Nurses and other professionals who are responsible for direct patient care provide valuable assistance to those individuals. While many people think that this is a safe profession, there are considerable risks that come with it. The duty to minimize these is on the...
It’s Time To Rebuild Your Life
Workplace Injuries
Women in construction are too often provided with ill-fitting PPE
When people used to think of construction workers, they were generally tall, muscular men. While that may have always been somewhat of a stereotype, the industry has definitely changed. Now, for example, a construction site is more likely to include female workers....
Shelves can cause injury to workers’ brains and spines
Shelving is a way to optimize the use of space. It can turn potentially vacant vertical areas into functional space. In retail establishments, shelving can help businesses display far more products for consumers. In warehouse settings, shelving units and vertical...
How can workplace ergonomics prevent musculoskeletal disorders?
Work requires effort, but it must not cause discomfort. However, some industries – office, construction and warehousing – demand workers to perform repetitive tasks that often lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, usually...
5 common risks airline workers face on the job
Airport and airplane workers face many challenging situations every day. Many workers operate on large machines that transport hundreds of people every day. While others may work indoors with customers or outside on the tarmac. Like most jobs, airline workers may be...
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....
Family of utility worker files wrongful death lawsuit
This blog has often noted the possibility of the family of a deceased worker seeking damages for the worker's wrongful death in a work-related accident. Specifically, the blog has pointed out the potential for seeking damages from a party that was not the employer of...
What if my work injury was my fault?
Workers in Connecticut have a lot of responsibilities they have to meet, including some responsibilities that are related to keeping themselves and others safe. Unfortunately, as anyone who has worked knows, it is impossible for every employee to be on their A...
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...
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.