Michigan Road Worker Files Lawsuit Against Contractors for Crash Injuries

By Merylee Robbins

Published on October 19, 2005

Three years ago, Hattan and co-worker Tanya Lowen were setting up a computerized traffic diversion system on I-95 when a car fatally struck Lowen and a trailer. The trailer then hit Hattan and caused tremendous damage to his legs, as well as a traumatic head injury that left him in a coma for 45 days. His legs eventually had to be amputated from the knees down due to infection.

In his lawsuit, Hattan is seeking damages from two of the contractors hired by the Michigan Department of Transportation to oversee the project, C.A. Hull and NES Work Safe. The suit claims that the contractors negligently failed to provide a safer work area fortified with truck-mounted attenuators and proper signage. Contractors are required to set up attenuators to protect road crews to help prevent cars from colliding with workers.

Financial compensation resulting from this civil suit will go to pay Hattan's medical bills, which to date have reached over $1 million. Recently, Lowen's family settled out of court with the contractors for $775,000 for her wrongful death and won a default judgment from the driver of the car for the same amount.

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