Our Success
Levinson Axelrod continues to strengthen its reputation for achieving significant verdicts and awards on behalf of its clients. Here are some of our most recent cases and recoveries.
$995,000 for Worksite Injury Jury Verdict
Orgonas v. J.V. Palmonari Inc.:
A Middlesex County jury awarded $995,000 on Sept. 21 to an ironworker who suffered foot fractures and soft-tissue injuries in a fall at a Perth Amboy construction site.
Wayne Orgonas, a subcontractor's employee, fell as he stepped from a ladder onto a beam on Aug. 19, 2002, plunging 28 feet. In his suit, filed in Middlesex County, Orgonas claimed the prime steel contractor, J.V. Palmonari Inc. of Milmay, failed to provide safety nets or harnesses.
Palmonari, represented by Bruce Bendix of Rivkin Radler in Uniondale, N.Y., answered that it was not required to do so and that Orgonas was negligent in the manner in which he stepped off the ladder.
Orgonas, 38, of Sayreville, has required five surgeries on his right foot as a result of the injuries and has been unable to return to work, says his lawyer, Ronald Grayzel of Levinson Axelrod in Edison. Grayzel's expert testified that Orgonas would suffer significant knee, hip and ankle problems.
The defense showed a surveillance video of Orgonas running to cross a street, but Grayzel says the video did not contradict Orgonas' testimony because he never said he could not move quickly.
The jury found Palmonari negligent and awarded Orgonas $900,000 for pain and suffering, $53,000 for medical expenses and $42,000 for lost wages.
Superior Court Judge Jane Cantor presided at the trial.
$1,800,000.00 Settlement - Levinson Axelrod helped the operator of an aquarium business to obtain a $1.8 million dollar settlement for permanently disabling injuries he suffered when he fell through a deck at a client's house. The plaintiff had arranged to feed the client's fish while he was away, and in attempting to retrieve the keys to the house from behind a bar next to the swimming pool, he fell through a rotted plank, thereby receiving serious injuries.
$3,000,000.00 Jury Verdict - A jury awarded $3 million dollars to an Edison delivery man who slipped on a wet floor while delivering a package. He broke his knee and suffered an injury to his spine in the fall, which in turn aggravated pre-existing conditions of incontinence and impotence which had been caused by previous injuries.
$1,050,000.00 Settlement - This settlement was awarded to a 63-year old Woodbridge woman and the estate of her husband. She was seriously injured, and her 59-year old husband killed, when their car was hit by a car full of teenagers who had been drinking. The settlement was against the driver of the car and against the parents who had allowed the underage drinking to take place in their home.
$550,000.00 Settlement - Plaintiff, a 30-year old warehouse manager, sustained a severely lacerated arm with resulting scarring when a strap he was using ripped apart during a loading procedure. The lawsuit was filed against the manufacturer and retailer of the strap, both of whom denied responsibility. After a trial on liability, a civil jury agreed with the plaintiff that the retailer had improperly warranted the utility of the product. Shortly thereafter, the case was settled for $550,000.00 by Richard Levinson.
$1,500,000.00 Settlement - A father and son received this settlement after being hit by a limousine. Both the father and son received severe injuries to their knees and legs. They were loading baggage into their car in front of one of the terminals at Newark Airport when a limousine driver, in an argument with a police officer, suddenly gunned his engine. The limousine jumped forward and struck the two men and their car.
$900,000.00 Verdict - The plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a tractor trailer. The plaintiff, an intensive care unit nurse, injured her lower back, suffering a herniated disc. While she did not undergo surgery to repair same, her ability to work was greatly effected. The matter was tried by Adam Rothenberg.
$1,000,000.00 Settlement - Richard Levinson handled this matter on behalf of a 33-year old sanitation worker who suffered severe and debilitating injuries when he was caught in a garbage compactor while working for the City of Linden. The garbage compactor had insufficient warning devices, so that the victim was unaware that the tail gate was descending. It was alleged at the time of trial that the lack of sufficient warning devices made the garbage compacter a defectively designed product and under New Jersey Products Liability law, and therefore the plaintiff was entitled to compensation.
