Vice President’s Car Crashes with a Cab

Even the most carefully thought out plans can go unexpectedly wrong, as New York personal injury attorneys know. This reasoning was once again exemplified in midtown Manhattan when an advance car from the Official Vice President motorcade crashed into a cab. In this case, routes were even selected by Secret Service agents days in advance with the help of the local police department - main routes as well as escape plans. The motorcades also drove the roads in advance to become familiar with them. However, accidents still happen as New York personal injury attorneys can attest to. The Vice Presidential motorcade has had three accidents in the past week, one of which resulted in a death.

Major Construction Work Begins on the Belt Parkway

Last month rehabilitation work began on the Belt parkway in Brooklyn. Over half a billion dollars is committed to renovate the bridges in order to meet state and federal requirements. To keep this large-scale project on track, a fine was imposed for each day of work accumulated after the set completion date. New York construction accident lawyer David Perecman hopes safety will not be compromised as construction workers put in the hours needed to meet the deadline. Construction has always been a dangerous business. Across the United States and in New York construction, as construction accident lawyers know, consistently ranks as one of the top most dangerous industries, representing about 20 percent of all work-related fatalities, according to federal statistics.

New York Actor Will Sue Employer after Suffering Major Injuries at Work

Actor Charles Buckley, 57, and his personal injury lawyer have filed a notice in New York State Supreme Court, Queens County of Mr. Buckley’s intent to sue the producers of the cancelled ABC show “The Unusuals,” Topanga Productions and Entertainment Partners. Mr. Buckley allegedly complained to the director and producers about his injury after being slammed to the floor by an actor playing a New York SWAT officer but they just ignored his complaints and insisted on doing more takes.

According to Mr. Buckley, the set safety director had called in sick and no one else put pads out on the ground during the body slams. The producer, unhappy with six earlier takes, called for one more take. On the seventh time, Mr. Buckley was thrown down so hard that his chest bounced off the concrete.

Mr. Buckley has suffered with major injuries from this accident, including a torn right shoulder, back pain and a left knee that requires surgery. When an employer sacrifices the safety and well being of the employee for their own benefit, the result of is never positive for the employee. Employees injured on the job have a right to see a personal injury lawyer.

Another Construction Accident in the Goldman Sachs Tower in New York

The Goldman Sachs tower in Battery Park City, the accident prone construction site, is in the news again. A window pane fell from the top of the tower on Saturday, November 28, 2009. Police shut down West Street for approximately 3 hours after glass from the 43-story skyscraper came crashing down onto the street. New York City’s Department of Buildings has shut down all work on the tower after this construction accident in Lower Manhattan.

This was the fourth incident at this work site over the last two years. In December of 2007, an architect was paralyzed after a crane operator accidentally dropped seven tons of steel on the trailer where the architect was working. In May of 2008, a 30-inch steel panel flew off the 18th floor of the Goldman Sachs tower and landed in a baseball field where a Little League game was being played. In April of 2009, a hammer fell 17 stories, smashing the window of a taxicab on Murray Street.

Construction accidents in New York can cause very serious injuries. Having a job in construction is so physically demanding that even minor injuries can prevent workers from returning to work and supporting themselves and their families. At busy construction sites, such as the Goldman Sachs tower, there is always a chance that falling objects can injure a person below. If you are hurt working at a construction site, you should contact an experienced construction accident attorney in New York to be informed of your options.

Thanksgiving Weekend Travel

I decided to stay on the topic of Thanksgiving and holiday safety along with my fellow bloggers, Mariusz Sniarowski and Joseph Gorczyca. As we all know, holiday celebrations such as Thanksgiving and Christmas can be happy times for friends and family to enjoy quality time with each other, away from work and school. Many people will travel during this holiday season to visit their loved ones who live near and far away.

More Americans are expected to travel this year for the holiday as oppose to last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. As Mariusz mentioned, over 38 million Americans will travel during this Thanksgiving weekend. According to AAA estimates, approximately 33 million of those travelers will be hitting the road. The Port Authority estimates that 3.5 million people will go through New York City’s airports, bridges, and tunnels.

Unfortunately, holiday seasons have an increased rate of auto and truck accidents, especially in New York. These joyful celebrations can turn into tragedies if people are injured or killed in an auto accident. According to New York auto accident lawyers, everyone who drives this holiday weekend needs to take into consideration the increase in the amount of traffic and not to drink and drive, as many people have lost their lives in drunken driving accidents.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Dangers of Deep Frying Thanksgiving Dinner

Each year, my brother deep fries a turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner. He claims that it is more succulent than a traditionally cooked bird. While it may be more tasty, it is certainly more dangerous to prepare.

Each year, there are hundreds of accidents involving deep fried turkeys. The danger typically stems from placing a frozen turkey into the hot deep fryer.

If you decide to deep fry a turkey, please be careful. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Watch Out! Turkey Crossing!

It is almost Thanksgiving and at this time a turkey and travel plans are on our minds. This past weekend I went away to the Poconos in Pennsylvania to enjoy some time off from work and to recharge my batteries. It was nice to get closer to nature as opposed to another weekend in the Urban Jungle of New York City. The whole experience was great and peaceful. It was also surprising to see deer with their young strolling freely in the woods, to see variety of birds and even to come across a family of wild turkeys! Yes, that's right wild turkeys just minding their own business four days before the Thanksgiving Day! Absolutely no self preservation instincts, but on the other hand it would probably be illegal to hunt them in open areas.

Another thing that left an impression was a number of animals ran over by cars and trucks on shoulders of almost every single road that I have travelled. Road kill everywhere, from a little skunk, to raccoons and ending up with countless number of dead deer. But these poor animals are not the only victims. Many of these incidents probably lead to motor vehicle accidents. Some of them were probably just a property damage, but confrontation with a large animal can lead to losing control over the vehicle and running off the road or the impact itself could lead to very serious personal injuries and even to death.

This Thanksgiving weekend millions of us will travel to see our friends and families. According to some statistics over 38 million of Americans will travel this weekend alone by either plane, rail, bus or car. With astronomical prices for the air travel with all the additional fees and surcharges many of the travellers will probable choose their cars as the mode of transportation. When travelling outside of the urban areas we need to be so careful to avoid the accident especially if we drive at night in areas populated by free roaming animals. Don't jeopardize your safety and well being of your family, drive safely and avoid becoming another statistic.

Nevertheless, some accidents are unavoidable. Should you or someone you know, be involved in an accident, do not hesitate to contact an experienced New York personal injury attorney. Consultations are always free. Be safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!

ATVs: Fun And Dangerous

After reading Newsday this morning, I came across a story about a man sadly dying on Sunday, November 22, 2009 after his all terrain vehicle rolled over on him. Being a frequent ATV user, this story reminded me of the dangers of operating an ATV. All terrain vehicles (ATVs) are supposed to be fun recreational vehicles and they are also known as quads. The American National Standards Instituted defines an ATV as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with the handles for steering control.

ATVs are designed to handle numerous types of terrain as their name indicates. I know that ATVs are exceptionally fun, but safety precautions must be taken into consideration while operating such a dangerous vehicle. ATVs have the capability of going as fast as 70 mph. Due to the weight and high speed capabilities of the ATV, there are numerous accidents. These accidents can cause serious injuries to the person or people on the ATV.

We can reduce the risk of ATV accidents in a number of ways. We must assess our abilities to operate the ATV. For example, I would not allow my 7-year-old cousin to operate my ATV which has the ability to go over 55 mph. We also must wear safety equipment including helmets with goggles.

Some ATV accidents are not necessarily caused by the individual operating the quad. There can be safety defects while the vehicle is being constructed. When we purchased our two person ATV in August 2008, my brother and I drove it to the trails. At one stop sign, I pressed the breaks, and the ATV was not slowing down and we blew the stop sign. We brought it back to the dealer. It turns out that the manufacturer of the ATV didn’t properly install the breaks. It could have been a much worse situation but I am thankful that neither I nor my brother suffered a personal injury and didn’t have to file a product liability lawsuit in New York.

2.1 Million Cribs Recalled

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced one of the largest recalls of cribs on Monday, November 23, 2009. The Stork Craft company, based in Canada, will recall 2.1 million cribs because of problems with drop down sides. Four deaths have been linked to the crib. New York personal injury lawyers would say that these tragic deaths are preventable.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall involves 1.2 million cribs in the United States and 1 million in Canada. Approximately 150,000 of the cribs recalled contain the Fisher-Price logo.

