City officials settled 13 lawsuits during a special meeting on Tuesday evening paying out $308,792. 11 of the settlements dealt with workers compensation while two had to do lawsuits stemming from city car striking other vehicles.

The largest settlement of $101,975 was paid out to city recycling employee Ricardo Cuebas, who allegedly sustained injuries in four separate incidents, according to city records. Cuebas allegedly sustained injuries after his recycling truck was hit by another vehicle on April 14th 2011 while he was reversing out of a parking lot.

Cuebas allegedly sustained injuries to his neck and back on May 3rd, 2011 when, while he was picking up recycling another vehicle crossed over the yellow line, and struck his vehicle, according to city records.

He also allegedly sustained injuries to his shoulder, left arm, left wrist, neck, and lower back while riding in the back of a truck on July 6th, 2012 when it came to a sudden stop. Cuebas’ fourth incident took place on May 21st, 2014 when he allegedly suffered a hernia from lifting heavy bags of leaves and glass.

The second largest settlement of $99,000 was paid out to Christopher Humphrey who suffered injuries when a city vehicle driven by police officer Luis Torres struck his car.

The third largest settlement of $17,010 was paid out to public works laborer Carlos Cortes who fell down the stairs of a city owned building either city hall or 125 Ellison Street on April 1st, 2011, according to city records.

The other settlements paid out are as follows:
•    Building superintendent Luis Guzman allegedly suffered injuries to his back and right knee after being involved in a vehicle accident, according to city records. His case was settled for $16,500.
•    Ead Lee Dickson sued the city after a city car driven by police officer Pedro Borrero struck his vehicle and allegedly injuring him, according to city records. Dickson’s case was settled for $15,000.
•    Police officer Angel Jimenez allegedly sustained injuries to his right hand while making an arrest on Straight and Ellison Streets on March 27th, 2013. His case was settled for $10,780.
•    Public works employee Terry Gunthrope allegedly injured his neck and back on May 1st, 2013, when he was struck by a truck his supervisor was backing up on Lenox and Totowa Avenues, according to city records. Gunthrope’s case was settled for $9,900.
•    Firefighter Lamar Colcolugh allegedly suffered burns to his face, neck, right side, right ankle, and right shin on June 20th, 2012. Colcolugh’s case was settled for $9,720.
•    Police detective Jimmy Maldonado allegedly suffered injuries his right hand while subduing a suspect on November 18th, 2012 in the detective bureau room, according to city records. His claim was settled for $9,261.
•    Police officer David Baird allegedly slipped on newspaper and fell on his right hand at 64 Keen Street while descending down stairs, according to city records. Baird’s case was settled for $9,047.
•    Police officer Tamariz Rodriguez allegedly sustained injuries to her right upper arm and shoulder when she exited an ambulance on February 11th, 2013 and slipped off the truck’s step on 3rd Avenue and East 19th Street, according to city records. Her case was settled for $6,600.
•    Public works employee Herbert Jones allegedly injured his back while lifting heavy objects on December 8th, 2006. His case was settled for $4,000.

Council members approved the settlements following a closed door meeting without any public discussions.