$975,000.00 Settlement - A carpenter working as an
independent contractor was injured at defendant's refinery when he was
improperly exposed to dangerous fumes. Ronald
Grayzel handled this occupational exposure case and ultimately settled
the matter for $975,000.00.
$500,000.00 Settlement - A tool box fell off of an improperly
stacked shelf at a hardware store, striking the plaintiff customer in
the head and neck, causing Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. David
Wheaton negotiated the settlement at the Middlesex County Courthouse
where the matter was scheduled for trial.
$1,200,000.00 Settlement - A Passaic man was injured on a construction project when an improperly constructed ladder he was working on collapsed. As a result, he fell and suffered fractures to both legs. This matter was handled and settled by Richard Levinson.
$950,000.00 Judgment - The plaintiff was the operator of a tractor trailer which was involved in a three tractor trailer accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. The plaintiff was slowing his vehicle for an abandoned tire in the roadway, when his vehicle was struck from behind by the defendant's tractor trailer. The defendant then went on to strike a third vehicle, as well. The plaintiff suffered a low back injury, which could not be operated on because of a previous low back surgery which the plaintiff had undergone as a result of a prior injury. The matter was handled by Mark Kuminski.
$1,400,000.00 Settlement - A patron at a recreational site was struck by a golf type vehicle, which had been left unattended and was then driven by a 5 year old. David Wheaton settled this Ocean County case at the court house where it had been scheduled for trial.
$1,500,000.00 Settlement - This case involved toxic exposure to an instrument cold sterilization chemical used by healthcare professionals. The plaintiff's injuries included severe asthma and permanent pulmonary disability. The chemical had a prior history of causing illness in people who were exposed to it, yet the manufacturer continued to distribute it. The matter was handled by Ronald Grayzel.
$937,000.00 Jury Verdict - A 30-year old Rahway woman was awarded a $937,000.00 verdict by a Middlesex County jury for back and knee injuries she suffered when she slipped and fell on produce in the defendant's supermarket. During the trial, it was maintained that the woman had slipped on a grape due to the negligence of the supermarket in failing to keep the produce aisle clean. The case was tried by James Dunn.
$7,000,000.00 Settlement - A Middlesex County man was severely injured and burned as a result of a collision with a truck. The truck driver had lost control of his vehicle and had come through a median barrier which had failed to redirect the truck away from oncoming traffic. Expert testimony established that the median barrier was defective and therefore failed to protect motorists from this type of accident. The case was handled by Richard Levinson.
$900,000.00 Settlement - A pipe fitter was injured when he descended into a tank to fix a pipe on a construction site at Merck. He had observed water as he reached the base of the tank and tried to avoid the water by stepping onto an area he believed was dry. Unfortunately, it turned out to be moist and he fell, thereby injuring his back. It was argued that Merck had failed to meet its obligation to provide the plaintiff with a safe workplace, thereby causing the accident to occur.
$11,000,000.00 Settlement - This Monmouth County accident resulted in a brain injury to one plaintiff, and a wrongful death claim for the other. The matter was settled for $11 million dollars. The suit alleged negligence for improper road design and also contained a product liability action against the manufacturer of the plaintiffs' vehicle. As a result of defendant's negligence, the plaintiffs' car veered off the road into the water. At that point, the victims were trapped in the vehicle due to an electrical short and were unable to either open the doors or lower the windows of the vehicle. The trapped occupants slowly submerged into the water, resulting in brain injury to the passenger and a wrongful death action for the driver. The case was handled by Richard Levinson.
$800,000.00 Settlement - A Middlesex County man was injured while getting out of his truck in the parking lot of a convenience store in Edison. The plaintiff had stepped into a pothole while exiting his vehicle and fractured his left ankle, as well as aggravating pre-existing injuries to his back and right knee.
