"Undocumented" Workers Awarded $3.85 Million in Accidents (2009, married, illegal aliens)

[Benicar]

That’s what the greedy employers deserve for hiring illegal aliens. When other illegals hear of this, it will be their next money-making scam.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Two undocumented workers from Mexico and one from Ecuador have reached court settlements in recent weeks for a total of $3.85 million in damages for New York construction-site accidents, an attorney for the men announced Wednesday.

"All three cases involve construction and terribly unsafe working conditions," the attorney, Brian O'Dwyer, said in a news conference. "We're here today to re-emphasize -- as we have in the past -- to the Latino community and all undocumented workers that they have the same rights once they're on the job as any New York citizen."

A 33-year-old undocumented plumber from Mexico who was scalded by an exploding pipe at a Wall Street construction site in 2004 settled his damage claim for $2.5 million, according to a statement given to reporters at the news conference. The married father of two, who says he still has nightmares from the accident, hopes to open a restaurant or bar with the settlement money, his cousin told reporters.

Another undocumented Mexican worker suffered severe injuries to his left foot and other parts of his body when a steel beam fell on his lower body at a building site in downtown Manhattan, the news conference statement said. The 52-year-old settled his damage claim against Beway Realty Corp. and F.J. Sciame Construction Co. Inc. for $750,000, according to the statement.

A 36-year-old Ecuadorian laborer who worked at the Arverne by the Sea community in Queens -- a neighborhood The New York Times has called a "bright spot" in the housing market for its strong sales and low foreclosure rates -- settled a damage claim for $600,000, the news conference statement said.

"This is a great day for the undocumented immigrants," Magallan said. "They have to know today that they have rights -- the same rights as other workers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents."

The men involved in the settlements said they chose to remain anonymous to protect relatives outside of the United States, who could become the target of kidnapping schemes if knowledge of their settlements became public.

Undocumented workers awarded $3.85 million in accidents - CNN.com

[antireconquista]

Good. Sue the hell out of them. I may not like illegals but at least they're attacking one of the causes of the illegal immigration problem.

[andreabeth]

The illegals have gotten their money, now it is time to deport them to their various homelands.

[floridasandy]

Originally Posted by antireconquista

Good. Sue the hell out of them. I may not like illegals but at least they're attacking one of the causes of the illegal immigration problem.

so now some taxpayer group should sue the illegal and get the money back.

that would be a win-win for all americans, as it takes it away from the employer and the illegal immigrant.

[Bostonian123]

Good. I hope more illegals sue. The only way to stop illegal aliens to is to hit the employers where it hurts and that is their pocketbooks.

[SimpleMan]

Originally Posted by Bostonian123

Good. I hope more illegals sue. The only way to stop illegal aliens to is to hit the employers where it hurts and that is their pocketbooks.

Exactly. Plus, if employers know they can't stop the illegals from complaining, and that they can get sued for unfair/unsafe labor practices by illegals, then one of the major reasons for hiring them is gone. Might not seem worth it to them anymore.

[bipolarpunk]

Originally Posted by floridasandy

so now some taxpayer group should sue the illegal and get the money back.

that would be a win-win for all americans, as it takes it away from the employer and the illegal immigrant.

Agreed..

I am also in the camp that thinks this is a good thing.. The employers of Illegal Aliens are the problem.. Well that and the pandering politicians and misguided "bleeding heart" utopians..