$21.5 Million - Rafael C

Wrongful Death

This accident occurred in the Bronx when our client was working on a sanitation truck. The driver lost control while making a turn. Our client was ejected and the truck ran over his leg. He was taken to a local hospital where he was seen by a trauma surgeon who determined that his leg was bleeding internally. A vascular surgeon who was supposed to be at the hospital within 30 minutes was called to perform the necessary surgery, but he did not come for over 2 hours. Despite having surgery to repair a torn artery behind his knee, our client died from an abdominal compartment syndrome when his abdomen filled with so much fluid that his organs stopped functioning. The case involved both a negligence claim from the sanitation truck accident and claims of malpractice. He was survived by his common-law wife and two daughters, ages 6 and 1. A portion of the recovery was placed in a structured annuity that protects and pays interest on the settlement funds and is tax-free. It provides lump sums of money at various junctures like college and milestone birthdays and monthly checks for expenses.