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...
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Firm News
Accident leads to death and work shutdown on skyscraper
Most tall buildings in Connecticut make extensive use of glass panels on the exterior walls. These panels are very heavy and can pose a risk to workers if they are not secured at all times before installation. In a recent construction site accident, one such panel was...
Does Connecticut workers’ compensation pay survivors benefits?
Workplace accidents occasionally result in the death of the worker. In such cases, the worker's family usually wonders whether they can collect workers' compensation benefits to cover medical and funeral expenses and lost income. Fortunately for Connecticut families,...
Lighter, cheaper robotic hand offers help to injured workers
One of the most catastrophic injuries suffered by Connecticut workers is the loss of a hand. The injury severely limits the ability of a worker to return to the job and requires extensive retraining. Prosthetic hands, ranging from hooks to complex electronic...
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...
Pizza worker settles workers’ comp claim for $180,000
Custom pizza shops have proliferated in Connecticut and elsewhere over the last several decades. People who love the choice of cheeses and other toppings do not often realize that their culinary freedom depends on many behind-the-scenes workers. One of these workers...
Fighting distracted driving on Connecticut roads
As a driver in Connecticut, you know that distracted driving is a problem that poses a serious threat to you and others on the road. With the increase in smartphone use and in-car technology that requires significant driver interaction, there are now more things than...
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...
Second workplace injury prompts $390,000 settlement
A common question posed by recipients of workers' compensation benefits in Connecticut is "What happens if I suffer another injury in the same spot?" The question was answered for one injured worker who recently settled his second workers' compensation claim for...
Tree trimmer killed when tree falls unexpectedly
Workers who trim and remove trees use many kinds of safety equipment, including hard hats, safety harnesses and specially designed boots and shoes. Occasionally, however, even the most mindful of precautions can be defeated by unexpected events, as was recently...
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.