Romanian Worker Brain-Injured at Pennsylvania Construction Site Gets $2.2 Million Settlement

By Mary Mitchell

Published on December 04, 2006

Teglas is not a United States citizen but was working legally under a J-1 training visa. According to court records, Teglas was in the program to study business management in the electrical contracting industry. As he was removing temporary light fixtures on an uncompleted, unguarded part of the mezzanine, he fell to the concrete floor below.

He suffered a severe brain injury and other fractures, and underwent several surgeries and rehabilitation. His attorney, Gladys E. Wiles, says he remains unable to work.

The lengthy legal case ended in two separate settlements with defendants allegedly responsible for the safety of exchange workers. The case involved 12 defendants at one point, and raised serious questions about the possible exploitation of foreign workers.

CraftSource, a subcontractor hired to install the mezzanine, was ordered to pay a $665,000 settlement. The insurance company for the contractor hired to construct the mezzanine, Eastern Strut Supply, will pay $500,000. Other parties will also contribute to the settlement, including Cultural Exchange Network Inc., which had a role in arranging Teglas’ training with an American employer.

It is estimated that Teglas will receive $932,000 of the settlement after the deduction of legal fees, reimbursement to an insurance company for medical bills, and expenses for workers’ compensation coverage.

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