Researchers have found that the side of the crib designed to slide down when pushed from the outside, can drop on its own. This can cause the baby to be trapped between the mattress and the railing with the possibility of suffocating and strangling the baby. The cheaper, poorly constructed cribs are more susceptible to the malfunction.

In the past two years, more than 10 million unsafe cribs have been recalled. According to WPIX, many retailers have already stopped selling drop side cribs.

Hospital Sued for Medical Malpractice in New York

A lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court, Queens County alleges that doctors at Long Island Jewish/Plainview Hospital failed to properly diagnose 30-year-old Melissa Fudge’s head pain in the days leading to her death from a brain hemorrhage. The lawsuit, filed by her husband, Roger Fudge Jr., with the help of his medical malpractice lawyer in New York, seeks unspecified damages from the hospital and three doctors.

Melissa Fudge was a teacher at PS 16 in Corona with a history of ulcerative colitis when she was admitted to the hospital in November 2008 with complaints of vomiting and stomach pains along with a shooting pain in her left eye and a severe headache. Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine. Mrs. Fudge was treated for colitis but her head pain continued.

According to the New York Post, Mr. Fudge said, “They kept giving her transfusions and couldn’t understand where all the blood was going. They got tunnel-visioned on the colitis.” The tragedy has affected many people including her family, her husband’s family, and her students. Mr. Fudge and his medical malpractice lawyer are alleging that there were missed opportunities, and the doctors could have saved Ms. Fudge’s life.

New York Man Sues City After EMS Workers Throw Out His Ear

Eduardo Garcia has filed a lawsuit against Montefiore Medical Center after emergency service workers threw a chunk of his ear in the garbage after it was ripped off by a dog. Mr. Garcia’s lawyer said, “Now, he’s got a deformity. They deprived him of an opportunity to have treatment.”

A dog belonging to Mr. Garcia’s son bit off a large piece of his upper ear on May 10, 2008. According to the lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court, Bronx County, EMS workers placed the piece of his ear on ice in the ambulance, but when the ambulance arrived at the medical center, an EMS worker threw the ear in the trash.

According to hospital records, the ear was thrown out because of the potential risk of an infection if it was reattached. According to his medical malpractice lawyer in New York, Mr. Garcia should be able to have the option of reattaching his ear. Instead, he was stuck with 22 stitches, two staples, and a piece of his ear was missing. The city cross claimed against Montefiore Medical Center. It alleges that EMS workers were only following hospital orders when they threw the piece of his ear in the trash.

Philip Morris Loses $300 Million Jury Verdict

Cindy Naugle, a former smoker in Florida who suffers from emphysema, won a $300 million jury verdict in a lawsuit against Philip Morris USA, the largest United States tobacco company.

According to her lawyer, the Broward Circuit Court jury awarded Ms. Naugle $244 million in punitive damages and $56.6 million in compensatory damages. Philip Morris USA is responsible for all of the punitive damages and for 90 percent of the compensatory damages.

In a statement made by her law firm, Ms. Naugle started smoking when she was just 20 years old in 1968 because she thought it would make her look older. The $300 million verdict is the largest tobacco verdict in Florida to follow from the 2006 Florida Supreme Court decision that de-certified a class-action case and allowed for individual lawsuits. Altria Group Inc., who owns Philip Morris USA, is expected to seek further review of the verdict. New York personal injury attorneys are monitoring the status of any appeals of the verdict.

The Child Passenger Protection Act Also Known as Leandra's Law

The newly proposed Leandra’s Law is a bill which would make it a felony to drive drunk with a child 15 years or younger in the car and would also require ignition locks for any convicted drunk driver. New York auto accident lawyers are hopeful that this law will help reduce the amount of drunk driving accidents. According to the New York Daily News, the bill was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 and is expected to be signed by Governor Paterson soon. The Senate voted 58-0 to pass the legislation.

Lenny Rosado is the father of the 11-year-old girl who inspired the law. Leandra Rosado was killed in an automobile accident on the Henry Hudson Parkway. According to the police, the accident was caused by a drunk family friend that was driving the car. Mr. Rosado broke down into tears when the Senate voted to pass the legislation.

