Title
Dept/ Agency: Law
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Purpose: Settlement of Workers' Compensation
C.P. No.: 2018-15562
Claimant: Cynthia Jackson-Young
Claimant's Attorney: John M. Pinho, Esq. of Javerbaum, Wurgaft, Hicks, Kahn, Wikstrom and Sinins, 505 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey 07081
Settlement Amount: $50,058.32
Funding Source: 2022 Budget/Law Department/Bus. Unit NW024, Dept. 24T, Div./Proj 5T24, Account #96310, Budget Ref. B2022
Additional Comments:
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WHEREAS, the Petitioner, Cynthia Jackson-Young instituted suit in the Division of Workers Compensation of New Jersey, Essex County, bearing C.P. Number 2018-15562 against the City of Newark seeking workers’ compensation benefits as a result of an alleged injury she sustained on September 10, 2017, to her back, both arms, neck, head, and left shoulder as an unrestrained driver, when her patrol car collided with another vehicle while in the course of employment with the City of Newark, Department of Public Safety; and
WHEREAS, the following settlement negotiations through Petitioner’s attorney, John M. Pinho, Esq., of Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, 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 Fifty Thousand Fifty-Eight Dollars and Thirty-Two Cents ($50,058.32.) Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Order to be executed by the Judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the City of Newark will also pay an attorney’s fee of ($4,648.32) Four Thousand Six Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars and Thirty-Two Cents made payable to John M. Pinho, Esq., of Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, 505 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey 07081, a medical evaluation fee of Six Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($600.00), payable to Dr. Vijaykumar Kulkarni, M.D., 100 Hamilton Plaza, 3rd Floor, Paterson, New Jersey 07509, Six Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($600.00), payable to Dr. Cheryl Wong, M.D., 100 Hamilton Plaza, 3rd Floor, Paterson, New Jersey 07509 and; a transcription fee of Seventy Four Dollars and Zero Cents ($74.00) made payable to Guy Renzi & Associates, Inc., 2277 State Highway #33 Suite 410 Trenton, New Jersey 08690 for a total settlement of Fifty Thousand Fifty Eight Dollars and Thirty-Two Cents ($50,058.32); 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 Fifty Thousand Fifty-Eight Dollars and Thirty-Two Cents ($50,058.32).
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.: 2018-15562 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:
3. $39,837.12 (Thirty-Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Seven Dollars and Twelve Cents) made payable and mailed to Cynthia Jackson-Young, whose address is 328 Kawameeh Lane, Union, New Jersey 07083 (It is understood that pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Order to be entered by the Judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, $4,298.00 (Four Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-Eight Dollars and Zero Cents) is being subtracted from the Petitioner’s award to pay attorney’s fees, and $600.00 (Six Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents) is being subtracted to pay for medical evaluations in accordance with the settlement provisions.)
(a) $8,947.20 (Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Seven Dollars and Twenty Cents) made payable to John Pinho, Esq., of Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, P.C., 505 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081.
(b) $600.00 (Six Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Vijaykumar Kulkarni, M.D., of Sall Myers, 100 Hamilton Plaza 3rd Floor, Paterson, New Jersey 07509).
(c) $600.00 (Six Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Cheryl Wong, M.D., of Sall Myers, 100 Hamilton Plaza 3rd Floor, Paterson, New Jersey 07509).
(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.
4. 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 $50,058.32, brought by Cynthia Jackson-Young Union, New Jersey; and represented by John M. Pinho, Esq., of Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, P.C., 505 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081, who sustained injury while employed by the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety.