Cases
- $7,900,000 - Construction Workers Injured in Scaffold Accident
Plaintiffs, members of Local 79 and Local 235, respectfully, were injured when they were both caused to fall when the scaffold they were standing on collapsed. Both plaintiffs sustained serious injuries to their spine requiring surgery. Plaintiffs commenced an action against the owner of the project and the general contractor alleging violations of Labor Law § 240. The defendants argued that the scaffold did not collapse and the plaintiffs’ were exaggerating their injuries. HKD was able to track down former employees who confirmed how the accident occurred and undermined the defendants’ position. The case was settled mediation by HKD partner, Jordan Hecht, for a total of $7,900,000.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
- $7,625,000 – Asbestos Exposure
Plaintiff, an Engineer and Inventor, developed mesothelioma cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers. The exposure took place in the early 1970s but the cancer did not manifest itself for thirty (30) years. Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., was able to obtain purchase orders and other records from 1971 containing the name of the company that sold the asbestos. Plaintiff died as a result, and an action was commenced by plaintiff’s wife for wrongful death, pain and suffering and lost earnings. Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., served as co-counsel. The case settled before trial for $7,625,000.00.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
- $7,250,000 Construction Accident – Fall From Scaffold – Brain Injury
Plaintiff, a member of Local 79, was working on a construction projection when he was caused to fall 8 feet from an unsafe scaffold landing on his head. Plaintiff sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as well as a neck injury requiring cervical fusion. Plaintiff sued the New York City School Construction Authority alleging violations of Labor Law § 240 and workplace safety. HKD was able to win summary judgment for the plaintiff and the case went to trial solely on the issue of damages. Defendants argued that plaintiff had a prior head injury as a child and was exaggerating the severity of his symptoms. The case was resolved on the day jury selection was scheduled to commence by HKD partner, Jordan Hecht, for $7,250,000.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
- $4,800,000 – Construction Accident – Drill Runner Injured
Plaintiff, a 28-year-old drill runner was working in a trench when a large piece of debris fell from the edge of the trench striking him in the back. Plaintiff was taken to urgent care where he was diagnosed with a fractured vertebrae in his lower back. Plaintiff ultimately underwent two spinal surgeries and was unable to return to work. The defendants argued that plaintiff was to blame for the accident as he was the one who placed the debris at the edge of the trench. HKD successfully argued that the trench edge should have had a brace to protect debris from falling back on the workers. HKD attorney Jordan Hecht was successful in resolving the case for $4,800,000.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
- $4,650,000 – Construction Accident – Stone Mason Injured
Plaintiff, a 46-year-old union Mason, was working on the construction of a new school in Brooklyn when he fell five feet from a steel beam installed just above the roof surface. Plaintiff argued that the New York City School Construction Authority, the owner of the project, should have installed a temporary walk-way to enable the plaintiff to safely traverse the roof. Plaintiff sued the SCA and the general contractor alleging violations of Labor Law 240 and 241(6). The defendants argued that the plaintiff should have walked beneath the beam and was instructed to do so. Plaintiff suffered serious injuries necessitating a cervical spine fusion as well as arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. HKD was successful in resolving the case for $4,650,000.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
- $4,500,000 – Premises Liability – Worker Falls at Building – Multiple Injuries
Plaintiff, a Verizon worker was performing an installation in the basement at a commercial building in New York City when he stepped on a sump pit cover that was left open by the building maintenance staff. Upon stepping on the unsecured cover, the worker fell into the sump pit up to his knee. As a result of the accident, plaintiff suffered multiple injuries to his back, neck, shoulder and knee which all required surgical intervention.
HKD filed a lawsuit against the building owner and managing agent for failing to secure the loose sump pit cover. Through discovery, it was learned that one of the building engineers removed the cover several days earlier and never fully secured it before the accident. HKD partners, Jordan Hecht and Jonathan Damashek settled the case in the amount of $4,500,000.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
- $3,875,000 – Premises Liability – Slip and Fall Accident – Back, Knee, and Shoulder Injuries
Plaintiff, a licensed nurse, was shopping at a Home Depot Store in Brooklyn when she was caused to fall over a cardboard box.
Plaintiff alleged that the box was placed in the aisle by a Home Depot employee. Home Depot denied any involvement in the accident and blamed the plaintiff for not looking where she was going. As a result of the accident, the plaintiff suffered injuries to her neck requiring a spinal fusion surgery as well as a torn rotator cuff in her left shoulder and torn meniscus in her right knee.
The case was tried by HKD partner Jordan Hecht and the jury returned a verdict finding Home Depot 100% at fault for the accident and awarded the plaintiff $3,875,000.00 in damages.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
- $3,500,000 – Slip and Fall – Snow and Ice – Leg Fractures
Plaintiff, a 53 y/o custodian, was walking along the sidewalk when he slipped on a patch of ice in front of the defendant’s premises. Plaintiff was taken by EMS to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a severe fracture of his right knee. Plaintiff underwent several surgeries to repair the fracture and was later admitted to the hospital to treat an infection. Plaintiff ultimately had a complete right knee fusion. Defendants argued that the accident did not happen as the plaintiff described and plaintiff’s poor result stemmed from underlying diabetes and kidney failure. The case was resolved by HKD partners Jonathan Damashek and Jordan Hecht.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
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