Injured Sea-Tac ramp worker awarded $40 million

SEATAC, Wash. -- A ground crew member severely injured at Sea-Tac Airport in 2007 was awarded $40 million by a King County jury on Tuesday.

Brandon Afoa of Puyallup is a paraplegic because of the incident. His daily life has drastically changed from his days of operating heavy vehicles at Sea-Tac -- such as the tugs that push back the planes.

"Not only through life, but going through medical stuff. It's a huge change in my life," he said.

Back in 2007 Afoa got into a life-changing collision when the brakes and steering on his tug failed. His legal team put together animation of the incident since the port didn't preserve the actual video. Afoa says he managed to keep the rig from smashing into the jumbo jet and other ground workers.

But he crashed into a broken luggage lift, which crushed his spine.

"Everything went numb. My eyes were open, but everything was feeling numb," he said. 

The crash left Afoa a triplegic with no use of his legs or his dominant right arm. He needs daily help from caregivers just to survive.

The case has been locked in the courts because the Port of Seattle contended it wasn't liable for what happened. Afoa actually worked for a private company, but the state supreme court ruled the airport had a "duty to provide a safe working environment."

On Tuesday a King County jury awarded Afoa $40 million because of what the incident has done to his life.

"It was a relief and I'm very thankful for the jury for making an awesome decision," Afoa said.

Sea-Tac airport issued a statement following the judgement, saying, "The Port of Seattle expresses our deepest sympathies to Mr. Afoa and his family for this unfortunate accident. The port is currently reviewing the decision of the court." 

There's no word yet on whether the port will appeal the verdict which could delay payment of the award.

Afoa says it's his faith that keeps him going.

"I believe that we serve a big God. He's brought me throughout these whole 7 years. If it wasn't for Him, I wouldn't be here," he said.

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