Rappaport, Glass, Greene, & Levine Blog

Don’t Be a Victim of Insurance Companies’ “Sneaky” Tactics

• Denying claims
• Delaying claims
• Using confusing contracts
• Basing decisions on credit scores
• Abandoning sick policyholders
• Dropping coverage for a mere phone call
  

5 Simple Steps To Deal With Your Insurance Carrier

Here are some tips you can use in dealing with insurance companies:

READ YOUR POLICY CAREFULLY: You should know exactly what is covered and how to appeal a denial by your insurance company.

BE VERY CAREFUL FILLING OUT FORMS: Even if you make an honest mistake your insurance company may seize on that as a reason to retroactively deny your coverage.

DO NOT CASH A PREMIUM REFUND CHECK: If your insurance company rescinds your insurance they may send you a refund for the premiums you paid. Cashing it may be interpreted as accepting their decision.

PUT EVERYTHING IN WRITING: Calling your insurance company is likely to be a frustrating experience, and you will not be able to prove anything that a company representative tells you over the phone. Keep records of all bills and correspondence.

CONTACT YOUR STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT: They may be able to help you. But they will not represent you in a private matter, so if all else fails you may need to consult with an attorney.

AND MOST OF ALL, DO NOT GIVE UP: Insurance companies count on you giving up. Fight for your rights.

Real Insurance Ratings

For those of you who are looking for impartial (some would say cold blooded) rational analysis of insurance company performance, take a good look at how AM Best does business.

AM Best is an information provider that provides ratings and analysis about insurance companies, and the analysis is not  based on just the profitability of the companies, but rather their ability and willingness to promptly and fully pay claims.

This seems to be one of the better was to hunt for a good insurance policy.

www.ambest.com

Are You Going to be a Parent? You Need to Know About Perinatal Asphyxia

Things to Consider if your Child has Suffered Shoulder Dystocia

Did Your Infant Suffer Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy?

Certain medical mistakes are unacceptable, especially if they result in serious harm to infants.  Birth injuries unfortunately happen in even the best of hospitals and by the most respected doctors.  When an infant suffers from a birth injury, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, it is sometimes difficult to understand what caused it.  If you are not experienced in the medical industry, it can be difficult to identify when a medical error caused birth injury.  That is why you should contact an experienced New York birth injury attorney if your newborn has suffered hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a type of injury where the brain does not receive enough oxygen, but is not completely deprived.  This oxygen deprivation can lead to permanent brain damage and even death.  Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy has been linked to developmental delay, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

Doctors and hospitals can be responsible in some hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy cases.  For example, if a doctor delayed a C-section or did not respond in an appropriate amount of time to a serious complication, he or she could be considered negligent.  Sometimes the fetal heartbeat is misread or misinterpreted, which is also a preventable medical mistake that can cause hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445 if your baby suffered a birth injury in New York.  We will be able to review your case to determine if there was a preventable medical mistake that led to your child’s injuries.

The article, “Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Caused By Hospital or Doctor Error,” has more information on this topic.

Burn Injuries Can be Fatal

New York Burn Injuries can Lead to Serious Health Complications

A New York burn injury often brings excruciating pain for the victim and can lead to both physical and emotional scarring.  Accidents that cause burn injuries are traumatic and cause the victims to be faced with a long and painful recovery, in addition to the risk of serious complications.

Infection is one of the most common health complications associated with burns.  When the skin is burned, it leaves what is called eschar, which provides a moist environment that is prone to the development of infection and toxins.  Children often suffer from post-burn seizures due to electrolyte imbalance.  Burns are also susceptible to tetanus, a disease that can create prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers.

Burn victims are also at risk of developing acute gastrointestinal ulcers, which are defined as small, circumscribed lesions within the stomach lining.  Even though these ulcers are treatable, patients are still forced to deal with the pain.

A New York burn victim sometimes goes through mental pain as well as physical.  Dealing with disfigurement and scarring can be difficult for the victim.  If you have sustained a burn injury in a car accident, work-related accident or other tragic event, you may be able to recover compensation if negligence was involved.  If you were injured by a defective product, you could have a case against the manufacturer or other responsible party.  Contact a New York burn injury attorney today at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine today at (800) 734-9445.

Child Sexual Abuse Takes a Toll on the Victims

Child molestation is an insidious crime that affects young victims for years.  Some victims experience severe emotional effects for the rest of their lives.

Children who are victims of abuse can develop sexually transmitted diseases, feelings of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and trouble handling other areas of their lives, such as schoolwork.  In addition to the immediate physical and emotional toll that molestation has on a child, it is difficult to determine the extent of emotional damage that will follow them over the years.  There is no way of knowing what the long-term effects will be on the children’s bodies and minds.

Some children do not exhibit any outward signs of physical or mental abuse.  One clinical social worker who is employed at a children’s hospital said that these children do not necessarily appear sad or pathetic.  In fact, they look fine.

Victims of child sexual abuse often suffer emotional trauma, which can lead to severe depression, substance abuse suicidal tendencies, uncontrollable anger and other types of abusive behavior.

Perpetrators of child abuse can be held accountable for their actions.  If your child has been the victim of abuse, contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 or 212.921.5200.

Parents Need to Recognize the Warning Signs of Child Abuse

Childhood should be a carefree time – a time to play and learn.  However, for many children it is a dark and scary time in their lives, as they find themselves victims of child abuse.  As a parent, you need to be aware of the warning signs of child abuse and molestation, so that you can protect your child.

Child abuse is often difficult to recognize, as many abusers are good at hiding the evidence and manipulating the child.  Abusers are often those who are closest to the family and may include priests, caregivers, teachers, coaches and relatives.  These are people your family has trusted and they should be held accountable for their horrific actions against your child.

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, the first step in helping an abused child is to recognize the signs of child abuse.  It is important to note that one sign does not necessarily mean your child is being abused, so you need to evaluate the entire situation.

Warning signs of physical abuse of a child include unexplained injuries, such as burns, broken bones, bites, bruises and black eyes.  If your child is the victim of physical abuse he or she may also cry around a certain adult or make comments regarding injuries caused by an adult.

The signs of molestation or sexual abuse are a little different than physical abuse.  A child who is being molested may have trouble walking or sitting, wet the bed, experience a change in appetite, refuse to participate in physical activities, have nightmares or run away from home.  If a child has an unusual or advanced knowledge of sexual activities, it can also be an indication of sexual abuse.

If you discover that your child has been abused, you can go after the abuser for compensation for pain and suffering and other emotional scars.  Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine for expert legal advice at (800) 734-9445.

The article, “Know the Signs of Child Abuse,” has more information on this topic. 

Tips to Prevent Scaffold Accidents in New York

Don’t Become a Victim of a New York Construction Fall

A Construction Accident Can Cause a Traumatic Amputation

An Arm Injury From a New York Construction Accident is Painful and Debilitating

Have You Been Injured in One of These Types of Construction Accidents?

Construction Workers Often Hurt in Electrical Accidents

Construction Workers Often Hurt in Electrical Accidents

New York Crane Accidents Cause Serious Injuries & Death

As construction has continued in New York over the last few years, so have the number of crane accidents.  One of the most known cases occurred on Manhattan’s east side, killing seven people.  In just one year, a total of nine people were killed as a result of New York crane collapses.  These construction accidents are catastrophic and often leave the victims and their family members wondering who was to blame.

It can be difficult trying to determine fault in a New York crane accident.  On construction sites, there are many different parties involved, such as contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, hired workers and in an in-direct way, manufacturers.  Often times, there are many contributing factors in a crane collapse, which is why it is so challenging trying to place blame.  For example, a subcontractor may have been hired who had a poor safety record or a component on the crane may have been defective.

By reviewing the case, gathering evidence and consulting with appropriate industry experts, an experienced New York construction accident lawyer can determine who should be held accountable in a crane accident.  If you or someone you love has been injured in a construction accident in New York, contact the law office of Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine, LLP at 800-734-9445 for legal advice.

Things Falling off of Skyscrapers

A falling pane of glass is dangerous from any height, but at several stories the consequences are magnified.

New Yorkers figured this out when a pane of glass fell several stories on August 17th and hit the sidewalk.

It is a minor miracle that only six pedestrians were slightly injured.

Since we believe that accidents don't happen as much as they are caused, we think there needs to be some investigation as to the safety of the rest of the glass in that building. We also think that anyone who washes those windows need to be interviewed, and the people responsible for the installation and maintenance (no matter how long ago it took place) need to be interviewed as well.

It could be that the whole thing truly was a freak accident, but in our experience as  New York injury lawyers, those "out of the blue" accidents are exceedingly rare.

Parents Beware - Over a Million Graco Strollers Recalled

Toyota Stops Production on Some Models Due to Auto Defect

What if Your Baby’s Stroller Isn’t Safe?

New York Product Liability Cases

If you have been injured by a defective product in New York, your case will fall under a legal category known as product liability.  Product liability cases involve manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers and any others who make products for the public.  These companies can be held liable for defective product injuries.

There are three main types of product liability claims – manufacturing defect, design defect and failure to warn.  In a case of a manufacturing defect, it needs to be proven that a defect occurred during the manufacturing process, which may include low quality or toxic materials or poor workmanship.  A design defect case would involve a defective product that had a design that made it dangerous or useless.  When there is a case of failure to warn, it means that a defect arose in a product that did not have a warning of an inherent non-obvious danger.

Claims can be made against manufacturers and other companies involved in the making and distribution of a product for breach of warranty, negligence or strict liability.  An experienced New York product liability lawyer would be able to advise you on what type of claim you may have in a defective product case.

Contact the law office of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice regarding your New York defective product case.

Thousands of Children Sustain Toy-Related Injuries Each Year

Your child should be able to play with a toy without the risk of a serious injury.  Unfortunately, manufacturers sometimes place children’s products on the market that are later found to be dangerous.  In 2006, 220,500 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms and there were 26 toy-related deaths among children younger than 15-years old.

Every month, dozens of children’s products are recalled in the United States.  Many of these recalls follow a serious injury sustained by a child.  As a parent or caregiver, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest recalls.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sends out press releases regarding recalled children’s products.  You can sign up to receive free recall emails on the CPSC’s website.

Sometimes a toy will injure a child even if it hasn’t been recalled and toys aren’t the only products that pose dangers to children.  Cribs, bassinets, clothing items, play sets and furniture have also been known to cause serious injuries.  Manufacturers can be held liable for defective children’s products.

Design flaws, products that are not marketed correctly and problems in the manufacturing process can all lead to defective children’s products.  In New York, you can file a defective lawsuit against a manufacturer.  If your child has been injured by a toy or other product, contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445 for legal advice.

The article, “Defective Children’s Toys Can Lead to Serious Injuries,” has more information on this topic.

Toddlers and Toxic Substances

No parent would let their child play with a can of drain opener.

But the impact that more "ordinary" household cleaners, sanitizers and other substances can have on the metabolism of small children should NEVER be overlooked. The reasons are simple and various:

- Underdeveloped immune systems in children

- Smaller concentrations of toxins have greater effect on their smaller body mass

- They tend to put EVERYTHING in their mouths and noses---from their fingers to toys, clothing, baby wipes, etc.

- Direct contact with carpet and upholstery, leading to exposure to cleaning fluids

- More exposure to caustic/abrasive bathroom cleaners used in tubs/bathrooms

One recent observation I have made is that many types of cleaning products are now made in "disposable wipe" form----like furniture wipes, bleach-containing cloths, Armor All, hand sanitizer----you name it. I guarantee you a toddler will not discriminate between an "Anti-Dust Formula Pledge Wipe with Allergen Trappers and the Natural Beauty of Lemon" and one of their own baby wipes if the polishing wipe is carelessly left hanging around. Of course, while it is probably not a good idea for a toddler to put either one in their mouth, I'm not sure what an "Allergen Trapper" really is, and I am reasonably certain that the beautiful 'lemon scent" is anything but natural. So take care how these seemingly harmless household products are used where small children will be present.