Mr. Rosado said, “It’s a big sense of relief. This is going to make a difference to save lives. I wish it didn’t have to happen the way it did, but we turned a tragedy into a bit of positive.” Senate sponsor Charles Fuschillo attributed Mr. Rosado for his strong advocacy and his relentless pursuit to ensure a tragic event like this never happens again. Another Senate sponsor said once this bill gets signed into law, it will be the toughest DWI law in the nation.

New York Girl Gets Hit By Car Right Outside of Her School

New York personal injury attorney David Perecman raises some poignant questions after a car accident leaves a high school senior fighting for her life. The accident occurred in a crosswalk right outside the student’s school. The crosswalk was known to have no stop signs. Car drivers were expected to know to yield the right of way to pedestrians. In this particular case, the car that stopped at the crosswalk to let the girl pass was struck from behind, and this momentum caused it to hit the student. While saddened by this tragedy, New York personal injury attorneys are also thinking beyond this incident, wondering if the lack of a stop sign indicates other neglected or procrastinated safety measures. Perecman wonders, what other accidents may be waiting to happen at the school.

First Casualty Aboard the USS New York Resulted from a Slip and Fall Accident

While on a tour of the USS New York, a tourist suffers a slip and fall accident, becoming the first reported casualty aboard the newly commissioned ship. Officials are sure to be looking into the incident over the next few weeks, as is a New York slip and fall attorney. David Perecman, an expert slip and fall attorney, comments about the incident. In cases of government property, such as the USS New York, the government may bear legal responsibility for personal injuries, such as the ones the tourist incurred.

Piece of Plane Breaks Off, Neighborhood Gets Hit Hard

A 3-by-4-foot engine tail cone falls off a plane flying from New York to Tokyo, dropping hundreds of feet before crashing through a tree and landing in the front yard of a Long Island home. No one is injured, a miracle according to New York personal injury attorneys. If anyone had been in the fall zone, he or she would almost certainly have been critically injured, or more likely, killed. New York personal injury attorney David Perecman uses this unlikely accident to make a case for people to have the name of a personal injury attorney on hand as it is impossible to predict when - or how - a serious accident may occur.

Road Rage Turns Into Murder Charge

What would have been another case of road rage handled by a New York auto accident attorney, turned into a criminal matter after one hothead driver fatally shot the other. Before the shooting, the two drivers were overheard shouting at each other. The driver who was shot was believed to have goaded the other driver into shooting him, according to police officials in New York. Auto accident attorneys, like David Perecman, who is well known for helping victims of road rage maximize the compensation for their injuries, will leave the charges of murder to others.

High School Girl Fighting for her Life After Auto Accident in New York

A high school senior was struck by a car outside of Tottenville High School at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009. Janine Brawer, 17, was identified as the victim of the chain-reaction car crash. Janine and a female classmate were crossing Luten Avenue after early dismissal when the tragedy occurred.

Witnesses said the driver of a Nissan Maxima stopped to let the girls cross the street, but another car, a Saturn, smashed into the Nissan. The impact of the Saturn crashing into the Nissan caused the Nissan to slam into Janine Brawer, pinning her underneath. She was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital, where she underwent surgery. Janine suffered head and internal injuries and is listed in critical but stable condition. Both of the cars were driven by students from Tottenville High School.

The accident has New York lawyers questioning the safety of the students leaving the school at that intersection. According to the New York Post, there are two crosswalks outside the school, but the nearest crosswalk is approximately 15 feet from where the accident occurred. The crosswalks, however, do not contain any stop signs.

Bronx School Sued by Student After Dodgeball Accident

Twelve-year-old Shane Reese, with the help of his personal injury lawyer in New York, filed a lawsuit against Intermediate School 219. The city has offered Shane a $20,000 settlement for the case. The suit alleges that teachers at Intermediate School 219 decided to hold a dodgeball game on a rainy day. According to the New York Daily News, more than 100 students were directed to the school gym and given hard soccer balls instead of the softer rubber dodgeballs to hit each other with.

Shane was not participating in the game because he just had his teeth repaired after a car accident, according to his lawyer. He was sitting in the bleachers when a soccer ball smashed into his face, ruining his newly repaired teeth. Shane’s lawyer said, “Soccer balls were flying everywhere. There was a lack of supervision.”

