GWC Obtains Over $6,700,000.00 Verdict for Local 134 Electrician

GWC Partner, Joseph P. Sorce, and attorney, Lawrence J. Amato, obtained a verdict in the amount of $6,729,225.55 on behalf of a Local 134 electrician who suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns and a torn right rotator cuff, following a flash fire that unexpectedly occurred in a parking lot pit while working.

Flash Fire Occurs in Fuel Pit Injuring Union Electrician

On July 26, 2019, Plaintiff, a 55-year-old journeyman electrician, and his co-worker, were troubleshooting a malfunctioning gas pump valve at a Circle K gas station in Chicago. The work was being performed in a fuel pit that was 66 inches deep. While in the pit, Plaintiff began attempting to remove a rusted plug nut on the capacitor to diagnose the issue causing the pump to not work. After several attempts to remove the rusted plug nut, Plaintiff began to cut the rusted plug nut off with a battery-operated reciprocating saw. As the Plaintiff began cutting, sparks from the saw ignited gas vapors in the pump pit causing a flash fire. Plaintiff suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his arms and wrists, contractures to his hands, and a torn right rotator cuff.

GWC filed suit against RDK Ventures, LLC (a joint venture between Shell and Circle K), alleging that it violated several OSHA regulations pertaining to property owners that allowed work on their property in confined spaces. These included failing to properly identify and label the pit as a confined space and failing to assure that its contractor (Plaintiff’s employer) used only proper procedures and tools while working in the pits.

Electrician Returns to Full Duty Work

GWC’s client was admitted to the University of Chicago burn unit for several weeks. During that time, he underwent several debridement and skin grafting procedures to address the burn injuries. Following his discharge, Plaintiff underwent physical therapy and rehabilitation, including additional surgeries to his hand and shoulder. Despite the nature of Plaintiff’s injuries, he was able to return to full-duty work as a union electrician with no permanent restrictions and no scaring or disfigurement.

GWC Refutes Defense with OSHA Regulations

Defendant argued that GWC’s client was the sole cause of the fire by making the decision to use a saw that created sparks in a fuel pit, criticizing his decision and common-sense knowledge that such a tool created a high degree of risk of fire. “The fact of the matter is that OSHA requires the host party to ensure that a safety plan exists for work in a confined space begins. The Defendant simply chose to not have a plan, and our client suffered as a result.,” said attorney Lawrence Amato.

GWC Secures Large Verdict for Electrician

Based upon the strength of the case GWC presented over six days of trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff in the amount of $6,729,225.55, which was reduced to $3,701,074.05 after finding the Plaintiff 45% at fault for the occurrence,and a waiver of the $1.46M WC lien.

Advocating for Injured Workers in Illinois

GWC has represented the working men and women of Illinois for over 40 years. They are proud to continue that tradition by representing Mr. Vincent Cozen, a hard-working member of IBEW Local 134. GWC concentrates its practice on representing clients suffering catastrophic injuries and wrongful death cases.

If you have suffered an injury at work, contact GWC Injury Lawyers, LLC for a free consultation. Our goal is to identify and pursue every party that may be at fault in order to obtain full and fair compensation for our clients. With over $2.5B in recoveries for our injury clients, GWC is ready to secure justice for you and your family.

With over $2 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, GWC is one of the premier Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury law firms in Illinois. For more than four decades, our dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys have been successfully overcoming unreasonable objections to get clients and their families the justice they deserve.

Contact GWC today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney. You may call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time

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