Work injury compensation claim news
15/04/2008

Civil judge to get firsthand experience of claim

UNITED STATES – A Brooklyn judge who slipped and fell on freshly mopped floor in his courthouse is planning to make a $1 million work injury compensation claim against the city.

It is understood that the civil case judge, who earns $136,000 a year, is seeking redress from the work injury compensation claim, arguing the city's liability on the grounds that the city were "negligently using a mop bucket and wringer", and "negligently using a mop and soapy water", therefore creating a "dangerous and hazardous trap-like condition."

There is no word as to whether the judge's personal injury lawyers have any experience of arguing before their client on a no win, no fee basis in the courthouse, they have however, issued a writ in which they say that the judge "now has been limited in his ability to flex his knee, has difficulty walking and is required to use a cane."

The judge will not be able to hear any personal injury claims involving the city until his work injury compensation claim has been resolved.
Some commentators have expressed concerns about any conflict of interest that might arise out of the judge's action, with the head of watchdog group Citizens Union commenting, "Everyone is entitled to equal justice, but I hope he's not using his intimate knowledge of the system to maximize his claim."