Rich Marcolus, a Shareholder at Levinson Axelrod, P.A., recently represented a former machinist in a workers’ compensation claim filed out of our Belford office. The machinist had developed severe pulmonary conditions due to prolonged exposure to harmful irritants in his workplace. These conditions significantly impacted his health and ability to work.
Despite the severity of our client’s injuries and clear exposure at work, his employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier initially refused find this claim compensable. They disputed the claim, arguing that the pulmonary conditions were not caused by workplace exposure. This left our client without the necessary medical care and support during a critical time.
Determined, Rich consulted with a renowned medical expert. This expert meticulously analyzed the case, identifying the specific chemicals that had caused the pulmonary disability. By establishing a direct link between these chemicals and our client’s employment, Rich was able to build a compelling case.
Rich engaged in rigorous negotiations with the attorneys for the workers’ compensation carrier and the Court. His persistence and expertise paid off, resulting in a substantial lump sum settlement of $440,000. This settlement will provide our client with the financial resources needed to cover essential medical treatments, ongoing care, and fairly compensated them for their permanent injuries.
Rich Marcolus is a Levinson Axelrod, P.A. Partner and Shareholder with a legacy of advocating for workers and their families. A New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist and current union member (NRCC Carpenters Local #253 Union) who once earned his living as a carpenter in construction, he has leveraged his experience and insight to help clients secure millions of dollars in compensation and needed benefits.
Some of Rich’s latest results from this year alone include lifetime benefits for a volunteer firefighter, a six-figure settlement for an injured concrete worker, and a dependency claim settlement for the widow of a chemical factory worker who died from bladder cancer.