$500,000.00 Settlement - A Spotswood woman was injured in a collision with a truck. At the time, the victim was seven months pregnant and suffered facial injuries and struck her abdomen on the steering wheel, thereby injuring the fetus' head. Settlement was reached while the jury was deliberating the issue of liability.
$977,000.00 Jury Verdict - A union carpenter and his wife were awarded a jury verdict after the jury deliberated for 17 hours over three days. The injuries occurred to a South Bound Brook man whose feet were run over by a truck while he was picketing a Branchburg construction site. The jury found the defendant truck driver 90% responsible for the accident, which resulted in both a herniated disc and psychological injuries. The case was tried by Richard Levinson and James Dunn.
$1,500,000.00 Settlement - Improperly stacked shelving fell at the defendant's warehouse in Middletown, N.J., causing the plaintiff to suffer a closed head injury with resulting memory loss and cognitive abnormalities. The case was settled by David Wheaton.
$625,000.00 Settlement - A Hunterdon County man suffered severe burns caused by defective electrical wiring in a barn. The burns occurred when the plaintiff came to the aide of various farm animals which were trapped inside a barn which was on fire was as a result of the defective wiring. In his attempt to rescue the animals, he was struck by burning wood and severely burned. The matter settled during the course of trial.
$3,700,000.00 Settlement - A Morristown woman was injured by a tractor trailer that lost control on black ice on Interstate 287. The defendant's truck had jack knifed as it was changing lanes in order to avoid an earlier accident. The accident resulted in a severe head injuries.
$1,500,000.00 Settlement - This settlement was reached for the wrongful death of a 36-year old Parsippany man. The accident, which occurred in Pennsylvania, resulted when a bus driver lost control of his bus and collided with the rear end of a tractor trailer. The case was venued in Federal District Court.
$650,000.00 Settlement - David Wheaton settled this case involving a head on collision between two tractor trailers which occurred in South Carolina. David sued the tractor trailer that had lost control in Federal District Court and was subsequently able to negotiate the settlement.
$1,250,000.00 Settlement - Settlement was reached for a man who was caused to fall down a set of stairs at a commercial establishment. The fall was caused by materials that were left by the defendant at the top of the stairs, thereby causing the victim to trip and sustain severe back and bladder injuries. Expert testimony established that the materials left on defendant's steps created a substantial tripping hazard and violated known safety standards in the industry.
$3,000,000.00 Settlement - A 31-year old iron worker was injured in a construction site accident when he was struck in the head by a cinder block. Despite the facts that he was wearing a hard hat at the time, the plaintiff still received a serious closed head injury resulting in both memory loss and total disability. The case was handled by both Richard Levinson and James Dunn and settled at the time of trial.
$700,000.00 Settlement - A Toms River man was injured in an automobile accident after attending classes at Middlesex County College resulting in cognitive disabilities and chronic panic attack syndrome. The case was handled by David Wheaton and settled just prior to the start of trial.
$600,000.00 Judgment - A Dunellen woman received serious injuries when a tractor trailer pulled out from a stop sign across oncoming traffic in order to make a left-hand turn. Evidence produced in discovery established that the tractor trailer easily could have made a right-hand turn, traveled less than a quarter of a mile, and then made the turn at a jug handle as opposed to the manner in which it attempted to make the turn at the time of the accident.
$1,000,000.00 Settlement - This settlement was agreed to during trial for an injured worker who fell from a roof. Through expert testimony, it was established that the workers should have been provided with fall protection to prevent this type of accident. The fall resulted in severe back injured and future disabilities. The case was tried by Richard Levinson and James Dunn.
$775,000.00 Judgment - A Hunterdon County woman received serious head injuries when she was caused to fall on a defective County sidewalk. Expert testimony established that the cement slabs were in a defective condition and thereby created a tripping hazard. Further evidence established that the County was aware of the condition, yet failed to take any action to remedy the known defect.
