hit by a city-owned pickup truck.
Earlier this month, the City Council authorized a $211,500 settlement for the woman. But on Tuesday night, the council changed the figure, making the limit $175,000.
The woman, Margaret Bailey, was turning into the driveway of her Garfield Avenue home at about 4:20 pm on Feb. 4, 2009 when public works employee Vernon Perry crashed into the side of her car, according to court documents and interviews with city officials.
Perry though Bailey was making a left and tried to pass her on the right when he hit her vehicle, officials said. The damage to the car was just $1,600, but Bailey ended up with almost $300,000 in medical bills for neck injuries, officials said. Bailey had a pre-existing injury that apparently was exacerbated by the crash, officials said.
A court arbitrator has found that Bailey is entitled to $211,500, officials said. That’s the size of the settlement approved by the city council on September 4. But the council changed its position in a new vote on September 11. That resolution did not set a specific amount for the settlement.
Paterson Corporation Counsel Paul Forsman told the council on Tuesday that the city’s lawyers believed they could reach a settlement for an amount lower than the $211,500.
Bailey now lives on Presidential Boulevard, according to her lawsuit.
