Worker’s Compensation – $595,000.00 Lump Sum Settlement St. Louis Attorney Thomas J. Gregory

I represented a union plumber in 2005 who sustained an on the job injury to his low back that required surgery.  We reached an excellent settlement of his worker’s compensation claim and my client recovered successfully from the surgery and continued in his career as a plumber.

He returned to see me in 2017 after sustaining a knee injury that also involved a related condition known as deep vein thrombosis.  My client was now 61 years old, and after his knee surgery, he found it difficult to get back to work.

We went to trial before an Administrative Law Judge against the Employer/Insurer and the Missouri Second Injury Fund and alleged that my client could not return to any work based on his age, education and work experience, and was therefore permanently and totally disabled and entitled to lifetime benefits.  Both opposing sides argued that my client could do other lighter work, and therefore, would only be entitled to a one-time payment of permanent partial disability benefits, not lifetime benefits.  They also argued that if the employee was found to be permanently and totally disabled, it would be the responsibility of the other party.  If my client was found to be permanently and totally disabled from the last injury (the knee injury and deep vein thrombosis), then the Employer would be responsible for lifetime benefits.  If the total disability was found to be the result of the last injury in combination with the prior back injury, the Second Injury Fund would owe for lifetime benefits after the Employer paid for any disability related to the last injury.

The Administrative Law Judge found that my client was permanently and totally disabled and entitled to lifetime benefits and found the Employer/Insurer, not the Second Injury Fund, to be responsible for those benefits.  The Employer/Insurer filed an appeal with the Industrial Commission of Missouri, which upheld the decision of the Administrative Law Judge.

Following the Commission’s decision, the Employer/Insurer agreed to pay a lump sum of $595,000.00 to my client in lieu of the future payments based on life expectancy tables, and in addition, also agreed to provide future medical treatment as needed for the injuries he sustained in the work-related injury as awarded by the Administrative Law Judge.

If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, please call Attorney Thomas Gregory at 314-241-4477.

Missouri Dram Shop Cases (Injured by Drunk Drivers)

We have successfully represented people who have been injured and/or killed against persons/companies licensed to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink for consumption on premises. This includes cases we have successfully handled and recovered money for people injured by sellers who knew or should have known that they were serving and/or selling intoxicating liquor to a person under the age of 21 years. We have also successfully recovered money for people who have been injured by businesses that have served intoxicating liquor to a visibly intoxicated person. Under Missouri law, a person is visibly intoxicated when inebriated to such an extent that the impairment is shown by significantly uncoordinated physical action or significant physical dysfunction.

If you or a loved one have been injured by a drunk driver, please call Attorney David Hughes at 314-241-4477.

Missouri Pedestrian Accident Attorney – Pedestrians Killed By Cars at Highest Rates Since 1990

Pedestrian deaths in the United States reached a 30 year high in 2018, as an estimated 6,227 people died on foot from car crashes nationwide last year. Pedestrian deaths account for about 16% of motor vehicle crash deaths. Many of the deaths are due to the growing shift away from passenger vehicles to sport utility vehicles and light trucks, which generally cause greater injury to pedestrians than cars at the same speed. The number of pedestrian deaths involving sport utility vehicles has grown by 50% from 2013 to 2017, compared with a 30% increase for passenger cars. Also, distractions caused by smart phones are a growing concern causing pedestrian deaths.

If you or a loved one has been struck by a motor vehicle and are in need of a Pedestrian – Car Accident Lawyer in the St. Louis area, please call me, David Hughes, at 314-241-4477 to discuss your potential case. The consultation is free and I do not charge a legal fee unless I recover on your behalf.