A Superior Court jury today awarded $17 million in damages in the case. Here is Metro’s statement, issued Friday afternoon:

The January 2009 accidental death of Cameron Cuthbertson on the Metro Blue Line was a great tragedy and we again extend our sympathy to his family, however, Metro disagrees with the jury verdict and will appeal. Metro maintains it was not negligent or otherwise responsible for Mr. Cuthbertson’s death, and there are strong grounds for appeal.

The accidental death of Mr. Cuthbertson, a blind man with learning disabilities, who walked off the platform at the Del Amo Station between two rail cars, is the only fatal incident involving a sight impaired passenger on any Metro Rail line in two decades of operation. Each year an estimated 96 million passengers board the Metro Rail system.