Duni v. United Technologies Corporation/Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Division

William Duni was employed by United Technologies Corporation/Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Division (Pratt & Whitney) (defendant) from 1941 until 1982. In 1984, William filed a workers’-compensation claim against Pratt & Whitney alleging that he was disabled due to his exposure to various substances during his employment. William eventually settled his claim with Pratt & Whitney for $72,000. In exchange for the settlement payment, William signed a stipulation agreeing to release Pratt & Whitney from any further liability to anybody based on William’s claimed injuries or any condition resulting from those injuries. William died in 1991. Beatrice Duni (plaintiff), William’s widow, sought workers’-compensation survivor benefits from Pratt & Whitney, asserting that William had died from the injuries he sustained during his employment. Pratt & Whitney argued that Beatrice’s claim should be dismissed because William’s stipulated release barred Beatrice from seeking benefits. A workers’-compensation commissioner rejected Pratt & Whitney’s argument, concluding that Beatrice had a right to survivor benefits that was independent of William’s right to recover workers’-compensation benefits and noting that Beatrice did not sign the stipulation. The workers’-compensation review board reversed the commissioner’s decision after concluding that the stipulation barred Beatrice’s claim. Beatrice appealed to the Connecticut Supreme Court.