Title
Dept/ Agency: Law
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Purpose: Settlement of Workers' Compensation Claim
C.P. No.: 2023-5135
Claimant: Ramee Hester
Claimant's Attorney: Barrett & Pavluk, L.L.C.
Attorney's Address: 1136 Springfield Avenue, Mountainside, New Jersey 07092
Settlement Amount: $58,237.00
Funding Source: Business Unit 024, Dept. ID 24T, Div./Proj. 5T24, Account Code 96310
Additional Information:
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WHEREAS, the Petitioner, Ramee Hester, instituted suit in the Division of Workers Compensation of New Jersey, Essex County, bearing CP Number 2023-5135 against the City of Newark seeking workers’ compensation benefits as a result of an accident that occurred on January 12, 2023; and
WHEREAS, following settlement negotiations through Petitioner’s attorney, Barrett & Pavluk, L.L.C., Corporation Counsel and/or his designee, Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC, (“Outside Counsel”) has 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 $50,142.00 (Fifty Thousand One Hundred Forty-Two Dollars and Zero Cents). 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 $7,521.00 (Seven Thoursand Five Hundred Twenty-One Dollars and Zero Cents), medical evaluation fee of $500.00 (Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents) and a transcription fee of $74.00 (Seventy-Four Dollars and Zero Cents); and
WHEREAS, the total value of this settlement with the above referred to fees amounts to $58,237.00 (Fifty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Seven Dollars and Zero Cents); 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 --------$58,237.00 (Fifty Eight Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Seven Dollars and Zero Cents).
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 CP No. 2023-5135 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) $44,628.00 (Forty-Four Thousand Six Hundred Twenty-Eight Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable and mailed to Ramee Hester, 168 Eastern Parkway, Irvington, New Jersey 07111. (It is understood that pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Order to be entered by the Judge of the Division of Workers Compensation, $5,014.00 (Five Thousand Fourteen Dollars and Zero Cents) is being subtracted from the Petitioner’s award to pay attorney’s fees and $500.00 (Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents) is being subtracted to pay for medical evaluations in accordance with the settlement provisions.
(b) $12,535.00 (Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Barrett & Pavluk, L.L.C., 1136 Springfield Avenue, Mountainside, New Jersey 07092.
(c) $1,000.00 (One Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Dr. Jay Zaretsky, Sall Myers Medical Associates, 611 River Drive, 4th Floor, Elmwood Park, New Jersey 07407.
(d) $74.00 (Seventy-Four Dollars and Zero Cents), made payable to Renzi Legal Resources, 2277 State Highway #33, Suite 410, Trenton, New Jersey 08690.
3. Attached hereto are the Certifications of the Comptroller of the City of Newark which state that there are available sufficient legally appropriated funds for the purpose set forth hereinabove and which state that the line appropriation of the official budget which shall be charged is Business Unit 024, Dept. ID 24T, Div./Proj. 5T24, Account Code 96310. 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 the Corporation Counsel or his designee, Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC 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 $58,237.00 (Fifty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Seven Dollars and Zero Cents) brought by Ramee Hester, for injuries he sustained while employed by the City of Newark.