Education Department spokesman William Havemann said, “We don’t believe dodgeball is an appropriate activity, but there is no formal ban.” He also said it has been discouraged since 2006. The National Association for Sports and Physical Education issued a statement in 2006 discouraging dodgeball.

Department of Transportation Proposes Improvements to Ease Traffic in the Bronx

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed improvements to ease traffic along White Plains Road between East Tremont Avenue and East 233rd Street in the Bronx. The neighborhood’s population is steadily increasing causing more traffic on the already congested street.

According to the New York Daily News, the proposals are a culmination of a two-year traffic pattern study along White Plains Road. The department’s recommendations include :

- Building pedestrian islands
- Increasing the size of bus stop signs on subway columns
- Installing “Yield to Pedestrian” signs at key intersections
- Installing bus shelters at key intersections
- Installing traffic signals
- Synchronizing traffic signal timing
- Replacing parking meters with muni-meters
- Adding more curbside parking on White Plains Road between Bronxdale Avenue and Brady Street.

By altering the traffic pattern, White Plains Road would become a one-way street northbound between Bronxdale Avenue and Boston Road. Southbound traffic would use Boston Road, Unionport and Bronx Park East. The proposals have community officials and New York auto accident lawyers feeling optimistic. The proposed changes would reduce the risks of auto accidents, especially for pedestrians.

Elderly Man Sues Bar after Tripping Over Dog and Breaking his Knee Cap

A Queens retiree, with the help of a New York personal injury attorney, is suing Austin Steak and Ale House, a popular Kew Gardens bar, claiming he was injured when he tripped over a dog inside the bar. The dog was a Pomeranian. The New York Daily News article reports that eighty-one year-old Irving Grossman says the managers of the establishment should have known that they created a safety hazard by becoming too pet-friendly.

On the date of the accident, Mr. Grossman claims that he went into Austin Steak and Ale House to place a bet in their Off Track Betting (OTB) window. When he fell over the Pomeranian, it caused him “severe pain, shock, mental anguish,” and ruined his sex life with his wife.

A manager at the bar said she could not remember Mr. Grossman’s fall even though she was working that day. According to the manager, the bar does not allow dogs inside but one of their regular customers is visually impaired and brings a guide dog to the bar.

Have you ever seen a Pomeranian guiding a visually impaired person?

Don't be scared of new technologies!

In the era of Internet and technology developing at a lightning speed the only reasonable thing to do is try to adapt to it and implement it to our advantage. All those sceptics who thought that the Internet will never catch on must feel very silly these days. It comes to a point when it is very difficult to keep up with new developments and very often I, an experienced new york personal injury attorney with a few years of education behind my belt, have to ask for help my 15 year old nephew. As embarrassing as it sounds it is true. However, new developments in technology allow for so much more than just use of the Internet. For example, most of the cell phones today have capacity to take still image or even a short video and then either transfer the file into another media or to send it through the Internet in an instant.

Although it is obvious to most of us, this great benefit is not utilized on many occasions. In my practice, handling a variety of accidents including accidents at work and construction accidents, it always surprises me that my injured clients almost never document the circumstances of their accidents even though they are fully capable of doing it right there at the scene of the accident. I often hear their accounts of defective equipment, collapsing scaffolds or broken ladders, but neither they nor their coworkers ever take any pictures of these conditions which clearly could be accomplished with a cell phone that most of them have on them. Many cell phones also have applications for the GPS, which could be priceless in a situation when someone is involved in an auto accident, stranded in the middle of nowhere. If you do not have "On Star" feature in your car, which is another fantastic feature, you can use the cell phone with GPS capability to precisely pinpoint your location and enable an emergency crew to find you quickly and without any difficulties.

We have all the necessary tools within our reach, we just have to make an effort to efficiently use them to our benefit. We should embrace the new technologies, because they are our future.

Stroller Company Knew of Defect

The New York Post is reporting that Maclaren Company was fully aware of the design defect in their strollers. The popular Maclaren strollers (that were allegedly negligently designed) have resulted in numerous injuries to children, including severing fingers of multiple children.

This development is extremely important for both parents and lawyers since there are serious ramifications for companies that knowingly place dangerous products into the stream of commerce (for case specific inquiries, you should contact a lawyer).

The Perecman Firm is fully versed in products liability law. If your own a Maclaren stroller, you should contact the company immediately to determine if it has been recalled. If you own a stroller that has been recalled, you should stop using it immediately.

