rob on the job
May 15th, 2006, 10:15:35 AM
EXCERPT:
A Lancaster man who lost an arm and both legs when a liquid nitrogen tank ruptured on Dec. 19, 1998, will receive $25 million in what is believed to be the largest insurance settlement in Western New York history.
Michael C. Ottaviano, 50, who drove for Praxair, supplier of industrial gases, accepted the settlement from carriers for five worldwide businesses. The settlement, which was approved by State Supreme Court Justice Eugene M. Fahey, could end up providing Ottaviano and his heirs about $30 million, said James T. Scime, attorney for Ottaviano.
Mai Yee, a Manhattan spokeswoman for the state court system, said although there are no records kept on such settlements, this is certainly one of the largest ever in Western New York, if not the entire state.
Scime said Ottaviano will get "the bulk" of the payments within the next week, with a small portion of the deal structured to generate an additional $5 million or more later on.
Ottaviano was delivering liquid nitrogen to a Genex Cooperative facility near Ithaca when a tank ruptured, inflicting severe burns. Ottaviano, unattended to for hours after the accident, lost his right hand and wrist and had both legs amputated below the knee.
He was hospitalized for months, has undergone numerous operations and will require care and therapy for life, his attorney said.
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link: http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060513/1002295.asp
A Lancaster man who lost an arm and both legs when a liquid nitrogen tank ruptured on Dec. 19, 1998, will receive $25 million in what is believed to be the largest insurance settlement in Western New York history.
Michael C. Ottaviano, 50, who drove for Praxair, supplier of industrial gases, accepted the settlement from carriers for five worldwide businesses. The settlement, which was approved by State Supreme Court Justice Eugene M. Fahey, could end up providing Ottaviano and his heirs about $30 million, said James T. Scime, attorney for Ottaviano.
Mai Yee, a Manhattan spokeswoman for the state court system, said although there are no records kept on such settlements, this is certainly one of the largest ever in Western New York, if not the entire state.
Scime said Ottaviano will get "the bulk" of the payments within the next week, with a small portion of the deal structured to generate an additional $5 million or more later on.
Ottaviano was delivering liquid nitrogen to a Genex Cooperative facility near Ithaca when a tank ruptured, inflicting severe burns. Ottaviano, unattended to for hours after the accident, lost his right hand and wrist and had both legs amputated below the knee.
He was hospitalized for months, has undergone numerous operations and will require care and therapy for life, his attorney said.
MORE
link: http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060513/1002295.asp