Our office was retained by a 43-year-old construction worker who injured his lower back when he was forced to hoist heavy metal bars up the side of a 6-story building using nothing but rope and his hands. The building was being erected in Brooklyn and had several winch-hoists, however, when our client asked to use one of them for this task he was told they were all being used elsewhere at the job site. He was told he could either do as told or leave the project.

Our client, a member of Carpenter’s Union Local 1536 spent the remainder of that day hoisting the heavy metallic frames with brute strength alone. By the end of the day, he was in significant pain and unable to return to work ever again. He sustained injuries to his Lumbar Spine, necessitating a decompressive lumbar laminectomy with fusion surgery. He also underwent extensive pain management treatment, including steroid injections into his L4-5 disc space. He also underwent nerve root ablation, which involves burning the nerve root endings to deaden the pain.

The defendants agreed to mediate the matter, however, they tried to low-ball the case by offering only $750.000.00. We walked out and prepared for trial. Shortly before jury selection was to commence, the defendants asked that we return to mediation once again. This time, the defendants came with substantially more money and the matter settled for $3,000,000.00. This is one more example of our firm never settling for less than fair value.