Case at a glance
- Recovery: $475,000 Settlement following jury finding
- Practice: Personal Injury
- Attorney: Vuk Vujasinovic
Radar work on a Coast Guard tower
The technician retained Vuk Vujasinovic to represent him in a negligence lawsuit against Advanced Design Systems. Vuk brought the case in Galveston County District Court, where the dispute concerned the work assignment, the company’s safety practices, and the circumstances of the injury.
On November 10, 2000, the technician was working alongside a supervisor atop the tower, installing and replacing radar equipment. As they lowered a heavy, bulky piece of equipment, his body twisted and he felt a sharp pain in his back.
The injury occurred during the equipment-handling task. The claim focused on whether the employer had provided the training and equipment needed to perform that work safely.
Back surgery and an attempted return to work
Medical evaluations identified a herniated disc at L5-S1, where the lower spine meets the sacrum, and a disc bulge at L4-5. The technician underwent surgery at L5-S1 in January 2001.
He could not work for several months after the operation. After August 2001, he obtained a sales position. That return to employment did not end his medical difficulties: his pain returned by April 2003, and his treating neurosurgeon recommended additional back surgery.
The treatment history was a significant part of the injury claim. It included an operation, months without work, an effort to work in another role, and a later recommendation for further treatment.
The employer disputed the accident and its responsibility
Vuk’s lawsuit alleged that Advanced Design Systems failed to train the technician in proper lifting techniques and failed to provide suitable equipment for the assigned work.
The company denied negligence. It also contended that the technician was not on the Coast Guard tower on November 10, 2000, and that he was not injured while acting within the scope of his employment.
The dispute therefore extended beyond whether a different lifting method or different equipment should have been used. The defense challenged the technician’s account of being at the worksite and suffering the injury in the course of his job.
A jury finding followed by settlement
The jury determined that Advanced Design Systems was negligent and awarded compensation to the technician. The case later resolved through a $475,000 settlement.
To discuss a work-related injury, contact Vuk at (877) 724-7800 or Tell Us What Happened. Our personal injury practice provides further information about serious injury claims.
Questions about the case
Every case is different. Prior results depend on the facts of the individual case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.