Attorney Ralph Anthony Russo's Legal Cases

Workers compensation

Rizzo v. State of Connecticut/Judicial Dept., 3522 CRB-6-10-1 (2011)

Jan 10, 2011

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo successfully argued that the holding of the trial commissioner should be affirmed.

This is the first CRB decision applying Ciarlelli v. Hamden to hold a § 5-145 a claim was timely. The CRB upheld the Commissioner's finding that a diagnosis of hypertension did not start the running of ... the statute of non-claim for a subsequent heart attack. The CRB also upheld the Commissioner's finding that evidence of prior heart symptoms and hypertension was not sufficient to rebut the presumption of compensability under the statute. The CRB noted that the Commissioner's decision was supported by persuasive medical testimony that a patient is not considered to have coronary artery disease until atherosclerosis progresses to the point of producing symptoms.

Workers compensation

Sanchez v. Spec Personnel, LLC, CRB-1-09-8 (2010)

Aug 18, 2010

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo convinced the Compensation Review Board to overturn the trial comissioner, and to preclude the Respondents from contesting this claim.

An injured worker sought to preclude the Respondents from contesting his claim due to their failure to file a timely denial. After the trial commissioner found for the Respondents, the claimant appeale ... d.

Workers compensation

Hicking v. State of Connecticut Department of Correction, 5026 CRB-2-05-11 (2006)

Nov 03, 2006

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo won an award for penalties against the Respondents due to their unreasonable contest of the injured worker's claim.

CRB affirmed trial commissioner’s award of attorney’s fees on the basis of respondent’s unreasonable contest.

Workers compensation

Hicking v. State of Connecticut Department of Correction, 4935 CRB-2-05-4 (2006)

Apr 10, 2006

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo successfully argued that the Claimant was entitled to be paid the benefits she had been awarded during the Respondent's appeal.

Decision reached on underlying appeal made appeal of § 31-301(f) order moot; original Finding and Award was enforceable against all parties. Decision on underlying appeal has res judicata effect rega ... rding those issues and § 31-308a.

Wrongful termination

Valdes v. Yankee Casting Company, Inc., 94 Conn. App. 140 (2006)

Mar 07, 2006

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo successfully proved that that the defendant had discriminated against the plaintiff in violation of § 31-290a because he exercised his rights afforded to him under the workers' compensation act.

A worker with an accepted workers' compensation claim was fired by his employer.

Workers compensation

Hicking v. State of Connecticut Department of Correction, 4825 CRB-2-04-6 (2005)

Jul 14, 2005

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo successfully argued that the Claimant's need for medical care was related to her work injury.

CRB affirmed trier’s credibility determination despite alleged inconsistencies in testimony. CRB affirmed finding that weakening of claimant’s knee causing a fall was not a new injury, but an inciden ... t caused by weakness from initial work related injury.

Workers compensation

D'Agostino v. Hamilton Standard, 4146 CRB-6-99-11 (2001)

Feb 21, 2001

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo proved that a claimant's spinal condition was compensable despite her having preexisting degenerative disease.

Board affirmed trier’s conclusion that spinal condition was compensable, where preexisting degenerative disease (which was not related to work) was aggravated by work duties, causing claimant to be s ... ymptomatic.

Workers compensation

Cooper v. Sisters of Mercy, 3218 CRB-6-95-11 (1996)

Dec 10, 1996

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo successfully defended a claim brought by a pro se claimant.

Pro se claimant challenged commissioner’s findings based on contention that employer’s representatives lied at formal hearings, and that doctor’s records regarding claimant’s history were inaccurate. ... CRB explained that it cannot review decisions that rely on the credibility of expert and lay witnesses. Claimant has burden of proving existence of compensable injury to trial commissioner. Evidence supported findings here.

Workers compensation

Wislocki v. Prospect, 224 Conn. 479 (1993)

Feb 02, 1993

OUTCOME: Attorney Russo prevailed before the Connecticut Supreme Court, which affirmed the decision of the Connecticut Appellate Court.

Volunteer fireman who sustains a compensable injury while performing fire duties and was also regularly employed full time by a local manufacturer is not entitled to § 31-310 concurrent employment bene ... fits.

Workers compensation

Wislocki v. Prospect, 27 Conn. App. 919 (1992)

Jan 01, 1992

OUTCOME: The Appellate Court agreed with Attorney Russo that the Claimant was not entitled to concurrent employment benefits.

Volunteer fireman who sustains a compensable injury while performing fire duties and was also regularly employed full time by a local manufacturer is not entitled to § 31-310 concurrent employment bene ... fits.

Ralph Anthony Russo's Legal Cases (11)

Rizzo v. State of Connecticut/Judicial Dept., 3522 CRB-6-10-1 (2011)

Sanchez v. Spec Personnel, LLC, CRB-1-09-8 (2010)

Hicking v. State of Connecticut Department of Correction, 5026 CRB-2-05-11 (2006)

Hicking v. State of Connecticut Department of Correction, 4935 CRB-2-05-4 (2006)

Valdes v. Yankee Casting Company, Inc., 94 Conn. App. 140 (2006)

Hicking v. State of Connecticut Department of Correction, 4825 CRB-2-04-6 (2005)

D'Agostino v. Hamilton Standard, 4146 CRB-6-99-11 (2001)

Cooper v. Sisters of Mercy, 3218 CRB-6-95-11 (1996)

Wislocki v. Prospect, 224 Conn. 479 (1993)

Wislocki v. Prospect, 27 Conn. App. 919 (1992)