Thorough Investigation Saves Sheriff’s Department from Paying Benefits It Did Not Owe

Highlights:

An off-duty patrolman injured while working for a private company tried to seek damages and benefits from both the company and the sheriff’s department.  By investigating the facts and law thoroughly, CSH defense attorney Jason Toups was able to prevent the sheriff’s department from owing anything.

Summary:

The plaintiff, a sheriff’s department patrolman, took a job directing traffic for a private employer in his off duty hours. While directing traffic, he was hit by a car and injured.  He sued the private employer that hired him for the side job as well as the driver of the car and won damages from both. After that was finalized, the plaintiff filed another suit attempting to get worker’s compensation benefits from the sheriff’s department, even though he was working for someone else at the time.

CSH defense attorney Jason Toups, who represented the sheriff’s department, realized that the plaintiff was trying to get a double recovery for his injuries.  After investigating the law and the facts, Mr. Toups discovered that the case was being handled in violation of rules of ethics and fairness, and brought the issues to the attention of the Commission hearing the case.  Upon being confronted, the plaintiff withdrew the claim entirely, and Mr. Toups won a ruling that the suit could not be brought again.

Result/Implications:

Thanks to thorough investigation and hard work, CSH attorney Toups prevented his client from having to pay any benefits to an employee injured off the job.

Disclaimer: The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon past results.