JOB ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS

$2.97 Million recovered in School Bus Injury case.

FACTS: An 11-year-old student, was injured while attempting to board her school bus. She said she was attempting to board the bus on her way home from school when the driver allegedly pulled away from the bus stop prematurely, causing her to fall under the bus’ right front wheel. According to the plaintiff, the driver alleged that the girl was running after the bus when she slipped and fell on ice. The case settled at a pre-trial conference for $2.97 million. The girl suffered alleged hip fractures, degloving injuries and tissue loss requiring skin graft and multiple surgeries. She has severe scarring and disfigurement to both legs.

$1.1 million settlement for workers burned in chemical explosion

FACTS: Two workers at a sign shop were injured due to a chemical explosion. Landlord was held liable for allowing improper storage and use of chemicals.

$3 Million recovered in Workplace Injury case.

FACTS: While working as a driller’s assistant on a harbor-dredging project on the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, 36-year-old Russel was struck by an undefined object. Russel was supporting two drilling towers when the object struck him. He is now suffering from epilepsy as a result of being struck in the head.

The jury found that Russel had grounds to sue under the Jones Act because the barge that he was working on was considered a “vessel” and it was considered unseaworthy. The case was decided in a U.S. District Court for Southern New York where he was awarded $3 million.

$1.65 Million recovered in Classroom Injury

FACTS: A Brooklyn, N.Y., school teacher was injured when her arm and wrist became caught in a classroom door while she tried to stop a student from slamming it. She claimed that the door was defective in that an arm of the door governor was broken and a screw in the door stopper was missing. She further contended that the door governor broke four months earlier and that she had reported the condition to a custodian several times.

The school countered that it was unaware of the condition and argued that the fault lay with the plaintiff or the student. She has not returned to work and her expert testified that she is permanently disabled and will eventually lose full use of her hand. The jury awarded $1.65 million, including $1.2 million for past and future pain and suffering.