Concrete Truck Crashes into Parked Cars and Storefront in Chinatown, New York

A concrete truck was involved in a crash on November 11, 2009 at around noon on Canal Street in Chinatown. According to the New York Post article, the truck's brakes stopped working near the Manhattan Bridge, and the out of control truck rolled down the busy street.

The concrete truck struck six parked cars and then crashed through the front of H.T. Wireless, a cell-phone store. One of the vehicles struck by the truck had two terrified children inside. According to the New York Post article, a witness said the two children were crying and very distraught by the traumatic event. Ten people were taken to area hospitals.

New York truck accident attorneys understand the effects that accidents have on the victims. Truck accidents involve an entirely different level of potential for injury due to the size and weight of these trucks. Therefore, truck accidents are incredibly dangerous. It is not unusual for victims of these truck accidents to have permanent injuries and disabilities.

Long Road to Recovery for U.S. Soccer Player Charlie Davies After Car Accident

USA Soccer forward Charlie Davies has finally left the hospital after enduring serious injuries resulting from a horrific car accident on the George Washington Parkway in Northern Virginia. One of the passengers, Ashley Roberta, lost her life and the auto accident left Davies with a series of injuries.

Charlie Davis suffered a lacerated bladder, fractures to the tibia and femur bones in his right leg, facial fractures, and a left elbow fracture. He was air-lifted to the hospital where doctors repaired his lacerated bladder and then inserted titanium rods in both the femur, the bone in the thigh, and the tibia, the bone in the lower leg.

Although Davies has a long list of problems to deal with and a long recovery, Dr. James DeBritz is confident that Davies can return to play soccer in the future. Doctors estimate that Davies’ injuries will take between six and twelve months to overcome.

Study Shows 31 Percent of Traffic Deaths in New York City are Pedestrians

A new study by the Transportation for America advocacy group concludes that one in three people killed in New York City automobile accidents are pedestrians. According to the study, for every million New York City residents, approximately 33 died while on walking from 2007 to 2008.

The analysis of the study determined that only 1% of federal transportation funds allocated for the State of New York are spent on pedestrian infrastructure. Additionally, the New York City area receives only $0.61 per person in federal funds for pedestrian and bike infrastructure. This amount is meager compared to the national average of $1.39 spent
per person in major metropolitan areas.

This study has confirms and supports the notion that many of the pedestrian deaths can be prevented if New York changes its transportation policies and better funds life saving street designs. There have been 1,215 pedestrian deaths from 2005 to 2008 in New York State and most advocacy groups claim that these deaths could have been prevented.

Two Construction Workers Hurt as Roof Collapses in New York

A roof collapsed at the Colonial School in Pelham, New York which was under construction on August 31, 2009. The construction accident sent two workers to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. Colonial School was undergoing a two-story addition and there were at least ten workers on the job site at the time of the accident.

According to Pelham Police Chief Joseph Benefico, the workers were cutting the first floor when the accident happened. Benefico said, “The front wall pitched out and the roof collapsed.” The two injured workers’ condition was not known, but they were both carried out on stretchers.

A construction accident happens when a worker least expects it. Construction workers are exposed to many hazards on the job including a heavy object falling from above, scaffolding collapses, a piece of equipment malfunctioning, just to name a few. Construction companies emphasize safe working conditions, encourage the use of safety devices and train their workers to reduce the risk of an accident. Despite the precautions taken by the companies, the risks of construction will always be there.

Tragic New York Elevator Accident

An indie-rock band drummer fell to his death on November 8, 2009 at 12:30 a.m. in an elevator shaft of an industrial building on Berry Street in Williamsburg after trying to leap from the stuck elevator. Gerhardt Fuchs, also known as Jerry, was attending a benefit party for the Uniform Project which is designed to help the children of India’s slums.

Mr. Fuchs, 34, was in the freight elevator with another male when it got stuck between the fourth and fifth floors. They opened the door and attempted to jump out. The other man jumped out safely into the fourth floor hallway. As Mr. Fuchs tried to jump out of the stalled elevator, his jacket got caught on something, causing him to fall to the bottom of the elevator shaft. Mr. Fuchs was taken to Bellevue Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m. Elevator accidents in New York have become too common.

This tragic accident resulted in a significant loss for the Brooklyn music scene. Mr. Fuchs was known for his adaptability and his combination of skill and humility. According to the New York Times article, friends of Mr. Fuchs gathered in a Brooklyn apartment to honor his achievements and exchange memories on Sunday night.

Garbage Truck Collides With Elderly Woman on Mobility Scooter

Shami Chaikin, 78, was critically injured in Greenwich Village on Tuesday, November 5th, 2009, when a Parks Department garbage truck collided with her mobility scooter. Ms. Chaikin was in the bicycle lane on Eighth Avenue between West 12th and Bleecker Streets when the garbage truck hit her at about 9 a.m. according to the New York Post article.

Ms. Chaikin was rushed to St. Vincent’s Hospital where she was listed in critical condition after she underwent surgery Tuesday afternoon. It was not surprising for residents, workers, and New York truck accident lawyers in the area to hear about the accident since cars and trucks often ride onto or close to the bike lane, endangering pedestrians and cyclists.

Ms. Chaikin acted in numerous off-Broadway productions. She also appeared in the ABC soap opera “One Life to Live.” Ms. Chaikin’s neighbors said she suffers from arthritis and several times a week goes to the YMCA on West 14th Street using her mobility scooter. Barton Benes, 66, said, “She’s my best friend. She’s incredible. I’m on oxygen, and she comes everyday to take my garbage out. She’s there every time anyone needs help.” Now the community is praying for Ms. Chaikin.

Driver Beware!

As a New York personal injury attorney, very often I appear on depositions of both my clients and people that we sue, defendants. I personally really enjoy them, especially when I am the one asking questions. Although, very often the depositions are pretty routine and after a while they all seem so strikingly similar, there is often a question or a circumstance that enriches my experience. Like the old saying goes, "life is full of surprises." That last deposition was supposed to be pretty straight forward. It was a two vehicle rear end collision wherein the driver which caused the collision fled the scene of the accident. In my mind I was prepared for a list of possible excuses and explanations that I have expected to hear from that driver, but he surprised me. Even though there were independent witnesses to the accident who reported to the police, the driver testified under oath that he was not at the scene of the accident, that he did not leave his house the entire day and that his car was parked in his driveway throughout that time!

The lesson to be learned is not that people can lie. That is pretty obvious. What is really important is to document the accident to avoid a situation like this. It pertains to all kinds of the accidents, regardless of whether it is an automobile accident, construction accident, an accident at work, or perhaps a slip and fall. If you were involved in an accident, make sure to notify proper authorities, call 911, remain at the scene, secure the names and contact information of any potential witnesses and remember that a picture says a thousand words. If you cell phone is equipped with a camera, you can take pictures right there on the spot.

If my client would have taken pictures at the scene of the accident depicting the other driver and his car he would not be able to deny his involvement. Such a simple action could have changed so much. You should always consult with an experienced personal injury attorney, but most of all be careful and be safe.

79-Year-Old Woman Sues Cablevision After She Trips Over Wires

Elizabeth Bernd, at the age of 79, was living her life independently and actively by still driving and traveling to see her friends and family. All that ended when the cable guy came to make an installation. According to a lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court Bronx County, after the man installed the cable, Ms. Bernd tripped over wires left loose by the man, breaking her leg and later suffering a stroke.

According to a New York Daily News article, Ms. Bernd, with the help of her New York personal injury lawyer, is suing Cablevision and the subcontractor that came to her house for $5 million, saying their negligence turned her joyous golden years into days of pain and misery. Her lawyer writes, “She went from an independent woman to a person who can not even talk or eat without great difficulty.”

The lawsuit says the installer unfastened preexisting wiring that had been fastened together underneath Ms. Bernd’s computer desk and before leaving, he failed to secure the wiring. Ms. Bernd broke her leg on the wiring and had surgery. After having surgery, Ms. Bernd suffered a stroke leaving the left side of her body and her vocal chords paralyzed. Ms. Bernd now lives in a nursing home and her medical expenses are at $880,000. Cablevision spokeswoman Sarah Chaikin said “Cablevision takes any such matters very seriously, and we always strive to provide the best possible service in and out of our customers’ homes.”

