In a settlement agreement, the U.S. government has agreed to pay $8.5 million to the estate of Joseph J. O’Donnell, a contractor who lost his life while working on a steam boiler at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in West Haven. The lawsuit was initiated by Christina Weaver, O’Donnell’s wife, both in her individual capacity and as administrator of his estate. The legal action was filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act in 2022 in a Connecticut federal court.
Reflecting on the settlement, attorney Chris Parkin noted, “There’s always mixed emotions when you’re dealing with a large settlement that’s on account of a tragedy… Our client is able to close this awful chapter of her life, and move forward with her son.” More comprehensive details about the case are available in the full write-up here.