After many years of oftentimes contentious litigation, Mr. Sitinas was able to secure a $5,450,000 settlement for his 57 year old construction worker client. Our client, a member of Local 14 Operating Engineers, was operating a hoist used to transport both building materials and construction workers to the various floors of a high-rise building under construction in lower Manhattan.

The accident occurred as the hoist was descending to the loading dock level and struck a 5,000 lb spool of electrical wire that had been negligently placed in the path of the hoist by the electrical contractor of the jobsite. As a result of the collision between the hoist and the electrical spool, the hoist violently jerked upwards, causing injuries to our client’s neck and low back. Our client also suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Fusion surgery was performed to his cervical and lumbar spine, and our client has been unable to return to work as a hoist operator.

After multiple failed mediations and with only weeks left before jury selection, the defendants offered the collective sum of $5,450,000 to resolve the claim and avoid a jury verdict.