School Nurses Inject Swine Flu Vaccine Without Consent

Three students are given swine flu vaccinations without their parents’ consent. While they may have been honest mistakes, New York medical malpractice lawyer David Perecman knows the mistakes could have been fatal. Instead only one student requires hospitalization. The schools are looking into bolstering their safeguards and procedures, and medical malpractice lawyers are standing by. City officials report that roughly 2500 students have already been vaccinated.

New York Bus Driver Photographed Texting While Driving

A frightened passenger on an express bus photographs his vehicle operator using only one hand to navigate through heavy traffic on the FDR Drive and Gowanus Expressway. The driver was scarily using his other hand for texting. The incident is now under investigation by the transit authority. The photography “session” on the bus took place one day before the New York statewide ban on texting while driving went into effect. Officials confirm that drivers of public transportation vehicles have always been banned from texting while driving in New York. Personal injury attorneys agree with this policy wholeheartedly and are extremely supportive of the new ban.

High Line Park Lawsuit

High Line Park is New York City’s newest greenway. A greenway is a long narrow piece of land used for recreational purposes. According to the High Line website, High Line Park is a public park built on 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on Manhattan’s West Side. From 1934 to 1980, the High Line was a freight rail line that carried meat, agricultural goods, and mail.

Have you ever heard of the expression "money doesn’t grow on trees?" Well this park better hope that money does grow on trees. The elevated promenade has pedestrians tripping over raised concrete slabs.

Paula Shapiro, 66, is one of those pedestrians. Ms. Shapiro, along with her New York personal injury lawyer, filed a $2 million claim against the city. According to court papers, Ms. Shapiro said she broke her left ankle during an evening stroll along the High Line path on June 21, 2009. Her claim states that she tripped near a median of trees and flowers surrounded by “raised, uneven, depressed decorative concrete.”

Vehicle Drivers Both Claim To Be Correct After a Deadly Accident

A Queens woman is killed in a tragic Saturday morning collision with a twist. She was in a minivan that collided with a cargo van in a intersection in the city of New York. Personal injury lawyers will watch the case particularly closely as both drivers insist that they each had the green light. Emergency personnel worked quickly to take the roof off the minivan to help the injured passenger, but it was too late. Franklin was pronounced dead at Beth Israel Hospital shortly after the crash that occurred in the East Village.

Fire Trucks Collide Injuring Thirteen Firefighters

Two fire trucks speeding to the scene of a emergency collided in a Brooklyn intersection. Both engines had their lights and sirens on at the time of the accident. Thirteen fire fighters were injured in the crash. One firefighter was pinned in the truck for over two hours before being rescued. New York personal injury attorneys consider how different the number of injuries and type of injuries would be if one of the trucks had crashed into a smaller vehicle or hit a pedestrian.

Taxi Accident Causes Scaffold Collapse in New York City

A car accident brought down a scaffold in lower Manhattan. Late last night, two cabs collided at the intersection of Broadway and 8th Street in New York City. Apparently, both cars spun into the sidewalk and knocked down the scaffold that was protecting the adjacent building, causing the scaffold to disintegrate onto the street, endangering both construction workers and pedestrians.

At this time, no injuries to anyone working on the scaffold have been reported as the construction workers had not yet reported to work. It is still unknown whether anyone in the cabs has suffered any injuries.

This accident is just another example of the dangers that construction workers face in New York. New York construction workers face a bevy of on-the-job dangers as well as those created by negligent motorists. As such, we should further strengthen the laws that protect construction workers in New York.

Brooklyn Law Students and Faculty Warned for Illegally Downloading Movies

Brooklyn Law School students and faculty members were told to stop illegally downloading movies and TV shows through the school’s internet provider since it is in violation of copyright law. Attending Brooklyn Law School, shouldn’t they have known this already? You would think that students attending LAW school would have known what they are doing is illegal.

The school’s information officer initially warned the students and faculty by threatening to turn over the names of students and staff to copyright holders, which is not required by law. The administration then chose to change the warning. They continued to demand that the illegal downloads stop, but were no longer threatening to turn over the names of the violators.

According to the New York Post article, one student said, “It comes down to a question of norms. Although it’s illegal, it’s become so acceptable that people see it as no different than jaywalking.” New York construction accident lawyers would tell you it may be acceptable to some people, but it is still illegal and can get you into a considerable amount of trouble.