Damages from a deadly Manasquan boating accident that occurred in 2009 have finally been settled in court this week. Following a two-week personal injury trial, A Bergen County Jury awarded roughly 9.5 million dollars in damages to two sisters involved in the horrific Memorial Day Weekend accident.
The two-boat collision that took place in the Manasquan inlet, between Point Pleasant Beach and Brielle, on May 22, 2009, resulted in numerous injuries and a fatality. According to state police, a 31-foot vessel was conducting sea trials in The Manasquan Inlet when it collided with a 21-foot powerboat. At the time of the accident, the 21 foot Key West powerboat had five passengers on board including two sisters Jamie Franzino 26, and Gina Franzino 29, both of Bergen County.
When authorities arrived on the scene, The Franzino sisters were found to be trapped on the Key West powerboat as the vessel was circling the water with no driver. A local boat tower who witnessed the accident was able to board the vessel and eventually stop the Key West from circling as state police attended to other victims who were thrown overboard and injured. Upon rescue, the Bergen County Sisters were rushed to Jersey Shore Medical Center where they received medical attention for their traumatic injuries. Jamie Franzino sustained multiple injuries including head trauma, a collapsed lung, broken ribs, loss of taste and smell, nerve damage to her foot and shattered teeth. During the crash, Gina Franzino lost consciousness for multiple days and suffered additional injuries including a concussion, fracturing of her pelvis, and damage to her spleen,
Prior to the personal injury trial that just concluded, a liability trial against Ed McCarthy, the owner of the 31-foot vessel, was conducted in January. During the January trial, a jury found McCarthy negligent for his actions in the crash. As a result of the Franzino’s personal injury trial, Gina Franzino will be compensated $5.1 million dollars with her sister Jamie being awarded $3.9 million dollars for damages.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in Monmouth County including towns such as Asbury Park, Long Branch, Holmdel, Red Bank, or Colts Neck it is imperative that you seek legal counsel. Obtaining advice from one of our experienced attorneys at Chamlin, Uliano & Walsh can serve to protect your rights and obtain any damages you may be entitled to. Give our offices a call today at 732-440-3950
For more information pertaining to this case please access the following article: Sisters critically injured in fatal boat crash awarded $9M