Construction workers in Connecticut are often required to work many feet off the ground, and fatal falls are an unpleasant aspect of this work. A recent construction accident in near-by Concord, N.H. illustrates the extremely hazardous nature of such work. According...
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Construction Workers’ Accidents
Employers must follow scaffolding safety standards
As previous posts on this blog have discussed, one of the biggest dangers construction workers in Connecticut face is a fall from heights. Oftentimes, workers have to use temporary scaffolding to move from level to level while working on a large building. While some...
Construction worker killed by fall from scaffolding
Construction workers are frequently required to work high above the ground. The scaffolds and ladders that are used to obtain the necessary elevation are the frequent cause of serious construction accidents. In a recent accident in Darien, Connecticut, a construction...
Number of accidental falls rises as cause of workplace deaths
Several weeks ago, this blog commented on the accidental death of a Connecticut construction worker who died from injuries sustained when she fell through a hole awaiting installation of a staircase. Falls are becoming more numerous as a cause of worker deaths in the...
Construction elevator collapse kills two workers
This blog recently commented on the death of a Connecticut construction worker who fell through a stairway opening and died when she hit the concrete slab 10 feet below. Accidental falls are one of the leading causes of construction workers' accidents. Another example...
Construction worker dies after 10-foot fall into empty stairwell
Construction worksites have many hazards that pose threats of injury or death to workers. One of the most serious risks is holes in floors that are awaiting the construction of stairs or installation of heating and cooling ducts and other HVAC equipment. A Connecticut...
What are the most common construction site accidents?
Construction workers in Connecticut and elsewhere have a dangerous profession. Data recently released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics show the variety and seriousness of construction accidents that bedevil construction workers across the country. Not...
Electrician settles back injury claims for $610,000
Ladders and scaffolding are often involved in construction site injuries. An electrician from Torrington who suffered severe injuries to his lower back in a construction accident recently settled both his personal injury claim and his workers compensation claim for a...
Debris chute collapse leaves worker in critical condition
One of the most common places on construction sites in Connecticut is the wooden chute extending from an upper level of the structure into a dumpster or the box of a heavy truck. The chutes are used to safely and efficiently discard debris from an upper level as work...
Construction worker settles third-party claim for $1.5 million
This blog has frequently mentioned the value of third-party claims in Connecticut workers' compensation cases. A recent settlement of such a claim by a worker who suffered a devastating eye injury demonstrates how such claims can dramatically increase the compensation...
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.