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Victim Who Lost Legs In Center City Building Collapse Awarded $95.6M

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)-- A woman who lost her legs in the Salvation Army building collapse four years ago is receiving a historic payout for a personal injury.

"It is the highest recovery ever on the part of any individual in commonwealth (of Pennsylvania)."

Andy Stern represents Mariya Plekan the Ukranian immigrant who lost the lower half of her body in the 2013 collapse.

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An arbitrator awarded her $95.6 million out of the $227 million owed to the victims following a settlement reached back in February.

Plekan was buried under the rubble at the Salvation Army store at 22nd and Market for 13 hours.

Her injuries were so severe her body below her hips had to be amputated.

"While this tragedy took its toll on so many innocent victims, we are very pleased that the arbitrator recognized in his assessment that Mariya Plekan, the most catastrophically injured victim, should receive the highest award following this liability jury verdict," said Stern. "We take comfort that Ms. Plekan finally can obtain the appropriate skilled medical care she needs for the rest of her life, and that she has received just compensation for the gruesome injuries she sustained from this devastating tragedy."

Deposition of Woman Crippled In Center City Building Collapse Is Revealed

The collapse killed 6 and injured 14 others.

Stern says Plekan will need 24-hour nursing care for the rest of her life.

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