Michigan man awarded $1.5 million settlement in car accident from city of Utica

Case Name:

Semsudin Pehlic v. City of Utica, MI

Case Number: Unknown

Date: 04/16/05

State: Michigan

Details:

Seven years after Semsudin Pehlic suffered serious injuries when a city police cruiser slammed into his vehicle, he will receive $1.55 million to settle a lawsuit. Pehlic, now 25, will get $1 million from American Insurance Group, the city's former insurance carrier. The city will issue bonds to pay its $550,000 share of the settlement, an amount approved 4-0 Friday by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. The settlement comes 10 months after a state Supreme Court jury found the city fully liable for the accident, which occurred in April 1998 at Pleasant and Clementian streets. City officials had argued that police Officer Daniel Marcano was on his way to an emergency call with his lights and siren on, but Pehlic disputed that claim. The jury sided with the plaintiff.

Verdict Outcome:

Plaintiff receives settlement from city for $1.5 million