Plaintiff struck, injured by falling scaffolding — $580,000 settlement

Type of action: Maritime personal injury

Injuries alleged: Severe laceration requiring debridements and subsequent tendon lengthening surgery

Court: Norfolk Circuit Court

Tried before: Mediation

Name of judge or mediator: Judge Thomas Shadrick (Ret.)

Date resolved: 6/21/2022

Special damages: $135,000 in medical bills and lost wages

Verdict or settlement: Settlement

Amount: $580,000

Attorneys for plaintiff (and city): W. Randolph Robins Jr. and Justin M. Sheldon, Richmond

Description of case: Plaintiff was on a break from working fire watch at a Tidewater shipyard when a piece of scaffolding fell from approximately 90 feet above him, striking him in the leg. Plaintiff contended that the scaffolding contractor failed to properly inspect and tag the scaffolding structure. Plaintiff stated that the employee of a mechanical contractor negligently failed to keep his footing while working on the scaffold, causing him to trip and fall into the scaffold that was not secured to the superstructure, which led to the piece of scaffold falling. Plaintiff sued the scaffolding contractor and the mechanical contractor, alleging maritime personal injury under the Admiralty Extension Act to file suit after two years had passed since the injury. The defendants filed crossclaims against one another. The case was resolved at mediation.

Plaintiff’s attorney W. Randolph Robins Jr. provided case information.