New York Man Receives $9.5 Million Settlement After Workplace Accident

When an employee is injured in a workplace accident, they may find it difficult to receive workers’ compensation benefits and other money necessary for recovery. It is rare to receive a multi-million-dollar settlement, but as a New York man knows, it can happen.

A Buffalo man who was seriously injured in a fall accepted a $9.5 million settlement before his case was set to go to trial in early December. The roofer was seriously injured on August 1, 2017 after falling 30 feet and landing on a concrete floor. He was employed for Sahlem’s Roofing & Siding and was replacing the roof of a commercial building in Tonawanda when the accident occurred.

The man’s legs were severely fractured in the fall. Both had to be amputated below the knees. He must now wear prosthetic devices for the rest of his life. These devices have to be replaced regularly. In addition, the man cannot resume his job as a roofer.

The roof was deteriorating and in very poor condition, but Sahlem’s Roofing & Siding and the property owners — Carrier Terminal Services and Speed Global Services — did not provide the roofer with appropriate safety equipment. There was nothing to protect him in the event of a fall, such as a safety harness or safety netting. In this case, there should have been a perimeter lifeline along the roof. Each worker would be tied into that with a tether on a safety harness so they would not fall to the ground below. Such protections are required under New York State labor laws.

The man and his wife filed the lawsuit on August 14, 2017. He was able to recover some compensation from his employer since he suffered a “grave injury” according to New York’s workers’ compensation law. Speed Global Services was listed as a defendant in the lawsuit, but the company claims it has nothing to do with the man’s injuries and is appealing to get removed from it.

Under the terms of the settlement, New York State Insurance Fund  – which is the insurance carrier for Sahlem Roofing & Siding – has agreed to waive the workers’ compensation lien for the man’s medical expenses and wage loss. The insurer has also agreed to pay all of the man’s accident-related medical expenses for this lifetime. This is something that is rarely done. This comes out to about $12 million. Given this large amount of money, as part of the settlement, the New York State Insurance Fund has agreed to pay for the man’s future medical costs.

Contact Us for More Information About Workers’ Compensation Benefits

The construction industry can be quite dangerous. The worker in this case is lucky to survive his accident and be able to receive a sufficient amount of money to cover his injuries, pain and suffering and other damages.

Injured at work? If so, seek legal help from White Plains workers’ compensation lawyer Michael Lawrence Varon. We can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call (914) 228-1770 or fill out the online form.

Resource:

buffalonews.com/news/local/roofer-severely-injured-in-workplace-fall-accepts-9-5-million-settlement/article_6a68eda2-3430-11eb-9f77-07e330c45b1f.html

https://www.nycompensationlaw.com/woman-pleads-guilty-to-social-security-disability-fraud/