Client: 50 year-old factory worker

Client Issue: His shoulders gradually became painful due to his repetitive work activities. The employer and workers compensation insurer had admitted that he injured his right shoulder, but they denied that his work caused injury to his left shoulder.

A trial was held to determine whether the injured worker’s left shoulder condition was related to his work activities, and whether the insurance company should pay for recommended left shoulder surgery.

Result:  Due to Mr. Tracy’s representation, the judge determined that the left shoulder injury was related to his repetitive work, and further ordered the workers compensation insurance company to pay for left shoulder arthroscopic surgery.

Client:  51 year-old Luggage Handler.

Client Issue:  While inside the cargo hold of an airplane, he tripped and fell. He went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a bump on the head. He was not bleeding.

Because of the fall, he developed positional vertigo. He was dizzy for many weeks. He received extensive treatment at the Dizziness and Balance Medical Center. Gradually his condition improved.

Northwest Airlines took the position that the positional vertigo was not caused by the minor bump to the head. Therefore they denied payment for any of the client’s medical bills or his lost wages.

Result:  The case went to trial, and the judge determined that the positional vertigo was caused by the work-related bump on the head, and ordered the workers compensation insurance company to pay the client all the past benefits he was due, including his medical bills and wage loss checks.

Client:  36 year-old nursing home worker

Client Issue:  She injured her right shoulder at work while moving a resident.  Despite conservative treatment to her right shoulder, her symptoms persisted, and her orthopedic surgeon recommended arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The workers’ compensation insurance company refused to pay for the surgery, taking the position that the need for surgery was not related to the work injury, but to a pre-existing condition.

Result:  As a client of Mr. Tracy, the trial ended with the judge ordering the insurance company to pay for the surgery.

Client:  66 year-old electrician

Client Issue:  He sustained an injury to his lower back that ended his career as a skilled electrician. 

Result:  The judge decided that Mr. Tracy’s client was entitled to retraining benefits. This meant the workers compensation insurance company paid for a three-year course including tuition, books, parking and mileage as well as weekly payments.  This cost the insurance company well over $100,000. The client graduated with honors.

This was an unusual case in that the client was 66 years old at the time the judge ordered retraining benefits. His employer and workers compensation insurance company argued that he was, in effect, “too old” to succeed in the rigorous program.  Mr. Tracy demonstrated otherwise. 

Client:  Garbage truck driver

Client Issue: The passenger seat of the truck he was riding in collapsed, and he struck his knee against a metal bar.  He had surgery and was unable to return to his old job. 

Result:  The case was settled for  $113,000.

Client:  Police Officer

Client Issue:  Injured his knee twice while performing his duties as a police officer

Result:  The case was settled for $93,000

Client:  44 year-old installer for a network service provider.  His job involved pulling cables, and lifting and installing various data centers.

Client Issue:  He was carrying two large jack stands from a closet, and he felt pain in his lower back. He continued to work for the next two weeks, but he developed so much pain in his left leg and back that he could not get out of bed. 

Result:  The Employer and Insurer admitted injury, and have paid benefits for this injury.
AWW $1,239.20. Compensation rate $826.13 (What does this mean?)

Client:  35 year-old construction manager

Client Issue:  The client was riding an ATV on a job site when it rolled over and crushed his left foot.  He broke 9 bones. He did not have surgery.

Result:  The case was settled for $125,000