Driving a car is both a privilege and a huge responsibility. When you get behind the wheel, you have a duty to your passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, motorcycle riders and anyone else with whom you share the road. This duty includes making reasonably safe...
It’s Time To Rebuild Your Life
Month: October 2018
One worker killed, another injured by falling steel beams
Any Connecticut resident who has stopped to watch construction workers on a large building has seen tower cranes and movable cranes lift extremely heavy loads. One might wonder what would happen if the load should come loose and fall to the ground. An incident in...
A Stamford construction worker falls from a roof to his death
A 59-year-old Stamford construction worker fell to his death while attempting to replace a warehouse roof on Oct. 10. The incident occurred at Stamford Windustrial, located along Sunnyside Avenue in Waterside. Police were first dispatched to the warehouse that...
Renovation worker dies after falling through skylight
Connecticut has many older, obsolete buildings that are undergoing either extensive renovation or demolition. The workers on such jobs face unique risks because the work itself often weakens the structure. A recent accident in Stamford illustrates the nature of some...
Understanding the causes and effects of wrist injuries
One of the most common workplace injuries reported by workers in Connecticut and elsewhere is wrist pain. Most workers use their hands, and the wrist is a critical joint that can be injured in a variety of ways. Many kinds of injury can cause wrist pain, and an...
Wounded police officer still fighting for workers’ comp benefits
The Connecticut workers' compensation system provides a claimant ample opportunity to appeal an adverse decision, but sometimes, the appeal can be unavailing. The case of a Norwalk police officer who was accidentally shot in a training exercise provides a sad example....
Rear-end truck crashes are completely preventable
Data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 4,300 individuals lost their lives in crashes with tractor-trailers in 2016 alone. This marked a 28 percent increase over those who died in similar crashes in 2009. Some traffic...
Don’t expect a workers’ compensation claim approval
No matter how hard you try, a workplace injury could sneak up on you at some point. If this happens, you should immediately turn your attention to your health. This typically means receiving medical care to better understand your injury, treatment schedule and...
Hit-and-run victims: Here’s what you can do next
When a person is struck by a car or is involved in a collision with another driver, you'd expect the other driver to remain at the scene. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen. This leads to a hit-and-run collision, which may, unfortunately, lead to the victim...
Verdicts & Settlements
36-year-old laborer for landscaping company fractured wrist when fellow employee hit him with truck. Claimant received in excess of $30,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for total disability and medical expenses and settled with automobile insurance company for fellow employee for $95,000.
1989 workers’ compensation claim settled for $125,000. Claimant originally sustained a low back injury when she slipped and fell at local grocery store resulting in low back surgery in 1989. Several years later, claimant exacerbated her low back injury. Claim was reopened and settled with carrier for $125,000 in 2006.
47-year-old deli clerk sustained low back injuries at work for local supermarket. Carrier originally denied claim on the grounds that the injury was pre-existing. After formal workers’ compensation hearing carrier accepted claim and paid all total disability benefits and medical expenses in excess of $100,000. Case then settled for an additional $100,000 after injured person received a permanent disability rating.
34-year-old male roofer sustained multiple injuries to his shoulder, neck, back and hip when he fell from roof during work. Claimant was provided workers’ compensation benefits in excess of $100,000 and settled remaining claims for an additional $55,000.
40-year-old male working for cleaning company sustained neck and low back injuries when he fell on defective staircase while cleaning local museum. Claimant recovered over $95,000 in workers’ compensation benefits and resolved claim against museum for $85,000.
26-year-old laborer sustained fractured foot when a cast iron pipe was dropped on his foot. Employer and workers’ compensation carrier denied claim on basis that injured worker was an independent contractor. After a series of informal and formal workers’ compensation hearings, carrier conceded that claimant was an employee and settled case for $85,000.
24-year-old waitress sustained back injury while working at Outback Steak House. Workers’ compensation insurance company initially denied the claim. After a series of informal hearings, carrier accepted claim paying medical expenses and total disability benefits. In addition to those benefits paid, claim settled for an additional $75,000.
Delivery truck driver sustained right wrist fracture in rear-end motor vehicle accident while in the course of his employment. Claimant recovered in excess of $40,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for medical expenses and total disability benefits. Claimant settled case against at-fault driver for $105,000.
22-year-old male working as stocking clerk at “big box” retailer sustained herniated disc in low back. Workers’ compensation carrier refused to accept the claim. After formal workers’ compensation, hearing commissioner ordered carrier to pay over $35,000 in past total disability benefits and pay for surgery and all related medical expenses. Case settled for an additional $35,000 for a total recovery in excess of $100,000.
Rear-end collision on entrance ramp to Merritt Parkway resulting in 49-year-old woman sustaining mid-back injury. Case settled at mediation after filing suit for $300,000.
28-year-old passenger sustained multiple herniated discs in automobile accident in New York state. New York no-fault carrier paid for extended period of disability from work and medical expenses, including expenses for surgery. Case settled against driver of vehicle for $300,000 policy limits shortly after filing suit.
54-year-old man sustains shoulder injury when hit from behind by uninsured motorist on New Jersey Turnpike. Case settled for $135,000 prior to trial.
CT Transit bus driver sustained torn meniscus in collision with another vehicle. Claims made against at-fault driver, workers’ compensation carrier and client’s underinsured motorist policy. All claims settle for a recovery in excess of $100,000.
68-year-old woman sustained neck and back injuries in rear-end collision and required extended course physical therapy, but was not a surgical candidate. Case settled for $100,000 prior to filing suit.
34-year-old woman sustained concussion and neck and back injuries in hit-and-run accident on a New York highway. Claimant settled uninsured motorist claim for her $100,000 policy limits.
80-year-old woman sustained right foot fracture when her foot was run over in a parking lot. Case settled for at-fault driver’s policy limit of $100,000 prior to filing suit.
38-year-old nanny sustained right femur fracture when she fell down defective stairs in home of her employer’s neighbor. All medical expenses and lost wages reimbursed and case settled for an additional $150,000.
Claim against landlord for defective staircase in multi-family rental house. Claimant sustained a right femur fracture. Case settled for $125,000 prior to filing suit.
$95,000 judgment obtained against bar and nightclub for assault by one of its patrons against another patron.
47-year-old woman sustained a broken left wrist when she fell from porch stairs at house she was renting. Case settled for $95,000 shortly before trial.
26-year-old male bitten on leg by German shepherd. Claim against dog owner settled for $65,000 plus payment of all medical expenses.