NEW YORK — A new report shows New York City paid nearly $521 million to settle personal injury and property damage lawsuits in 2010, with three agencies accounting for 67 percent of all settlements.
City Comptroller John C. Liu released the report Wednesday, showing that the amount paid has decreased by seven percent since 2009.
But Liu said city agencies need to continue to work to reduce the cost of litigation and settlements.
The three agencies with the most settlements were the New York City Police Department, the Health and Hospitals Corp. and the Department of Transportation.
The city’s Law Department said the total payouts have decreased by about 12 percent since 2001. They say a combination of tort reform and risk management strategies have helped to reduce settlements.
—Copyright 2011 Associated Press
