Celebrity dentist who crashed moped gets $15M from ConEd

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - A man who calls himself the Dentist to the Stars has been awarded nearly $15 million for head and spinal injuries he suffered when his moped hit the lid of an underground electric service box on a New York City street.

Dr. Larry Ashkinazy was hurt in August 2002 when his moped flipped over the Consolidated Edison utility company equipment in Manhattan.

Con Ed argued the lid didn't protrude beyond its barricade and Ashkinazy should have avoided it.

Ashkinazy says his injuries caused hand tremors that curtailed his cosmetic dentistry practice. He says his clientele included celebrities.

The state Supreme Court jury found Con Ed liable and awarded Ashkinazy $14.9 million.

A Con Ed spokesman calls the award "grossly excessive" and says the utility will appeal.