07/30/2009
$2 Million Settlement for Construction WorkerConstruction worker falls 1½ stories fracturing his pelvis. He was unable to return to work. The case settled for 2 million dollars the day before trial.
02/19/2009
$3.2 Million Judgment for Construction WorkerA 38 year old Polish construction worker who did not have legal papers to work was injured during demolition work taking place on the defendant's property. The floor the worker was standing on broke causing him to fall 12 feet onto the cement floor below. A co-worker also fell through the floor and landed on top of the plaintiff. The plaintiff sustained a fractured T12 vertebrae which shattered into many pieces and lodged into his spinal canal, causing nerve injury. The T12 vertebrae necessary to support the spinal column compressed and changed from a rectangular shape to a triangular shape, causing mechanical axial pain as well. Additionally, the plaintiff sustained a lower back injury that caused a disc herniation and nerve injury. The plaintiff could not return to work, is permanently disabled, and will require future surgeries to his thoracic and lumbar region.
11/21/2006
$4.5 Million Verdict for botched surgeryThe defendant cut the plaintiff's artery during a lumbar surgery which the jury found was a departure of surgical care. The anesthesiologist was also held responsible for failing to advise the surgeon during the procedure of a 30 minute drop in blood pressure, an elevating heart rate, and loss of a liter of blood. The plaintiff lost a massive amount of blood causing loss of memory and congitive injury. The defendants never made an offer to settle until after closing statements; the offer was 11 cents.
08/22/2006
$635,000 Settlement at trial for neck injuries in a car accidentA real estate agent while stopped in traffic near the belt parkway was hit in the rear by a MTA/LIRR Chevy pickup truck. She went to the emergency room 6 days after the accident and had acupuncture treatment for several years. Almost five years after the accident, she underwent a cervical fusion. Six years after the accident, she had arthorscopic surgery on her shoulder. The defendants argued that her subsequent surgeries were not related to the accident, and that the neck problems were due to degenerative disease corroborated by an MRI.
03/30/2006
$700,000 Settlement for abdominal injury during surgeryThe plaintiff underwent a laparoscopic surgery by the defendant OBGYN at a Suffolk County Hospital. She returned to the hospital 4 days later in severe abdominal pain. An emergency surgery revealed peritonitis as a result of a perforated sigmoid colon. The treating surgeon in his operative report stated the perforation appeared to be from a burn caused during the prior OBGYN procedure. However, the pathologist in his report stated he saw no evidence of a burn or perforation. The plaintiff underwent a colectomy, colostomy, trachostomy, and repair of a small bowel obstruction. The plaintiff also suffered severe abdominal scarring. The case settled right before jury selection.
03/02/2006
$1.5 Million Verdict for pedestrian struck by motor vehicle26 year old female suffered a head injury, fractured skull, fractures of the pelvis, and cervical and lumbar injuries. She returned to work and school full-time after two years. The plaintiff was advised she would need future surgery on the hip and back. After losing several pre-trial motions, the defendants conceded liability the day after jury selection and a damages trial ensued. The defendants argued that the plaintiff had fully recovered from her injuries and would not require further treatment.
01/25/2006
$250,000 settlement at trial for 83 Year old with melanomaThe plaintiff-decedent had a darkened lesion on her toe for two years while treating with the defendant podiatrist. The podiatrist failed to recognize that the lesion was suspicious for malignant melanoma. The defendant took a hard “no pay” position throughout the case, but settled after two days at trial.
