$2.75M for Workplace Burns
An asbestos-removal worker received a $2.75M settlement on March 10 in an Essex County suit over burns suffered in a workplace accident. On April 13, 2000 Maria Cardona was removing asbestos residue from a ceiling at Hoffmann-La Roche Inc in Nutley when a heating pipe burst, spraying her with 180 degree water and causing burns to her arms, chest, stomach, back and legs.
Cardona is covered with scars, has limited use of her left arm and has not worked since the accident. The suit named building owner Hoffmann-La Roche and Sordoni Skanska Inc of Parsippany, the construction manager on the project, charging they violated federal safety regulations requiring shutoff of utilities at demolition locations. The defendants claimed the job was not subject to those regulations but filed a $2 million offer of judgment. Cardona had sought $3 million.
(This information was obtained from the New Jersey Law Journal)