$2,000,000.00 Settlement - A construction worker was injured when he fell down a flight of poorly maintained steps at a jobsite at J.F.K. Medical Center. The worker suffered serious injuries to his back and lower extremities. Evidence established that the general contractor on the jobsite had failed to make proper repairs to the steps.
$1,750,000.00 Settlement - A father and daughter were killed in motor vehicle accident when the vehicle in which they were passengers was struck by defendant's delivery truck. Evidence established during discovery revealed that the delivery truck driver had run a red light and was also speeding at the time of the accident. Accident occurred in Essex County.
$750,000.00 Settlement - An electrician was injured on a construction site when one of the wheels of the scissor lift he was operating went into a hole, thereby causing the lift to tip over and fall. The matter was handled by Mark Kuminski, who argued that the General Contractor on the construction project was negligent in coordinating the trades working on the project so that the electrician had to work in the same area as the plumbing contractor, who was to run pipes through the holes. The matter was settled with the General Contractor, as well as both the plumbing subcontractor and the company hired to drill the holes.
$2,100,000.00 Settlement - In this products liability action against various pharmaceutical companies, Ronald Grayzel argued that the defendants had failed to manufacture a safe product for use by hemophiliacs, thereby resulting in HIV and AIDS infections. Evidence established that the use of defendants' products actually transmitted the HIV virus.
$8,000,000.00 Jury Verdict - A 35-year old laborer who resides in Kearny was seriously injured while working on the median of a highway when a passing tractor-trailer lost a wheel that struck him. Evidence at trial established that after a recent tire change, the lug nuts were not properly secured by both the owner and the independent contractor who had installed the tire. The plaintiff suffered severe head and orthopedic injuries and is now totally disabled as a result of the accident. The case was tried by Ronald Grayzel and James Dunn before a Hudson County jury.
$900,000.00 Settlement - A Middlesex County man suffered severe leg injuries when he fell from his second story apartment balcony. Defendants claimed that the plaintiff had tampered with the railing, thereby contributing to the accident. The plaintiff countered with evidence that the apartment complex had failed to properly inspect and maintain the balcony railing, which in turn had caused the railing to fail and the fall to occur.
$2,700,000.00 Jury Verdict - A mother of nine was shot and killed while working at a convenience store. Evidence at trial proved a lack of adequate security, including a panic button and outgoing phone line, had placed this worker at risk. Expert testimony also established that there was an increased risk of criminal activity in convenience stores which had inadequate surveillance equipment. This testimony was supported by a survey of criminal activity at convenience stores in the surrounding area. The matter was tried by Ronald Grayzel, upheld on Appeal, and settled prior to being reviewed by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
$3,000,000.00 Jury Verdict - Asbestos exposure by a worker resulting in asbestosis and lung cancer. Evidence at trial proved asbestos to be a defective product, which causes harm to workers who use it. Jury awarded the victim's widow damages for wrongful death.
$750,000.00 Settlement - A woman who had carpets cleaned in her home suffered a severe asthmatic reaction. Suit was filed for injuries caused by her inhalation of the chemical products used by defendant to clean the carpets. Discovery revealed that there was a history of adverse reactions in some individuals who were exposed to some of the elements in the cleaner. No warnings of the potential dangers were given to the homeowner prior to the job commencing. This matter was handled by Ronald Grayzel.
$500,000.00 Settlement - A Morris County steelworker was struck by a steel girder when it swung and pinned his arm against the back of the truck being unloaded. A settlement with the general contractor, trucking company, and crane company was negotiated on the eve of trial in Mercer County.
$1,100,000.00 Jury Verdict - A jury awarded a police officer 1.1 million dollars when he fell on a defective set of stairs while attempting to apprehend a fleeing suspect. The plaintiff had suffered an injury to his back. The plaintiff was able to establish that his back injury was primarily a result of this fall, rather than a subsequent fall from a moving car in which he re-injured his back.
