High Court Allows Lawsuit to Proceed Following Bus Accident in Bangor
BANGOR, ME – The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled on Thursday that Amarylis Fisher can continue her lawsuit against the Community Connector after a serious bus accident on August 15, 2020.
Fisher, 72, was struck by a Community Connector bus while in a crosswalk at the intersection of Hammond Street and Main Street. The collision resulted in the amputation of her leg, as well as a broken hip and leg, necessitating skin grafts.
In 2022, Fisher filed a lawsuit against the Community Connector and its supporting municipalities in Penobscot County Superior Court. Four municipalities—Hampden, Veazie, Orono, and Old Town—sought to resolve the matter before a trial, while Bangor, another funding municipality, chose not to participate in the appeal.
The superior court denied their request, prompting an appeal to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in December 2024. The court affirmed that the matter pertains to the facts of the case, which their jurisdiction does not cover.
Fisher's attorney, Charles Gilbert III, stated that the ruling was largely procedural and expressed hope that the case will progress towards a trial. The dispute centers on whether the bus was operating under a Community Connector route or solely as a Bangor city service, which could affect liability.
Key to the case is a state law that limits damages for government entities to $400,000, a figure Gilbert argues is insufficient given Fisher's injuries. However, the municipalities assert they neither owned nor operated the bus, complicating the case further.
Fisher seeks approximately $15 million for her injuries. Gilbert noted, “How is anybody doing that had their leg cut off at their hip?”