'Ouch' moment worth $21.5MILLION- Glass door hits man's face
The 'ouch' moment worth $21.5MILLION: Tourist, 61, awarded huge settlement from Holland America cruises after he was struck in the head by ship's sliding-glass door
James Hausman, 61, was filmed being hit by a closing sliding-glass door
He visibly winces in pain as glass smashes him in face and side of head
His attorneys said strike caused a minor brain injury resulting in seizures
Now, Hausman, from Illinois, has been awarded $21.5million in damages
Holland America says it will appeal against the ruling over 2011 incident
Quote:
An Illinois man who suffered a minor brain injury when he was struck in the head by a sliding-glass door on a Holland America cruise ship has been awarded a staggering $21.5million in damages.
James Hausman, 61, was captured on surveillance video being hit by the closing door as the company's Pacific fleet flagship, the M/S Amsterdam, approached Hawaii in November 2011.
In the footage, Hausman, who was traveling with his wife and daughter on the first leg of a cruise around the world, is seen wincing in pain as he is smacked in the face and the side of the head.
Holland America, however, said in court documents the passenger walked into the closing doors.
Quote:
After the smash, Hausman sought help from a ship doctor and was diagnosed with concussion.
He finished the cruise with his spouse and daughter, but tests later showed that he had suffered a minor brain injury resulting in seizures, memory loss and vertigo, his attorneys told the court.
Quote:
'He still has trouble with things that would have been simple before,' said Hausman's lawyer, Rick Friedman, adding that his client has sold his gold and precious-metals retail business.
Now, a federal jury in Seattle has awarded Hausman, who lives with his family in Springfield, more than $21milion in damages following a nine-day trial, according to The Seattle Times.
Quote:
The verdict over the November 26, 2011, incident, includes $16.5 million in punitive damages.
Hausman's attorneys had argued in court that dozens of other passengers have been injured by the doors on Holland America Line cruises because of problems with their sensors.
The company has denied that claim and asked the court to reduce the judgment.
It says it will appeal, the Associated Press reports.
The video clearly shows the door closing really fast (they are supposed to close slowly) and you shouldn't have to worry about a door closing whiles your walking.
But 21 million tho. Let me get a hold of the lawyer.