Verdicts & Settlements

Farmington Firm Settles Mortgage Broker Lawsuit

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Monday, December 17, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A law firm, mortgage company and real estate broker have agreed to pay $700,000 in fines, forfeitures and restitution to settle allegations that they engaged in kickback schemes that cheated hundreds of home buyers for mortgage-related services, state officials said Monday.

Partially Paralyzed Carpenter Gets $3.4M

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Monday, December 17, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Jerry Crutchfield v. Stanley Works et al. A construction worker left partially paralyzed from a nail gun accident received $3.4 million from a jury in Hartford.

Priest Abuse Charges Lead To $170K Settlement

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Monday, November 12, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

biJames D. Fish v. Norwich Roman Catholic Diocese et al./i:/b In a letter from Bishop Michael Cote read to parishioners at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Pawcatuck on Oct. 28, the diocese announced the latest in what now totals $4.6 million in settlements from priest abuse cases.

State Settles Prison Beating For $500,000

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Monday, October 15, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

A former Somers prison inmate who sued the state after correction officers beat him in 2004 will be awarded $500,000 under a settlement of the case.

Cracker Barrel Settles Workers' Comp Claim

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Monday, October 8, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

biNancy Martino v. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store:/b/i An employee of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, who was seriously injured after a slip-and-fall accident, will be compensated $37,000 annually for the rest of her life following a recent settlement agreement.

Lumber Yard Negligence Leads To $575,000 Injury

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Monday, October 1, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

biRobert Franco v. Interstate Mill and Lumber Yard/i:/b A building contractor was shopping for supplies at Stamford's Interstate Mill and Lumber Yard when an employee threw a 70 pound bundle of insulation from the second story of a barn. The bale of six rolls knocked Robert Franco to the ground. Left dazed, he refused immediate medical attention. But over the next few days, he developed neck pain and other symptoms.

Lack Of Damage Evidence Works Against Claimant

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Monday, September 24, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

biEric Stiggle Sr. v. Kristine Stiggle:/b/i The pro se plaintiff sued his ex-wife for slander, false arrest, denial of parental rights and violation of constitutional rights, requesting a jury trial. When she defaulted, he sought a hearing in damages, because his factual allegations were deemed proved.

Judge Slices $100,000 From Doctor's Award

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Monday, September 24, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

biStephen Harris M.D. v. Bradley Memorial Hospital:/b/i A New Britain jury awarded a Cheshire doctor $50,000 in economic damages and $200,000 in non-economic damages, on breach of contract grounds, after he sued for loss of his surgical privileges. But that was before a judge sliced the non-economic damages in half.

Casino Pays $1.2M To Woman Who Fell From Toilet

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Monday, September 10, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

The Trump Taj Mahal, one of Donald Trump's three Atlantic City casino resorts, reached a $1.2 million settlement with an elderly woman injured after her hotel room toilet broke away from the wall while she was sitting on it. The settlement covered Taj Mahal's liability for the injuries Jean Ciocci, 74, of Philadelphia, sustained from two separate falls: the fall from her toilet on Oct. 8, 2004, and a fall she took one-and-a-half years later, which her attorney argued came about because of the significant physical disability in her left arm caused by the earlier bathroom fall.

Several Defendants Agree To Settlement In Nightclub Fire

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Monday, September 10, 2007 |  The Connecticut Law Tribune

Relatives of the 100 people killed by a 2003 nightclub fire offered mixed views last week on whether the man whose pyrotechnics ignited the blaze should be let out early from prison, with some saying he had done enough time and others calling his sentence pitifully short. "Daniel Biechele has robbed us of so much," Eileen DiBonaventura, who lost her 18-year-old son Al, told the parole board at a hearing for victims' families. It was held two weeks before the former rock band tour manager comes up for parole. "We have no sympathy for him whatsoever," she said.