37 File Suits In NYC Ferry Crash

Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.

The lawsuits seek unspecified damages from SeaStreak LLC for injuries suffered in the Jan. 9 crash. The company is seeking to limit liability.

The Seastreak Wall Street was carrying New Jersey commuters across New York Harbor when it made a hard landing into the dock. No one died in the accident.

Attorney Norman Hobbie tells the Asbury Park Press his clients suffered a variety of injuries including post-traumatic stress and head trauma. “All our plaintiffs are passengers who paid their fare to be transported safely and it wasn’t done, and we want to get to the bottom of of it, whether it’s SeaStreak’s fault or there are additional defendants,” Hobbie told the newspaper which says he is representing 14 passengers and 11 of their spouses who have filed claims.

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the accident. “This is still an ongoing investigation and we’re still gathering information,” Williams told the Press . “We haven’t determined when we will have an update (on the investigation). When we have more significant information, we will have an update.”

The ferry captain told NTSB investigators he couldn't control the engines and they stalled as he tried to dock.