Plainfield Motorcyclist Collects $1.3 Million Dollar Settlement

Michael Fournier, a Plainfield resident, has settled a lawsuit he brought in 2011 for back injuries he sustained on December 3, 2009 when a backhoe operated by Timothy Mellon of Lyme, Connecticut collided with into Fournier’s Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Spaulding Road in Plainfield.

Mellon, a Mellon family heir and Lyme resident, was operating his backhoe on Route 14A in Plainfield when he made a left turn onto Spaulding Road, causing Mr. Fournier to hit the backhoe, throwing him from his motorcycle.

Fournier was transported by Life Star helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital where he was hospitalized for a neck fracture and head lacerations. Later he underwent two neck surgeries at Backus Hospital and a knee arthroscopic surgery at Day Kimball Hospital. He was left with permanent impairments to his neck, knee and head. He was required to leave his job at Lowes and has now returned to part-time janitorial work.

The case was due to start trial in September 2013 when Fournier’s doctors decided just before trial was to start that he required a second neck surgery. The case was continued for surgery which was performed this year and the case then settled.

Attorney Kelly Reardon of The Reardon Law Firm, P.C. of New London represented Fournier in the lawsuit. “Fortunately, Mr. Fournier has made a good recovery and is still recovering from his surgeries. He is very pleased with his settlement which will help him to get on with his life,” according to Attorney Reardon.