Woman says Belleville attorney mishandled her work comp claim

A Belleville attorney is accused of mishandling a client's workers' compensation claim.

Barbara Boda filed a lawsuit Aug. 16 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Jason R. Caraway and Kolker Law Offices.

Boda says she worked for Broadspire, an insurance company, in October 2009 when she got into a car crash on the job. She says injuries received in the crash required her to undergo surgery to fuse lumbar discs in her back. In July 2010 Boda says she hired Caraway and the Kolker Law Offices to represent her in an Illinois Workers' Compensation claim.

Boda says Caraway prepared a settlement contract in August 2011 and advised her to take 36 percent of her original claim. However, Caraway allegedly failed to recognize that agreeing to the settlement without including an addendum to amortize the Social Security disability benefits Boda was already receiving would eliminate those benefits. She also alleges Caraway settled the claim for an insufficient level of disability and failed to consider a wage differential that would have resulted in a higher settlement.

Boda accuses Caraway and Kolker Law Offices of legal malpractice and seeks a judgment of more than $100,000 in damages and court costs.

She is represented by attorney William K. Meehan of University City, Mo. They ask for a jury trial.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No.13-L-430