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April 15, 2008 - Court Overturns $41.4 Million Award in Construction Suit

The Connecticut Supreme Court overturned an award of more than $41.4 million in damages to a man who was  paralyzed in a construction accident that happened nearly 14 years ago.

The court opinion, which was released on Monday, found that Norman Pelletier's employer was responsible for the safety of a beam that struck him in June 1994, notSordoni Skanska Construction Company, the general contractor named in the lawsuit. Pelletier, of Bristol, Connecticut, was injured when the 2-ton beam, which was poorly welded to a column, fell on him, fracturing his spine and ribs. He is now paralyzed below the chest, but can still feel pain from his injuries.

In December 2005, a jury ordered the general contractor to pay $32.1 million in damages, as well as another $9.3 million in interest, attorneys fees, and court costs, to Pelletier and his wife.

The Connecticut Supreme Court overturned the verdict because the evidence, according to the court,  clearly demonstrates that Pelletier's employer, Berlin Steel Construction Co., was responsible for ensuring the safety of the beam and that Sordoni Skanska had no control over the beam's safety.

Pelletier's attorneys offered to settle for $6 million years ago, but Sordoni Skanska refused the offer. Pelletier received worker compensation payments from Berlin Steel, his former employer.
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