Scaffold Accident - Crane Collapse
WRSH Partner, Kenneth J. Halperin recently obtained a $2,500,000 settlement for a 40-year carpenter who was injured at a construction site. At the time of the accident the injured plaintiff was beginning to descend a scaffold when a crane that was overloaded collapsed and struck the scaffolding. In order to avoid being crushed by the crane the plaintiff had to let go of the scaffold, which caused him to fall approximately fifteen (15) feet to the ground below.
As a result of the accident the plaintiff sustained an injury to his lower back, which required a lumbar spine fusion and a knee injury which required arthroscopic surgery. Although the plaintiff was a Union Carpenter he failed to work in the union for three (3) of the previous five (5) years and the two (2) years that he did work were for less than 100 hours. We were able to buttress his damages claim by retaining an Expert witness to determine his future medical costs over his lifetime. Plaintiff had also made a very good recovery and was in Engineering school at the time of the settlement.