Levinson Axelrod, P.A. Partner Todd Wachtel secured a six-figure workers’ compensation settlement for the spouse of a grocery store clerk who passed away due to Covid-19 complications.
When they contracted Covid-19, the employer denied that the grocery store worker contracted Covid-19 during the course of their employment, despite the Emergency Orders that Governor Murphy enacted during the pandemic. These Emergency Orders put the burden on the employer to show that certain workers, during certain times, did not become sick because of their jobs and exposure to the public. As negotiations went on, it became more and more apparent that the employer’s insurance company had little to no defense, and could not prove that the Covid-19 did not come from work. Rather than delaying this matter endlessly, Todd put the matter on the Trial list, and before the first witness was called the insurance company finally relented and provided a settlement totaling $450,000.00.
Todd D. Wachtel is a NJ Supreme Court Certified Workers’ Compensation Attorney and former Deputy Attorney General who represented the State of New Jersey in Workers’ Compensation proceedings. In his work fighting for claimants, Todd has leveraged his unique insight to help workers and families recover millions in benefits and compensation following work-related injuries and illnesses. Todd is also actively involved in the local and legal community and was elected earlier this year to the State Bar’s Executive Committee of the Workers’ Compensation Section, where he assists in reviewing issues and proposed laws critical to the practice of Workers’ Compensation in New Jersey. He recently has been inducted as a Fellow to the College of Worker’s Compensation, a national organization that recognizes distinguished practitioners of Workers’ Compensation law.