• A young apprentice electrician sustained devastating 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his face, hands, arms and chest while attempting to affix a cover to an electrical panel designed and manufactured by the world's largest electrical equipment manufacturer. Our investigation revealed the breaker box in question had been redesigned by the manufacturer to reduce costs during assembly. The redesign, however, incorporated screw holes directly in front of areas housing energized lines. The redesign did not include the use of shorter screws. These design defects rendered the product defective and unreasonably dangerous leading to a 100% lien recovery for the worker's compensation carrier and a settlement in excess of $800,000 for the injured worker.
• A rural well installation company technician was killed when a well tank he was replacing exploded during the draining process. Our investigation revealed the design of the plastic base for the steel well tank permitted pooling of condensation which caused corrosion and pitting over time allowing for the tank to fracture and explode during pressurization. The settlement in this case permitted the worker's compensation carrier to recover all of its medical lien and a substantial portion of its indemnity claim in addition to recovering a substantial six figure amount for the family of the deceased.
• A chemical worker at an electroplating plant received chemical burns to over 50% of his body when the nozzle on a chemical receptacle he was using failed leading to a sudden and unexpected exposure to sodium hydrochloride. Our investigation showed the design of the nozzle cover lacked any safety devices or interlocks and further, the product lacked any warnings to check the flow lever before removing the cover. The case resulted in a 100% lien recovery for the worker's compensation carrier and large six figure settlement for the injured worker.
• A security guard checking the floors of a multi-level condominium unit sustained a broken hip and other injuries when the elevator he was riding stopped prematurely between floors. The doors opened and the worker was injured when he fell from the unlevel surface. Our investigation uncovered the selector switch regulating the leveling of the elevator had been defectively manufactured leading to the leveling problems. The worker's compensation carrier was reimbursed for 100% of its lien and the security guard received a substantial six figure settlement.
• A church pastor attempting to change a light bulb in a 40 foot ceiling using a man-lift fell from the lift when it toppled leading to a traumatic brain injury. Our investigation revealed the man-lift was defectively designed because a straddle system used to raise the lift above the church pews defeated the lift's own interlock system allowing the lift to be raised without stabilizing outriggers in place. The worker's compensation carrier was reimbursed a substantial portion of its lien and the plaintiff received a settlement of over $1 million dollars.
• Maintenance worker at a book distribution center reaching down to plug in a radio near a conveyor belt sustains scalping injuries when her hair becomes entangled in the rotating spindles of the conveyor. Our investigation showed that the product manufacturer's failure to guard a rotating part foreseeable in harm's way was the cause of the accident. The injured worker received a sizable six figure settlement and a large percentage of the worker's compensation lien was satisfied.

Construction

• A crane operating in high wind conditions knocked over a wall onto a young construction worker, causing his death. Our investigation revealed that high winds resulted in the crane operator losing control of his load. We filed suit against the general contractor and the crane leasing company. A recovery was secured that was sufficient to both the workers' compensation lien and to reimburse the workers' compensation carrier for benefits paid. The injured worker's family also received a large recovery.
• A young Wisconsin factory worker received crushing injuries from a pallet stacking machine. Suit was commenced against the machine manufacturer, and a recovery was secured sufficient to pay back the entire workers' compensation lien (in excess of $600,000), and provide a four year "cushion" with respect to future Wisconsin workers' compensation benefits. The worker also received substantial compensation from the manufacturer.
• An elevator mechanic was permanently disabled when a temporary ladder failed. Suit against the building owner resulted in a verdict in excess of 1 million dollars, and the workers' compensation insurer was able to recoup all benefits paid and receive a future credit which is anticipated to last 10 years with respect to future workers' compensation indemnity payments. The injured worker also received substantial compensation.
• A construction foreman was catastrophically burned and ultimately died as a result of his injuries. Prior to his death, approximately $3 million in medical bills were paid by the workers' compensation carrier in addition to an expectation of 40 years of benefits to his young wife. Suit against the paint tank manufacturer and seller was successful and resulted in a gross settlement in excess of $9,000,000, sufficient to provide fair compensation to both the family and the workers' compensation carrier.
• A masonry worker fell approximately 30 feet when a piece of rebar he was holding contacted an electrical line. He was unable to find a lawyer to represent him. Suit was instituted against the electric utility for placing its line too close to the construction site. A recovery in excess of $1,000,000 was achieved which enabled to workers' compensation carrier to receive a refund of benefits paid and a closure of indemnity benefits. The injured worker also achieved a substantial recovery.
• An electrician received a serious brain injury when the ladder he was on collapsed as a result of the actions of a subcontractor. He was 38 years old and permanently disabled as a result of the brain injury. Suit was instituted against the subcontractor and a $3,000,000 settlement resulted in full reimbursement to the workers compensation carrier, closure of the workers compensation case and full compensation of the injured worker.