New York Injury Law recently secured a $275,000 settlement for a septic service technician who suffered a serious knee injury while working at a home in Dutchess County. It was not an easy case. In fact, for years, the defense offered nothing.
A Serious Knee Injury While Working in Dutchess County
Our client injured his knee while attempting to replace a heavy septic tank lid in a rocky and unstable excavation that had been prepared before he arrived. His knee hyperextended under the load, ultimately leading to a total knee replacement.
A Difficult Workers’ Compensation and Liability Case
Because our client was injured on the job, workers’ compensation laws prevented him from suing his own employer, requiring us to establish responsibility elsewhere. Liability was sharply disputed. And the defense had surveillance showing our client walking away from the property after the incident without any obvious sign that he had just suffered a serious knee injury.
We knew a jury would see that footage. We also knew it wasn’t the whole story.
We believed our client. We respected the fact that he was a working man who had been seriously injured while doing his job, and we spent years developing the evidence necessary to tell his story fairly and completely. When mediation produced no resolution, we did not discount the case simply because it was difficult. We prepared to try it.
$275,000 Settlement as Trial Approached
With a September 2026 trial approaching, we were ready to walk into court, confront the difficult evidence directly, and let a jury decide. After years of offering zero, the defense ultimately agreed to pay $275,000 to resolve the case.
Some cases look great on paper. Others have problems that have to be confronted rather than hidden. Our job is to know the difference between a bad case and a difficult case—and when we believe in a client and the evidence supports the claim, to be prepared to see that case through.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
