Connecticut workers have the right to work in a safe environment. We all want to have the opportunity to have productive jobs in safe locations. Some Connecticut workers, however, may face the possibility of long-term exposure to toxic chemicals due to the nature and...
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Workplace Illness
How do medical expenses affect workers’ compensation benefits?
The workers' compensation system provides for a number of benefits for workers who suffer from a workplace illness or on-the-job injury. There are monetary benefits for which a worker may qualify based on his or her illness. Such benefits are available for total...
Workers’ comp may provide relief for asbestos-related illnesses
Many Connecticut residents are aware of the dangers of asbestos. Asbestos, which was commonly used in shipyards and industrial facilities, as well as old schools or public buildings, has microscopic fibers that a person can breathe in. These fibers cause damage to a...
What are the symptoms of the occupational disease carpal tunnel?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious work-related health issue for many Connecticut workers. Those who are finding themselves with a problem completing their work tasks and don't believe that they're going to be able to secure benefits through workers' compensation...
Police station fined for long-term exposure to toxic chemicals
The police headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, that was previously under review by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has received its final report. The station has been fined for asbestos and water contamination violations that may have increased...
Can you choose your own doctor to treat a workplace illness?
When an employee finds himself facing a work-related illness, the main concerns that arise immediately are ability to recover and finding ways to fund the new financial burden. Once the initial confusion subsides and details begin falling into place, additional...
Connecticut workplace illness more frequent than U.S. average
For some jobs in Connecticut, the work and its environment lends itself to a higher risk to suffer from workplace illness. Workers might be aware of the dangers they face, but are willing to endure the risks and eschew the fear of long-term effects to do their jobs....
How do I know if I have an asbestos-related illness?
Workers in Connecticut who were employed in various industries that resulted in them being exposed to asbestos through ignorance or by willful disregard for their safety on the part of their employers need to know the signs of asbestos-related illness. Because the...
Police headquarters cleaned to thwart workplace illness from lead
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requiring a Connecticut police department to clean its building due to the existence of excessively high lead levels throughout many areas of the department. The resulting bill could cost upwards of $10,000 as the...
Cleanup plan debate extends long-term exposure to toxic chemicals
A Connecticut company that previously used asbestos in its parts, forced to shut down its brake pad manufacturing facility 25 years ago, remains the center of debate regarding cleanup of the multiple contaminated sites it left behind. The $21 million apportioned for...
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.