Sean Nicholson v. Structure Tone Inc, Pavarini Construction Co Inc, Pavarini McGovern LLC

Sean Nicholson v. Structure Tone Inc, Pavarini Construction Co Inc, Pavarini McGovern LLC

Case Name

Sean Nicholson v. Structure Tone Inc, Pavarini Construction Co Inc, Pavarini McGovern LLC

Type of Injury

BACK AND ELBOW INJURIES

Occupation

Union-affiliated Carpenter

Location

Bronx, New York

Verdict

The parties negotiated a pretrial settlement. The first-party defendants’ insurer tendered its policy, which provided $1 million of coverage, and Commodore Construction’s insurer agreed to pay $2.9 million, from a policy that provided $10 million of coverage. Thus, the settlement totaled $3.9 million.

Verdict Amount

$3,900,000

Case Details

On March 15, 2010, plaintiff Sean Nicholson, a union-affiliated carpenter in his late 30s, worked at a renovation site that was located at 1290 Sixth Ave., in Manhattan. Nicholson was installing devices that supported a door. During the course of that task, he fell off of a scaffold. He fell a distance of about four feet, and he landed on a floor. He claimed that he sustained injuries of his back and an elbow.

Nicholson sued the renovation project’s general contractor, Structure Tone Inc.; two related entities, Pavarini Construction Co. Inc. and Pavarini McGovern, LLC; and the premises’ owners, 555 1290 Holdings LLC, HWA 1290 III LLC, HWA 1290 IV LLC and HWA 1290 V LLC. Nicholson alleged that the defendants violated the New York State Labor Law.

The defendants impleaded Nicholson’s employer, Commodore Construction Group. The first-party defendants alleged that Commodore Construction controlled and directed Nicholson’s work functions.

Plaintiff’s counsel discontinued the claims against Pavarini Construction and Pavarini McGovern. The matter proceeded against the remaining defendants.

Nicholson claimed that the scaffold was not secure. As such, he contended that the device did not provide a safe means of performing the work that he had undertaken. Plaintiff’s counsel contended that the incident stemmed from an elevation-related hazard, as defined by Labor Law § 240(1), and that Nicholson was not provided the proper, safe equipment that is a requirement of the statute.

Plaintiff’s counsel moved for summary judgment of liability, and the motion was granted. The matter proceeded to damages.

Disclaimer: The information on this website and blog is for general informational purposes only and is not professional advice. We make no guarantees of accuracy or completeness. We disclaim all liability for errors, omissions, or reliance on this content. Always consult a qualified professional for specific guidance.

RECENT POSTS

Understanding Gross Negligence with OAS Injury Assessments
April 20, 2026
In this guide, we’ll break down what gross negligence means, how it differs from standard negligence, and why it matters in a personal injury case evaluation.
Personal injury lawsuit process overview with OAS expert support
April 6, 2026
Learn the full personal injury lawsuit process and how OAS expert services strengthen cases, improve evidence, and help maximize compensation outcomes.
Why Your Car Accident Settlement Is Delayed – Tips & Insights
March 23, 2026
Learn why car accident settlements take longer than expected and how careful documentation, patience, and preparation can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Deposition Insights: How OAS Helps Personal Injury Attorneys
March 2, 2026
Discover how OAS vocational evaluations and expert deposition support help personal injury attorneys strengthen cases and maximize settlement outcomes.
OAS Supports Injury Evaluations in Florida Car Accidents
February 16, 2026
OAS helps Florida car accident attorneys with injury evaluations, vocational assessments, and life care plans to ensure fair compensation for clients.

CONTACT US