File #: 23-0569    Version: 1 Name: WILLIAM RICHARDSON - WORKERS COMPENSATION
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
File created: 4/11/2023 In control: Law
On agenda: 4/19/2023 Final action: 4/19/2023
Title: Dept/ Agency: Law Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending Purpose: Settlement of Workers' Compensation C.P. No.: 2015-7625 Claimant: William Richardson Claimant's Attorney: John Feeley, Esq., Law Offices of Feeley and LaRocca, LLC, 25 1/2 Wavecrest Avenue, Winfield Park, New Jersey 07036 Settlement Amount: $148,464.32. Funding Source: 2023 Budget/Law Department/Business Unit: NW024, Dept.: 24T, Div/Proj: 5T24, Account # 96310, Budget Ref. B2023 Additional Comments:
Sponsors: Council of the Whole

Title

Dept/ Agency:  Law

Action:  (   ) Ratifying     (X) Authorizing     (   ) Amending

Purpose: Settlement of Workers' Compensation

C.P. No.: 2015-7625                 

Claimant: William Richardson       

Claimant's Attorney: John Feeley, Esq., Law Offices of Feeley and LaRocca, LLC, 25 ½ Wavecrest Avenue, Winfield Park, New Jersey 07036          

Settlement Amount: $148,464.32.

Funding Source: 2023 Budget/Law Department/Business Unit: NW024, Dept.: 24T, Div/Proj: 5T24, Account # 96310, Budget Ref. B2023

Additional Comments:

body

 

WHEREAS, the Petitioner, William Richardson, instituted suit in the Division of Workers Compensation of New Jersey, Middlesex County, bearing C.P. Number 2015-7625 against the City of Newark seeking Workers’ Compensation benefits as a result of an alleged injuries sustained on August 31, 2007, related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from of an officer involved shooting, while employed by the City of Newark, Department of Safety; and

 

WHEREAS, the following settlement negotiations through Petitioner’s attorney, John Feeley, Esq., of the Law Offices of Feeley and LaRocca, LLC., and Corporation Counsel and/or his designee, The Woolridge Law Firm LLC (“Outside Counsel”) have agreed to amicably resolve and settle this matter under Section 22 of the Workers Compensation Act (N.J.S.A. 34:15-22) by payment in the amount of One Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Three Dollars and Fifty Cents ($132,223.50.). Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Order to be executed by the Judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the City of Newark who will also pay an attorney’s fee of ($15,866.82) Fifteen Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars and Eighty-Two Cents made payable to The Law Offices of Feeley and LaRocca, LLC., Esq., located at 25 ½ Wavecrest Avenue, Winfield Park, New Jersey, 07036, a medical evaluation fee of Three Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($300.00), payable to Dr. David Pilchman, Ph.D., located at 28 Millburn Ave, #1, Springfield, New Jersey 07081, and; a transcription fee of Seventy Four Dollars and Zero Cents ($74.00) made payable to Guy Renzi & Associates, Inc., located at 2277 State Highway #33 Suite 410 Trenton, New Jersey 08690 for a total settlement of One Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-Four Dollars and Thirty-Two Cents ($148,464.32); and

 

WHEREAS, this settlement is subject to approval by the Judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation; and

 

WHEREAS, the total settlement amount may be subject to minor changes in amount or distribution at the time the Settlement Agreement is approved, and the Settlement Order executed by the Judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation; and

 

WHEREAS, the Municipal Council believes it is in the best interests of the City of Newark, that minor changes to the amount of the settlement and distribution shall not require subsequent Municipal Council approval provided the settlement amount is not increased or decreased above $500.00 and all the terms and conditions are substantially the same as authorized by the resolution; and

 

WHEREAS, based upon all of the facts and circumstances surrounding this matter, Corporation Counsel and/or Outside Counsel deem it is in the best interest of the City of Newark to accept said settlement in the total amount of One Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-Four Dollars and Thirty-Two Cents ($148,464.32).

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:

 

1.                     The settlement of the Workers’ Compensation matter bearing C.P. No. 2015-7625 is hereby approved.

2.                     Upon receipt by the Corporation Counsel and/or Outside Counsel of all supporting documents, the Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to issue checks in the amounts as follows:

(a)                      $121,345.62 (One Hundred Twenty-One Thousand Three Hundred Forty-Five Dollars and Sixty-Two Cents) made payable to William Richardson, located at 908 Thayer Avenue, Avenel, New Jersey 07001 (It is understood that pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Order to be entered by the Judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, $10,577.88 (Ten Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-Seven Dollars and Eighty-Eight Cents) is being subtracted from the Petitioner’s award to pay attorney’s fees, and $300.00 (Three Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents) is being subtracted to pay for medical evaluation in accordance with the settlement provisions.)

(b)                     $26,444.70 (Twenty-Six Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Four Dollars and Seventy Cents) made payable to The Law Offices of Feeley and LaRocca, LLC., located at 25 ½ Wavecrest Avenue, Winfield Park, New Jersey, 07036.

(c)                     $600.00 (Six Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Dr. David Pilchman, Ph.D., located at 28 Millburn Avenue, #1, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081.

(d)                     $74.00 (Seventy-Four Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Guy Renzi & Associates Inc., 2277 State Highway #33, Suite 410, Trenton, New Jersey, 08690.

 

A copy of the Comptroller’s certifications shall be filed by the Corporation Counsel in the Office of the City Clerk along with a copy of this Resolution. A fully executed copy of the Order Approving Settlement shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk by the Corporation Counsel.

 

 

STATEMENT

This resolution authorizes Corporation Counsel or his designee, The Woolridge Law Firm LLC, on behalf of the City of Newark, to effectuate settlement by entering into an Order Approving Settlement of a Workers’ Compensation claim in the amount of $148,464.32 brought by William Richardson whose address is Avenel, New Jersey; and represented by The Law Offices of Feeley and LaRocca, LLC., located in Winfield, New Jersey as a result of alleged injuries sustained on August 31, 2007, related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder while employed by the City of Newark’s Department of Safety.