Law Offices of John J. LaCava, LLC

$24.5M

Medical Malpractice

The birth of a child is one of the highlights of the life of any family. So it seems particularly tragic that a mother bled to death in a Florida clinic a few hours after giving birth to her fourth child in 2015. The family is still picking up the pieces, but a jury in the 17th Circuit Court in Fort Lauderdale has made their lives a little easier by awarding them $24.5 million. The award divides the cash between the father and the four children. The basis of the finding after a two-day trial was medical malpractice by four doctors and the clinic. To the credit of the medical staff, the doctors admitted causation and negligence in court. Unfortunately, their attorney was not so compassionate, complaining that the settlement, which was just over half of $41 million the family was looking for, should have been closer to $4 million. Fortunately, the jury did not agree.

$2.5M

Dram Shop Liability

Family members of a victim who died in an alleged drunk driving wreck have filed dram shop suits against five local bars that served alcohol to the at-fault driver. The Connecticut family filed the suit in late April, and they are seeking compensation from five bars in Norwalk, Westport and Fairfield. These establishments could be held liable for as much as $250,000 in damages because of their relationship to the drunk driving accident. Authorities say that the 25-year-old victim was driving with a friend when that person crashed his vehicle in September 2013. The victim suffered catastrophic injuries during the car accident. He eventually slipped into a coma and died after the collision. The at-fault driver was apparently speeding and had an alarming blood alcohol level of 0.239 percent. That is nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent. That man is facing a variety of criminal allegations in connection with the accident; his next appearance in court is slated for late May. The victim’s father in this case alleges that the operators at the bars continued to serve the man even though he was obviously intoxicated. Family members allege that not only did the at-fault driver have a previous drunk driving conviction, but he also was known to drink alcohol to excess. Attorneys in the case say they are seeking massive damages for the family because of the expensive medical care required for the victim, who suffered horrifying injuries. A lawsuit filed against the driver and his father has already been settled.

$15M

Truck Accident

When a tractor-trailer operated by a negligent driver struck a motorist from behind, the result was one of the largest award verdicts in the history of the state of Connecticut. According to Transportation Nation Network, a jury awarded a 50-year-old man and his...

$450,000

Automobile Accident

Plaintiff, a thirty two (32) old female, was in an automobile accident in Westport which caused a perforation of the colon. The Plaintiff lost approximately six (6) months of work due to the injury and had continued complaints of gastric problems following the surgery. Prior to trial, the Defendant’s highest offer was approximately $175,000.00. After two days of trial, which included testimony from the Plaintiff herself, the case was settled for $450,000.00.

$450,000

Workers Compensation

The Claimant was a 46 year old male who suffered a compensable low back injury while in the course of employment. He underwent a lumbar fusion with instrumentation a year after the accident, and then had a second revision surgery. In addition to the $450,000.00 settlement, the Claimant had previously received years of total disability payments, an award for 308(a) permanent partial disability benefits, and payment of all medical bills.

$315,000

Automobile Accident

The Plaintiff, a 40 year- old woman, was a passenger in an automobile stuck by the Defendant. Broken glass from the passenger window became embedded in Plaintiff’s skin, in extremely small pieces, and caused sores and scarring, over a 3 year period.