Case Brief: Labor Law

I have had several inquires for examples of a Labor Law cases. Posted below is a Labor Law - Fall from Ladder case:

XVII/11-38 LABOR LAW - FALL FROM LADDER - SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON LIABILITY
FRACTURED PATELLA
SETTLEMENT: Scott and Jamie B. v. U.S. Tennis Association, Inc.; Turner Con & Lehrer; McGovem Bovis, Inc. 129112/95 Date of Settlement 3/16/99 New York Supreme
Pltf. Atty: Daniel P. Buttafuoco of Daniel P. Buttafuoco & Associates, Woodbury.

This Labor Law action settled during trial for $1,250,000, plus the waiver of a $67,000 Workers Compensation lien. On 10/20/95, Pltf., a 38- year-old union iron worker, fell from an unsecured ladder while working at the construction site of the U.S. Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. Prior to trial, Pltf. was granted summary judgment pursuant to Labor Law § 240. There was no Third-party action against Pltf.'s employer.

Injuries: comminuted fracture of the patella with displacement of the bone fragments. Pltf. underwent excision of the patella and open reduction and internal fixation. Pltf.'s knee is disfigured. Pltf. did not return to work, and he claimed that he will require a future knee replacement. He was earning approximately $60,000 a year, plus benefits, at the time of the accident. Deft. claimed that Pltf. would not need a knee replacement, that he had good range of motion in the knee, and that he was able to return to work. Demonstrative evidence: model of the knee; photographs; diagram of the knee and surgeries.

Daniel P. Buttafuoco
www.1800NowHurt.com