New Jersey Woman Struck by Bus Gets $7.8M Settlement

January 9, 2012

Lawyers for a woman who had her left leg and right foot amputated after being run over by a New Jersey Transit bus have reached a $7.85 million settlement with the agency.

Mercedes Perez also suffered brain damage when she was struck in Paterson in October 2008, and lost her voice due to sepsis.

Her lawyer, Brad Schenerman of Newark, tells The Star-Ledger that the settlement approved Friday by a state judge means Perez will be moved form a rehabilitation center to a private care facility.

NJ Transit spokesman John Durso Jr. declined comment, saying the agency doesn’t discuss matters in litigation.

Schenerman says Perez was using a crosswalk when the bus ran over her legs and pinned her underneath. Perez’s head struck the ground and she lost consciousness.