By EMS1 Staff
SEATTLE — Seattle officials agreed to pay a record-breaking settlement to the victim of a 2016 ambulance crash.
Crosscut reported that Seattle and its insurers will pay the family of Brooke Taylor $65.75 million, marking the largest individual personal injury settlement in the city’s history, and possibly the largest in the history of the state of Washington.
The large sum will cover ongoing care for Taylor, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a crash that occurred April 2016. A Seattle Fire Department ambulance was driving with its lights and sirens on when it entered an intersection and went through a red light at the same time as Taylor’s vehicle, according to reports.
The ambulance crashed into Taylor’s driver side, causing her vehicle to crash into a tree. She was transported to the hospital in “very critical” condition.
As a result of her injuries, Taylor, who was a lawyer, could no longer practice law. Her family pursued reimbursement for lost future income, including future raises.
Taylor currently has a full-time medical attendant and lives at an assisted-living facility, according to attorney Todd Gardner.
A city spokesperson said in a statement that the crash was “tragic.”
“Since the accident, the Seattle Fire Department has thoroughly reviewed its driver training program,” the statement said. “The department has added a driver training instructor position to its training division and revised department-wide aid car driver training.”
Fire Chief Harold Scoggins also released a statement.
“We are deeply sorry for the impact that this event has had on Ms. Taylor and her family,” he said.