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 August 31, 2006
Quadriplegic crash victim gets $4.8m
by Daniel Tepfer
Connecticut Post Online
BRIDGEPORT - A former Shelton man who was crushed between two tractor-trailers in a horrific crash on Interstate 95 in Fairfield three years ago was awarded more than $4 million Wednesday.
In the out-of-court-settlement, lawyers for a New Jersey trucking company and its former driver agreed to pay $4.8 million to Matthew Laufer, who was left a quadriplegic by the crash.
"The progress that Matt has made in his lengthy road to recovery from his devastating injuries is nothing short of amazing," said his lawyer, Robert R. Sheldon, of Tremont & Sheldon. "It is a testament to his courage and indomitable spirit, and to the loving care and tireless support of his parents." Lawyers for the trucking company - Road-Con Systems - and the driver, Gary Alan Lamphere, of Iowa, did not return calls for comment.
On May 21, 2003, the then 23-year-old Laufer was stopped in traffic in his 1997 VW Golf between exits 24 and 23, when he was struck from behind by the truck driven by Lamphere.
Lamphere's truck then pushed the VW under a tractor-trailer driven by Brian Sarnowski, of Ohio.
Firefighters used wooden cribbing and two air bags to lift the truck's bed off Laufer's car. They then had to cut Laufer out of the crushed hulk. At the time, Fairfield Fire Chief Richard Felner said Laufer's car was so heavily damaged it wasn't possible to recognize its make or model.
"It was a horrendous crash - the vehicle was completely crushed," said Sheldon, who credits Fairfield Fire Department personnel with saving his client's life.
Laufer was then rushed to St. Vincent's Medical Center with a fractured spine and multiple complications. He was subsequently transferred to Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, where he underwent extensive rehabilitation for several months.
"While he was at Gaylord, he got a phone call from Christopher Reeve, who gave him a pep talk," Shelton said, referring to the late actor.
He said Laufer eventually returned to his home in Shelton, where his parents attempted to provide him with the round-the-clock treatment he needs.
Recently, he said Laufer moved into a specialized residential facility in Unionville where, with the assistance of aides, he is now able to live independently. "He has devoted much of his time to helping disabled people and educating the public about them," Sheldon said. Last fall, he assisted in teaching a class at Sacred Heart University's Physical Therapy Department.
He has also helped oppose federal legislation that would adversely affect the disabled in obtaining insurance coverage for wheelchair replacement and repairs.
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