$7,000,000.00 Jury Verdict - a Middlesex County jury awarded Seven Million Dollars to a woman injured by electrical shock from a carnival amusement ride. The woman was putting her 3-year old son on a ride and was holding onto a portable fence when she received an electrical shock. The victim was hospitalized and later developed traumatic dystonia, a condition that caused tremors in her hand and made her fingers curl. The case was tried by James Dunn and Adam Rothenberg.
$900,000.00 Judgment - The plaintiff was injured on a construction project when he fell from a ladder which was not secured properly. As a result of the fall, the plaintiff sustained serious injuries to both feet. The matter was tried by Richard Levinson before a Middlesex County jury, before ultimately being submitted to a binding arbitration.
$500,000.00 Settlement - This case involved an automobile accident in which the plaintiff, an elderly woman, suffered a knee injury when her vehicle was struck by the defendant's vehicle. It was claimed by the defendant that his view of the intersection was obstructed by an illegally parked moving van. As a result, suit was filed against both vehicles. The case was handled by James Dunn and settled at the time of trial.
$3,500,000.00 Jury Verdict - The plaintiff was injured in this products liability action when a step on his commercial truck collapsed as he was exiting his vehicle. Ronald Grayzel tried this matter before a Middlesex County jury and argued that the steps manufactured by defendant were defective. Defendants denied this allegation and instead argued that the accident could not have occurred in the manner alleged by plaintiff.
$912,000.00 Verdict - A Middlesex County woman fell on a wet carpet while at work in a large department store and injured her wrist, thereby requiring her to undergo two surgical procedures. The water had seeped into the store from under a wall as a result of a construction project which was being performed adjacent to the location. The verdict in the case, which was tried by James Dunn, was upheld by the Appellate Division.
$700,000.00 Settlement - A Middlesex County man was blinded in one eye following cataract surgery. This medical malpractice action was tried by Adam Rothenberg, and settled as the jury was set to begin deliberations. At the start of trial, the defendants refused to offer plaintiff anything to settle the case, but ended up settling the matter for $700,000 as a result of evidence produced during the course of trial.
$550,000.00 Settlement - In this matter, a Hunterdon County woman was injured when she fell down a set of stairs while exiting the defendant's commercial property. The fall resulted from a hole in the cement steps and resulted in a serious fracture of the plaintiff's leg. Suit was filed against both the property owner and the commercial tenant and was handled by James Dunn.
$2,000,000.00 Judgment - David Wheaton handled this matter in which a truck driver was injured in a chain collision type accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. The defendant had been operating a tractor trailer in front of the plaintiff's vehicle and had jack knifed in an attempt to bring its vehicle to an abrupt stop. The plaintiff's vehicle then struck the defendant's trailer from behind, causing the plaintiff serious leg injuries which resulted in amputation.
$500,000.00 Settlement - An elderly female pedestrian was injured when she was struck in a crosswalk by defendant's automobile which had been attempting to make a left hand turn at the intersection. The plaintiff suffered injuries to her leg, as well as multiple dental injuries and impaired vision in one eye. This matter was settled just prior to the start of trial.
$1,500,000.00 Settlement - An Essex County construction worker was injured when the roof trusses he was installing collapsed, thereby causing him to fall backwards from the roof. In a matter handled by Mark Kuminski, it was alleged that the General Contractor on the project was negligent in allowing the work to be performed in an unsafe manner. The plaintiff suffered injuries to his neck and back and was ultimately required to undergo surgery.
$550,000.00 Settlement - Richard Levinson handled this medical malpractice action against the plaintiff's treating physician for injuries sustained by the plaintiff as a result of the doctor's negligence in performing surgery on the plaintiff's knee. The surgery involved the removal of a cyst in the plaintiff's knee, but resulted in the development of a drop foot. The matter was tried for four days before being settled.
