Serrano v. Bridgeport Towers Apartments, LLC

CASE NO. 5572 CRB-4-10-7

COMPENSATION REVIEW BOARD

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 9, 2011

RAFAEL SERRANO

CLAIMANT-APPELLANT

v.

BRIDGEPORT TOWERS APARTMENTS, LLC

EMPLOYER

and

ACE USA/ESIS

INSURER

RESPONDENTS-APPELLEES

APPEARANCES:

The claimant was notified of the instant proceeding and appeared at oral argument.

Counsel of record, Janine Becker, Esq., of the Law Offices of Becker and Zowine, 3296 Main Streeet, Bridgeport, CT 06606 appeared in support of her Motion to Withdraw as Counsel.

The respondents were represented by Timothy Ward, Esq., McGann, Bartlett & Brown, LLC, 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 1201, East Hartford, CT 06108.

This Motion to Withdraw as Counsel, regarding the Petition for Review from the June 28, 2010 Finding & Dismissal of the Commissioner acting for the Fourth District, was heard January 21, 2011 before a Compensation Review Board panel consisting of the Commission Chairman John A. Mastropietro and Commissioners Christine L. Engel and Stephen B. Delaney.

RULING RE: MOTION TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL

JOHN A. MASTROPIETRO, CHAIRMAN. Counsel for the Claimant-Appellant has requested permission to withdraw from her legal representation of the claimant. Counsel’s request was heard by the Compensation Review Board on January 21, 2011.

In her argument before the board, counsel advised that her law firm had not agreed to represent the claimant in his appeal from the June 28, 2010 Finding and Dismissal of the Commissioner acting for the Fourth District. The claimant also appeared before the board and indicated that he was dissatisfied with counsel’s representation in this matter and did not wish to continue to be represented by her.

The board granted counsel’s motion to withdraw. The claimant was advised that if he intended to pursue his appeal he should either secure new counsel or be prepared to pursue the matter on a pro se basis. The board further instructed the claimant that the appeal would be held over and scheduled to be heard as part of the May 2011 session of the Compensation Review Board. Any additional filings necessary to perfect the appeal for oral argument as part of the May 2011 docket are the responsibility of the claimant and/or his new counsel.

Commissioners Christine L. Engel and Stephen B. Delaney concur.