Record setting $85 million verdict for New York pedestrian run over by double decker sightseeing tour bus obtained by Howard Hershenhorn and Diana M. A. Carnemolla

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Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf

Dec 07, 2018, 10:00 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- New York Personal Injury Attorneys Howard Hershenhorn and Diana M. A. Carnemolla from Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf obtained a $85 million Verdict for an author and former New York Times columnist who was struck by a red double decker sightseeing tour bus while crossing the street.

The scene of the accident shortly after Devan Sipher was hit by the bus. Picture: NYPD Highway Patrol

54 year old Devan Sipher, a book author and former New York Times columnist who wrote for the "vows" section, was run over by a red double decker sightseeing tour bus on July 3^rd, 2015. Mr. Sipher was crossing, in the cross walk with the walk signal in his favor when a 13 ton double decker sightseeing tour bus attempting to make a left turn from West 4^th Street onto 6^th Avenue struck him. Mr. Sipher suffered serious injuries. As a result of the crash initially, Mr. Sipher spent 78 days in the hospital, having 9 operations. He also had two additional operations after he was discharged from the hospital.

Howard Hershenhorn and Diana M. A. Carnemolla tried the case on behalf of Mr. Sipher before the Hon. Barbara Jaffe in New York Supreme Court. After a 5 week trial a jury of 2 men and 4 women took less than one day to reach their verdict, $45 million for past pain and suffering and $40 million for future pain and suffering. As a result of the crash, Mr. Sipher had a complete transection of the superficial femoral artery which was repaired, complete transection of the femoral vein which could not be repaired, and some loss of use of both sensory and motor function of the left extremity. He suffered a foot drop along with degloving injuries. He also sustained a fracture to his right clavicle which was repaired with surgery as well as an injury to his adrenal gland resulting in partial adrenal insufficiency requiring him to take steroids for the rest of his life. Mr. Sipher is now able to walk with an AFO brace, but still suffers from chronic neurological pain. "Mr. Sipher is a true inspiration" said Hershenhorn. "He refused to let the crash define his life and he has worked tirelessly to recapture as much of his pre-accident lifestyle as he could."

Contact: Howard Hershenhorn 212 943 1090

SOURCE Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf