School bus accident suit settled
A Washington County judge this week approved a settlement in a case filed by a brother and sister from Slovan who were passengers on a Burgettstown Area School District bus that was hit from behind last year.
Emily Shoup, 11, Steven Shoup, 9, and their parents, Steven D. and Becky Shoup, brought the case before Washington County Court. According to court documents, the children were passengers in the school bus stopped on Main Street (Route 18) in Burgettstown, Feb. 27, 2013, when their bus was struck by another Burgettstown bus.
Emily suffered neck strain and complained of head pain. Her brother was diagnosed with a neck sprain or strain. Both sought treatment at Weirton (W.Va.) Medical Center. The girl completed physical therapy, and both have since been released from further treatment.
“Both minors have made a good recovery,” court documents state.
According to the terms of a settlement worked out between the Shoups’ attorney and the school district’s insurance carrier, Emily will be awarded $4,700 and Steven will be awarded $2,250, from which their attorneys will be paid a total of $2,100. Judge John DiSalle approved the settlement. The money is to be kept in interest-bearing, insured accounts until the children turn 18.