Our client , a forty year old backhoe operator, was excavating a former gas station in the Bronx when a pile of dirt collapsed and flipped over his backhoe. He sustained very bad injuries to his ankle which required surgery. He was unable to go back to work and his only source of income was workers compensation. The case was brought even though the owner of the property had no insurance. In fact many lawyers may not have taken the case. Ultimately a settlement was reached in the mid-six figure range. What was unusual was that the defendant owner paid the award from his personal funds.