Westboro bus crash survivor sues city for $19M

An Ottawawoman who lost both legs in January'sdouble-decker bus crash at Westboro station is suing the city for $19 million.

Three people died in the crash and many more, including Marcelle Stevens, were severely injured.

Stevens was riding on the second floor of the bus that afternoon when it plowed into an overhang, crushing her legs. She underwentmultiple surgeries, including having both legs amputated above the knee.

"She wants to live as full a life as she can," said herlawyer, Meghan Hull Jacquin.

"This amount of money that's being claimed sounds huge, but if you put yourself in her position ... the amounts that are needed to help her with day-to-day activities, it adds up really quickly."

Future medical expenses

Stevens will need prosthetics, an accessible vehicle andmodifications to her familyhome. She may also face furthermedical expenses for treatment and therapy over the coming decades, Hull Jacquin said.

Stevens, her husbandand two boys filed the statement of claim in court on May 21.

• Bus crash survivor alleges negligence in $6M lawsuit

Stevens in claiming$15 million in damages, plus another $2 million in punitive damages. Her husband and sons, meanwhile, are seeking $2 million due to the change in the quality of their relationship with her.

"So can mom not help the boys into bedin the same way? Did they used to enjoy and they did going out on bike rides together, and now she's not going to be able to participate in that activity?" Hull Jacquinsaid.

Advance compensation paid

According to the statement of claim, which hasn't been proven in court, the City of Ottawa, OC Transpo and the bus driver in the Jan. 11 collision, Aissatou Diallo, were negligent.

The claim includes a number of allegations about the city and the driver in orderto cover all bases, Hull Jacquin explained,because shehas so far not received disclosure from police.

Like Gwen Lambert, who was also injured in the crash and has filed a separate lawsuit, Stevens hasalready received an advance payment fromthe city, her lawyersaid.

• Bus crash survivor to get insurance payment ahead of legal battle

"It is not common for a defendant to give an advance in a lawsuit, at least early in these early stages," Hull Jacquin said. She would not disclosethe amount.

"I think that it is an acknowledgement, on behalf of the defendants, just about the fact that [the victims']lives have been thrown into turmoil."

Hull Jacquinsaid for her client's sake, she hopes to see the mattersettled out of court.

"She's a pretty amazing person," Hull Jacquin said. "I deal with these cases all the time, and the inspiration that [Stevens and her husband] give is unreal, how they work as a team and how they say, 'This is the hand we've been dealt, and we're going to play this hand.'It's very, very inspiring."