$600,000 Settlement – Construction Accident

Our client was on the job, working as a laborer for a farm co-op when he was asked to make a repair to the grain silo. He was placed in a bosun chair with a harness and was suspended from a crane by a third-party crane operator. As our client was hoisted into the air, his leg became entangled with a cable causing extreme pressure and discomfort. As he was lifted higher the entangled cable became even tighter around his leg. The crane operator was unable to see or hear our client, and the designated spotter, who is assigned for these types of situations, had stepped away, leaving our client’s screams for help unheard.

Due to severe pain in his right leg and hip, our client was forced to seek treatment at the Blanchard Valley Medical Center emergency room. Radiological studies revealed a contusion to the right hip and hip sprain. A week later our client was evaluated by a medical provider for a Workers’ Compensation claim status. The pain was described as 8/10, radiating in nature from the right hip into the right leg with increased pain during movement. He was directed to physical therapy and occupational therapy along with work restrictions requiring sitting work only.

A workers’ compensation claim was initially pursued for our client’s medical treatment and time off work. However, to maximize recovery, our office filed a personal injury lawsuit against the crane operator and crane company. The litigation became complicated when the crane company filed a Third-Party Complaint against our client’s employer in an attempt to shift the blame. After a hard-fought litigation the parties reached a settlement resulting in an initial lump sum payment to our client and additional monthly payments being made over several years.