Attorneys for a 35-year-old Waterbury man injured in a 2015 collision have settled for $95,000.
Laramie Briggs lost consciousness, had a chest wall contusion, rib pain/contusion and other injuries after a car driven by Andrew Clisham collided with his vehicle in Waterbury, according to Daniel Petroskey, Briggs' attorney.
Petroskey, an associate with the Law Office of Eugene DeFronzo in Waterbury, said his client had two surgeries to his right ring finger "and still can't make a fist. At this point, it will probably be permanent." No more surgeries are pending. A five-page lawsuit was filed in March 2016 in Waterbury Superior Court.
According to the lawsuit, the 25-year-old Clisham was driving his 2011 BMW 535 in Waterbury two years ago "when suddenly and without warning, he made a left-hand turn onto Cemetery Street, causing the front of his vehicle to collide" with Briggs' 2005 Nissan Altima.
Both drivers were cited by police. Briggs was cited for going too fast in a 25 miles per hour zone. Clisham was cited for making an improper left turn at an intersection. Both cars were totaled, Petroskey said. The police report indicates that Clisham injured his ribs, neck and back in the incident.
Petroskey said the settlement was reached Wednesday, the same day jury selection was scheduled to start.
"Mr. Briggs is very happy with the settlement. He wanted the full policy [$100,000], but he did not feel like rolling the dice for another $5,000. It was in his best interest not to do that."
The settlement will be paid via Safeco Insurance, Clisham's insurance carrier. The money will be dispersed later this month, Petroskey said.
Briggs, Petroskey said, will have to pay Medicaid back about $12,000 from his settlement. "Briggs' insurance paid almost all of the medical bills and they asserted a lien to get reimbursed," Petroskey said. "He had Medicaid and they seek reimbursement for any medical expenses related to a car accident."
Clisham was represented by Christopher Sica, an associate with Ouellette, Deganis, Gallagher & Grippe in Cheshire. Sica was not available for comment Friday.