Not Over Till It’s Over

Geraldine M. worked in a liquor store. While moving beer from storage out to the front of the store, she twisted her knee sharply on a sticky carpet. Her knee hurt, but Geraldine was a hard worker and tried to take care of her injury on her own. Besides, her employer didn’t offer health insurance and she couldn’t afford to pay for a doctor visit. When the liquor store went out of business shortly after that, the large workers’ compensation insurer said Geraldine could see one of its doctors. Conservative treatment didn’t work, and the large insurer offered Geraldine $40,000 to settle her case. She hired Dianne Sawaya instead. Turns out when Geraldine had her work accident, it damaged her knee so badly that she had to have major surgery. The large insurer tried to get out of paying what it owed, and instead said Geraldine’s injury was due to arthritis. Dianne Sawaya didn’t buy it. After four months of representing Geraldine, Dianne got Geraldine what she deserved.

Settlement: $105,000