$1,500,000.00 Jury Verdict - An Elizabeth County man lost the use of one of his eyes after being assaulted while a customer in defendant's commercial establishment. Plaintiff argued that defendant had prior notice that several of the patrons in the bar had been acting in an unruly manner and had defendant responded appropriately, the assault could have been avoided. It was likewise argued that had defendant contacted the police earlier , the plaintiff's injuries would not have been nearly as severe. The matter was tried by Ronald Grayzel.
$1,600,000.00 Settlement - A utility worker sustained serious orthopedic injuries when a defective bolt on a utility pole gave way, causing him to fall. Ronald Grayzel handled this products liability matter for the plaintiff, filing suit against the seller of the bolt and establishing that the bolt was manufactured improperly.
$600,000.00 Settlement - A Hunterdon County woman suffered severe injuries to her hand and fingers while using a defectively designed pay telephone from her car. Ronald Grayzel handled this products liability matter for the plaintiff, and argued that the telephone, which was specifically designed for use by drivers while sitting in their car, was defective.
$1,640,000.00 Settlement - A California man contracted Legionnaires Disease while staying at a local Hotel while in New Jersey on business. After retuning to California, his condition was discovered and he ultimately died as a result of the exposure. This matter was handled by Ronald Grayzel who brought claims against not only the hotel, but the local water company, as well.
$800,000.00 Judgment - A Middlesex County man was involved in an automobile accident in which he injured his back, shoulder, knee and foot. The suit alleged negligence on the part of the defendant, a tow truck operator. The case was handled by James Dunn, and settled at the Courthouse after being assigned to a Judge for the start of trial.
$1,100,000.00 Settlement - An Ocean County man was injured while operating a motorcycle when an oncoming car attempted to make a left hand turn in front of him. He suffered a brachial plexus injury, as well as injuries to his neck. The matter was handled by David Wheaton.
$1,000,000.00 Judgment - A Middlesex County man was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a tractor trailer and subsequently ejected from his vehicle. The plaintiff had very little recollection of the facts surrounding the accident and liability had to be established through the use of an accident reconstruction expert. The plaintiff suffered injuries to his head, neck, back and leg, and was required to undergo surgery for same. The matter was handled by Mark Kuminski.
$875,000.00 Judgment - The infant plaintiff suffered severe injuries to his leg when he was struck by a car as he exited a school bus. The driver of the car lacked sufficient liability insurance coverage to compensate the plaintiff for his injuries. As a result, Adam Rothenberg brought this claim for Underinsured Motorist benefits under the insurance policy of the bus.
$650,000.00 Settlement - The plaintiff, an underage worker, suffered burns to the face and arms when a propane tank erupted while he was cooking food at a concession stand. Because of the age of the plaintiff, Richard Levinson was able to bring this cause of action against the plaintiff's employer directly, rather than through the employer's worker's compensation carrier. The matter was settled for $650,000.00.
$1,600,000.00 Jury Verdict - A legal secretary fell down a defective set of stairs on her way to pick up the mail for her employer. In a case tried to conclusion before a Middlesex County jury, David Wheaton was able to obtain a verdict in the amount of 1.6 million dollars. The client had sustained multiple injuries resulting in surgical procedures to her arm and shoulders.
$2,500,000.00 Settlement - The plaintiff was injured while delivering a 3,000 pound piece of equipment to defendant's premises. The defendant's employees were assisting the plaintiff in unloading the product when one of them prematurely activated the lift gate, thereby causing the piece of equipment to fall and strike the plaintiff's legs. The plaintiff suffered serious injuries to both legs, which required multiple surgical interventions. The matter was handled by Richard Levinson.
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS WEB SITE INVOLVES SPECIFIC FACTUAL CASES. THE FACTS OF YOUR CASE MAY BE DIFFERENT AND IT IS NOT INTENDED OR REPORTED THAT LEVINSON AXELROD WILL HAVE THE SAME RESULTS IN YOUR CASE AS IN THE CASES FOUND IN THIS WEB SITE.
