Title
Dept/ Agency: Law
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Purpose: Settlement of Workers' Compensation Claim
C.P. No.: 2021-25967
Claimant: George Hines
Claimant's Attorney: Steven J. Kossup, Esq.
Attorney's Address: 18 Church Street, Suite 114, Newton, New Jersey 07860
Settlement Amount: $97,756.80
Funding Source: Insurance Trust Fund
Additional Information:
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Whereas, the Petitioner, George Hines, instituted suit in the Division of Workers’ Compensation of New Jersey, Union County, bearing C.P. Number 2021-25967, against the City of Newark, seeking Workers’ Compensation benefits, for injuries sustained, as a result of an alleged accident on September 7, 2021, while employed by the City of Newark, Department of Public Safety; and
WHEREAS, following settlement negotiations through Petitioner’s attorney, Steven J. Kossup, Esq., of the Law Office of Steven J. Kossup, PC., 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 Eighty-Four Thousand Seventy-Two Dollars and Zero Cents ($84,072.00). 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 attorney’s fee of Twelve Thousand Six Hundred Ten Dollars and Eighty Cents ($12,610.80); A medical examination fee of Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($500.00) made payable to Dr. Jay Zaretsky, M.D., located at 100 Hamilton Plaza, 3rd Floor, Paterson, New Jersey 07050 and medical examination fee of Five Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($500.00) payable to Dr. Steven Dane, M.D., located at 100 Hamilton Plaza, 3rd Floor, Paterson, New Jersey 07050, a transcription fee of Seventy-Four Dollars and Zero Cents ($74.00) made payable to Guy J. Renzi & Associates, Inc., located at 2277 State Highway #33 Suite 410 Trenton, New Jersey 08690; and
WHEREAS, the total value of this settlement with the above referred to fees amounts to Ninety-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-Six Dollars and Eighty Cents ($97,756.80) 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 this 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 Ninety-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-Six Dollars and Eighty Cents ($97,756.80).
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. 2021-25967 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. $74,664.80 (Seventy-Four Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Four Dollars and Eighty Cents) made payable to George Hines, whose address is 1227 West 5th Street, Plainfield, New Jersey 07063. (It is understood that pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Order to be entered by the Judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, $8,407.20 (Eight Thousand Four Hundred Seven Dollars and Twenty Cents) is being subtracted from the Petitioner’s award to pay attorney’s fees, and $1,000.00 (One Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents) is being subtracted to pay for medical evaluations in accordance with the settlement provisions.)
b. $21,018.00 (Twenty-One Thousand Eighteen Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Steven J. Kossup, Esq., of the Law Office of Steven J. Kossup, PC., located at 18 Church Street, Suite 114 Newton, New Jersey 07860.
c. $1,000.00 (One Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Dr. Jay Zaretsky, M.D., located at 100 Hamilton Plaza, 3rd Floor, Paterson, New Jersey 07050.
d. $1,000.00 (One Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Dr. Steven Dane, M.D., located at 100 Hamilton Plaza, 3rd Floor, Paterson, New Jersey 07050.
e. $74.00 (Seventy-Four Dollars and Zero Cents) made payable to Guy J. Renzi & Associates Inc., located at 2277 State Highway #33, Suite 410, Trenton, New Jersey, 08690.
3) Attached hereto is the Comptroller’s Certifications, which states that there are available sufficient legally appropriated funds for the purpose set forth hereinabove and which states that the line appropriation of the official budget, which shall be charges is as follows: Business Unit: NW04; Dept.: 24T; Div/Proj.: 5T24; Account #: 96310; Budget Ref.: B2025. A copy of the Comptroller’s Certification shall be filed by the Corporation Counsel in the Office of the City Clerk along with a copy of this Resolution.
4) The Corporation Counsel of the City of Newark shall file a fully executed copy of the Order Approving Settlement in the Office of the City Clerk.
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 Ninety-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-Six Dollars and Eighty Cents ($97,756.80) brought by George Hines as a result of alleged injuries sustained on September 7, 2021, while employed by the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety.