Attorney Blog

Britax Strollers Put Babies at Risk in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27352 — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Is the stroller that you push your baby around in putting him or her at risk of losing a finger or suffering a laceration? If the manufacturer of that stroller is Britax then your baby may be in harm’s way.

As a matter of fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced a voluntary recall of the Britax “Blink” umbrella stroller. Though, no injuries have been reported, it is believed that the stroller’s hinge mechanism may cause a potential finger amputation or laceration.

If you or someone you know owns this product you are strongly encouraged to stop using the stroller until you contact the manufacturer. The good news is that you won’t have to throw away the stroller. Britax will send you free stroller hinge covers.

It is important to note that Britax is cooperating with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help resolve this issue. For more information you may contact Britax directly at (888) 427-4829 or you may visit their website at www.blinkrecall.com.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a defective or recalled product, you should contact a Long Island personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

What To Do If You Have Been Misdiagnosed With Breast Cancer in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27350 — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Imagine that you just found out that you or someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer in New York. The news can be devastating. Now, imagine that your symptoms were misdiagnosed or not diagnosed in a timely manner. Unfortunately, this happens all too often in our country.

If you become a victim of a breast cancer misdiagnoses or the cancer has not been detected in a timely manner; there are steps you can take to help protect you and your family.

The first, and most important step you should take, is to immediately get the appropriate care for your condition. You need to find another physician who can help provide you with the correct diagnosis and any necessary treatments. As you can imagine with any type of cancer, time is of the essence.

Also, you need to request and obtain a copy of your records. Make sure the records include all mammogram tests and results. This results will not only help your new doctor, but it will also help you build the best possible case.

Lastly, don’t wait to contact a Long Island medical malpractice attorney. You may be eligible to file a medical negligence claim, but if you wait too long—it could be too late.

If you or someone you love has been misdiagnosed with breast cancer or the cancer was not detected in a timely manner, you should contact a Long Island medical malpractice lawyer at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Avoid a Long Island Pedestrian Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27053 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

When you step into the street in Long Island or Manhattan, you are basically trusting that the cab will slow down or the vehicle speeding down the road will give you the right of way, but as you have experienced, the drivers in New York are often aggressive. It is up to you to take proactive steps to avoid being the victim of a Long Island pedestrian accident.

The following are some tips to help you avoid being hit by a car in New York:

1.    Always be alert to your surroundings.
2.    Minimize the amount of time you are walking in the dark.
3.    Stick to pedestrian routes when walking in heavy traffic areas.
4.    Use crosswalks.
5.    Make sure that you are not being blocked from the driver’s view by a tree, bush or other object.
6.    Don’t assume that the car is going to stop to let you cross.
7.    Use the sidewalk as much as possible.
8.    Avoid walking when you are drunk.

A pedestrian accident is especially devastating as there is little to protect you when hit by a vehicle. The outcome of these Long Island accidents tends to be fatal or they result in life altering injuries.

If you have been hit by a car in Long Island or Manhattan, contact a Long Island accident attorney at our office at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.

Six Tips to Help Your New York Dog Bite Case

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27052 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A New York dog bite is not something you should take lightly. It can lead to a long recover and may require surgery. Occasionally, there are life-threatening complications and many victims are left with physical and emotional scars.

The following are some things you can do after the New York dog attack to improve your chances of winning your case:

1.    Get checked out by your doctor. Despite the fact that going to the doctor will help you document your dog bite injuries, it will also help you avoid serious complications, such as infection.

2.    Contact the police. The police will help you create a record of the canine attack. Don’t rely on the word of the pet’s owner that he or she will compensate you. People don’t always follow through with a promise or they may change their mind.

3.    Get the information of the dog’s owner. You need to get as much information as you can, including where he or she lives.

4.    If there are witnesses, get their information. Eyewitness accounts can help your dog bite case.

5.    Snap some pictures. Photograph your injuries right after the dog has bitten you.

6.    Contact animal control. The dog will be taken into possession by animal control to determine if it has a disease, such as rabies.

As a dog bite victim, you can pursue a legal action against the pet’s owner. If you are successful, you could be entitled to compensation for your dog bite injuries. Contact a Long Island dog bite lawyer at our office at 800.734.9445 for more information.

The Compensation You May Qualify For After A Long Beach Car Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27051 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

When you are hurt in a Long Island car accident, you generally incur medical expenses. Your injury probably requires continuous treatment, maybe even prescription drugs or surgery. Your costs from an accident don’t stop there. If you are seriously injured, you might not be able to work, causing you to experience lost wages. On top of that, you could be prohibited from performing daily activities.

One of the first questions that most New York accident victims ask is who is responsible for their damages and what type of compensation is available. If the other driver caused your injuries, that person can be held liable. You can be compensated for your expenses related to your injuries, including your out of pocket expenses and other types of damages, such as pain and suffering.

In a case where the other driver was extremely reckless or irresponsible, you can pursue punitive damages, but this compensation is not awarded as often as the other damages.

If you have been hurt in a Long Island auto accident, contact a Long Island auto accident lawyer our law firm at 800.734.9445. We have offices conveniently located in Manhattan and Long Island.

Be sure to order your copy of our book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.

Toyota's Recalls Affect Manufacturer's Reputation in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27050 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Before Toyota’s recall of millions of its vehicles, the manufacturer had a reputation of producing reliable and safe cars. However, after the recall involving a sticky gas pedal, New Yorkers are having second thoughts about Toyota vehicles.

The Toyota recall has created concern among drivers across the country, including those in New York. According to NYDailyNews.com, the Toyota recall caused the following in New York:

After Toyota recalled 300,000 of its Prius hybrids, Mayor Bloomberg took a half-dozen city-owned 2010 Toyota Prius vehicles off the streets a day later. The recall had to do with a software glitch with the brakes.

“New York has 2,375 Prius cars - one of the largest hybrid fleets in the world. Most remain on the road because they are not affected by the recall.”

It has been insinuated that two years ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration learned of reports of sudden accelerations in Toyota Tacoma pickups, but did not investigate due to "limited resources," according to documents that have recently surfaced.

There have been many allegations that defective Toyotas were to blame for accidents. A recent alleged New York Toyota accident in Forest Hills may have been the result of a sticky accelerator pedal. At least that is what the 86-year-old driver from Queens believes. He reported that the gas pedal jammed on his 2009 Toyota Camry, causing him to slam into a synagogue.

If you have been injured in a New York Toyota accident, contact our office at 800.734.9445 to find out your legal rights.

Many New York Nursing Homes Continue to Receive Poor Ratings

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27049 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Medicare has implemented a system that allows people to compare nursing home facilities and to see how each one rates. The rating system is based on five stars, which takes into account health inspections, nursing home staffing and quality measures. USA Today recently uncovered that one in five of the country’s 15,700 nursing homes have continued to receive poor ratings for overall quality.

It is estimated that over 250,000 people live in these facilities that are receiving poor ratings. This estimate is based on USA Today’s analysis of the data released by Medicare. According to the news publication, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have facilities with low scores from one year to the next.

The state of New York has multiple nursing homes that were assigned a rating of one star out of five for overall quality. If you have a family member living in one of these facilities, that is the last thing you want to hear. However, you need to watch out for nursing home neglect in the New York nursing home.

No one deserves to be mistreated or neglected. If you find out that your loved one is the victim of New York nursing home abuse, you need to take action right away. Contact a Long Island nursing home neglect attorney at our office at 800.734.9445 for information regarding your options.

For more information on this topic, read our article, Are New York Nursing Homes Receiving Poor Ratings?

Cerebral Palsy Isn't the Only Type of New York Birth Injury

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27048 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

There are a lot of things that can go wrong during the birth process. While most births occur without complication, many others will result in major birth injuries.

The majority of New York birth injuries are caused by pressure put on the baby while traveling through the birth canal. Other factors involved in birth trauma include breech delivery, premature birth and the procedure used to deliver the baby. Sometimes doctor negligence can lead to the birth injury. In New York, this happens all too often.

Birth injuries come in various forms, with one of the most notorious being cerebral palsy. However, there are many other common birth injuries that occur on a regular basis. These birth injury cases include facial paralysis, brachial plexus injury and temporary loss of nerve function.

For the most part, birth injuries correct themselves over time. However, there are some circumstances when further medical treatment is required, even surgery.

As a parent, it is hard to know what caused your child’s birth injury. The doctor and nursing staff are telling you one thing, but your instinct is telling you something else. The best way to get to the bottom of what led to the birth injury is to contact an experienced Long Island birth injury lawyer from our office at 800.734.9445. We will review the details of your case to determine if New York medical malpractice played a factor.

For more information on this topic, read our article, Some New York Birth Injuries Are Life Changing.

Recognizing Elder Financial Abuse at New York Nursing Homes

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27047 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

If you have noticed sudden changes with your elderly family member’s financial situation, there is a strong possibility that there is financial abuse going on. It is a sad reality that the elderly are often taken advantage of financially. Abusers prey on unknowing victims and steal their money, credit cards, cash and valuables.

Your loved one might not even be aware that he or she is the victim of financial abuse in the New York nursing home. Abusers are typically manipulative and sneaky, which allows them to get away with this form of elder abuse.

The best way to combat financial exploitation of your loved one is to stay informed. Visit him or her frequently and look for any signs of elder financial abuse, in addition to warning signs of nursing home neglect. You need to ensure that your family member is not being mistreated.

To find out some of the indications of financial abuse, read our article, Nursing Home Residents in New York are Affected by Financial Abuse.

We also have a variety of articles on New York nursing home abuse that can be viewed in our article library on our website.

If you believe that your family member is being abused at his or her New York nursing home, contact a Long Island nursing home abuse attorney at our office at 800.734.9445. We will be able to explain your legal options.

Find Out What Causes New York Truck Accidents

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27044 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

There is very little that can protect you from harm when a massive vehicle, weighing in upwards of 80,000 pounds, slams into your car. Crashes involving commercial trucks tend to result in catastrophic damage and injuries. It is unfortunately common to hear of a New York truck accident that either resulted in death or serious injury.

A lot of research has been done to uncover some of the common causes of truck wrecks in New York and throughout the country. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) completed a study into the causes of large truck accidents. During the extensive study, researchers identified hundreds of factors associated with these crashes. They were also able to compile a top ten list of associated factors of truck accidents.

These factors include the following:

1.    Brake problems
2.    Traffic interruption
3.    Prescription drug use
4.    Driving too fast for conditions
5.    Roadway unfamiliarity
6.    Problems with the road
7.    Traffic stop
8.    Non-prescription drug use
9.    Inadequate surveillance
10.    Drowsiness

Truckers and trucking companies can be held responsible when their negligent acts result in a major New York truck accident. Sometimes other parties can also be liable.

For more information, contact a Long Island accident attorney at our office at 800.734.9445.

Types of Emotional Abuse That Occurs in New York Nursing Homes

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)27029 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

You want to imagine that your elderly family is enjoying living at the nursing home. In your mind, you picture your relative socializing with other residents and participating in activities. What you don’t think about is the heartbreaking possibility of your loved one being abused emotionally. In New York, the elderly are sometimes the victims of this terrible form of nursing home abuse.

Emotional abuse comes in many forms. Below is a list of common types of emotional abuse in New York nursing home facilities:

Insults and Verbal Harassment: Abusers will make the elderly feel like lesser people through put downs and insults.

Fear of Being Punished: Your loved one may be too afraid to tell you about nursing home neglect or abuse, due to threats by the abuser.

Humiliation: Abusers often try to humiliate victims, which is a form of emotional abuse.

Isolation or Abandonment: People need interaction and when residents are deprived of this need, it can be devastating.

Intimidation: Abusers frequently use intimidation tactics with their elderly victims.

Emotional abuse is harder to detect than other forms of nursing home abuse. Read our article, Emotional Abuse Occurs at New York Nursing Home Facilities, to learn some of the warning signs of this type of New York nursing home abuse.

A Less Obvious Form of Long Island Nursing Home Abuse

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)26839 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Have you recently visited a New York nursing home facility? Families send their loved ones to nursing homes under the impression that they are going to receive the proper care that they deserve. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

As you can imagine, there are many forms of nursing home abuse that can occur. Many can be obvious and apparent such as financial abuse or physical abuse. However, there is a type of abuse that is not as apparent and is harder to detect and that is emotional abuse.

Unfortunately, when a nursing home resident becomes a victim of emotional abuse, it can affect their health and happiness. No one deserves to be a victim of emotional abuse.

As mentioned above, emotional abuse may not be as noticeable as other types of abuse. Forms of emotional abuse in a nursing home can include threats, intimidation by yelling, ridicule, being ignored by staff, becoming isolated from friends and activities and becoming a victim to menacing behavior.

If you believe that you have a loved one who has become a victim of this type of abuse, then you need to seek legal advice. You should contact a Long Island nursing home abuse attorney at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Parents Beware - Over a Million Graco Strollers Recalled

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25925 — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

If you own a Graco stroller, you need to find out if it was included in a massive nationwide recall. Recently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Graco Children’s Products, Inc., announced a recall of almost 1.5 million strollers. This recall was prompted after reports of five fingertip amputations caused by this product.

According to the CPSC, there have been seven reports of children placing their fingers in the canopy hinge mechanism while the strollers were being opened or closed. Because of a defect, there were multiple fingertip amputations and two lacerations.

The massive recall includes the Graco Alano, Passage and Spree travel systems and strollers. There are many different model numbers that are affected. To view the list of model numbers, visit http://www.gracobaby.com/SafetyAndRecall/. The model number can be found on the lower inside area of the rear frame, close to the rear wheels.

Please note that not all the strollers are included in the Graco recall. Based on the press release by the CPSC, the strollers and travel systems involved have plastic, jointed hinge mechanisms with indented canopy positioning notches.

These Graco strollers were manufactured from October 2004 through February 2008 and sold at retail locations across the country.

If you have one of these recalled travel systems or strollers, contact Graco at (800) 345-4109 to order a free protective cover repair kit.

Toyota Stops Production on Some Models Due to Auto Defect

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25891 — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

The news spread rapidly earlier this week, as Toyota Motor Corp. announced that it would be temporarily stopping production and halting the sales of many of its top models. Toyota, which is the world’s biggest auto manufacturer, made this announcement following millions of recalls within the past two months.

The recalls came about after there were numerous reports of problems with the gas pedals. This defect could cause the vehicle to slow down or speed up unintentionally.

The halt of production and sales was a bold move by Toyota. Toyota Group Vice President Bob Carter said, “helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company. This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We’re making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.”

The vehicles that are impacted by this major auto defect include the 2009-2010 RAV4, Corolla and Matrix models and 2007-2010 Camry sedans. Sales will also be suspended for some Highlander, Tundra, Avalon and Sequoia models.

If you have been injured because of an auto defect, you may be entitled to compensation. Sometimes it is difficult to identify what caused your New York car accident, which is why you should contact a New York auto defect lawyer to review your case.

For more information regarding your rights in an auto accident, contact the Law Firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445.

Are You Sure You've Been Prescribed the Right Medicine?

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25596 — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Imagine taking a prescription medicine only to later discover that you have been given the wrong dose or even the wrong type of medicine. We all take great confidence in the education and training of our doctors, but sometimes, serious mistakes are made.

The truth is prescription drug errors happen more frequently than most of us realize. Experts estimate that over a million Americans are victims of medication mistakes each year. Are you now having second thoughts about the prescription that you are currently taking?

So, how does this problem happen at such an alarming rate? There are six factors that have been identified as possible causes to medication errors, which include drug allergies, wrong dosages, adverse drug interactions, physician errors, pharmacists’ mistakes and hospital negligence.

You can imagine the possible issues that a medication mistake can cause. This scenario can have life altering ramifications and may even lead to death.

If a medical mistake has happened to you or someone you know, you need to understand that you may be able to seek compensation. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to seek legal counsel.

For more information, contact a Long Island medical malpractice attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

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

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25593 — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

If you have children, then you know that being a parent can be nerve-racking. There are many fears that parents face. One of those biggest fears is learning that your child has suffered a birth injury.

If you or someone you know is about to have a baby, then you need to know about perinatal asphyxia. Wikipedia.org has defined it as, “a medical condition resulting from a deprivation of oxygen to a newborn infant long enough to cause apparent harm.”

We don’t need to be doctors to understand the dangers resulting from a baby’s brain being deprived of air. Unfortunately, this situation happens frequently in the United States. As a matter of fact, experts believe it occurs in approximately 2 to 10 per 1000 births.

As you can imagine, perinatal asphyxia can lead to all sorts of complications, including cerebral palsy, developmental delay and even death.

What’s even more alarming is the fact that in many cases, measures could have been taken to avoid serious problems. Sometimes, negligence by a doctor plays a contributive role in a baby suffering from perinatal asphyxia.

If you or someone you know has a child who has suffered from perinatal asphyxia and you believe negligence on the part of a doctor was involved, you should contact an experienced Manhattan birth injury attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Commonly Misdiagnosed Diseases You Need To Be Aware Of

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25591 — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Have you been to the emergency room lately? We go because we have confidence in the doctor’s training that they will be able to properly identify any ailments that we might be suffering from.

What if that wasn’t the case? What if the emergency room doctor diagnosed you with a gastrointestinal disorder, only to learn later that you actually suffered a heart attack?

This potential scenario can be serious and lead to future complications. Unfortunately, this type of situation happens more often than you would think in emergency rooms across America.

You should be aware of five common misdiagnosed diseases, so that you can protect yourself and your family. The list has been compiled based on malpractice cases and autopsy reports and they include aortic dissection, cancer, clogged arteries, heart attack and infection.

Being misdiagnosed can lead to a lifetime of problems. These complications can lead to a loss of wages and leave you wondering how you will pay your medical bills. It is important to understand that if you or someone you love is a victim of a wrong diagnosis, you may be able to hold your doctor liable and receive compensation.

For more information regarding your wrong diagnosis case, contact a Long Island medical malpractice attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Do Cell Phones Really Cause New York Car Accidents?

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25588 — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

We have all seen it on the New York roadways. People driving in an unsafe manner while talking on a cell phone. Unfortunately, these drivers put you and your loved ones at risk every time they pick up their cell phone while driving.

So, how common is it? The NHTSA has estimated that at any given moment, over one million Americans are talking on cell phones. If that is not staggering enough, a survey by Nationwide Insurance discovered that approximately 67 percent of people reported that they use a cell phone while operating a vehicle.

The problem is that many experts believe that using a cell phone while driving increases your chances of being involved in a car accident. It makes sense. If your concentration on the road is taken away because of your cell phone, you may not be able to react to dangers on the road as effective as someone who is not using a cell phone.

Unfortunately, many people are needlessly injured in car accidents each year because someone was using a cell phone.

Fortunately, many states, such as New York, are passing cell phone laws that prohibit drivers from using their cell phones while driving.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a Manhattan or Long Island car or motorcycle accident, you should contact a Long Island accident attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Common New York Medication Mistakes

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25587 — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Imagine being prescribed the incorrect dose or even the wrong medication to treat an ailment. The results can be serious. Unfortunately, medication errors happen all too often in the U.S.

As a matter of fact, this scenario occurs to over a million people annually. Given the wrong drug or even the wrong dose of the right drug can lead to many severe complications, including death.

You would hope that your medical prescription was accurate. However, The FDA conducted a study to determine the most common drug errors in the U.S. Unbelievably, the study determined that being prescribed the wrong dose of medicine was the most common type of medication error. Many of these cases most likely could have been prevented.

Obviously, complications from being prescribed the wrong medicine can have life altering ramifications. Many people find themselves with unexpected medical bills as well as a potential loss of wages when a victim can no longer perform his or her duties at work.

It is important to understand that if you are a victim of a medical mistake caused by medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. You owe it to yourself and your family to seek legal advice to learn of your rights and to see if you are eligible to file a claim.

If you or someone you know has been injured due to a medication mistake, you should contact a New York medication error attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Things to Consider if your Child has Suffered Shoulder Dystocia

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25585 — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A parent’s biggest fear is discovering that their child has suffered a birth injury. Along with the financial stress that a birth injury can invoke on a parent, the emotional toll can be just as overwhelming.

Unfortunately, thousands of children suffer birth trauma annually in the U.S. You will be shocked to know that it is estimated that 6 to 8 birth injuries occur per 1,000 live births.

Are you aware that a common birth injury children suffer is shoulder dystocia? You may not be familiar with that term, but the March of Dimes has defined shoulder dystocia as an injury that “occurs when a baby’s head is delivered through the vagina, but the shoulders get stuck inside the mother’s body.”

There are several factors that can lead to shoulder dystocia, such as a larger than normal baby, a diabetic mother and medical malpractice, to name only a few.

There are many risks involved in this scenario that include nerve injuries in the baby’s shoulders, arms and hands. It can also lead to a broken arm or collarbone, as well as one of the most serious complications - oxygen deprivation.

What is even more alarming is the fact that many of these cases are a result of medical negligence.

If you or someone you know has a child that has suffered from shoulder dystocia and you believe that medical malpractice may have been involved, you should contact a New York birth injury attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

A New York Dog Attack Can Make You Too Afraid to Go Outside

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25301 — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

The physical injuries from a vicious dog attack are not the only repercussions suffered from a vicious dog attack. If you are the victim of a dog bite, you may find yourself too afraid to go outside, let alone to the park or a friend’s house who owns a dog.

A canine attack can forever change your view towards dogs, even if you were once an avid dog lover. You may now find that you are nervous and incredibly uneasy around dogs. The statement, “a dog is man’s best friend,” is the opposite of what you feel.

A fear of dogs can be debilitating and can significantly impact your life. When a child suffers dog bite injuries, the impact can be even worse. Many children who have been the victims of dog bites start wetting the bed, acting aggressively and have more crying outbursts. They may lose all desire to play outdoors.

If you or a family member has been the victim of a dog attack, you may be able to obtain compensation for the dog bite injuries. In New York, there are some cases where the dog’s owner can be held liable. To learn about your legal rights, contact a New York dog bite lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445.

For more information on this subject, read the article, New York Dog Attack Can Lead to a Lifelong Fear of Dogs.

LASIK Surgery Can Lead to Numerous Complications

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)25291 — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

LASIK surgery has been the solution for many people looking to improve their vision. LASIK, which is performed with a laser, is commonly used to correct such eye conditions as astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia.

Millions of Americans have had this vision correction surgery and most people recovered with little complication. However, there is a small percentage who experienced significant problems.

Some of the LASIK complications include irregular astigmatism, eye inflammation (diffuse lamellar keratitis), keratectasia, incomplete corrections, decentered ablations, oversized pupils, haze, dry eye, infection and epithelial ingrowth. You could be suffering from one of these complications if you have blurred vision, double vision, itchy eyes, redness, pain, oozing or if you notice ghosting, glare and halos.

Many of the problems associated with LASIK surgery have to do with the hinged flap that is created in the cornea. During the procedure, this area is lifted during the laser re-shaping of the eye. The flap is supposed to act as a natural bandage. Numerous complications can arise if the surgeon doesn’t cut the flap properly.

If you feel that you may have experienced complications associated with LASIK surgery, you should contact a Manhattan injury lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.

For more information on this topic, read the article, LASIK Risks & Complications.

Misdiagnosed Hydrocephalus is a Type of Medical Malpractice

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23825 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Any condition that affects the brain and can lead to brain damage needs to be treated right away. Hydrocephalus is one of these conditions.

Hydrocephalus, also known as “water on the brain,” can be deadly. This medical condition occurs when there is an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. The ventricles in the brain can become widened from this fluid accumulation, placing pressure on the delicate brain tissues. When hydrocephalus is not treated promptly, it can result in irreversible brain damage and death.

Doctors are required to follow certain procedures when diagnosing patients. When a doctor is negligent and strays from the acceptable standard of care within the medical community, the outcome can be catastrophic. Negligent doctors may miss serious ailments, including hydrocephalus.

If you or a family member has suffered from hydrocephalus that was either not diagnosed or there was a delayed diagnosis, you may be able to hold the medical provider accountable. A misdiagnosed hydrocephalus case could entitle you to monetary damages. Contact an experienced Manhattan injury lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for advice regarding your New York medical malpractice case.

For more information regarding the symptoms of hydrocephalus and how this condition is sometimes missed, read the article, Misdiagnosed Hydrocephalus Can Lead to Brain Damage.

Alzheimer's Disease Linked to Head Trauma

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23816 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The worst is not necessarily over after surviving a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Studies have shown that adults who have suffered from brain injuries could develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that is associated with memory loss, deteriorating cognitive abilities and dementia. It is considered a progressive disease, meaning it only gets worse with age.

Researchers believe that the more serious a brain injury, the higher the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease years later. A study found evidence showing that head trauma can potentially interact with other factors that would eventually result in Alzheimer’s disease. A traumatic brain injury could also bring on the disease faster among people who were already at risk.

Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease isn’t the only serious medical condition associated with serious brain injuries. Parkinson’s disease and dementia have also been tied to patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

For more information on this topic, be sure to read the article, Traumatic Brain Injury Can Lead to Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Conditions.

If you have sustained a brain injury from a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall or other event, you could be entitled to compensation. You should contact the Manhattan accident lawyers at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.

Traumatic Brain Injury Can Lead to Disabilities

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23815 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A traumatic brain injury is a condition that brings a lot of uncertainty. Following a serious accident, even if the victim survives a head trauma, it is unclear whether or not long-term damage was sustained. It can take weeks, even months to realize the full impact of a brain injury. When a child sustains a traumatic brain injury, it can take several years to notice the effects.

If you or a family member has suffered a mild to severe traumatic brain injury, there is no doubt that you are scared. You are worried how this injury will impact your life and whether the life you once knew is gone. Unfortunately, head trauma is linked to numerous disabilities that are life changing.

A serious head injury can cause memory loss, amnesia, vision trouble, language problems, depression, slurred speech, poor hand-eye coordination and more. Some people who have suffered brain injuries will have difficulty understanding the spoken word and written language.

This type of injury can lead to a long period of therapy sessions, including speech and physical. The treatment adds up quickly and ends up placing an additional burden on a person who has already gone through the worst.

When a traumatic brain injury is caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation. Contact the Manhattan injury lawyers at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for answers to your legal questions.

For more information on this topic, read the article, Complications of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Tips to Prevent Scaffold Accidents in New York

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23814 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The construction industry is associated with numerous dangers and many workers are injured every year. Working on a construction site is literally like walking through a minefield, you never know when you will encounter a life-threatening hazard. One of these many hazards has to do with scaffolding.

Scaffolding has been known to lead to serious injuries. Sometimes scaffolding is put together hastily or has defects, ultimately resulting in a scaffold accident. While scaffolding is crucial to the construction industry (it was even used in ancient times), it can be dangerous. The dangers are so great, that the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) produced a list of safety tips for scaffolding.

According to OSHA, anyone using a scaffold must be properly trained. This training needs to incorporate the hazards of different types of scaffolding, load capacity, maximum weight, dangers of scaffolding falls, recognizing scaffolding defects and the dangers of overhead lines.

OSHA also provides guidelines to prevent injuries from a scaffolding accident. For example, guardrails must be installed on platforms that are 10 feet or higher and working platforms need to be planked near these guardrails.

For more information on this topic, read the article, How to Avoid a Serious Scaffolding Accident.

Contact a New York construction accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 if you have been injured in a construction accident in Manhattan, Long Island or other area in New York.

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

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23813 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

If you are a New York construction worker, you need to be aware of some important safety tips that will help you avoid a serious fall accident. Within the construction industry, falls are one of the leading causes of injury and unfortunately, a construction fall can lead to lifelong disability. Construction falls have been associated with head trauma, back injury, spinal cord injury and bone fractures.

Don’t leave a construction fall to mere chance. You can be proactive and take safety measures to protect yourself from a serious construction accident.

The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has recognized the significant danger of falls on construction sites and has therefore released numerous tips to help prevent these types of accidents. According to OSHA, you can reduce your chances of being injured in a construction fall if you ensure that openings and holes are covered and that walking and working surfaces have the strength to support your weight.

OSHA has recommended that portable ladders are positioned so that the side rails are at least 3 feet above the landing and that these ladders are inspected to make sure there are no cracks, breaks or defects.

For more information on this topic, read the article, Preventing Falls at Construction Sites.

If you have been injured in a New York construction accident, contact the Manhattan accident attorneys at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.

Holiday Season Brings Many Car Accidents

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23801 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

This season is one for spending time with friends and family members. It is a time of reflection and to enjoy the ones you love. The holidays also bring on a higher rate of travel and as more people hit the New York roads, the risk of being injured in an auto accident goes up. By taking some precautions, you can reduce your chances of a car accident.

Winter snowstorms and wet weather can create unsafe road conditions. Before you pack up the kids and head out to Grandma’s house, check the driving conditions. Black ice, wet roads and other hazards can put you and your family in danger.

As always, don’t drink and drive. This tip applies during the holiday season and throughout the year. There is no question that getting behind the wheel when you are intoxicated is a bad idea. Alcohol tends to flow freely at holiday parties and family gatherings, so make sure you have a designated driver and if needed, call a cab. It’s worth the money.

For more information on this subject, read the article, Four Things You Need to Do to Keep Your Family Safe on the Road this Holiday.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Long Island, Manhattan or other area of New York, you should contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice. You could be entitled to compensation.

Doctors Could be Making the Wrong Decisions About Medications

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23775 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Imagine that your doctor prescribed the wrong medication to you. Unfortunately, it happens more frequently than you might think. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that approximately 1.5 million Americans are injured by drug errors each year. These errors are commonly made during the prescription process.

It is commonly known in the medical industry that pharmaceutical companies are engaging in a practice called “prescription data mining,” meaning that manufacturers are monitoring doctor’s prescription habits. Pharmaceutical companies are using the data they collect to customize their marketing plans and to push alternative medicines that they produce.

This practice may seem harmless. However, since many doctors do not take the time to review extensive studies on these alternative drugs, they could inadvertently prescribe a drug that is not right for one of their patients. They could be prescribing medications based on non-medical factors, such as the availability of free samples and cost.

Though, all doctors should carefully review data for all medications they prescribe, some do not. The outcome could be catastrophic, leading to life-altering injuries and sometimes death.

If you or someone you know has been injured from a medication error, you should contact a New York medical malpractice attorney at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Burn Injuries Can be Fatal

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23772 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

We have all burned our hands from time to time, especially from a hot plate or pot on the stove. Burns as minor as these can cause excruciating pain. Imagine suffering burns on larger parts of your body than just a hand. A severe burn is one of the most painful injuries you can suffer.

Victims can suffer burn injuries from many types of horrific events, such as car and motorcycle accidents, work-related accidents and defective products, to name a few. The potential complications from suffering a burn injury are significant.

Complications that can arise from a serious burn injury include tissue damage, dehydration, shock, chemical imbalance, muscle tissue destruction, infection and eschars.

The effects from these complications can be life altering, including the possible loss of life. A burn injury can dramatically affect a person’s life. It can also impair someone’s ability to work, eventually leading to a possible loss of wages.

A burn victim can also find themselves hospitalized for a long period of time. Serious burn victims are frequently treated at burn centers where there is special equipment and staff specifically trained to handle these types of injuries.

If you or someone you know has suffered a serious burn injury, you should contact a New York injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Massive Recall for Toyota

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23469 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Toyota Motor Corp. has recalled over 4 million of its vehicles due to complications with the accelerator pedals. Imagine driving down the road and having the accelerator pedal becoming stuck, causing you to crash at a high speed, because you could not stop the vehicle. That is exactly what has been reported.

Recent reports show that the defect has been linked to at least five deaths and two injuries, including a highway patrol officer and three of his family members when the accelerator pedal became stuck, causing the vehicle to reach speeds in excess of 120 mph, crashing, and killing the four. The government has also received over 100 additional reports of incidents where the pedal may have become stuck.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota has developed a solution to fix the problem. The massive recall will deal with modifications to the accelerator pedal and floor mats, which is believed to be a contributing factor to the problem.

Toyota models that have been recalled include the Camry, Avalon, Prius, Tacoma, and the Tundra, to name a few. If you own a Toyota, you should contact Toyota immediately to determine if you are driving a recalled model. You can also visit the article titled, Auto Defect in Some Toyota Models Has Caused Numerous Deaths, for more information.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car, motorcycle or truck accident, you should contact the experienced accident lawyers in Manhattan at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Falling Asleep at the Wheel Can Kill

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)23461 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

We have all heard stories about car accidents caused by people who fell asleep behind the wheel. It is more common that you might think. It is believed that thousands of car accidents each year are linked to drowsy drivers.

If truth be told, we have all operated a vehicle when we were drowsy. That is why several organizations, including the NHTSA, launched an investigation to determine ways to combat drowsy driving.

It is obvious that a drowsy driver may become impaired, causing reaction times to road dangers to become slower than normal. According to the Drowsy Driving and Automobile Crashes report, sleepiness can impair “reaction time, vigilance, attention and information process.” A drowsy driver may have a harder time trying to stay awake at the wheel. The results can be deadly.

If you or someone you know has been hurt in an accident and believe that a drowsy driver may be at fault, you should consider factors that include an accident at night, a crash that is more serious than it should be, a car that veered off the road, a driver who could not avoid the collision and a lone driver. These could all be indications that the accident was caused by a drowsy driver.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car, motorcycle or truck accident, caused by a drowsy driver, you should contact a Manhattan accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

A Construction Accident Can Cause a Traumatic Amputation

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22298 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

There are not a whole lot of scenarios that are more frightening than losing a limb. When a construction accident leads to a traumatic amputation, the injured person may go into shock from the immense pain and bleeding. In some cases the limb can be re-attached, but unfortunately many people become amputees.

Fingers, hands, arms, feet and legs are the most common limbs that are severed in serious construction accidents. If the limb is totally severed, it is referred to as a complete amputation. A partial amputation refers to an injury where part of the connective tissue stays in tact.

Construction sites have many potential hazards, including defective power tools, malfunctioning equipment, heavy machinery and other dangers. When safety is not a priority on a construction site, there is a higher risk of serious work injuries.

If you have suffered from a traumatic amputation caused by a New York construction accident http://www.rapplaw.com/practice_areas/construction-accidents1.cfm, you may be entitled to compensation. You should contact an experienced New York construction accident attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800-734-9445 for legal advice.

For more information regarding these types of work injuries, read the article, “Traumatic Amputation is a Life Changing Work Injury.”

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

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22297 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

If you have sustained an arm injury from a construction accident, you know how painful and debilitating it can be. Arm injuries, such as dislocations, fractures and contusions, can take several weeks to heal. During the recovery, a cast or sling is often used, which seriously impairs your ability to perform your job and other everyday activities.

You may have immediately been aware that you hurt your arm, but you may not have known the severity of your injury. A serious arm injury may result in pain when moving the arm, bruising, swelling, tenderness, abrasion, deformity, numbness, weakness and/or the inability to move the limb.

When diagnosing an arm injury, the doctor will usually order an MRI, x-ray or bone scan. These tests will help determine the extent of damage. Some arm injuries require surgery and intensive physical therapy. In extreme cases, the arm injury can lead to disability.

If you hurt your arm in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation. You should contact the experienced New York construction accident attorneys at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800-734-9445 for legal advice.

For more information about this type of work injury, read the article, “Construction Accident Can Lead to a Serious Arm Injury.”

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

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22296 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

There are all types of accidents that can occur on construction sites, but some seem to be more common than others. When there are code violations on construction sites and other safety issues, it is often the construction workers who pay the price. With all of the construction going on throughout the state of New York, more people are sustaining serious work injuries.

Some of the most common types of construction accidents in New York, include falls, falling objects, crane accidents, scaffolding accidents and electrical accidents. When it comes to fall accidents, nearly 1,000 construction workers are killed every year in the United States. The outcome is generally grim for fall victims, as the accidents occur from significant heights.

Falling objects are to blame for countless injuries. When work is being done overhead, heavy objects can fall, which may lead to serious injuries. Scaffolding and electrical accidents have also been known to cause severe injuries and death. What is unfortunate about these types of accidents is that they are typically preventable.

There have been some notorious crane accidents in New York that made national headlines. Crane collapses and other similar accidents are often deadly.

If you have been injured in a New York construction accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800-734-9445 for legal advice.

For more information read the article, “Five Common Types of Construction Accidents.”

Head Injuries Sometimes Cause Seizures

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22295 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A study found that moderate to severe traumatic brain injury sometimes causes posttraumatic seizures. The research findings were posted on the Brain Injury Association of America’s website.

According to researchers people who have sustained moderate to severe brain injuries are at risk of experiencing late posttraumatic seizures (seizures that happen more than one week following the injury). These episodes often involve uncontrollable body movements, sensations and awareness. Medical experts believe that these seizures are the result of a temporary electrical imbalance of the brain.

Medical records of 647 patients were analyzed to see if there was a link between an increased risk of late posttraumatic seizures and head injuries. Researchers looked at medical data over a 24-month period. One of the main factors identified during the study had to do with the amount of damage to the brain tissue.

There is no question that a traumatic brain injury can change your life. Brain damage is irreversible and it can lead to a wide range of complications. If you have suffered from head trauma caused by a New York accident, you may be entitled to compensation. You should contact the New York accident attorneys at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at 800-734-9445 for legal advice.

For more information regarding this topic, read the article, “Head Trauma Can Lead to Posttraumatic Seizures.”

Construction Workers Often Hurt in Electrical Accidents

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22294 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

As you can imagine, the injuries sustained when coming into contact with a power line or other electrical current are usually catastrophic. Construction workers have been known to suffer serious injuries and death resulting from electrical accidents on construction sites.

When it comes to electrical accidents, the three most common on construction sites are electrocution, electric shock and coming into contact with power lines. Unfortunately, safety is not always a priority in construction, which can place workers in harm’s way. Construction workers put themselves in danger when they work on scaffolding or in cranes that are located near power lines. One wrong move and the outcome can be deadly.

Construction workers sometimes experience electric shock from equipment that has electric currents. The injuries range depending on the voltage and length of exposure. If the electrical accident is fatal, it is referred to as electrocution.

Most electrical accidents are preventable, so it is unfortunate when you hear about construction workers who are severely injured from these types of accidents. If you have been the victim of an electrical accident on a New York construction site, you may be entitled to compensation. You should contact an experienced New York construction accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800-734-9445 for legal advice.

For more information about construction accidents, read the article, “Electrical Accidents on Construction Sites can be Deadly.”

Construction Workers Often Hurt in Electrical Accidents

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22293 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Delayed Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22292 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Colorectal cancer is a slow progressing illness that often has no symptoms during the early stages. That is one reason why this cancer is often misdiagnosed.

This type of cancer refers to cancer of the colon or rectum. Even though symptoms take a while to develop, there are some warning signs of colorectal cancer. These signs include rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, gas, abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness and unexplained weight loss.

Doctors sometimes mistakenly believe that the symptoms of colorectal cancer are being caused by a less serious condition, such as hemorrhoids. If there is a delayed diagnosis of colorectal cancer, the opportunity for certain treatments may be unavailable. The earlier this disease is caught, the better the prognosis.

A colonoscopy is the test most commonly used to diagnose colorectal cancer. This procedure allows the doctor to examine the inside of your colon and rectum using a scope. If needed, the doctor will take tissue samples that will be used to detect signs of cancer.

If you or someone you love has suffered from a cancer misdiagnosis, you may be able to hold the medical provider accountable. You should contact a New York medical malpractice attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at 800-734-9445 for legal advice. Also read the article, “Misdiagnosed Colorectal Cancer Can Be Deadly,” for more information.

Signs That You May Have Been the Victim of Medical Malpractice

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22290 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

If you are the patient, how are you supposed to know when the doctor violates the standard of care? If you are not a trained medical professional, it can be very difficult to detect medical malpractice. The doctor isn’t going to volunteer that information as an explanation for your condition that has worsened or for injuries you developed under his or her care.

There are some warning signs that signal medical malpractice. If your condition has not improved with treatment, it could mean that you were misdiagnosed. You may have noticed that your symptoms do not match your diagnosis. For example, if you “googled” your condition and the listed symptoms do not seem to coincide with your illness, it could indicate that you were given a wrong diagnosis.

If the doctor based his or her diagnosis on only a lab test, you should get a second opinion. Your doctor could have been negligent when diagnosing your condition. Also, if a common diagnostic test is not used (such as a colonoscopy to identify colorectal cancer), it could be a sign of malpractice.

If you are not sure if medical malpractice caused your injuries, you should talk to a knowledgeable New York medical malpractice lawyer who will be able to review your case. When a doctor is found to be negligent, he or she can be held accountable. Contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at 800-734-9445 for legal advice.

For more information, read the article, “Four Warning Signs of New York Medical Malpractice.”

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

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)22260 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

We generally all make the assumption that the stroller we push our baby in is safe. What if it’s not? What if your baby is in danger every time you put them in his or her stroller? Every year, hundreds of baby products, including strollers, are recalled due to defective and unsafe parts.

In recent news, we discovered that strollers manufactured by Maclaren, were involved in a massive recall. A November 9, 2009 press release by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicated that Maclaren recalled approximately 1 million strollers. The press release also indicated that there were 12 reports of children suffering severed fingertips due to a defect in the stroller’s hinge mechanism.

If you or someone you know owns a Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveler Maclaren model stroller, you should be concerned that the stroller has been recalled and can cause serious injury to any child riding in it.

Maclaren strollers are not the only strollers to have been recalled this year. As a matter of fact, in June 2009, about 22,500 Bugaboo Bee strollers were recalled after the manufacturer received 121 reports of issues with the braking system. Though, no injuries were reported, we all know how dangerous it can be having a child in a stroller with defective brakes.

If you or your child has been injured by a defective product, such as a stroller, you should contact a New York injury attorney at the Law Firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Pelvic Fractures Can Be Life Changing

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)21865 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Have you or someone you know suffered a broken or fractured pelvis from a motor vehicle accident whether it’s in a truck, on a motorcycle or from a car accident? Most victims don’t realize how serious this type of injury can be. For some, it can be deadly.

The butterfly-shaped bony structure, known as the pelvis, is located at the end of the trunk and protects vital areas such as the bladder, intestines and rectum. These vital areas can be seriously injured when the pelvis is fractured causing long-term injuries.

Common symptoms of a fractured pelvis include pain in the abdominal area, a numbness or tingling sensation, bleeding, trouble with standing or walking, and pain in the buttock or thigh area. Not only can this type of injury cause excruciating pain, but it can also lead to death.

Another concern, besides the excruciating pain this type of injury can cause, is the effects of a long-term recovery time. It can take anywhere from weeks to years to fully recover. Even a slight fracture can take up to 12 weeks to heal. Some victims never fully recover.

It can also affect your ability to perform your duties at work and some people experience a loss of income.

If you or someone you know has suffered a fractured pelvis in a car, motorcycle or truck accident, you should contact a New York injury attorney at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

For more information, read our article titled, Symptoms and Treatment of a Broken Pelvis Caused by a New York Accident.

What You Should Know If You Are Suffering a Herniated Disc

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)21614 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A New York car accident, truck wreck or motorcycle crash can cause all types of injuries. One of the common injuries victims suffer from accidents is a herniated disc.

As you can imagine, a herniated disc can cause excruciating pain. However, the pain from a herniated disc is not the only potential ramification. The injury can affect almost every aspect of your life including causing loss of income due to your inability to work. It can also impact everyday tasks such as driving, playing with your kids and household chores.

A herniated disc from a spinal injury suffered in a fall or in a car accident. These accidents can be a result of someone else’s negligence.

No matter the cause, a herniated disc can be both painful and inconvenient. The recovery time can take weeks, even years. In some cases, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered this type of injury in a car accident, motorcycle accident or truck accident due to negligence by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation.

For more information, you should contact a New York injury attorney at the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at (800) 734-9445.

What If a Device Could Stop Drunk Driving Accidents?

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)20587 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

If there was such thing as a device that could stop drunk driving accidents, would you support it? Would you want one in your car?

A little over a thousand people were polled in a recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety survey to find out their opinions on alcohol detection devices. Researchers were surprised to find out that about 2 of 3 respondents felt that alcohol detection devices were a good idea. What was also interesting is that almost 40 percent stated that they would want one of these devices in their vehicles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not expect to get such strong support for the concept of detecting alcohol in everybody. Anne McCartt, the senior vice president for the Institute said that the survey shows that people are ready to “crack down on all impaired drivers, not just those who’ve had DWI convictions.”

The technology for this device is not yet available, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, is looking into it as a future possibility. There are some obstacles that will need to be overcome for these devices. For example, it will need to be suitable for all drivers and require little maintenance. The device will need to have the capability to stop drivers from operating their vehicles when they have registered BACs of 0.08 percent or above.

Warning Signs That Indicate Nursing Home Abuse in New York

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)20586 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

No one likes to think that their loved one could be the victim of nursing home abusehttp://www.rapplaw.com/blog/new-york-nursing-home-residents-rights.cfm or neglect. Unfortunately, elder abuse happens in even some of the more reputable facilities. If your elderly family member is living in a New York nursing home, you need to familiarize yourself with the signs of nursing home abuse.

The following is a list of warning signs that would indicate nursing home neglect or abuse:

Limb contractures
Skin breakdown
Incontinence
Malnutrition
Dehydration
Poor hygiene
Infections
Withdrawal or isolation
Bruises
Cuts
Burns
Death

When a vulnerable nursing home resident is not given the proper attention, the outcome can be deadly. Elderly residents have been known to suffer from medication mix ups, physical abuse, emotional abuse and overall neglect. Bed sores and other serious conditions may develop as a result of such abuse and neglect by the nursing home staff.

Families pay a lot of money to these facilities in exchange for quality care for their loved ones. When a nursing home does not provide a safe environment and allows neglect or abuse, it should be held accountable. If you suspect that your family member has been the victim of nursing home abuse, you should contact an experienced New York nursing home abuse lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice and to go over your options.

Don't Be a Victim of Insurance Companies' "Sneaky" Tactics

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)20585 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Insurance companies are preying on people who are already facing financial hardships by using tough tactics to increase profits, according to the American Association of Justice (AAJ).

The report by the AAJ mentioned that insurers are playing hardball during people’s greatest time of need. Insurance companies are believed to be using tactics that are making it difficult for policyholders to obtain compensation for their claims, but also for people who are trying to keep their policies or get approved for new coverage.

The AAJ identified some of the insurance company tactics as the following:

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

It was alluded that the more that insurers are able to avoid having to pay claims, the higher their profits. Insurers therefore commonly employ tactics that increase their bottom lines, even at the expense of policyholders.

If you have been the victim of bad faith insurance or unreasonable insurance claim denial, you should contact a New York insurance lawyer who can explain your legal rights. Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for more information and a free legal consultation regarding your case.

Child Pedestrians are Threatened by Drivers Who Run Stop Signs

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)20584 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Did you know that according to a study by SAFE KIDS and FedEx Express, nearly 50 percent of the vehicles studied in residential areas and school zones committed stop sign violations? If you are a parent, this discovery is disturbing.

Two hundred and eighty eight intersections were involved in the study. During the study, researchers would observe the intersection for 30 minutes to notate driving behavior. They recorded such information as the vehicle type, stopping behavior, presence of pedestrians and if there were pedestrians in the crosswalk or waiting to cross.

According to researchers, 37 percent of motorists made some type of stop sign violation. This percentage didn’t change much when children were around. Researchers found that 32 percent of drivers still committed these violations when children were present. However, they did find that when pedestrians were crossing the street, more drivers stopped.

It is believed that stop sign violations account for nearly 200 fatal accidents and 17,000 injury accidents every year in the United States. Children are often the victims of these types of accidents, as they tend to lack the cognitive, developmental and behavioral abilities to make the proper response to traffic dangers.

If your child has been hurt in a New York City, Brooklyn, Long Island, the Bronx or Staten Island car accident, you may be able to hold the driver accountable. Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for more information.

Watch Out for Aggressive New York Drivers

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)20583 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Aggressive driving is a serious problem and a serious threat to drivers on New York roads. It is an activity that most of us are probably guilty of at one point or another. According to the AAA, “any unsafe driving behavior, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety, can constitute aggressive driving.” Speeding, running a red light, tailgating, failing to yield the right of way and not allowing other vehicles to pass are all examples of aggressive driving.

A study was conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that looked into the link between aggressive driving and fatal auto accidents. Researchers came to the conclusion, after studying fatal crashes from 2003 through 2007, that aggressive driving was a factor in 56 percent of the accidents.

People are concerned about aggressive driving, but it is interesting that their worries seem to be associated with other drivers, not their own driving behaviors. According to a 2005 telephone survey by ABC News and The Washington Post, when people were asked what they thought was the biggest threat to their safety on the road, 32 percent of respondents felt that it was aggressive drivers.

If you have been injured in a New York auto accident caused by an aggressive driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for a free legal consultation regarding your case.

A Spinal Cord Injury Is Not Always Obvious

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)20582 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

You would think that a spinal cord injury would be apparent following a serious New York accident, but the truth is, it can take time for the symptoms to develop. Unfortunately, if a spinal cord injury is not identified, the complications can become more severe and the recovery may be more difficult.

It can take several days or even weeks for the symptoms of a spinal cord injury to surface. The warning signs of such an injury appear when there is an increase in bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid in and around the spinal cord.

Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury and to blame for about half of all new spinal cord injuries every year. Violent acts, falls, diseases and sport injuries are also factors in numerous spinal cord injury cases.

The spine has nerve fibers that carry messages to and from the brain. When the spinal cord is injured, it can lead to muscle impairment and nerve damage below the site of injury. This type of injury can result in permanent paralysis.

If you have sustained a spinal cord injury resulting from an auto accident in Long Island, New York City, the Bronx, Brooklyn or other area in New York, you may be able to recover compensation. You may also be entitled to damages if another negligent event, besides a car accident, led to your condition. Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for more information.

New York Nursing Home Residents' Rights

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)20158 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Under the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act, residents living in nursing homes have established rights. They must be provided with services and activities that will help them to “attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental and psychosocial wellbeing,” in accordance with a written plan of care.

The legal rights of nursing home residents are guaranteed by the Nursing Home Reform Act. Some of these rights include such things as the right to be fully informed about medical care and changes in their medical conditions, as well as the right to privacy. Nursing home residents also have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and they can file a complaint.

Many nursing homes provide quality care and give residents the attention in which they are entitled. However, when a nursing home neglects or abuses residents, the outcome can be grave. Nursing home residents have been known to suffer serious injuries and illnesses resulting from nursing home abuse.

If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you should contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800-734-9445 for a free legal consultation. A New York nursing home abuse lawyer will be able to explain your legal options.

Signs of a Serious Brain Injury

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)20157 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A brain injury caused by a New York accident doesn’t always show up right away. It can take hours, even days for symptoms to appear. Unfortunately, by the time these signs surface, the brain injury has progressed and may require emergency surgery.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle or car accident in Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island or other area, you need to be on the lookout for the warning signs of a head injury. Maybe you weren’t injured – maybe a family member was hurt. Either way, you need to familiarize yourself with the indications of head trauma.

There are a wide range of symptoms associated with brain injury. Some of these symptoms include head or facial bleeding, confusion, lethargy, unequal pupil size, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, vomiting and headache. These are an indication that there could be a severe head injury and medical treatment should be pursued immediately.

Some brain injuries will lead to irreversible brain damage and may cause coma, persistent headaches, paralysis, loss of sensation, convulsions and speech problems. If negligence caused the accident in New York, you may be able to hold that person accountable and could be entitled to compensation.

Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800-734-9445 for more information.

New Brake Requirements May Prevent New York Truck Accidents

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)19808 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new federal rule will hopefully cut down on the thousands of large truck accidents in New York and across the country. This new law will require brakes to have stopping distances that are 30 percent shorter than the current rule.

The brake law for trucks has not been updated since 1995. This regulation will involve 3-axle rigs with gross weight of 59,600 pounds or less, which make up about 80 percent of all large trucks. With these new brakes, large trucks will stop in no more than 250 feet from 60 mph when carrying a full load. The current requirement is 355 feet.

A New York truck accident can lead to devastating injuries and death. In 2008, more than 4,000 people died in large truck accidents across the country. The majority of the deaths were the passengers in the smaller vehicles.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in New York, you should contact an experienced New York truck accident lawyer who can explain your legal rights. You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, depending on the details of your case. Contact the Law Offices of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445.

These Mistakes Can Cause Serious Injuries to Children in a New York Car Accident

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)19807 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

We all make mistakes. After all, no one is perfect. However, making a mistake when it comes to child safety seats can be deadly. Below are some tips to help keep your child safe in an auto accident.

1.    Always use a child safety restraint. Child safety seats significantly reduce the risk of fatal injury. According to AAA, safety seats can lower the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers.
2.    Read the instructions that come with the safety seat. Did you know that eight out of ten car seats are not installed correctly?
3.    Ensure that the car seat is tight. A properly installed car seat should not move more than one inch in any direction.
4.    The safety seat harness should be snug. The harness should be snug and should lie flat. Harnesses should be at or below your child’s shoulders when rear-facing and at or above the shoulders when forward facing.
5.    Secure loose items in the car. A loose item in the car, such as a diaper bag, laptop bag or hard object, can cause serious injuries in a crash. Make sure to secure these items.

If you or your child has been injured in a car accident in Long Island, New York City, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island or other area in New York, contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for a free legal consultation.

Controversy Regarding New York Nursing Home Ratings

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18846 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new system has been implemented that allows you to look up the rating of a nursing home in New York and throughout the country. The database is found on Medicare’s website and has prompted many criticisms since its launch.

The database gives a rating of quality based on five-stars. It is the first tool managed by the federal government that rates nursing homes on quality and it provides insight into health inspections, nursing home staff and costs. When the system was first implemented, almost one in four nursing homes included in the database received only one star. These low ratings prompted controversy into the accuracy of the database and not surprisingly, many of the critics were the nursing homes that performed poorly.

If you have a loved one living in a nursing home or if you are in the process of choosing a nursing home, this system is worth checking out. Since nursing home abuse and neglect can lead to serious injuries and death, it is important that you do your homework regarding the track record of a nursing home.

New York nursing home neglect and abuse is devastating. If you believe that your elderly family member may have been a victim, you should contact a New York nursing home abuse lawyer at Rappaport Glass, Greene & Levine at 800-734-9445 for information regarding legal rights of abuse victims.

What to Expect When a New York Car Accident Involves an Uninsured Driver

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18843 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

You purchase auto insurance to protect you in an accident and to provide coverage when there is damage to your vehicle. Researchers have found that there are many people driving around New York without auto insurance. What does that mean for you? Read on and you will find out!

A survey from 2006 showed that 7 percent of drivers in New York are uninsured. While this number doesn’t seem high, it can be a very real problem if you are hit by one of these uninsured drivers. Plus, the percentage of uninsured drivers is believed to have gone up since then, as the economy has been hit and many people are cutting back on expenses.

Your insurance policy may protect you against accidents involving uninsured drivers. New York does not require this type of coverage, so you may want to review your policy to make sure it is there. If not, contact your insurance company to add it.

If you are in a serious car accident in Brooklyn, New York City, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island or other area in New York, things may become challenging for you. Insurance companies have been known to be difficult to work with and you may be offered a settlement that is below what your case is worth. An experienced New York car accident lawyer can help you. Contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine for more information.

Teens Follow Parents' Example When It Comes to Driving

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18841 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Many New York car accidents are caused by teen drivers. It has been estimated that approximately 5,000 drivers, ages 16 to 20, are killed in auto accidents every year in the United States.

Researchers have found that teens tend to mimic their parents’ driving behavior, whether good or bad. A survey was conducted by Froedtert &The Medical College of Wisconsin to help gain a better understanding of the perceptions teens had about their driving habits and that of their parents. Nearly 70 percent of the teens who were interviewed in the study stated that their parents were a main influence on their driving behavior.

A teen following in their parents’ footsteps when it comes to driving isn’t necessarily a good thing. Parents are not always the best drivers and tend to be distracted by cell phones and they commonly speed, tailgate and eat while driving. These activities can increase the risk of being involved in a car accident in Long Island, New York City or other area in the state.

According to the survey, about half of the teens who said that they knew someone who had been involved in a car accident, admitted that they did not change their driving habits as a result.

You Could Be Entitled to Compensation After a Brooklyn Car Accident

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18600 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

You shouldn’t have to pay when a negligent driver causes your Brooklyn car accident. Medical expenses tend to add up quickly following a serious collision. If you are not able to work, it only compounds your financial problems. When a car accident in Brooklyn causes you harm, you may be able to hold the other driver responsible and could be entitled to compensation. The question on your mind at this point is probably- how much compensation?

When determining the value of your case, you will want to consider some of the damages that are typically included in a car accident settlement. For example, an insurance company usually pays damages such as medical expenses, lost income and in some cases, pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of consortium (loss of benefits of married life).

Medical expenses are pretty straightforward and include the costs you have incurred for doctor visits, treatment, medications and so on. If your treatment will continue, you may be able to recover future medical expenses. Lost income will basically equal the amount you would have made if you hadn’t been injured. If you won’t be able to return to work, you may be able to obtain damages for loss of earning capacity.

Pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of consortium are more subjective and therefore trickier to estimate. The best thing to do following an auto accident is to contact a car accident lawyer in Brooklyn. The law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine helps injured victims in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Long Island and throughout New York. The experienced New York accident attorneys can be reached at 800.734.9445.

Things You Should NEVER Do After a New York Auto Accident

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18598 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Have you been injured in a New York auto accident? If so, be careful that you don’t do something that will wreck your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries.

The first thing you must never do after a car accident in New York, is leave the accident scene. You are required to stop, even if you think there is no damage or injuries.

The insurance company will contact you following a collision and may ask you to give a recorded statement. Insurers have been known to call accident victims within days after the crash. It is hard to know the full extent of your injuries right away and you could end up saying something that will hurt your chances of recovering a fair settlement. Don’t give a recorded statement until you talk with a New York auto accident lawyer.

If you are offered a settlement by the insurance company right away or if the insurance company is asking you to sign papers pretty soon after the accident, that should tell you something. The insurer is out to protect its own interests, not yours. Talk to a New York auto accident attorney before signing anything.

Don’t wait to seek medical attention following a crash. You may think your injuries are minor, but the symptoms of a serious injury can take a while to surface. Medical records may also be needed to obtain compensation.

What you should do after a serious New York car accident is contact a New York accident attorney who can help you. Call the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.

Confused About What to Do After a Long Island Car Accident?

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18594 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

You see a car coming straight toward you and then the next thing you know there is shattered glass everywhere, your airbag has deployed and you are injured. You have just been the victim of a Long Island car accident. Now what?

If you are like most people, a car accident in Long Island or New York City is not something you experience often. You may find yourself confused on what needs to be done following your crash. There are definitely some actions you need to take to help ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries.

After a Long Island auto accident, you need to gather as much information as possible. Be sure to get the other driver’s license number, name, address, telephone number, insurance information and license plate number. If there were any witnesses to your crash, you should get their names and telephone numbers too.

When the police arrive, make sure an accident report is taken. The police officer may ask you questions regarding the car accident. Stick to the facts and avoid accepting blame or placing fault. The factors that caused your New York auto accident may be unclear at this point.

Always see a doctor if you have been injured in an accident, even if you feel that your injuries are minor. Some minor injuries can turn out to be more serious.

You should contact a Long Island car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice. The New York accident attorneys at the law firm will make sure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company.

Do You Know the Cost of a New York Car Accident?

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18583 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to AAA, a New York car accident that occurs in the metropolitan area costs an average of $962 per person. This figure can easily turn into billions of dollars annually. The national average per person is $1,051.

The AAA study uncovered that auto accidents are more damaging to the community than traffic congestion. Cambridge Systematics conducted the research and found that car accidents in New York and throughout the country cost motorists about $164.2 billion every year. Researchers reviewed factors, such as property damage, lost income, medical expenses, emergency services, legal costs and travel delays.

AAA recommended that politicians take action to ensure that safety is a priority in transportation planning. The association suggested that lawmakers make stricter laws regarding drunk driving and impaired driving. It also recommended that states establish seat belt laws that give police officers the authority to stop drivers if their only offense is not wearing a seat belt.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan or other area in New York, you need to contact a New York car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.

New York Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Results in Serious Injuries

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18278 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

It is a sad fact that nursing home residents are frequently the victims of abuse and neglect. Many of these victims find themselves at the mercy of the people who care for them. Nursing home abuse can lead to serious, if not fatal, injuries.

New York nursing home neglect has been linked to problems such as bed sores, malnutrition, dehydration, medicine mix ups and misdiagnosis of illnesses. When the nursing staff abuses residents, it can cause them to sustain bruises, broken bones and cuts. There have even been cases of head injuries caused by elder abuse.

Even some of the more reputable facilities have been known to neglect or abuse their residents. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities can and should be held responsible for abuse cases. When a nursing home is understaffed or poorly trains employees, it can adversely impact the people who rely on the nursing staff for their care.

If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse in New York, you need to contact a New York nursing home abuse lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445 for legal advice.

Bed Sores Can Be Deadly for New York Nursing Home Residents

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)18277 — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Bed sores are painful and can be deadly. Even though bed sores are known to afflict people who are bedridden or bound to a wheelchair, nursing home residents are still often the victims of these excruciating injuries. It leaves you wondering why bed sores from nursing home neglect are so prevalent.

A bed sore is preventable and generally develops when the body is in the same position for too long. When a resident is bedridden, the nursing home staff must move him or her every two hours to reduce the pressure on the body. If a nursing home is understaffed or if the employees or poorly trained, the residents may be neglected, which can lead to serious problems.

There are different stages of bed sores and the last stage, which involves the exposure of muscle or bone, can lead to death. When an elderly person dies from nursing home abuse or neglect, the facility can be held responsible.

If you are not sure what caused your loved one’s bed sores, you may want to consider contacting a New York nursing home neglect lawyer. An experienced attorney will be able to help you determine who was responsible for the injuries. Contact a New York nursing home abuse lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445 for legal advice.

Texting Can Cause a New York Car Accident

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)17898 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Text messaging has taken off over the last couple of years and many people believe that this activity has been to blame for many car accidents. You may be someone who texts and drives or may have witnessed other drivers doing the same thing. Even though a text message may only take a few seconds to type, research has shown that taking your eyes off the road for a mere three seconds can significantly increase your chance of being involved in a New York car accident.

Several states have already enacted laws that ban drivers from texting and driving. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, New York will join these states in banning texting and driving, as of November 1, 2009.

There have been various studies that have looked into the dangers of text messaging. One study found that people were more distracted when writing a text message than reading one and that drivers had slower reaction times to road hazards.

One of the most notorious cases involving texting is the New York car accident that killed five high school girls. These girls were riding together when their car hit a tractor-trailer head on. It is believed that the crash was caused by texting.

If you have been injured in a car accident in New York and you believe that the other driver was to blame, you need to contact a New York car accident lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Roof Strength Plays a Factor in Rollover Accidents

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)16688 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

The strength of your roof can make the difference of the severity of injuries you may sustain in a rollover accident. Safety advocates have been making the case that the requirements for roof strength need to be tightened. This argument has been made following the thousands of deaths that have resulted from rollover accidents across the country.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a test that they use for roof strength, but the standard was set in 1973. Currently, the standard requires that vehicles have roofs that are strong enough to withstand 1 ½ times the vehicle’s weight. The NHTSA has thought about increasing the standard to 2 ½ times.

The managing editor for Consumer Reports has made a statement that the NHTSA needs to create a dynamic rollover test that would include such safety features as curtain airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and other rollover protection devices.

Rollover accidents have become a major problem as more people are driving SUVs, trucks and vans. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people die in rollovers every year and 24,000 people are injured.

If you have been injured in a New York rollover accident, you need to contact a New York car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445. You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries.

Undiagnosed Diabetes Caused by Medical Malpractice

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)16308 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Diabetes affects millions of people in the United States. When properly treated, complications associated with this medical condition can be avoided. However, diabetes often goes undiagnosed, which can lead to health problems. If you have suffered from undiagnosed diabetes, you need to understand how it may have happened.

The symptoms of diabetes are usually vague and doctors frequently misdiagnose the overall medical condition and simply treat the symptoms. Undiagnosed diabetes is also common due to the fact that symptoms do not always surface in the early stages.

Undiagnosed diabetes can be serious. People have been known to suffer from heart disease, loss of sight, stroke and have even been forced to amputate a limb, all because their diabetes was either misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.

Medical providers are sometimes to blame for undiagnosed diabetes cases. Doctors are supposed to follow a certain procedure when diagnosing a patient’s condition and when they deviate from this process or are negligent in some way, they can be held liable for their actions. As an injured patient, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries.

Contact an experienced New York medical malpractice lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800-734-9445 for a legal consultation.

New York Crane Accidents Cause Serious Injuries & Death

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)15088 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

Asbestosis and Other Serious Illnesses Caused by New York Asbestos

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)14686 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Did you know that if you have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos, it may take years to develop an asbestos-related illness? New York asbestos exposure can cause serious problems, including such illnesses as asbestosis, chest cancer, abdominal cancer and lung disease.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was frequently used in the building and manufacturing industries. Today, numerous asbestos products have been banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission because of the dangers associated with this mineral fiber. Manufacturers are also supposed to limit the use of asbestos in products.

Since the 1940s, nearly 10 million people have been exposed to asbestos. Extended exposure to asbestos can lead to life threatening medical conditions. Asbestosis is caused by dangerous exposure to asbestos, which leads to scarring of the lung tissue. This disease causes breathing problems for the victim.

Property owners can be held accountable for asbestos exposure that occurs on their premises. If you have been exposed to asbestos in New York, you should contact an experienced New York injury lawyer for legal advice. You may be able to pursue compensation for your asbestos injuries. Call the Law Firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine today at 800-734-9445.

New York Lead Poisoning Cases

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)14221 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Lead paint has been identified as a major cause of lead poisoning among adults and children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines lead as a toxic metal that can cause a range of serious health effects.

Children are especially at risk of lead poisoning from deteriorating lead based paint and contaminated toys and other products. According to the EPA, children under the age of six are the most susceptible. In fact, the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services made a statement in 1991 that this toxic metal is the “number one environmental threat to the health of children in the United States.” Lead exposure is considered to be one of the most common preventable childhood poisonings.

Lead exposure has been linked to a wide range of health complications including behavioral problems, learning disabilities, delayed growth, brain damage, seizures and even death.

Property owners can be held liable if they exposed their tenants or customers to lead. This type of case falls under premises liability. If you or your child has been harmed by lead exposure, you should contact an experienced New York premises liability lawyer who will review your case. Contact the Law Firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice regarding your New York lead poisoning case.

New York Burn Injuries can Lead to Serious Health Complications

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)13297 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

New York Product Liability Cases

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)12180 — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

Child Sexual Abuse Takes a Toll on the Victims

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)11958 — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

New York Car Accident Fatalities Lower than Average

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)11154 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

The risk of being killed in a car accident in New York is lower than the national average, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The New York car accident death rate was 8.4 per 100,000 during the time of the study, which was significantly lower than the national average of 15.6. An initiative has been developed by the federal government, known as Healthy People 2010, which calls for a reduction in the amount of deaths caused by car accidents to 9.2 per 100,000. The highest death rate was in the South, where 19.5 per 100,000 people were killed in a car crash.

Researchers found that men are more likely to die in a car accident than women. The death rate for men was 21.7 per 100,000 and for women it was 9.4. The study also discovered that people ages 15 to 24 had a higher death rate than the other age groups.

There have been some suggestions made to lower the risk of death from a car accident, including:

• Lower blood alcohol laws
• Safety improvements to vehicles
• Improved roads
• Better emergency response
• Additional seat belt laws
• More alcohol checkpoints

If you have been injured in a New York auto accident, you need to contact an experienced accident lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445 for legal advice.

The Safest Small Cars According to the IIHS

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)10683 — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

The results are in and only two 2009 model small cars earned good ratings in side crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Have you wondered how your small car would hold up in a serious side impact crash or other type of auto accident in New York?

Seven small cars, all 2009 models, were included in the Institute’s front, side and rear crash tests. All of the seven vehicles, The Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4 and Toyota Matrix, earned the highest rating in the category of “good for occupant protection in frontal crashes.” However, only the SX4 and its twin Pontiac Vibe earned good ratings for protection in side crashes. The Institute issued a statement in its press release that the majority of new small cars earn good ratings in frontal crash tests, but do not perform well in side and rear crashes.

The side crash tests used to measure the protection is small cars incorporates a barrier designed to represent the front end of a pickup truck or SUV. The barrier is at head level, which makes side airbags an important component in protection. Joe Nolan, the Institute’s senior vice president, said that side airbags are standard in all of the small vehicles that were tested this time, which is a major change from 2006 when side airbags were mostly optional.

If you have been injured in a New York car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced car accident attorney at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445.

Defective Car Cases

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)10038 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

When attempting to show a car manufacturer or seller’s liability for
a car defect, you do not need to show that they were careless. Unlike
personal injury claims that are based on negligence, liability in car
defect cases is controlled by strict liability. Regardless of the
steps a manufacturer says it takes in creating or handling a car, you
can make a strict liability claim based on a car defect if certain
conditions are present:

1) The car had an unreasonably dangerous defect that harmed you. The
defect may arise from either the car’s design, during handling,
manufacture, shipment, or through a failure to warn consumers of a
dangerous aspect of the car.

2) An injury arose from the defect, while the car was being used properly.

3) There were no substantial alterations to the car from its
original condition when sold.

Manufacturer Defenses

The car manufacturer and the seller may have a defense to your strict
liability claims, particularly if you have owned the car for some
time, if it can be shown that you knew about the defect but continued
to use the car anyway. This can be established through either the
car’s condition or from your description of the use of your car. In
some states, a manufacturer or seller may also be able to defend
against your lawsuit under the theory that your contributory or
comparative negligence was the cause of your injuries.

Punitive Damages

There has been an increasing trend in car liability of
awarding more punitive damages for those who have successfully brought
a claim against a manufacturer or seller. These punitive damages
awards are above and beyond damages to compensate a plaintiff for his
or her injuries, and can range into tens of millions of dollars in
certain instances. Punitive damages are intended to punish
manufacturers and encourage them to fix defects that have resulted in
injury. Traditionally, car manufacturers have engaged in what is known
as a “cost-benefit” analysis when deciding whether to change a
potentially defective design. In this process, the manufacturer will
calculate the cost of implementing a design change, and weigh that
cost against the potential cost of litigation and settlement after the
defect causes injuries. Punitive damages are often awarded in order to
add to the potential costs a manufacturer will face if it decides not
to fix a design defect, thus shifting the cost-benefit analysis toward
the elimination of defects.

More Drivers Are Uninsured As Recession Grows Deeper

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)10037 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Chances are increasing that the next fender bender you are involved
in could be with someone without car insurance. As the recession
leaves millions of workers unemployed and pressures family budgets,
one place many are cutting is their insurance coverage.

The Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimates that by next year
nearly one in six motorists may be driving without insurance. That’s 3
million more uninsured drivers than just five years ago.

For every 1 percent increase in unemployment nationwide, the
percentage of uninsured motorists increases three-quarters of a
percentage point, IRC Vice President David Corum said. That could
result in a total of 16.1 percent by next year, an all-time high. The
rate was 13.8 percent in 2007. Based on current unemployment rate
projections, the percentage of uninsured motorists is expected to rise
to 16.1 percent in 2010.

The group examined data collected from nine insurance companies,
representing approximately 50 percent of the U.S. private passenger
auto insurance market. According to the IRC, the estimates for
uninsured motorist activity were based on a ratio of insurance claims
made by individuals who were injured by uninsured drivers to claims
made by individuals who were injured by insured drivers. The study
contains recent statistics by state on uninsured motorists claim
frequency, bodily injury liability claim frequency, and the ratio of
uninsured motorists to bodily injury claim frequencies.

New York is not in as dire shape when it comes to car insurance as it
is with the economy. The Empire State is tied for the third lowest
uninsured motorist rate at 5 percent, 4 percent behind Massachusetts. New Mexico led all states with a 29 percent uninsured motorist rate.

Travelers Cos. Inc. reports that there has recently been a mild
increase in uninsured claims and warns against dropping insurance as a
way to save money. William Pearse, the St. Paul, Minnesota company’s
vice president of product strategy and design notes that it’s equally
important to carry liability insurance that covers people in the other
car and to have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy, which
protects you if the other car is not insured. The average cost for
liability insurance in the United States is about $40 to $50 a month.
Although costs can vary, uninsured motorist coverage typically adds
from 7 percent to 10 percent to an insurance premium. Drivers without
at least liability insurance are breaking the law in all but two
states.

Defective Car Cases

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)9896 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

When attempting to show a car manufacturer or seller’s liability for a car defect, you do not need to show that they were careless. Unlike personal injury claims that are based on negligence, liability in car defect cases is controlled by strict liability. Regardless of the steps a manufacturer says it takes in creating or handling a car, you can make a strict liability claim based on a car defect if certain conditions are present:

1) The car had an unreasonably dangerous defect that harmed you. The defect may arise from either the car’s design, during handling, manufacture, shipment, or through a failure to warn consumers of a dangerous aspect of the car.

2) An injury arose from the defect, while the car was being used properly.

3) There were no substantial alterations to the car from its original condition when sold.

Manufacturer Defenses

The car manufacturer and the seller may have a defense to your strict liability claims, particularly if you have owned the car for some time, if it can be shown that you knew about the defect but continued to use the car anyway. This can be established through either the car’s condition or from your description of the use of your car. In some states, a manufacturer or seller may also be able to defend against your lawsuit under the theory that your contributory or comparative negligence was the cause of your injuries.

Punitive Damages

There has been an increasing trend in car liability of awarding more punitive damages for those who have successfully brought a claim against a manufacturer or seller. These punitive damages awards are above and beyond damages to compensate a plaintiff for his or her injuries, and can range into tens of millions of dollars in certain instances. Punitive damages are intended to punish manufacturers and encourage them to fix defects that have resulted in injury. Traditionally, car manufacturers have engaged in what is known as a "cost-benefit" analysis when deciding whether to change a potentially defective design. In this process, the manufacturer will calculate the cost of implementing a design change, and weigh that cost against the potential cost of litigation and settlement after the defect causes injuries. Punitive damages are often awarded in order to add to the potential costs a manufacturer will face if it decides not to fix a design defect, thus shifting the cost-benefit analysis toward the elimination of defects.

Thousands of Children Sustain Toy-Related Injuries Each Year

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)9712 — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

Did Your Infant Suffer Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy?

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)9601 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

Helmets Prevent Head Injuries in New York Motorcycle Accidents

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)9087 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

Motorcyclists often complain about having to wear a helmet, as they believe it takes away from the experience of riding on the open road. However, in New York, it is required that all motorcycle drivers and passengers wear helmets while the motorcycle is in operation. New York is one of several states that has enacted motorcycle helmet laws, which have been created to protect motorcyclists from injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes.

Motorcycles carry unique risks when compared to other vehicles, such as cars, trucks and vans. A motorcyclist has little protection if struck by a vehicle weighing thousands of pounds. To compound the problem, if the motorcyclist is ejected from the motorcycle, serious injuries can occur. Motorcycle helmets can help reduce the severity of injuries, especially to the head. A helmet provides cushion if the motorcyclist were to hit a hard surface, such as pavement. A study by the University of Southern California concluded that wearing a motorcycle helmet was the single most important factor in surviving a motorcycle accident.

It is a known fact that head injury is the most common cause of death in motorcycle crashes. Wearing a motorcycle helmet though, can lower the risk of death in a motorcycle crash by 37 percent. One study even suggested that motorcycle helmets are 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries and that a motorcyclist not wearing a helmet during an accident is three times more likely to suffer brain injuries than a helmeted motorcyclist.

The article, “Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet in New York Can Save Your Life,” has more facts and statistics relating to the effectiveness of motorcycle helmets in preventing head injuries.

If you have been injured in a New York motorcycle accident, contact the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine at (800) 734-9445 for legal advice.

Parents Need to Recognize the Warning Signs of Child Abuse

mindywein@cox.net (Blog Author)8771 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

It's Better to Be Sure: Get OBEL Coverage on Your Insurance

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8358 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

What if the accident is really bad?

What if you are out of work for a few weeks?

What if the medical bills and property damage go over the coverage limits of your policy?

In New York, policyholders have the option to purchase Optional Basic Economic Loss coverage, or OBEL for short.

What OBEL does is provide up to $25,000 worth of coverage above the $50,000 no-fault minimum requirements. In the event that your initial coverage is exhausted, OBEL coverage not only supplies you with more money, but also covers any passengers or pedestrians that were injured in the accident.

What is also important about OBEL coverage is that you get to decide how that extra $25,000 will be spent. That is much better than the options that you have with just the basic New York no-fault coverage.

Talk to your insurance provider about OBEL coverage today.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York car accident, contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine for a free legal consultation today.

A Sobering Report About Uninsured Drivers

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8324 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The ways that a faltering economy can affect America are almost without number. You can lose your job, lose your car or lose your house or apartment. If you own a business, all of a sudden nobody has any money to buy your goods or services. Life can get very perilous very quickly.

The Insurance Research Council just released a report that illustrates this point. According to the report, the faltering economy will cause the numbers of uninsured drivers to rise significantly:

MALVERN, Pa.—Approximately one in six drivers across the United States may be driving uninsured by 2010, according to a recent study from Insurance Research Council (IRC). Although the estimated percentage of uninsured motorists decreased nationally, from 14.9 percent in 2003 to 13.8 percent in 2007, the recent economic downturn is expected to trigger a sharp rise in the uninsured motorist rate.

The last thing anyone needs is to get hit by a driver with no insurance. Make sure that your policy has uninsured or underinsured coverage as soon as possible.

To read the full report, follow the link below.

Top Ten Dangerous Toys of the Past Year

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8303 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

To help parents with the purchase of toys that are not only fun to play with but are safe for use, the nonprofit organization World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. (WATCH) has issued its list of 10 toys that it considers dangerous enough that parents should exercise caution when allowing their kids to play with them.

Inflatable Giga Ball: Watch notes that this inflatable ball that kids can crawl into, tumble around, and bounce in could cause potential impact and serious injuries.

Sportsman Shotgun: This toy is made by Parris Manufacturing Co. and comes with rubber bullets that could cause eye injuries.

Animal Alley Purse Pet: WATCH is concerned that the hair on these, dolls made by Geoffrey Inc./Toys ‘R’ Us, can easily be removed and swallowed by kids, potentially causing aspiration and ingestion injuries.

Go Go Minis Pullback Vehicle: Made by Kid Galaxy Inc., WATCH is concerned that the toy truck’s back tires might come off and pose a choking hazard.

Spider-Man Adjustable Toy Skates: While Street Flyers LLC recommends that kids use knee pads, elbow pads, helmets, and wrist guards to prevent impact injuries, only the pads come with the skates.

Walk’n Sounds Digger the Dog: The toy’s dog leash is 2 inches longer than the toy industry 12-inch limit and may cause strangulation or entanglement injuries. This product is made by Hasbro/Playskool.

Pucci Puppies - My Own Puppy House Golden Retriever: This Battat Inc. toy comes with small parts that can pose a choking hazards to kids.

Meadow Mystery Play-A-Sound Book With a Cuddly Pooh: The Disney Pooh’s mask could pose a choking hazard to children if removed.

Extreme Spiral Copters: This slingshot-like toy can potentially cause eye injuries. Made by Toysmith Group.

TMNT Ninja Battle Gear - Michelangelo Hazard:

- Choking Injuries

- Aspiration Injuries

- Burn Injuries

- Impact Injuries

- Strangulation

- Impalement

- Lacerations

- Puncture Wounds

- Lead Exposure-Related Injuries

- Magnet-Related Internal Injuries
- Death
While Playmates Toys Inc. warns that the toy’s small parts could pose a potential choking hazard, the toy manufacturer fails to warn parents of the potential for blunt impact injuries.

Despite effort to remove dangerous and defective toys from the marketplace, many hazardous toys continue to be available for purchase. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are still many toys available on store shelves that place children at risk for sustaining:

Peanut Butter Salmonella Recalls Include Little Debbie Snacks

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8242 — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Little Debbie snacks are the latest peanut butter-containing foods to be recalled amid a nationwide salmonella outbreak. The outbreak has been linked to a Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) facility in Georgia which supplies peanut paste and peanut butter to 85 other food companies. Little Debbie joined a growing list of companies that recalled snacks over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to avoid eating any foods that contain peanut butter.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium has sickened 474 people in 43 states. At least six have died. Nearly a quarter of those sickened have required hospitalization, the CDC said.

Peanut butter became the prime suspect in the salmonella outbreak after the bacteria was found in an opened 5-pound container of King Nut peanut butter made by PCA. That prompted both King Nut Company and PCA to recall peanut butters made at the plant, including those sold under the King Nut and Parnell’s pride labels.

Last week, the salmonella found in the King Nut peanut butter was confirmed to be the outbreak strain, and late Friday, investigators announced they found salmonella in peanut butter at PCA’s Blakely, Georgia facility. That plant has since been closed pending further investigation. In addition to peanut butter, the PCA factory also makes peanut paste, an ingredient in everything from baked goods to sauces.

The announcement set off an avalanche of recalls which are sure to continue in the coming days. Kellogg Company was the first to issue a snack food recall on Friday evening. The company is recalling several varieties of Keebler and Austin snack crackers as cookies, as well as Famous Amos cookies made with peanut butter.

Yesterday, McKee Food Corporation recalled all sizes of Little Debbie Peanut Butter Toasty sandwich crackers and Little Debbie Peanut Butter Cheese sandwich crackers. According to a McKee Food press release, those crackers were also made by Kellogg.

As a precaution, the FDA is urging consumers to avoid all snacks containing peanut butt or peanut paste until the salmonella investigation is complete. However, the agency said most peanut butter sold in jars at retail stores appears to be safe. PCA peanut butters are sold in bulk to food service firms and institutions.

Kugel Mesh Hernia Patch Recall

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8172 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The popular Bard Composix Kugel Mesh Hernia Patch has been linked to serious, life-threatening side effects and has been voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer and in association with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

On January 8, 2008, a Federal Court judge expanded the scope of current hernia patch lawsuits to include all Davol/Bard Marlex/Teflon patches, with or without "memory recoil rings."

As early as August 2001, Davol began receiving reports of complications and failures of its hernia mesh patch. These reports advise of bowel obstructions, adhesions, constipation, and fistula resulting from implantation of Composix Kugel® Mesh Patches. The reports also contain descriptions of problems other then memory recoil ring breakage including, "buckled mesh," "patch shriveling" and "edges curled up," as well as descriptions of the mesh as being "crumpled," "wrinkled," "rolled up," "delaminated" and "folded."

What is the Kugel Patch?

The Kugel patch is used to repair Inguinal, Ventral and Laparoscopic hernias. In the more common Ventral or Incisional hernia, the patch is placed behind the hernia defect through a small incision. The patch is then held open by a "memory recoil ring" that allows the patch to be folded for insertion and later spring open and lay flat once it is in place.

Timeline - Why was the Kugel Patch Recalled?

In three (3) separate product recalls, Davol Inc. and its subsidiary C.R. Bard Inc. in association with the FDA initiated a voluntary recall of the Kugel patch. The dates for the specific recalls are as follows:

December 22, 2005

March 31, 2006

January 24, 2007

The recall of the hernia patch was initiated because the "memory recoil ring" that opens the Kugel patch can break under the stress of placement of the large sized products in the intra-abdominal space.

What are the Side Effects?

The memory recoil ring defect in the hernia patch can lead to serious, life-threatening side effects. The side effects of a defective patch are as follows:

bowel perforation;

bowel obstruction;

chronic intestinal fistulae (abnormal connections or passageways between the intestines and other organs);

serious infection; and/or

death.

Signs of a Problem

The FDA has advised patients who have been implanted with one of the recalled devices to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms that could be associated with ring breakage. Symptoms of ring breakage are as follows:

unexplained or persistent abdominal pain;

fever;

tenderness at the implant site; and/or

other unusual symptoms.

We are actively pursuing Kugel Mesh cases. If you have any questions, please give Michael Glass, Esq a call at (631) 293 -2300 (x 112).

Bedsores Do Not Just Happen to "The Elderly"

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8171 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

It is a common misconception that decubitus ulcers ("bedsores," "pressure wounds") only happen to people of advanced age that are bedridden for extremely long periods of time. While factors like age, incontinence and certain types of medication are factors-----pressure, friction, humidity and temperature can cause this potentially deadly condition to develop in a shockingly short period of time, regardless of age.

RGGL was recently contacted by the family of a working woman in her 50's who walked into a Bronx hospital under her own power complaining of back pain. Although she had diabetes and hypertension (controlled by medication) she had no other significant medical history. She did require back surgery, and was hospitalized for approximately 8 weeks.

Her family came to meet with hospital staff members in anticipation of her release from the hospital for the holidays. One of her daughters was told that family members would have to be instructed in "wound care," which she presumed related to the surgical incision from the back surgery. She was shocked to learn (and see) that her mother had developed serious decubitus ulcers on her lower back and buttocks while at the hospital. This unfortunate woman now faces a long road to recovery, and remains hospitalized in a different institution, facing many complications such as the continuing spread of infection.

The development of bedsores can be easily prevented with proper care. They routinely appear on "bony" areas of the body that will remain in contact with the bed's surface for extended periods of time (heels, low back, elbows, ankles, e.g.) However, even the simple procedure of turning the patient every 2 hours can prevent this condition from occurring in the first place. These ulcers can begin as seemingly innocent areas of redness on the parts of the body mentioned. If you or someone you know have a loved one in the hospital or bedridden at home, make sure you discuss preventative measures with their health care professionals.

Bedsores are no "accident." They result purely from neglect. Contact an attorney familiar with nursing home/hospital negligence for more information about your rights.

More Drivers Driving Without Car Insurance

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8169 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Americans have been seeking ways to cut their spending in these tumultuous economic times. One of the biggest cost casualties has been car insurance. The number of uninsured motorists nationwide has doubled in the past year from 10% to 20%, according to the online agency Insurance.com.

"Money is a little tight with people, and they decide if they need to skip on something, they'll let their insurance lapse," said Sam Belden, Vice President of Insurance.com. "It's directly attributable to the economy," he added. "And it's exacerbated by premiums also rising over the past year. When people are squeezed the most, the insurance rates are also going up."

Belden said insurance premiums have increased by 6 or 7 percent this year.

The Insurance Research Council, a group funded by the insurance industry, is expected to release a study next month showing that several hundred thousand drivers dropped their insurance in 2008, partly because of the economy and jobless rate. About 40 percent of callers who followed up on online applications this year let their policies lapse, up from 10 percent a couple of years ago.

David Corum, vice president of the council, said the study shows that a single percentage point increase in unemployment is associated with a half-point increase in uninsured drivers. Despite the hike in rates and the stumbling economy, Belden said policyholders should never let their coverage lapse. Drivers who let their policies lapse usually must pay up to a 50 percent surcharge for a new policy.

Belden said drivers should talk to their agents about various payment options suited for their income. "If you pay once every three months, the amount may look absurd," Belden said. "You can move to monthly payments to even it out. If it gets too desperate, some insurance companies take partial payments at a time. If all else fails, maybe you're with the wrong company. There's a lot of rate variation between the insurance companies out

Toddlers and Toxic Substances

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8167 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

New York's Liquor Liability Law - Too Much Holiday Cheer Comes With a Price...

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8166 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Under New York Law, bartenders, shopkeepers, wait staff and other persons who serve alcoholic beverages to "visibly intoxicated" persons can cause their employers to be held legally responsible for injuries or death to innocent third parties. This liability extends not only to motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk drivers, but also to victims of assaults or brawls precipitated by continuing to serve intoxicated patrons.

Employees who serve alcohol are trained to see if patrons have slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, exhibit loud or abusive behavior, or have problems with balance. They are expected to use good judgment in whether or not to continue to serve a patron who appears to be drunk.

Parents or other adults who serve alcohol or provide drugs to minors at parties in their home can similarly be held responsible if injuries result.

Enjoy the holidays----but let common sense prevail.

If you or a loved one has been injured because of such poor judgment, consult an attorney to explain and protect your rights.

Drive safely - The holidays are here!

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8164 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The end of the year holidays present us with a chance to spend time with family and loved ones. It also means traveling. Unfortunately we have all seen the headlines of fatal accidents that routinely occur during this time of year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more fatal accidents take place between Christmas and New Years than at any other time during the year.

Just a reminder, take your time, don't drink and drive, and have a happy holiday.

New Limits on Medicaid

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8163 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A recent article in the November issue of "The Suffolk Lawyer", discusses the important issue of Medicaid liens. In it, it states that "the Second Department has limited the right of a Social Services Department to recover from a personal injury settlement the monies expended by Medicaid in the care and treatment of a person with Down’s Syndrome to the period after the creation of a supplemental needs trust (SNT) and not from the date Medicaid first established the recipient’s eligibility for benefits. In doing so the court harmonized several provisions of state and federal law respecting the creation of SNTs in light of the requirements that an SNT contain repayment language and in consideration of the recent United States Supreme Court decision in Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services v. Ahlborn (547 US 268). "

The article further discusses the case, Matter of Ruben N. v. Elizabeth T., 2008 Slip Op 06997, decided September 16, 2008, which involved a person with Down’s Syndrome, wherein Medicaid paid his medical bills. Ultimately, the malpractice action settled on August 23, 2002 for $1,600,000.00, with DSS agreeing to accept $102,423.56, in compromise of the 104-b Medicaid lien, attaching against the proceeds of the personal injury action.

By effecting this resolution with DSS, the balance of the settlement proceeds were placed in a supplemental needs trust, which permitted those funds to be disregarded in any calculation of eligibility for Medicaid benefits. The supplemental needs trust in compliance with both federal, state and Social Services law normally contains language, that upon the death of the beneficiary, "the state would receive the remaining trust corpus to the total value of ‘all medical assistance’ provided by Medicaid to the beneficiary."

The party to the case died in 2003. At that time DSS demanded payment, "for all Medicaid disbursements for Ruben’s medical care during his entire lifetime, both before and after the spinal surgery resulting in the paralysis, in the amount of $632,714.22".

It was ultimately decided by the Appellate Division Second Department, to limit the monies received by DSS to the period of time after the creation of a supplemental needs trust, and not the date that Medicaid first established the recipient’s eligibility for benefits.

It's Winter!!!! Be Safe-----and Make It Safe for Others......

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8162 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Here in the New York City area we are getting our first dusting of snow. Last night, I begrudgingly and with Scrooge-like scowls trudged into my basement to bring up a bucket of salt for my walks and paths. It got me thinking......

Please be careful driving, and remember that when bad weather and icy conditions hit, it is not a good idea to speed up so you get to your destination sooner. Unless, of course, you like the idea of having your last name changed to "Defendant."

Pack up some kitty litter in your car (for traction) if you get stuck in snow, along with a collapsible shovel. If you find yourself stuck in the snow, spinning your wheels is like...uhh.....well......spinning your wheels. You will just get stuck deeper. Turn your front tires to the left and right to help clear as much snow away from the wheels as you can, and use your handy shovel to clear the rest. The kitty litter (or sand) will help the tires grab and get you out.

Next time you stop for gas, pick up an extra gallon of winter windshield fluid and keep it in the car. You never realize the reservoir is empty until you have freezing sleet in front of your face. Opening the widow and trying to wipe your windshield clear with your left hand while driving on I95 is not recommended by AAA. (You know who you are.)

Ice scraper is a must. Lock de-icer is a good idea, but most people I know keep it inside their car. (???) The few times I had trouble opening a frozen car lock, I used a cigarette lighter to heat up the key and then placed it in the lock. Of course, those were the "good old days" when everybody smoked, and we actually had metal keys instead of things that look like mini-phasers from Star Trek. Progress.

In addition to the obvious "slow down" advice, leave extra room between your car and others for extra stopping distance.

And the best advice: when it gets to the point where you need a push broom to get the snow off your car, and boiling water to melt the glacial ice off the windshield, go back inside and make yourself a hot toddy. Or, to quote that immortal sage Ed Norton: "Pack up and move to Florida!"

5 Simple Steps To Deal With Your Insurance Carrier

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)8161 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

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.

Don't Postpone Car Safety Inspections

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)7253 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

New York requires yearly safety inspections for any car that is on the road, and this inspection exists for a very good reason.

Cars are machines made of moving parts. Any machine with moving parts inevitably breaks down. The safety inspection for your car involves a trained mechanic taking a look at all of the parts of your car that are crucial to keeping you from getting into an accident.

They inspect things like the brakes, the tires, the horn, as well as the lights, reflectors and blinkers. These might seem mundane and not important, but each of these parts can play an important role in helping you avoid an accident.

Even if it seems inconvenient to do so, getting your car inspected can let you know if you need new tires, or if your turn signals aren’t working correctly, or if your brakes are about to fail. It is better to have that information before it’s too late for you to do anything about it.

Any car accident is bad enough, but one that is caused by a driver who neglected to get his or car up to safety standards is nothing short of a tragedy.

If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in the New York City area, contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine for a free legal consultation today.

New Child Accident Chart Out

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)7207 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

The New York Times has put together a chart about child accidents using data from the World Health Organization.

The chart breaks everything down in categories that are more than a little heartbreaking.

One particular statistic that we noticed was that road and traffic accidents are ranked at number one or two among three different age groups. While a great deal of these accidents occur in the third world, it goes without saying that a fair percentage of auto accident deaths occur here in New York City.

This underscores the importance of driving carefully and teaching your teenagers to do the same once they get their licenses.

As always, if you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident in New York, contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine for a free legal consultation today.

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/12/10/health/10injury.graphix.ready.html

Real Insurance Ratings

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)6477 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

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

Do You Live Near one of The Most Dangerous Intersections in New York?

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)6447 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

A group called Transportation Alternatives has recently put together a list of the 50 most dangerous intersections in New York for pedestrians and bicyclists.

As New York injury attorneys, we can tell you that pedestrian accidents happen with alarming frequency here. What is interesting about this list is that many of these intersections could be made much safer by simply allowing more time for the pedestrians to cross.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in New York City, contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine for a free legal consultation today.

Work-Related Injury Deaths Among Hispanics- United States, 1992-2006

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)6093 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, undocumented workers deal with very hazardous conditions resulting in injuries. 70 % of undocumented workers are Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Hispanic workers die at a 25 % higher rate than workers of other races. In 2006, 19.6 million workers in the United States were Hispanic, 56 % of whom were foreign-born. From 1992 to 2006, a total of 11,303 Hispanic workers died from work-related injuries. From 2003 to 2006, 34 % of Hispanic worker deaths occurred in the construction industry. Aside from 1995, the annual work-related injury death rate for Hispanic workers exceeded the rate for all U.S. workers every year during the period of 1992 to 2006. In 2006, the work-related injury death rate for Hispanic workers was 5.0 per 100,000 compared to 4.0 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic workers. During 2003 to 2006, the most common industries employing Hispanics who died from work-related injuries were construction (34 %), administrative and waste services (11 %), fishing/hunting (10 %), and transportation/warehousing (10 %). The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuires (CFOI) and the BLS Current Population Survey (CPS) were responsible for the statistics in this summary.

While this report is startling, there are four limitations to this data:

1) The number of deaths among Hispanic workers is probably understated. Seven in ten undocumented workers in the United States are Hispanic. Many Hispanic workers are unwilling to report job-related injuries due to language barriers or a fear of being fired.

2) Hispanic ethnicity might have been misclassified in the CFOI, which relies on secondary data sources, and also in CPS, which uses a single reporter for all household members.

3) Hispanic workers might be undercounted in the CPS, which relies on stable residences for sequential interviews and largely collects data via telephone.

4) Hispanic workers, especially those who are foreign born, might be more willing to perform tasks that have a higher risk involved out of a fear of being unemployed.

Immigrant Workers At Risk

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)6092 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

There has been an increase in the number of foreign-born workers in the U.S. in the last twenty years. Since 1990, foreign-born workers have increased in the labor force by 9.4 %. There is also a trend of foreign-born workers taking higher risk construction jobs. The number of fatalities among immigrant workers has risen from 635 in 1992 to 1,046 in 2007. Many of these immigrant workers are afraid to report injuries for fear of either losing their job or being deported by the U.S. Homeland Security Department’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). A few years ago, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created a program to encourage illegal workers to report injuries without the fear of losing a job or being deported. Unfortunately, the OSHA was being used by ICE agents as a decoy in order to arrest and deport undocumented workers. In 2005, a sting operation was set up at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina by ICE agents in order to arrest and deport undocumented construction workers under the disguise of an OSHA outreach session. The sting operation was a success for ICE, as 48 illegal immigrant workers were arrested and deported. Even though the undocumented workers were deported, the construction contractors were not penalized for their illegal conduct. The sting operation was unanimously condemned by labor and immigration rights officials and many took the set up as an example of the lack of concern the Bush administration has for worker safety.

New Car Safety Features

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)5569 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

It's hard to fault auto manufacturers these days. With every passing year, more and more safety measures become standard in cars.

With the amount of auto accidents that happen in New York, we applaud anything that makes driving a safer prospect, so the more safety features the better.

If you follow this link:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/09/17/aa.avoiding.a.crash/

you will find a great article on some of the new safety features that are being placed in some of the higher end cars, but will no doubt find their way into the lower cost vehicles in the coming years.

As always, if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine for a free legal consultation today.

Black Box Technology Can Work for You

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)5525 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

If you follow this link:

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1105364095740

you will find an article from Law.com that describes how the readings from a cars "black box" data recorder can be admissable as evidence in a murder trial.

The "black box" records lots of data, including the speed limit that a car was going when the airbags deployed.

This could prove to be an interesting development in accident cases. Quite often, car accident cases get stalled based on insurance company denials and stalling tactics, and the readings from a black box could conceivably help prove the car accident cases of accident victims.

As car accident attorneys in New York, it's important for us to gather as much data as we can to help prove the cases of our clients. Black box data can certainly be an important part of this process.

Hospital-Acquired Illness Creates 12% Of Liability: Study

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)5026 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

A new study from http://www.businessinsurance.com came out recently with startling numbers. More than 12 % of hospital liability costs arose from hospital-acquired infections, hospital-acquired injuries, objects left in the body after surgery and pressure ulcers. As a result, Baltimore-based Centers for Medicare and Medicaid will no longer reimburse providers for certain categories of hospital-acquired conditions and medical errors.

There is concern by risk managers that the lack of a rebursement by these social programs will trigger an increase in hospital professional liability claims. Several insurers have announced they will cease reimbursing such errors, including Chicago-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

The study was conducted to give health care managers a clearer understanding of their cost of risk compared to an industry benchmark. This was the first year the study included data on hospital-acquired illnesses. The hope is to use the new data to establish a benchmark against which future liability costs for such ailments could be compared.

Worst Insurance Companies of 2008

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)5025 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

The American Association of Justice has put together a list of the 10 worst insurance companies in America.

They base their rankings on which companies practice the "deny, delay and defend" doctrine, which basically means that they do whatever it takes to avoid paying out claims.

It is a fascinating report, and we highly reccomend taking a look. At the very least you should see if your insuranc company made the list.

Bus Accident case settled for $4.5 Million

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)4806 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST

One of our recently settled cases for $4,500,000 involved a pedestrian and a bus. At the time of the incident, which occured on February 14, 2006 at around 3 pm, the plaintiff was walking eastbound on Crown Street in Brooklyn. Upon arriving at the intersection of Crown Street and Utica Avenue the light was red, so the plaintiff stopped, stood and waited. Eventually, the pedestrian crosswalk signal indicated that ti was safe to cross Utica Avenue, so the plaintiff proceeded to step off the curb and cross the avenue in the designated crosswalk. As she was doing so, she was struck by the defendents' school bus, which was making a left turn from Crown Street onto Utica Avenue.

According to Crash Statistics Online, there were 12, 498 non-fatal bus accidents just last year. 481 of those bus accidents, 3.85 %, occured in the State of New York. This number is significantly higher then the rest of the northeast and mid atlantic. However, just about any state in the rust belt region has higher bus accident rates then New York and another big state, California, nearly triples our bus accident total.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has recently conducted research on bus and passenger accident prevention. They have created five phases to help in accident prevention:

    1. Development and Implementation of an accident prevention program

    2. Selection, Training, Evaulation and, if necessary, termination of transit system employees

    3. Promotion of Patron Safety/Awareness

    4. Design options available in the vehicle procurement phase that will prevent accidents

    5. Development of Safety Policies and Procedures

Health effects from 9/11 still in the air

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)4637 — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST

If you follow the link below, you will find an article in The New York Times that describes how the asthma rates are going up among adults who lived near the World Trade Center.

Please don't think of this as paranoia. If the rate had only gone up half a percentage point then The Times would not have even bothered to report it.

There are still people suffering from the effects of 9/11, and New York is not acting with enough speed when it comes to helping them.

Truck Driver Hit and Injured During Snowstorm Receives $1.9-Million Settlement

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)4063 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

RGG&L partner Michael Glass

Glass’s client was driving a pickup truck on a Suffolk County, Long Island road during the storm. The driver of the tractor trailer, which was traveling in the opposite direction, lost control of his rig on the ice. The trailer portion jackknifed over the center line of the road, demolishing the pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup truck suffered a brain bleed as well as very serious, multiple fractures throughout his body. One of the very serious fractures (to the tibia/fibula) required surgery and the implantation of hardware. RGG&L conducted an early, exhaustive investigation and retained an accident reconstruction expert to reconstruct the events leading up to the disastrous crash as well as an economist to evaluate the economic damages. Glass said he was particularly gratified by the early resolution of this case because it was accomplished before depositions, and for virtually the full amount of insurance proceeds available.

The injured man has been unable to return to work since the accident. He plans to use the settlement money to repay debts he has incurred, and to resurrect several small business he had previously owned and managed.

RGG&L Secures $1.33-Million Settlement for Estate of 38-Year-Old Man Crushed by Tree Limb

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)4062 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

Next time you are walking down a tree-lined street on a blustery day, be aware of the possibility of falling tree limbs. RGG&L partners Michael Glass and Jim Forde recently obtained a settlement of $1.33 million for the family of a 38-year-old man who was crushed by a huge tree branch that broke and fell off a decaying tree in high winds. The case, which involved multiple defendants and is continuing to trial against several of them, involved a large dying tree on a community lot in a Queens, N.Y., enclave. The tree had a history of falling limbs and branches that had caused property damage to parked cars and near-misses with pedestrians, and there were documented resident complaints. The case was settled against the homeowners who had use of the lot, but is continuing against the owner of the lot and other parties.

Highway Construction Worker Gets $4.77-Million Settlement After Being Hit and Permanently Injured by Out-of-Control Car

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)4060 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

A spate of accidents in New York City this past summer demonstrated something that we all know intuitively to be true: Construction work is dangerous.

And within this sphere, highway construction is among the most dangerous type, with workers having to contend not only with the hazards of machines and heavy equipment, but also with drivers speeding through the construction zone.

Recently, RGG&L partner Michael Glass represented a highway construction worker who sustained permanent injuries on the job, securing a $4.77-million settlement for the man just as jury selection was about to begin. This worker had been replacing the center median of Sunrise Highway on Long Island when a teenage driver lost control of her car and fishtailed over several lanes of traffic, skidding into the construction zone and into the worker. He was thrown 40 feet, suffering multiple fractures and serious, permanently disabling head injuries. The suit was against the driver for driving carelessly and against the general contractor for failing to provide appropriate safeguards from the speeding traffic for the workers at the site.

The money from the settlement will be used to fund the injured worker's substantial ongoing medical bills and to compensate his devoted wife, who has become his primary caretaker. "The lesson for us all," said Glass, "is to slow down and stay alert when driving through a construction zone. It is possible to come upon work being done just a few feet, or even inches, from the moving lane of traffic."

There Is Nothing "Freak" About This Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)4045 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

It isn't a secret that the New York Post is a somewhat right of center publication, so it isn't really a surprise that their slant on this story in Queens doesn't ask a pretty simple question.

What was a dead tree doing on the property adjacent to the street fair?

This dead tree that all of a sudden snapped and struck a woman, critically injuring her, should not have been left to sit there for as long as it did. Dead trees decompose and fall, and it was simply a matter of before this occurred.

The story in the Post quotes a store owner who calls it a freak accident, but we think there were quite a few other bystanders who asked "Why was a dead tree allowed to just sit on this property?"

It's a question that the accident victim's attorneys should be asking the owners of the property, who happen to be the New York and Atlantic Freight Railway.

Things Falling off of Skyscrapers

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)4044 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

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.

Construction Prices Going Up?

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)3736 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

According to a report by the New York Building Congress, the cost of construction in New York is going up about 1% a month.

The report blames the rising price of materials, high demand for labor, poor project planning and extensive regulations.

We can certainly believe that. At least the part about the poor project planning. The recent crane collapses have been a tragic illustration of the lack of oversight and proper inspections.

Re-inventing the Malpractice "Crisis"

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)3735 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

From a recent issue of The New York Sun:

"A cash-strapped Brooklyn hospital will stop delivering babies, aiming to regain its financial footing and reduce its escalating medical malpractice costs.

Long Island College Hospital, in the Cobble Hill neighborhood, plans to shutter its obstetrics department pending approval from the state's Department of Health, hospital officials said yesterday. Last year, the hospital delivered 2,800 babies, and it is on track to deliver about 2,200 this year."

The premise here is that mean old lawyers are keeping people from even being born because all they do is sue people.

In the first place, it has been our experience that the only thing that causes insurance rates to rise are the insurance companies themselves. And considering that so few medical malpractice cases even make it to trial, it seems absurd that lawsuits are the cause of rising insurance rates. We reccomend a good solid look at the profit margins of the insurance companies lately. They have taken a beating just like everyone else. The last time they lost money was in 2003 when the bond market tanked, and within two weeks they jacked their rates and blamed the lawyers.

Don't be fooled.

RGG&L secures $1.2 million settlement for woman whose breast cancer diagnosis was delayed due to misread mammograms

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)3517 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

Breast cancer could well be considered an epidemic in America: One out of nine woman is diagnosed with the disease during her lifetime. And although many women now know more about-and do more about-detecting breast cancer early, sometimes that is not always enough.

RGG&L partner Michael Glass recently secured a $1.2 million settlement for a 46-year old woman who took every reasonable step to monitor for breast cancer, including self-exams and annual mammograms. Unfortunately, for two years in a row, her radiologist completely missed a suspicious breast lesion when he interpreted her mammograms, permitting that cancer to grow and invade several of her lymph nodes. Fortunately, with aggressive treatment, the woman has beeen cancer-free for a number of years, but the mistake placed her at a significantly increased risk of recurrence and the need for highly invasive measures to arrest the further development of the cancer.

Great New Article on "Defensive Medicine"

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)3285 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

There is a wonderful new article in The New York Times about a serious problem that doctors are having dealing with insurance companies. Turns out they have just as many problems with them as we do.

If you aren't registered with The New York Times, you should definitely do so. It's free, and they don't put your names on any lists. And the information in this article is completely worth it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/health/views/17essa.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1214861643-dkIuVRsWldrHWAkgc+9Ixg

What Grade Did Your Medical Insurance Company Get?

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)3284 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

The American Medical Association has released a report card which rates medical insurance companies based on their efficiency in paying what they owe to doctors.

You can bet that if your insurance company isn't regularly paying their doctors for what they owe you, then they probably wont be very much help when you need them.

For more information, follow the link below.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/PracticeManagement/tb/9876

Crane Collapses Seem To Be An Epidemic

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)2885 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Could someone please explain why so many crane collapses have been plauging New York City this year?

The collapse that destroyed that townhouse and injured ten was only the latest in a series of crane malfunctions.

Either the cranes are faulty or the construction companies are hiring completely unqualified people to do the work.

Tell Your Teens To Buckle Up

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)2884 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

A recent study by the NHTSA shows that teenagers aren't wearing their seatbelts when their parents aren't with them.

The end result is that over half of the teens that died in car accidents at night weren't wearing their seatbelts.

Tell your kids that seatbelt use is not optional but mandatory.

Safety Information Available Through Text or E-mail

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)2552 — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:00:00 EST

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has started a service where subscribers can receive instant notification through e-mail or text messaging whenever there is a safety recall involving tires or child safety seats.

For those of you with small children, we think signing up for this service would be a good idea.

Just go to the NHTSA website at NHTSA.DOT.GOV.

State Farm: Sanction Whistleblowers

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)2432 — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

Is being a conscientious employee going to be a punishable offense?

State Farm would like to make sure of that. They want a federal judge to fine the two sisters who made copies of documents that detailed State Farm's behavior in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Follow the link for the whole story.

Even the Lizard can't help this kid

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)1491 — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

A Canadian teen with a terrible driving record just got a six figure insurance bill. For more information, follow the link below. http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=9d92d4fe-1c61-4364-ac54-b61e31a34e50&k=47030

New York City May Be Held Liable In 9/11 Lawsuits

mlevine@rapplaw.com (Blog Author)1126 — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST

A Federal Court of Appeals recently held that the City of New York and the Port Authority are not immune to lawsuits from litigants claiming the city's and authority's failure to clean up debris in the 9/11 attacks caused them injuries.

There are currently 8,000 lawsuits pending of this sort. What do you think about this?

At first blush, it seems repugnant to sue the city for actions taken in the midst of the World Trade Center bombing or the 9/11 attacks. Many of the legal standards rely on the question of what is reasonable action for a city to do. Or, the question is what is reasonably foreseeable when conducting a specific action.

How can we determine what is a reasonable response to a catastrophic event like 9/11? Any thoughts out there?

Larry

Southold Car Accident Leaves 23-Year-Old Man Dead

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)13314 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Southold car accident leaves one man dead and another injured when the car they were traveling in strikes a utility pole after making an attempt to avoid a deer. The incident took place at approximately 4:00 AM on Saturday morning, February 27, 2010, on North Road just east of Boisseau Avenue.

According to Southold Police, Terrence Lawrence, 29, of Greenport, was driving a 1999 Infiniti along North Road when he swerved in order to avoid a deer. He reportedly lost control of his car, left the roadway and slammed into a utility pole.

Rescue crews transported Lawrence to Peconic Bay Medical Center where he was treated for injuries sustained in the accident. Fortunately, he only suffered minor injures.

However, Lawrence’s passenger did not fair so well. Corey Freeman, 23, also of Greenport, was transported to Eastern Long Island Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The fatal Southold auto accident is still under investigation by local authorities. According to police, no criminal charges are pending.

This is a tragic and unfortunate accident. We extend our thoughts and condolences to those who have been affected by Mr. Freeman’s untimely death. We would also like to wish Mr. Lawrence a speedy recovery during this difficult time.

Brooklyn Auto Accident Leaves 4-Year-Old Boy Dead

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)13001 — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Brooklyn car accident in Borough Park involving a school bus leaves a 4-year-old boy dead. The incident took place at approximately 8:00 AM on Wednesday morning, February 17, 2010, near the intersection of 13th Avenue and 49th Street.

According to authorities, the 4-year-old boy and his 13-year-old brother had just left their house for school when the incident happened. As the boy was running toward the bus he apparently slipped on some ice and became caught underneath the bus as the bus took off.

The bus driver claimed that he did not see the boy, even after he took off. The driver didn’t realize he hit the boy until he was flagged down by onlookers. Unfortunately, the 4-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

The unidentified 32-year-old bus driver was driving for Yeshiva Bais Chaim Yoshua when the accident occurred. Police gave him a Breathalyzer test at the scene of the accident. They indicated that the man passed the test.

The fatal Brooklyn accident is still under investigation by local authorities. There were no immediate charges filed against the bus driver.

This is an unfortunate and tragic accident. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of this 4-year-old that needlessly lost his life.

Southampton Car Accident Leaves One Dead

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)13000 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Southampton car accident involving a transit bus claims the life of a man after the bus collides with a car. The incident took place on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at the intersection of County Road 51 and Lake Avenue.

According to investigators, a 2000 Ford Focus entered the intersection and was struck by a Suffolk County Transit Bus that was northbound on County Road 51. The driver of the Ford, Michael Brown, 21, of Greenport, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the bus has been identified as John Bravata, 56, of Ronkonkoma. Bravata, along with 14 passengers on the bus, were transported to either Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead or to Brookhaven Hospital in East Patchogue where they were treated for injuries sustained in the accident. However, there were no serious injures reported.

Commuters were inconvenienced for almost four hours as crews investigated the accident scene and removed the two vehicles involved in the wreck.

The fatal Southampton accident is still under investigation by local authorities. However, officials indicated that there are no charges are pending.

This is a tragic and unfortunate accident and our thoughts and condolences go out to all of those that have been impacted by this incident.

Flanders Car Accident Leaves Woman Dead

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12937 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Flanders car accident claims the life of a 43-year-old woman after she loses control of her sport utility vehicle (SUV) and slams into several trees. The incident took place at approximately 7:00 PM on Tuesday night, February 9, 2010, on County Road 105.

According to Southampton Town Police, Beth Gruebel, 43, of East Quogue, was traveling at excessive speeds northbound on County Road 105 when she lost control of her SUV. The SUV flipped over and hit several trees. Rescue crews pronounced Gruebel dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the accident.

Police believe that her speed and the fact that she may have been driving on at least one inadequate tire may have been contributing factors in the single-car wreck. They also indicated that Gruebel was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Evening commuters were inconvenienced for over three hours as crews shut down County Road 105 to investigate the accident and clean-up the crash scene.

The fatal Flanders accident is still under investigating by local authorities.

This is an unfortunate accident and a type of event that is always hard on the families who are affected. We send out condolences to all of those who have been impacted by this crash.

Malverne Auto Accident Kills 74-Year-Old Man

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12773 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Malverne auto accident involving a pedestrian leaves a man dead after he is struck by a car while crossing the street. The incident took place at approximately 7:15 PM on Saturday night, Januarys 30, 2010, on Franklin Avenue.

According to Nassau police, the victim, Michael Levine, 74, of Oceanside, was crossing the road at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Linden Street when the incident occurred. That is when an unidentified 66-year-old woman who was driving a Chevy Impala northbound on Franklin struck the elderly man in the road.

Based on reports, Levine was pronounced dead at the scene about 10 minutes following the collision from injuries sustained in the accident. The driver of the Impala was not injured in the crash. There were no other injuries reported.

The Malverne pedestrian accident is still under investigation by local authorities. Fifth Squad detectives indicated that they did not find any apparent criminality. However, they impounded her Chevy Impala from the accident scene to conduct safety and brake inspections on the vehicle.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to everyone that has been affected by this unfortunate accident.

Long Island Drunk Driving Accident Kills Two, Injures Three

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12592 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Long Island drunk driving accident involving a drunk teenage driver leaves two dead and three others injured after she loses control of her car and slams into a tree. The incident took place Thursday morning, January 28, 2010, in Central Islip.

According to police, the five friends had been drinking all night while driving around town. The driver, Taylor Nolte, 19, of Centereach, was allegedly drunk when she lost control of the car. The car slammed into a tree and then wrapped around a second tree.

Two of the passengers, Kenyen Gaskins, 23, of Central Islip and Kelly Mallazzo, 18, of Hauppauge, were both killed in the accident.

Rescue crews transported two other passengers to Southside Hospital where they were treated for injuries sustained in the accident. Their identities were not made known.

Nolte was also injured in the accident, however, the extent of her injuries were not made known. She appeared to be the least injured.

When police arrived on the scene they discovered beer cans in the car. They believe that Nolte may have been going at least 80 miles an hour when she lost control of the vehicle. Police appeared to be shocked that anyone survived the crash.

The fatal Long Island car accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

Long Island Drunk Driving Accident Kills Two, Injures Three

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12593 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Long Island Drunk Driving Accident Kills Two, Injures Three

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12594 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Massapequa Car Accident Kills Elderly Woman

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12425 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Massapequa car accident claims the life of an elderly lady when she was struck by a car while walking along the street in her hometown. The pedestrian accident took place at approximately 11:00 AM on Wednesday morning, January 20, 2010, on Broadway near Toronto Avenue.

According to the Nassau Police Department, the female victim, Rosalia Raia, 85, of Massapequa, was walking eastbound along Broadway when the accident occurred. That is when she was reportedly struck by an 18-year-old woman who was driving a 1999 Ford.

Rescue crews transported the elderly victim to Nassau University Hospital Center. However, she was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident from injuries sustained in the late morning pedestrian accident.

The driver was not reported as suffering any injuries in the accident. There were no other injuries reported. It was unclear if anyone else was traveling in the Ford at the time of the accident.

According to Seventh Squad detectives, the 18-year-old driver was not apparently breaking any laws when her Ford slammed into the elderly woman. Police have not released the name of the driver.

The Massapequa accident is still under investigation by local authorities. Police have not yet determined why the unidentified driver hit elderly pedestrian.

Brooklyn Car Accident Kills Driver After Car Hits Pole

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12351 — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Brooklyn car accident kills a driver and injures five others after the minivan he was driving slams into a telephone pole. The incident took place at approximately 3:30 AM on Sunday morning, January 17, 2010, in East Flatbush.

According to police, a 32-year-old male, was behind the wheel of a 2002 Honda Odyssey that lost control and hit a telephone pole near the intersection of Tilden Avenue and Kings Highway. The force of the impact ejected the man out of the side window leaving him pinned underneath the minivan.

“The van was on top of the driver,” reported a witness. “They had to jack up the vehicle to get it off him.”

The unidentified driver was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital where he was pronounced dead a few minutes after arrival.

According to officials, there were five other passengers in the minivan at the time of the accident. Details concerning their injuries were not made available, however, their injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Investigators indicated that the victims had been at a local nightclub and had just left when the minivan hit the pole.

The fatal Brooklyn accident is still under investigation; however, investigators indicated that they do not intend to file any criminal charges.

A Brooklyn Car Accident Claims the Lives of Two Women

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12311 — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Brooklyn car accident involving a vehicle that lost control claims the lives of two women after they were ejected from the car. The incident took place at approximately 3:30AM on Sunday morning, January 10, 2010 on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn.

According to police, a 1996 Infiniti heading eastbound driven by Oleg Pantchenko, 29, of Gravesend, Brooklyn, lost control on the Belt Parkway. The car reportedly struck a guardrail, swerved across several lanes of traffic, and plowed into several other cars.

Two unidentified female passengers riding in the Infinity were ejected from the vehicle. Rescue crews pronounced the 24 and 33 year old women dead at the scene of the accident. Officials did not release the names of the two victims.

Rescue crews transported a third female passenger who was in the Infiniti to Lutheran Medical Center. She has been listed in stable condition, according to police.

There were no other injuries reported in the multi-vehicle accident.

According to police, a breath test showed that Pantchenko’s blood alcohol level was at 0.054 percent. He has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving while impaired by alcohol, criminally negligent homicide and first-degree manslaughter.

The fatal Brooklyn car accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

Toddler Fighting For Her Life in Staten Island Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12196 — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island car accident involving three vehicles along the Martin Luther King Expressway leaves an 18-month-old girl fighting for her life. The incident took place at approximately 12:00 PM on Monday afternoon, January 4, 2010, in Graniteville.

The toddler, Gina Marie Fantauzzi, 18 months, of Staten Island, was rushed into emergency surgery at Richmond University Medical Center following the accident that involved three vehicles near exit 10 along the Martin Luther King Expressway in Graniteville. A hospital spokesperson was unable to provide Fantauzzi’s condition, citing hospital policies.

Rescue workers performed CPR on Fantauzzi at the scene of the accident. “They were able to get the child conscious and breathing again,” according to Fire Department spokesperson Frank Dwyer.

Fantauzzi was riding in her mother’s car at the time of the accident. Her mother, Kathleen Fantauzzi, 32, of Staten Island, was also transported to Richmond University Medical Center. It was reported that she suffered leg injuries sustained in the accident.

According to police, the other two vehicles in the accident were minivans. The drivers, a 47-year-old man and a 51-year-old man, suffered minor injuries. Both drivers were cited for driving without a valid driver’s license.

The three-vehicle accident is still under investigation by the New York Police Department Accident Investigation Squad. The cause of the accident has not been made available.

Staten Island Accident at Local Mall Injures Senior

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)12159 — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island car accident involving a hit-and-run driver leaves an elderly lady seriously injured after she is struck by a car. The incident took place at approximately 4:00 PM on Saturday afternoon, December 26, 2009, outside the Staten Island Mall.

According to a New York City Police spokesperson, the victim, Diana Fazio, 73, of Sea View, was struck by a black 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche in the mall’s parking lot. According to reports, the driver of the Chevrolet attempted to pass a car that stopped at a stop sign in front of him, and struck Fazio.

According to court papers, Fazio suffered a broken hip and required surgery as a result of the accident. She will be required to walk with a cane for the reminder of her life.

The driver, Vullnet Vrlaku, 26, of Mariners Harbor, fled the scene but was spotted by a witness. However, Vrlaku turned himself into authorities three days later. “I didn’t see her. She came out of nowhere,” he told police.

According to William J. Smith, a spokesperson for District Attorney Daniel Donovan, Vrlaku was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

The Staten Island hit-and-run accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

Staten Island Accident Leaves Shopping Mom Pinned

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11987 — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island accident involving a sport utility vehicle (SUV) leaves a shopping mom pinned when the SUV loses control and crashes through the front of a busy Dollar Tree store. The freak accident happened around 1:30 PM, on Sunday afternoon, December 13, 2009, in the Marines Harbor store.

When rescue workers arrived at the scene, they found the woman pinned underneath the SUV. They had to lift the vehicle in order to free the woman who had been waiting in line for a cashier.

She had two young sons with her at the time of the accident, including a toddler who was in the shopping cart when the SUV crashed through the glass front of the store and into the woman, according to witnesses.

Rescue workers transported the unidentified woman to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. She was treated for unspecified injuries sustained in the accident. Neither of the children suffered any injuries.

Holiday shoppers were stunned as they witnessed the crash. “She didn’t see the car coming through because her back was to the front,” said Wonder Wiltshire, of Rosebank, who was standing next to the victim at the time of the accident.

The Staten Island accident in Mariners Harbor is still under investigation. Local authorities have not released the identity of the driver of the SUV. The cause of the accident has not been determined and no other injuries were reported.

Staten Island Accident Leaves Two Injured, One Arrested

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11927 — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island accident along the West Shore Expressway in Huguenot leaves two people injured and one under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident took place at approximately 8:00 PM on Tuesday evening, November 24, 2009.

According to local police, the accident happened when a blue 2003 Ford Windstar minivan slammed into a black Chevrolet Avalanche sport utility vehicle (SUV) in the New Jersey-bound lanes of the West Shore Expressway. The force of the impact caused the Ford to come to rest atop a metal guardrail along the shoulder. The SUV suffered extensive front-end damage.

The driver of the Ford minivan, Steven DeFilippo, 22, of Prince’s Bay, was transported to Staten Island Hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained in the wreck.

The unidentified driver of the SUV also suffered injuries in the crash. However, the injuries were not considered to be serious.

DeFilippo was placed under arrest for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

According to officials, the accident caused the expressway to be shut down and commuters to be rerouted as police and rescue workers responded to the scene.

The Staten Island accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

Mattituck Accident Leaves One Woman Injured and Two Horses Dead

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11787 — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Mattituck car accident involving a single vehicle and two horses leaves one woman injured and the horses dead. The incident took place at approximately 5:30 AM on Thursday morning, December 10, 2009, in Staten Island.

According to Southold Police, the driver was heading westbound on Sound Avenue near Bergen Avenue, when the two horses strayed onto the road and into the path of the vehicle. Maria Bua-Pamargo, 55, of Mattituck, was driving her 2009 Toyota when she struck the horses, which apparently got loose from a nearby property, and were heading east. Reports indicate that there were no riders on the horses at the time of the accident.

Rescue workers from the Mattituck Fire Department transported Bua-Pamargo to Peconic Bay Medical Center where she was treated for injuries sustained in the incident. She was later released. The extent of her injuries were not made known as of yet.

The horses were found dead when police officials arrived on the scene. According to Police Chief Carlisle Cochran, the horses got loose from nearby Strawberry Fields Stables in Mattituck.

The Mattituck accident is still under investigation by local authorities. It is unknown as to how the horses got loose from the farm.

Driver Flees Scene of a Nassau Motorcycle Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11637 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Nassau motorcycle accident ends in the death of a 46-year-old man. The incident took place at approximately 11:45 AM on Sunday morning, November 29, 2009 in Franklin Square.

According to Nassau police, the victim, John Deiker, 46, of Franklin Square, was traveling northbound on Commonwealth Street on his motorcycle when he was struck by a vehicle, which was heading eastbound on Naple Avenue. The unidentified driver fled the scene.

Police found Deiker in the middle of the street with serious injuries. Rescue workers transported the motorcyclist to Franklin General Hospital. He was pronounced dead about an hour later from injuries sustained in the hit-and-run accident. Authorities have reported that Deiker was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

Officials have identified the fleeing vehicle as a 1991-1996 Buick Century. Police are still trying to locate the vehicle and its driver. It is unclear as to how many people were in the car.

“At this point, police are attempting to locate the individual who possibly struck Mr. Deiker,” said Homicide Squad Detective Sgt. John DeMartinis.

The fatal hit-and-run accident is still under investigation by local authorities. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or who may have information has been asked to contact Nassau County Police Homicide Squad at 800-244-TIPS.

Brooklyn Crash Injures Two

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11603 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Brooklyn car accident involving at least two vehicles leaves two people seriously injured and hospitalized. The accident took place just before 12:00 AM on Monday night, November 23, 2009 at the intersection of Lee Avenue and Rutledge Street in Williamsburg. According to witnesses, the accident may have been the end result of a police chase.

“I heard sirens and saw a [civilian] car go really fast down the street and hit another vehicle,” reported a witness who wished to remain unidentified. The same witness also indicated that they believed that the car being chased was going at least 45 mile per hour.

According to paramedics, two people were inured in the two-vehicle crash that took place at the intersection of Lee Avenue and Rutledge Street. Rescue workers transported both victims to Bellevue Hospital where they were treated for injuries sustained in the accident. An unidentified EMT from the volunteer Hatzolah group described the injuries as being “very serious.” Investigators have not released the identities of the two victims.

The Brooklyn accident is still under investigation by local authorities. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time. The witness who reported that the accident was a result of a police chase has not been verified.

One Person Killed in Staten Island Drunk Driving Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11478 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island drunk driving accident leaves one person dead and another hospitalized. The incident took place at approximately 2:30 AM on Sunday morning, November 22, 2009 on the Staten Island Expressway.

According to police, Lucia Negrete, 25, of the South Park Slope section of Brooklyn, was a passenger in a car that apparently lost control and slammed into a guardrail along the Staten Island Expressway near the Richmond exit. She was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The car’s driver, Jose Sandoval, 25, also from the South Park Slope area, was injured as well. Rescue worker transported Sandoval to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze where he has been listed in stable condition.

According to a law enforcement source, Sandoval’s blood alcohol content measured was at .239 percent, nearly three times the legal limit. The legal limit is .08 percent. He has been charged with criminal negligent homicide and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He is expected to be arraigned in Stapleton Criminal Court.

The incident is the third consecutive weekend that someone died in a car crash on Staten Island.

The accident is still under investigation by local authorities. No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the crash.

Staten Island High School Girl Seriously Injured in Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11452 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island high school girl is in critical condition following a chain-reaction car accident. The incident took place at approximately 11:30 AM on early Friday afternoon, November 13, 2009 in front of Tottenville High School.

Janine Brawer, 17, was crossing Luten Avenue in front of the school with another female classmate when she was struck. According to reports, a driver of a Nissan Maxima had stopped to allow the girls to cross the street. A Saturn allegedly failed to stop and rear-ended the back of the Maxima. The force of the impact caused the Maxima to slam into Brawer and pinned her underneath the vehicle.

Rescue workers transported Brawer to Staten Island Hospital where she underwent surgery. A source said that she was in grave condition.

According to Tottenville High School principal, John Tuminaro, the second student was not injured.

The drivers of both vehicles involved in the incident are believed to be high school students at Tottenville High School. It was not reported if there were passengers in either of the cars at the time of the incident or whether either driver sustained injuries as a result of the crash.

The Staten Island car accident is still under investigation by local authorities. No charges have been filed as of yet.

Many Injured After Pieces of Wantagh Parkway Overpass Fall

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11383 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A series of Wantagh accidents involving up to 10 vehicles was caused when pieces of the Wantagh State Parkway overpass rained down on the road below. The incident took place at approximately 6:00 PM on Friday evening, November 13, 2009.

According to State Police, the incident began when an unidentified driver traveling along the Wantagh State Parkway lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a wall. The force of the impact sent chunks of the overpass down onto the westbound Southern State Parkway and oncoming traffic closing the parkway between exits 28 and 27.

“He crashed into the wall and the wall came crashing downs,” said Trooper Joe Curto.

Approximately 10 cars were affected by the falling debris. Some of the vehicles involved collided with other cars. Some of the cars were struck and damaged by the falling pieces of the overpass. According to Trooper Christopher Nolan, some of the stones that fell were estimated to weigh about 500 pounds.

There were injuries reported, however, none were considered serious. According to officers, most of the wounds included scrapes and bruises.

The accident is still under investigation by local authorities. It is unknown as to what caused the original driver to lose control of his vehicle and collide with the wall.

Staten Island Car Accident Kills Uniondale Man

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11295 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island car accident involving two vehicles ends in the death of one person. The incident took place at approximately 1:00 AM on Sunday morning, November 1, 2009 on Sunrise Highway just west of Washington Highway.

The 56-year-old victim from Uniondale was traveling westbound in a 1992 BMW on Sunrise Highway when he reportedly rear-ended a 2002 Nissan driven by a 21-year-old man. Both drivers remain unidentified, according to 7th Squad detectives.

According to reports, the driver of the BMW exited his car and proceeded towards the center median. When he stepped off the median to return to his vehicle, he was struck by Gina Dicostanzo, 42, of Hempstead, who was driving a 2003 Kia. According to police, it is unknown why the man walked to the center median.

Rescue crews transported the victim to Nassau University Medical Center where he was treated for severe head trauma. He died approximately one hour later.

Dicostanzo was also taken to Nassau University Medical Center. She was treated for shock and later released.

The driver of the Nissan and his passenger, 19, did not suffer injuries in the incident.

The incident is still under investigation by local authorities. However, both the BMW and Kia were impounded for safety checks. No charges have been filed.

LIE Crash Caused by Fallen Ladders

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11210 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Melville accident along the Long Island Expressway (LIE) involved four vehicles and caused injuries to four people. The incident took place at approximately 8:00 AM on Monday morning, October 26, 2009.

According to the Suffolk Sheriff’s office, the multi-vehicle accident was caused by ladders that apparently fell off a box truck on the LIE. The fallen ladders caused the four vehicles to crash into one another injuring four people.

According to Chief of Staff Michael Sharkey of the Sheriff’s office, the four-vehicle crash involved two sedans and two utility trucks. The fallen ladders came from a white box truck.

Both drivers of the sedans along with a passenger received injuries to the collision. One of the drivers of the utility trucks also suffered injuries. According to reports, all the injuries were minor. It was unclear whether any of the victims required hospitalization.

According to Sharkey, the unidentified driver of the white box truck was unaware that the ladders had fallen from his vehicle. He was later stopped by a Sheriff’s deputy and issued three summonses. One of the summonses was for having an unsecured load.

The Melville incident shutdown three eastbound LIE lanes for approximately 90 minutes which caused a huge traffic jam, according to the Suffolk sheriff’s office. Traffic returned to normal a few hours following the crash.

Staten Island Car Accident Results in Teen's Death

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11034 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island car accident claimed the life of a star athlete from Moore Catholic School. The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 PM on Saturday night, October 24, 2009.

The accident took place on Father Capodanno Boulevard in Midland Beach, Staten Island, when Johnny Ray, 16, lost control of the 2004 Chevrolet truck he was driving. According to Moore football coach Greg Rocco, Ray’s vehicle hydroplaned after hitting a puddle of water on the road near Slater Boulevard and slammed into a utility pole.

According to police, Ray was pronounced dead at the scene.

An unidentified 16-year-old male friend was traveling with Ray when the incident took place. Emergency crews transported the teenager by EMS to SI University North Hospital. According to police, he is in stable condition.

Ray was a star athlete who played varsity football and baseball. “I don’t think I understood the word tragedy until I got the phone call from his mother at 12:30 last night,” Rocco said. “He was a tremendous kid.”

Ray did not have a valid driver’s license. His mother said that her son took the keys to the truck when the boy’s parents left him home with his friends and attended a nearby concert. “He took the truck and left. He’s never driven it, never,” She said.

The incident is still under investigation by local authorities.

Police Officer Involved in Staten Island Car Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11033 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A New York car accident in the Staten Island area involved a police car. An unidentified motorist slammed into the police car at 40 Brighton Avenue in New Brighton at approximately 6:30 AM on October 20, 2009.

The force of the impact caused the police car to hit a nearby tree. According to an eye witness, the entire front of the police car appeared to be totaled. The eye witness also reported that a New York Police Department tow truck, four police cruisers and an unmarked police car were at the scene of the accident. The female witness was not identified.

The police officer was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries. The extent of the injuries were not made available. There were no other injuries reported.

According to police radio reports, the driver that caused the accident in the New Brighton neighborhood fled the scene after meandering in the area for an unspecified time. Another police car pursued the assailant; however, the chase was called off by a sergeant after the pursuing officer was able to obtain the license plate number of the fleeing car. Police are still searching for the driver.

The Staten Island accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

Man Facing D.W.I. Charge in Brooklyn Fatal Car Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)11001 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Brooklyn car accident killed one person and injured two others. The accident, which took place at the intersection of 86th Street and 21st Avenue, happened at approximately 2:25 AM on Saturday morning, October 10, 2009.

Eugene Malinsky, 48, of Gravesend, Brooklyn, was heading east in 86th Street in his Nissan Maxima when Jorge A. Cortes, 26, traveling south on 21st Avenue, broadsided him with his Pontiac. According to police, the force of the impact caused both vehicles to crash into an unoccupied Chevrolet van that was parked near the intersection.

Malinsky was taken to Coney Island Hospital by Emergency Medical Service where he was pronounced dead. Malinsky’s stepson was also in the car at the time of the accident. He was transported to Lutheran Medical Center and is reported as being in stable condition.

Cortes, of Lanham, Md., was also taken to Lutheran Medical Center where he is reported as being in critical condition. According to officials, Cortes is being charged with manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and criminally negligent homicide.

According to police, several witnesses reported that Cortes’ Pontiac ran a red light hitting Malinsky as he was driving his Nissan through the intersection.

The fatal Brooklyn, New York, car accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

Driver in LIE Accident is Charged with DWI

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10890 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A New York car accident that took place on the Long Island Expressway (LIE) results in one person a being critically injured. The Long Island accident, which took place in Holtsville, happened at approximately 11:00 AM on Tuesday morning, October 6, 2009.

The critically injured man, Brian Berky, 41, of Manorville, was driving a 2004 Toyota pickup when the incident took place. He reportedly crashed into the back of a Suffolk County police car on the LIE. According to police, Berky was transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center and treated for a severe head injury, lacerations and broken bones.

Officers responding to the accident apparently smelled alcohol on Berky’s breath and charged him with driving while intoxicated. Berky was also cited for unlicensed operation of a vehicle and not wearing a seatbelt.

The officer involved in the car crash, Robert Diamond of the Highway Patrol section, was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

The accident happened near exit 63 of the Long Island Expressway when Diamond, driving his marked police car with the police lights on, was following four DOT work trucks westbound, according to Det. Sgt. Frank Stewart of the Sixth Squad. Berky attempted to pass the DOT truck on the right shoulder when he slammed into the back of Diamond’s police car.

According to police, the Toyota pickup truck overturned and ejected Berky from the vehicle where he landed on a guardrail.

The incident is still under investigation.

Staten Island Express Bus Involved in Brooklyn Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10769 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Brooklyn car accident involving a Staten Island express bus and a car causes delays for morning commuters. The incident reportedly occurred on the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn, New York. The crash took place on Tuesday morning, September 29, 2009.

According to a witness, the express bus was carrying two passengers, an elderly man and woman when the two vehicles collided. Neither of the passengers were injured as a result of the crash. The witness also reported that the bus driver was apparently shaken up and weeping after the incident.

“I sat behind the driver and didn’t see anything but felt the impact several times,” one of the passengers, a resident of Great Kills, said.

There were no other details available as to the cause of the accident. No identities have been provided for any of the persons involved in the Brooklyn crash. However, authorities are still investigating the crash to determine who was at fault.

The bus company that manages the Staten Island express bus involved in the crash reportedly called in another bus to pick up the stranded passengers.

Suffolk Police Car Involved in Long Island Car Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10567 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Suffolk County police officer suffered minor injuries when the cruiser he was driving crashed into another car. The Long Island car accident took place at the Great East Neck Rock and Railroad Avenue intersection.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:50 PM on Thursday evening, September 24, 2009.

The identity of the officer involved in the crash has not been released as of yet. According to police, the officer was responding to a call from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police. The incident that the officer was responding to reportedly involved an emotionally disturbed man on the Long Island Rail Road property. The police cruiser was believed to have been a marked car and had its lights and siren on at the time the accident took place.

Rescue crews airlifted the officer to Stony Brook University Hospital.

The identity of the second driver involved in the accident has also not been released as of yet. The driver was also reported as having suffered minor injuries and was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center located in West Islip.

Details about the cause of the accident have not been made know yet. However, one witness reported that the other car involved had crashed into the side of a house after the accident. The accident is still under investigation.

Pedestrian Injured in 5-Vehicle Long Island Crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10473 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Long Island woman was injured as a result of a 5-vehicle accident, which took place in Suffolk County, New York. According to Suffolk County police, the incident occurred in Huntington Station Township on Wednesday afternoon, September 9, 2009.

Suffolk County officials have identified the female pedestrian as 25-year-old LeChele Prophet.

According to police, Prophet was severely inured when she was hit by a vehicle and then slammed into a local building. The Long Island car accident took place when an unidentified vehicle made a U-turn on Route 110 in front of a pickup truck. As a result, four other vehicles were involved in the crash.

The driver making the U-turn on the Long Island street caused the driver of the pickup truck to swerve into a nearby parking lot crashing into three parked cars. According to police reports, one of the parked vehicles was thrown into another parked car. That vehicle was then forced into Prophet who was getting into her car.

Prophet’s car was forced into the Bay Shore Furs Building pinning Prophet against the front of the store.

Prophet was immediately transported by a rescue crew to a local hospital where she was treated for serious injuries to her limbs.

The driver of the first vehicle fled the scene. Police have not been able to catch the driver. The accident is currently under investigation by local police.

SUV Crash Shuts Down LIRR Long Beach Branch Service

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10483 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Long Island commuter rail service was interrupted when a sports utility vehicle flipped onto the tracks. According to Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) officials, the incident took place in East Rockaway near the intersection of Rocklyn Avenue and Forest Avenue.

The Long Island accident took place at 8:40 AM on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

The accident is under investigation by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. According to authorities, the cause of the crash is not known as of yet.

Two passengers were in the SUV at the time of the crash, a woman and a girl. Their identities have not been made known. Rescue crews transported the victims to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside. East Rockaway Fire Chief Ed Reicherter said that both passengers were expected to survive the crash. The Jaws of Life had to be used to extract the woman from the vehicle.

“Both seemed to be fine,” Reicherter said. He also indicated that both passengers were wearing seatbelts.

“How the car got there, we don’t know yet,” LIRR spokesman Rich Mendelson said.

According to Reicherter, the SUV hit a utility pole and two parked cars.

Service in both directions had been suspended while crews cleared the vehicle from the tracks. Service was fully restored by 3:20 PM that afternoon.

Man Involved in Queens Drunk Driving Accident Given Jail Sentence

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10330 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

The drunk driver who ran a red light in Astoria, Queens and killed a taxi driver and passenger, was sentenced to 3 ½ to 10 years in jail.

Daryush Omar, a 25-year-old Long Island resident, made a plea deal with federal authorities and will be deported to Pakistan after completing his jail sentence for the Queens car accident.

Omar was also charged in the death of 24-year-old Thomas Whitney, Jr., a financial analyst. Whitney was beaten to death outside a Chelsea nightclub in 2006. The case is still pending and Omar has not been indicted.

Bessy Velasquez, the 41-year-old taxi driver, and Panayiota Demetriou, the 30-year-old passenger, were hit and killed when Omar drove his Range Rover through a red light at 34th Street and 31st Avenue, only blocks from Demetriou’s apartment. Demetriou had been celebrating the completion of her dissertation as a doctoral candidate at Pace University.

Omar said in court that he regretted his actions. His apologies were dismissed by the victims’ family members. Omar looked down as the victims’ relatives read statements at the sentencing hearing. He had been charged with first-degree manslaughter.

Nun Causes Alleged Drunk Driving Accident in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10271 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to police and prosecutors, a nun from Wantagh got drunk at church, drove her car while intoxicated and smashed into a tree. Witnesses said that the nun nearly hit children playing outside in her out-of-control car.

Sixty-eight-year-old Sister Lauren M. Hanley, was found with a bottle of liquor in her car and a blood alcohol level of 0.18. She was arrested after the New York car accident, which occurred when she got off work at St. Frances de Chantal Church in Wantagh.

Hanley informed the police that she had been drinking at church from about 3:00 PM on. Hanley is listed as the spiritual development director on the website for St. Frances de Chantal Church.

She faces two misdemeanor charges, driving while intoxicated (DWI) and aggravated driving while intoxicated, in addition to a violation for driving an uninspected vehicle, according to court records.

The car accident occurred at approximately 6:30 PM on Hawthorne Drive West in Wantagh. Hanley’s car was propelled to the opposite side of the street facing the wrong direction.

The officers who arrived at the crash scene could smell alcohol on Hanley’s breath and noticed that she had blood shot eyes and was slurring. They discovered a plastic water bottle with a small amount of liquid that they suspected was alcohol.

Pottery Barn Kids Shades Recalled

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10148 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall announcement for roman shades sold exclusively at Pottery Barn Kids. Six reports of children becoming entangled in the inner cord of the shade have been received.

The shade recall affects approximately 85,000 units nationwide. These roman shades were distributed by Pottery Barn Kids/William Sonoma, Inc. of San Francisco, California and sold from January 2003 to May 2007.

Among the six reports, four children were discovered with cords around their necks and scissors were used to remove two of these kids. Two children were found with red marks on their necks after they freed themselves. There were no permanent injuries from these entanglements.

The recall includes all colors and sizes of Pottery Barn Kids roman shades with exposed inner cords on the back. There are two sewn-in labels at the bottom edge of the shade. The roman shades that have a fabric covering over the cords are not involved in the recall.

Consumers are urged to stop using the roman shades and to contact Pottery Barn Kids to obtain a merchandise card for the purchase value. Pottery Barn Kids can be reached at (800) 492-1949 or visit www.potterybarnkids.com for more information.

Road Worker Saves Friend In New York Car Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10105 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

A 35-year-old road worker pushed his friend out of harm’s way when a vehicle drove into their construction site. The vehicle struck both men and the man who tried to save his friend lost his leg in the New York car accident.

Michael Hudson tried to push Bobby Keller to safety when an out of control car driving at about 60 MPH plowed into their work site. Hudson lost his left leg and Keller shattered his ankle. Thirty-three year old Keller said that he would have died if it hadn’t been for Hudson. At the time of the accident, Keller had his back to the speeding vehicle.

“I was trying to get out of the way when he shoved me from behind. Luckily, we had a guardian angel on our shoulder because we could be dead.” Said Keller.

Hudson had been working as an equipment operator and Keller as a flagman. Both men have been working together since May.

The driver of the vehicle, Yolanda Silvera, is being held on $250,000 bail. If she is found guilty on charges of second-degree assault, second-degree vehicular assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, DWI and other charges, she could face up to 7 years in prison. Silvera says that she did nothing wrong.

Hudson is in the intensive care unit at Jamaica Hospital and still has internal bleeding. He is on heavy pain killers, but said that he is feeling good.

Boy Killed in SUV Accident on North Wading River Road

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)10040 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

A boy from Brooklyn was killed after he was run over by an SUV on North Wading River Road near Wildwood State Park. The tragic accident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, August 16, 2009, according to Riverhead police.

The 9-year-old boy has not been identified. Police said that he had just gotten out of an SUV parked on the shoulder of North Wading River Road when the driver lost control and knocked the boy into the middle of the road.

The SUV was driven erratically and the boy was run over, said police. He could not be revived and was pronounced dead at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead.

Details regarding the fatal New York car accident are still unclear. Police do know that the driver of the SUV, 38-year-old Yaneth Quintero, had parked the vehicle on the shoulder and exited the car with her passengers. When she got back in the car to try to park better, she lost control and hit a minivan and then the boy. The vehicle was in reverse when it hit the boy.

The boy’s name will not be released until the next of kin are notified of his death.

Man Falls 30 Feet in Sidewalk Hole in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9999 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

A man fell 30 feet through a rusted out metal plate on a sidewalk in New York on Saturday, August 15, 2009. Vincent Riggio, who is a relative of the Barnes & Noble founder, had stepped out of the Off-Track Betting parlor to smoke a cigar when he fell through the sidewalk hole.

Riggio, a 59-year-old man, was not seriously injured in the accident and only sustained cuts and bruises. He was lifted by firefighters from the basement where he had fallen.

According to witnesses, Riggio had basically stepped out of the parlor and disappeared.

“He came out, he had a cigar, he stepped on the platform and he fell,” said deliveryman Freddy Chew. “I looked down the hole. He was down there, squatting down. There was a lot of dust.”

Chew called 911 and Riggio called his wife. He tried to calmly explain to his wife on the Jersey Shore what had just happened to him. His wife, Joann, said that he told her he fell through a hole about 30 feet.

During the rescue, a fire fighter was lowered into the hole by a rope and placed a harness around Riggio to hoist him up.

Riggio was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital for treatment for his non-life threatening injuries.

Southern State Parkway Ranked as One of Worst Roads in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9749 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Automobile Association of America, AAA, ranked Southern State Parkway as one of the worst roads in New York.

The parkway was ranked fourth on AAA’s list of the five worst New York roads, which was published in the August issue of Car & Travel magazine. Topping the list of the worst roads in New York is the Cross Bronx Expressway.

According to the magazine, the Southern State Parkway’s “dangerous curves combined with speeding cause a high crash rate.”

AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair Jr. described the parkway’s flaws by saying, “it’s got blind curves. It’s got severe elevation changes, like hills that [you] can’t see over. The lanes are particularly narrow.”

Sinclair said that the stretch of road from exits 17 to 32 has been termed the “Blood Alley” because of its high crash rate.

The Southern State Parkway was completed in 1927 and was not designed to handle the high traffic volume and increased speeds that are seen today.

Numerous safety improvements have been made over the years by DOT. The entire 25.5 mile road will have been resurfaced by the end of the season.

Gowanus Expressway was ranked as number two on the list, Belt Parkway-Mill Basin Drawbridge was number three and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway was number five.

Eight People Killed in New York Car Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9655 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Thirty-six-year-old Diane Schuler called her brother saying that she was sick and needed help near the Tappan Zee Bridge on Sunday, July 26, 2009. Her brother then called police who searched 40 miles of the roadway for her vehicle.

It is unclear as to why Schuler did not pull over, but she eventually ended up colliding with an SUV, killing five people in her vehicle. She had been on her way home from a family camping trip and had five children riding with her. Schuler was killed in the accident, along with her 2-year-old daughter and three nieces, ages 9, 7 and 5. The only one who survived was Schuler’s 5-year-old son who sustained head injuries and is recovering at Westchester Medical Center.

The three occupants in the SUV that Schuler hit were also killed, which included 81-year-old Michael Bastardi, 49-year-old Guy Bastardi and 74-year-old Daniel Longo.

A preliminary autopsy of Diane Schuler could not find an underlying health problem, such as a heart attack or stroke. State police investigator Shannon Morrison said, “there is no medical reason for the crash. Basically, there was nothing wrong with her.”

In a statement, the Hance and Schuler families extended their condolences to the Bastardi and Longo families.

New York Motorcycle Accident Leads to Vehicular Manslaughter Charge

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9582 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

A man has been charged in connection with a fatal New York motorcycle accident. Edward Lazore, a 24-year-old man from Oswego County, was killed after his motorcycle was struck by an SUV last Sunday night in Williamstown.

New York State Police reported that Lazore was riding his motorcycle on Route 183 at approximately 8:40 PM when 26-year-old Patrick Wesseldine pulled his SUV in front of him from Sol Davis Road. Lazore crashed his motorcycle into Wesseldine’s vehicle and died at the scene of the accident.

Wesseldine has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol (DUI), and failure to yield the right away. He was arraigned at the Albion court and is being held at Oswego County Jail.

Several People Injured in New York Car Accident on Route 12

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9447 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Six people were seriously injured in a car accident on State Rt. 12 in Norwich. As a result, the road was shut down from the Wal-Mart/ Lower Ravine Road intersection to the Halfway House Bridge.

According to New York State Police who were at the crash scene, their initial investigation shows that a blue 2009 Toyota Camry that was transporting two adults and a 3-year-old north along Rt. 12, veered to the right, causing the vehicle to drift across the shoulder and hit the side of a stopped black Buick Le Sabre. The Buick was preparing to exit the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Kingdom Hall parking lot at approximately 3:20 PM.

Three occupants in the Buick were seriously injured. Brian Conant, the driver of the Buick, was airlifted to Wilson Regional Medical Center in Binghamton in “grave condition.” Two passengers, Teresa Conant and Iris Delgado, were taken to Wilson Regional Medical Center by ambulance with “serious injuries.”

All three of the occupants in the Toyota Camry were taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital. Emergency crews said that their injuries did not appear to be life threatening.

Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough Products Recalled

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9328 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Nestle USA Baking Division has voluntarily recalled Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie due to possible E. coli illnesses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are investigating reported E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses that may have been caused from eating raw cookie dough.

Numerous consumers have reported becoming ill after consuming raw Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough. Nestle is cooperating with the FDA and CDC in the investigation. According to the press release, no other Nestle Toll House products are involved, which includes Nestle Toll House morsels, chocolate baking bars, cocoa or already baked Toll House cookies purchased outside of the home.

Nestle has urged consumers to not eat raw cookie dough. The same message also appears prominently on their packaging. As long as the cookie dough is baked, it is safe to eat.

Consumers are advised to return their Nestle cookie dough products to the store where purchased for a full refund. The company can also be contacted at 1-800-559-5025.

All variety of Nestle Toll House refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub, Cookie Dough Tube, Limited Edition Cookie Dough items, Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough are affected by the recall.

Work Accident Kills Three at Queens Waste Plant

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9284 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Three workers were killed in an on-the-job accident at a privately operated waste transfer plan in Queens. According to authorities the men were overcome by toxic fumes and died in an accident involving a liquid-filled hole.

The work accident occurred in an 18-foot deep hole that had a 3 feet diameter and approximately 4 feet of liquid. The workers, who included a father and son, were subcontractors. It was reported that one man fell into the hole and one of the other workers attempted to save him with a rope and ladder. The third worker fell into the hole when he tried to rescue the first two men.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the three workers face down in the liquid. According to Deputy Assistant Chief John Sudnik, a firefighter went down into the hole with a breathing apparatus and pulled all of the bodies out by attaching them to a harness.

The air was tested and authorities discovered toxic levels of hydrogen sulfide. Chief Sudnik said that hydrogen sulfide is “a common byproduct of decomposed organic material. In that type of atmosphere it is very toxic.”

M. & P. Reali Enterprises, doing business as Regal Recycling Company, runs the commercial plant, according to state records. When reporters tried to call the company, the man who answered the phone said that they had no immediate comment.

Building Collapses in Brooklyn and Injures Four People

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9222 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A four story residential building in Brooklyn, New York collapsed in the Fort Greene neighborhood. The accident injured at least four people, who suffered minor injuries.

According to a fire department spokesperson, the four injured people were given medical attention right after the collapse and only one person had to be taken to the Brooklyn Hospital for treatment.

It was confirmed by the fire department spokesperson that the owner of the building was cited in May following an inspection where several vertical cracks on an exterior wall were noted.

Residents living in adjacent buildings were forced to evacuate so that experts could determine if those buildings were safe.

The case involving this building collapse is supposed to be heard by the city’s Environmental Control Board, which handles citations issued by the buildings department.

Study Shows that New York has the Most Aggressive Drivers

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)9091 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recently released road rage survey, New York City has the most aggressive motorists. One expert stated that New York residents are always in a hurry and that being rushed is one of the major predictors of road rage.

Psychologist David Eigen said that New Yorkers become angry from the irritation of being cut off, slowing down or cursed at by other drivers. He went on to say that the level of frustration from such events is high and that the bad economy has caused even more road rage.

New York has surpassed Miami as the city with the angriest drivers, which held the top spot for the last four years. Portland and Cleveland were listed as the cities with the most courteous, considerate drivers.

"New Yorkers were most likely to wave their fists or arms. They were most likely to lay on the horn and they were most likely to make some sort of obscene gesture," said Michael Bush, of the marketing and consulting company Affinion Group, which commissioned the survey.

Some tips have been given to reduce road rage, including not listening to the news on the radio and instead listening to books on tape or anything else that people enjoy. Passengers can even help prevent road rage. Also, it has been recommended that drivers avoid eye contact with an angry driver and to give them plenty of room.

Lawsuit Filed Over New York Bulldozer Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8982 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

The widow of a construction worker from Mannsville has filed a lawsuit against Hanson Aggregates New York Inc. and Hanson Aggregates North America Inc., Lehigh Cement Co., and Villager Construction Inc. over the death of her husband.

James C. Eastman was run over and killed by a bulldozer while working at Hanson Aggregates property on May 12, 2008. The 64-year-old was fatally injured in the New York bulldozer accident when he lost control of the bulldozer he was using to build a ramp on the property. He was partially ejected from the bulldozer and run over by its left track.

Mr. Eastman’s widow, Loretta K. Eastman, is the executor of the estate and filed a state Supreme Court action at the Jefferson County clerk’s office. She claims that the ramp was unstable, which caused it to partially collapse. As a result, Mr. Eastman lost control of the bulldozer and was thrown off.

According to Ms. Eastman, Hanson Aggregates was negligent for allowing a “defective and dangerous” condition to exist on the property. She also alleges that all of the named defendants were negligent for lacking supervision and inspection of the condition.

Villager Construction had been contracted to build the ramp, which went from a 75-foot elevation down to a landing area, according to court documents.

The lawsuit does not list a specific amount of damages that are being pursued.

Rumble Strips Puts New York Bicyclists in Danger

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8942 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A lawsuit has been filed by the Westchester Cycle Club against the New York State Department of Transportation over rumble strips.

Richard Wilt, a New York City police sergeant and experienced bicyclist, was injured on Route 100 when his bicycle hit rumble strip that had just been installed and not easily seen in the dark. He chipped a tooth and needed stitches on his upper lip. Wilt said he is thankful that he is not dead.

Rumble strip, also referred to as audible road delineator, is the ridged area that is used on highways to startle dozing drivers and keep them on the road. These strips are most often used on heavily trafficked highways. Wilt feels that there is no need for rumble strips on the stretch of highway where he was injured. He also called the strips dangerous.

One of the dozens of complaints sent to the Department of Transportation read, “what was a reasonably safe thoroughfare for bicyclists was essentially destroyed by the addition of the rumble strips.”

After the Department of Transportation issued a report that supported the project, the Westchester Cycle Club filed a lawsuit June 1 requesting a state court to force the department to pave over the strips.

Strollers Recalled Due to Brake Failure

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8885 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sent out a press release on June 2, 2009, announcing a recall of Bugaboo Bee strollers. Bugaboo cooperated with the CPSC in announcing the voluntary recall of the strollers, which involves approximately 22,500 units.

According to the press release, the identified hazard has to do with the stroller’s brakes. One or both sides of the brakes can fail, which can lead to the stroller unexpectedly rolling away on an incline. If the brakes fail, it can cause injury to the child occupying the stroller.

To date, Bugaboo has received 121 reports of stroller brake failure, but luckily no injuries have been reported.

The Bugaboo strollers included in the recall have item code 580210, which can be found on the label on the back of the seat and item code 50100 that can be located on the plastic support under the seat. The Bugaboo strollers came in blue, dark khaki, pink, red, yellow and black.

The recalled strollers were sold across the country by retailers and on various websites from August 2007 to April 2009 for approximately $530.

The CPSC urges consumers to stop using the strollers immediately and to contact Bugaboo for a free repair kit. For more information, contact Bugaboo at (800) 460-2922.

New York City Named in Wrongful Death Lawsuit

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8799 — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

The family of a woman who died on the floor of the psychiatric ward at Kings County Hospital Center will receive $2 million from New York City. The deceased woman waited more than 24 hours for treatment and a videotape showed her lying on the floor for more than an hour while workers did nothing to help her.

New York City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation accepted full responsibility for 49-year-old Esmin Elizabeth Green’s death and stated that it will take action to solve issues involving crowding and the size of the staff in the mental health services department at the hospital.

Green’s death occurred during a time when concern was rising over the conditions in the psychiatric service at the hospital, which is the only mental health provider for the majority of poor people in Brooklyn.

Green was from Jamaica and immigrated in the late 1990s to earn income for her six children back home. She suffered from depression.

The lawyer representing Green’s family called the wrongful death settlement “fair and reasonable,” but the family was planning on continuing to press for accountability.

The hospital system has gone through numerous reforms, including construction of a new Behavioral Health Center Pavilion.

Thousands of SUVs and Trucks Recalled

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8767 — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous recalls announced that involve Dodge Rams, Ford F-150’s, Chevrolet Traverse’s and several Cadillac, Chevrolet and GM SUVs. Consumers are supposed to be contacted by the auto manufacturers regarding the recalls.

Ford has recalled more than 8,700 Ford F-150 trucks after a problem has been detected with the break lights. The break stop light may not illuminate or may be delayed when the brake pedal is pressed. This problem can increase the risk of a car accident.

GM has recalled over 15,000 Chevrolet Traverse SUVs because of a problem with the park brake cable link. The connector has the potential to fracture when the brake pedal is pressed, which could cause a crash. GM is also recalling more than 27,000 GM Cadillac Escalade and Escalade Hybrid, ESV and EXT versions, Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Suburban, Tahoe and Tahoe hybrid and GMC Canyon, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Yukon hybrid trucks. According to the recall announcement, the fuel system could have a sealing problem, which can lead to separation, allowing water to seep in.

Chrysler has recalled approximately 37,000 Dodge Ram pickup trucks for a problem with the manual temperature control. This malfunction can cause the windshield defrosting and defogging to not work properly.

Priest Accused of Sex Abuse Killed in Prison

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8690 — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

In 2003, John Geoghan, a convicted child sex abuser and former Roman Catholic priest, was killed after being strangled by a fellow inmate in prison.

The inmate, 37-year-old Joseph Druce, was charged with Geoghan’s murder. Druce was serving a life sentence at the same facility where Geoghan was strangled.

Geoghan, a 68-year-old man, was assaulted around noon and pronounced dead at 1:17 PM at a local hospital. A spokesperson from the prison said that Druce was immediately identified and isolated.

The Boston Archdiocese had paid $10 million to settle a lawsuit by 86 plaintiffs who claimed that Geoghan had sexually assaulted them. An attorney who represented some of the alleged victims of Geoghan said that the victims would have “liked to rather see Father Geoghan complete his sentence in jail, would have rather seen justice served, would rather have seen him involved as a defendant in further criminal trials.” He went on to say that Geoghan’s death was “eerie” and “unsettling.”

Geoghan was found guilty in January 2003 of molesting a boy in a swimming pool ten years earlier and sentenced to 9 to 10 years in prison. It has been reported that more than 130 people accused Geoghan of sexual abuse during his 30-year career in six parishes.

Wal-Mart Agrees to Update Crowd-Control Measures Following N.Y. Death

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8548 — Tue, 12 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

To avoid prosecution by the Nassau County District Attorney for the trampling death of a temporary worker, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to upgrade post-Thanksgiving Day crowd-control measures in 92 of its New York stores.

As part of the agreement, Wal-Mart will have its plan approved by independent safety consultants and provide $400,000 in expedited restitution to victims of the confrontation. Wal-Mart will also donate $1.5 million to Nassau County social-service programs and will hire 50 local high school students every year for the next three years.

Hank Mullany, president of Wal-Mart’s northeast division, said that the company has never had a tragedy like the trampling death in their stores and that they do not want it to happen again.

Last November, Jdimytai Damour, a 34-year-old temporary maintenance worker at a Valley Stream, New York Wal-Mart, was killed after he was knocked down and trampled by several hundred shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving, which is a busy shopping day known as “Black Friday.” The shoppers had burst through Wal-Mart’s doors, as they raced to purchase discounted merchandise. According to the DA, there were 11 people who claimed that they were injured in the accident.

Individuals who have documented expenses and injuries may be able to recover compensation from a $400,000 fund. To obtain compensation, these individuals will have to waive their right to a separate civil lawsuit against Wal-Mart.

Second Recall Expansion of Jardine Cribs Sold by Babies 'R' Us

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8483 — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Since June 2008, there have been 472,450 Jardine crib units recalled. The latest recall includes 96,000 Jardine cribs sold nationwide by KidsWorld, Geoffrey Stores, Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us. This voluntary recall was prompted by reports of the crib slats breaking.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received 31 incident reports of slats breaking on the Jardine cribs, which includes two reports of children becoming entrapped in the gap left from the broken slat on the crib. Among these incidents, there were ten reports of children breaking the slats while in the crib and one report of a child sustaining minor injuries.

According to the press release from the CPSC, the wooden crib slats can break, which can create a gap and an entrapment and strangulation hazard for infants and toddlers.

The cribs included in the recall are as follows:

• Model #0102B00, Drop-side Natural Olympia Single, Date code between 9/2005-1/2007
• Model #0102E00, Drop-side Dark Pine Olympia Single, Date code between 9/2005-1/2008
• Model #0302P00, Black Olympia Lifetime, Date code between 11/2005-5/2008
• Model #0302C00, White Olympia Lifetime, Date code between 6/2006-12/2006
• Model #0312D00, Americana Pecan 4-in-1, Date code between 5/2006-11/2007
• Model #0308L00, Antique Walnut Capri 4-in-1, Date code between 12/2005-11/2007
• Model #0108C00, Drop-side White Capri Single, Date code between 8/2006-11/2007

Consumers are urged to stop using the recalled cribs and to contact Jardine to receive a full credit toward the purchase of a new crib. Jardine can be reached at (800) 646-4106 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM EST Monday through Friday.

Man Killed in Alleged Drunk Driving Accident in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8345 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

A 23-year-old New York City man was killed instantly after an alleged drunk driver smashed into his vehicle, according to police.

It was reported by authorities that Dion Price’s Honda Del Sol was crushed so severely that rescuers had to work for hours to free his body. The alleged drunk driving accident took place at approximately 4:00 AM just 10 blocks from Price’s home on Staten Island.

According to police, George Baldini, a 20-year-old Staten Island resident, was drunk when he smashed his Chevy Tahoe into Price’s small car. Baldini was expected to be arraigned on Sunday, April 26, 2009.

Baldini was also involved in a separate case from the drunk driving incident. He pleaded guilty to a 2007 child pornography arrest and is awaiting sentencing. Baldini had emailed child pornography to a police officer who had been posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to prosecutors.

Lawsuit Filed in New York Over Faulty Elevators

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8319 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a federal class-action lawsuit that is expected to be filed, New York City’s public housing agency is violating the rights of tenants with disabilities and other health problems by failing to properly maintain its elevators, which has left them stranded for hours during frequent breakdowns.

The plaintiff, which includes seven tenants, has accused the city agency of a “widespread and systemic failure to maintain the elevators in its buildings in operable working condition” in violation of human rights and disability laws.

Wilma Brito, a 38-year-old woman, is one of the seven tenants involved in the lawsuit. She lives on the 10th floor of a building in the George Washington Carver Houses in East Harlem and has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. According to Brito, last month both elevators in her building were not working for three days. Three years ago, she became stuck outside her building at night after both elevators stalled. By the time the elevators were repaired, her wheelchair batteries had died.

The New York City Housing Authority maintains the elevators, which have been under scrutiny since a 5-year-old boy died in August. The boy, Jacob Neuman, fell 10 stories down a shaft after trying to escape from a stalled elevator at a Brooklyn complex. According to elevator experts, there were electrical problems that were linked to faulty maintenance.

The Housing Authority provides low-rent apartments subsidized by the federal government to poor and moderate-income families. The agency is in charge of maintaining 3,338 elevators in 2,618 buildings.

Alcohol Linked to Some Fatal Bike Accidents in New York City

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8214 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

A study published in early April found that 21 percent of bicyclists killed in New York City may have consumed alcohol.

Autopsies were conducted on New Yorkers who had been killed in bicycle accidents. Among those studied, 21 percent of the bodies showed signs of alcohol consumption.

New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene analyzed bicycling fatalities from 1996 to 2005 in cases where the bicyclist died within three hours of the accident. During that time period, 225 bicyclists died and 176 of those bicyclists were tested for alcohol. There were only 84 cases that were able to render a decisive result.

The director of the health department’s injury epidemiology unit, Catherine Stayton, told the New York Times that bicycling and alcohol consumption is something that they are going to have to call attention to.

Wiley Norvell, a spokesman for the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, said that “It’s a no-brainer to be sober when you ride in New York City. Being alert and conscious of everyone else on the road is the best protection a bicyclist has, and biking while impaired makes our already dangerous streets an even greater risk.”

Norvell made sure to point out that the study does not make it clear as to whether or not alcohol was a contributing factor in the bicycle accidents in New York City.

The study also found that 92 percent of the bicycling fatalities involved a motor vehicle.

Western New York Car Accident Kills 2 Children

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8098 — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Two young children have been killed following a car accident on the Thruway in western New York. A vehicle ran off the Thruway and flipped, which took the lives of a 4-year-old boy and his 6-year-old sister, according to state police.

New York State Troopers said that Steven Ambrusko, a 35-year-old Buffalo resident, was heading eastbound on Interstate 90 when his car veered off the right shoulder, went down an embankment and overturned just after 5:00 PM on Monday, April 6, 2009. The crash took place on eastbound Interstate 90 between exits 60 and 59.

Ambrusko’s two children, Peter and Katherine were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. He was hospitalized, but according to police, his injuries are not life-threatening.

Captain Michael Nigrelli said that both children were properly restrained in booster seats in the back seat of the car.

The fatal crash occurred in the Chautauqua County town of Portland, approximately 50 miles southwest of Buffalo.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the accident. Nigrelli does not believe that weather was a factor in the crash.

Crane Company Warned Before Fatal New York Crane Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)8024 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

New York Crane and Equipment Corp., the owner of the crane that collapsed on East 91st Street in New York in May 2008, had been warned about fixes. According to email correspondence, a Chinese company that was contracted to repair a critical component in the crane, warned New York Crane 10 months before the fatal accident that it doubted its ability to adequately perform the wielding required to repair the machinery.

The Chinese Company, RTR Bearings, was still hired by New York Crane despite the warning, to weld the tower crane’s damaged turntable. The email messages showing the correspondence between the two companies surfaced in lawsuits filed by the families of the two construction workers killed in the crane collapse last year.

According to investigators, the weld in the re-built turntable failed, which caused the top of the tower crane to break away and fall to the street, killing the construction workers, Ramadan Kurtaj, 27, and Donald C. Leo, 30. Attorneys who are representing the families said that the email messages are part of a long trail of evidence showing negligence and corruption by the crane company, the developer of the residential tower and the city’s Buildings Department, which have all been named as defendants.

Investigators have also been aware of RTR Bearings’ role in repairing a bearing ring for the turntable and they are trying to determine whether that weld contributed to the fatal New York crane collapse.

The crane collapsed on May 30, 2008 when its cab and boom snapped and crashed into a nearby building.

New York Community College Raises Awareness of Drinking and Driving

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7907 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Someone is killed by an impaired driver every 30 minutes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That figures means that on average, 50 people are killed every day, which makes drinking and driving one of the most frequent violent crimes in the country.

College students, ages 18 to 24, are often victims of drunk driving accidents and account for a high percentage of deaths each year. According to a national survey, 2.1 million college-aged students admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol the past year. In New York, college students frequent the bars, night clubs and parties and then get behind the wheel drunk. In Tompkins County, there were 417 DWI arrests in 2008 and 101 DWI arrests in Cortland County.

In response to the epidemic of drunk driving accidents, Tompkins Cortland Community College will be hosting a national traveling exhibit called “Friends,” which will show the unintended consequences of drunk driving. The exhibit focuses on the lives of seven upstate New York college students who were involved in a fatal alcohol-related accident in November 2000 near Colgate University. The exhibit is supposed to raise awareness among college and high school students of the impact of DWI crashes.

The traveling exhibit is free and open to the entire community. It includes photos, possessions, interviews of victim’s friends and family members and visual and audio recordings.

FDA Warns Some Weight Loss Products Are Tainted

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7838 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded its nationwide alert regarding tainted weight loss products that contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients. Some of these ingredients include fenproporex, fluoxetine, furosemide and cetillistat.

Some weight loss products, including Herbal Xenicol, Slimbionic, Perfect Slim and Xsvelten have been found, along with 72 other weight loss products, to contain these undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients. According to the FDA, these tainted weight loss products create a serious risk to consumers.

Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research was quoted in an FDA press release as saying that some weight loss products “contain undeclared ingredients and in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed maximum recommended dosages. Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain dangerous drugs that could cause serious consequences to their health.”

The first warning from the FDA regarding weight loss products occurred in December 2008 and the list of weight loss products was expanded on January 8, 2009 and in March 2009. The list now contains 72 products and is being updated regularly by the FDA.

Many of the products included in the FDA’s warning are marketed as dietary supplements and some claim to be “natural” or contain only “herbal” ingredients, even though they contain potentially dangerous ingredients not listed on the products’ labels or promotional advertisements. The FDA has not approved these products and they are considered illegal.

To view the full list of tainted weight loss products, visit the FDA’s website.

Eyewitness Investigation - Qualifications of NY Crane Inspectors

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7678 — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Following the fatal crane accident that killed seven people on Manhattan’s East Side, New York officials have taken steps to improve safety in the construction industry. An ABC Eyewitness Report looked into whether or not officials really fixed the problem.

The crane accidents that occurred last year exposed corruption and understaffing inside New York City’s crane inspection unit. Since the crane collapse, the city has hired more crane inspectors, but their qualifications have been questioned. According to ABC, instead of hiring highly-experienced crane experts within the construction industry, the city filled the new positions from inside the building’s department. The inspectors chosen have little crane experience.

Currently, there are forty tower cranes in New York City, which is 20 percent more than last year. The city has taken measures to improve crane safety by performing comprehensive crane inspections, creating a tracking system for critical crane parts and increasing the amount of training for city crane inspectors.

The Department of Buildings is planning to rely on its specialized crane inspectors to enforce these new safety measures. Following the crane accidents last year, the amount of inspectors more than doubled to eleven. Each inspector has completed 170 hours of training for cranes and rigging. However, five of the new inspectors come from other divisions within the department. Some experts believe that their qualifications are not adequate and fall short of the city’s own requirements listed in the job notice. The majority of the new crane inspectors have little or no specific experience working with cranes.

A spokesman from the Department of Buildings said the city has the toughest crane regulations in the country, which have been made even tougher by new laws mandating training for tower crane workers.

Supreme Court Rules Regarding Drug Manufacturer Case

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7666 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, pharmaceutical companies can be sued over serious side effects of drugs even when the warning labels have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 judgment against the drug manufacturer Wyeth, which could open the door to litigation in thousands of similar drug cases.

The ruling was in favor of Diana Levine, a musician who had lost her arm to gangrene after receiving the Phenergan injection. Levine had been awarded $6.7 million in damages by a Vermont court in her lawsuit against Wyeth, the company that manufactures Phenergan.

Levine had gone to a local health clinic in April 2000 for treatment for a migraine headache. She was given the Phenergan injection. A physician’s assistant injected the drug intravenously, which caused the Phenergan to enter Levine’s artery. As a result, she developed gangrene and doctors had to amputate her right forearm. According to evidence presented by Levine, there have been at least 20 other cases in which the use of Phenergan resulted in gangrene and amputation.

The trial court had concluded that Levine’s injuries wouldn’t have occurred if Phenergan’s label had included an adequate warning about the risks of delivering it by means of intravenous injection.

Wyeth had argued to the Supreme Court that the FDA had approved warning labels for Phenergan and that this approval took precedence over the state law where the lawsuit was filed.

Some believe that the judgment opens the way for individuals to bring lawsuits against manufacturers for negligence even when the FDA has approved a drug and its warning label.

Two Long Island Roads Considered Deadly for Pedestrians

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7596 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Two roads in Long Island are believed to be the deadliest for pedestrians. According to a Manhattan-based nonprofit organization, known as the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Nassau’s Hempstead Turnpike and Sunrise Highway in Suffolk are among the deadliest roads for pedestrians in New York.

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign based its rankings on roadways in a single county. Information was gathered regarding pedestrian accidents in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut from 2005 to 2007. The nonprofit group discovered that these two Long Island roads were the deadliest in the region.

According to Ryan Lynch, the group’s Long Island coordinator and senior planner, the report shows the need for Long Island planners to consider their priorities.

“They're really just building roads to move cars as fast as possible through intersections, which creates a really hostile environment for pedestrians," said Lynch, who encouraged state transportation officials to "embrace more ideas that protect pedestrians and cyclists."

The majority of the 15 deaths that occurred on Hempstead Turnpike were in Elmont, Franklin Square and Hempstead. Last year, Newsday even reported that Hempstead Turnpike had the highest concentration of accident-prone locations in Long Island.

In Suffolk, a dozen pedestrians were killed on Sunrise Highway during the study period. There were 7 deaths on Nassau’s portion of the highway during the same period.

The study reports that there were 184 pedestrian fatalities on Long Island roads between 2005 and 2007.

One of the deaths included Eleanor Messana, 58. She was killed after she was hit by a motorist while she was crossing a dangerous section of Sunrise Highway in Lindenhurst in 2007. Her sister, Palma Kelly, agrees that the road was among the most dangerous for pedestrians on Long Island.

New York State Department of Transportation is also concerned about pedestrian accidents. Crews install safety measures, such as crosswalk countdown clocks, whenever work is being done on dangerous roads in Long Island.

Consumers Warned Against Dietary Supplement with Undeclared Drug

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7496 — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0, a dietary supplement, has been found to contain sibutramine, a controlled substance with risks for abuse or addiction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued this warning after its laboratory analysis showed samples of the product had the undeclared drug that poses potential safety risks.

"Sibutramine is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved prescription drug used as an appetite suppressant for weight loss," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "But when present in a dietary supplement, it may harm unsuspecting consumers because sibutramine can substantially increase blood pressure and heart rate (pulse), and may present a significant risk for people with a history of heart disease, heart failure, irregular heart beats or stroke."

Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0 is marketed by Applied Lifescience Research Industries Inc. (ALR Industries) based Oak View, California. A recall was initiated on December 24, 2008 by ALR industries, which included all lots of the dietary supplement. The recall followed the results of the FDA laboratory analysis, showing undeclared sibutramine.

On its website, ALR Industries states that there are only “trace amounts” of sibutramine, but according to the FDA laboratory results, Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0 has a substantial amount of sibutramine per dosage unit.

Distributors and retailers sold this dietary supplement throughout the United States and in Canada, Poland, Sweden, Hungary, South Africa, the Netherlands, Australia, France and the United Kingdom. It was packaged in red plastic bottles containing 90 capsules and had the UPC# 094922534743.

The FDA has warned consumers to stop taking Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0 and to contact their doctors if they experience any adverse affects. ALR Industries is also taking consumers’ questions at legal@alrindustries.com. Further instructions are also available by emailing the company.

Children's Hooded Sweatshirts Recalled After Strangulation Death

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7467 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

On February 12, 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall by Hill Sportswear Inc. of Paramount California of 300,000 hooded drawstring sweatshirts for children. This recall followed a report of a 3-year-old boy in Fresno, California, who was strangled when the drawstring on the hooded sweatshirt that he was wearing became stuck on a playground set.

The recalled children’s sweatshirts include the Kid Pullover Hood Sweatshirt and Kid Zipper Sweatshirt with Hood. Each garment has drawstrings through the hood that should be removed immediately, as they can become caught on objects and could strangle a child. The Kid Pullover Hood has a flat style drawstring at the neck, fleece lining and a middle front pocket. The inside label reads, “HILL/ Made in USA.” The Kid Zipper Sweatshirt with Hood has a rounded style drawstring at the neck, two front pockets and fleece lining. It also has an inside label that reads, “HILL/ Made in USA.”

The recalled sweatshirts were sold by various small retailers from August 1999 through December 2008 for approximately $8.00.

The CPSC is urging parents to promptly remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts or to return the garment to the place where it was purchased or to Hill Sportswear for a full refund. Hill Sportswear can be reached toll-free at (877) 322-8760 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM PST Monday through Friday.

In February 1996, the CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting caught on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, including jackets and sweatshirts.

To read the full press release, visit the CPSC’s website.

Shirley Man Rented Car to Avoid Using Breathalyzer

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7399 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to police, a Shirley man rented a car to avoid the court-mandated breath analyzer system in his own vehicle. He ended up crashing into a Brentwood telephone pole and was charged with drunk driving on the morning of Sunday, February 15, 2009.

Marvin Rice Jr., a 27-year-old man, was heading north in his vehicle on Wicks Road in Brentwood at approximately 5:52 AM when he lost control of the rented car and smashed into a pole at Crooked Hill Road, said Suffolk police.

Based on court records, Rice was convicted in 2005 of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) and agreed to participate in the ignition interlock device program, police said.

The ignition interlock device program requires drivers to submit to a breath test before the vehicle can be started. It measures the blood alcohol content of the driver. If alcohol is detected, the engine will not start.

Rice rented a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta from Enterpise Rent-A-Car that was not equipped with the ignition interlock devise, said Suffolk police Sgt. Kevin Beyrer.

Rice was taken by Suffolk police helicopter to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he was admitted with multiple injuries, according to police. No one else was injured in the accident.

It is believed that he rented the car so that he could drive drunk.

He was charged with driving while intoxicated. Rice has prior convictions, which include endangering the welfare of a child in 2007 and driving without a license in 2005.

Rice has an arraignment scheduled for April 13 at First District Court in Central Islip.

Mother of DWI Suspect in New York Pedestrian Accident Blames Victims

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7334 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

The mother of the DWI suspect who hit a young couple near their Battery Park City home is blaming the victims for the accident.

The accident occurred over the weekend and took the life of Marilyn Feng, a 26-year-old woman. Dennis Loffredo, a 26-year-old man, was injured in the accident, but is expected to make a full recovery.

The New York Daily News reported that a woman, who identified herself as the mother of Jersey City police officer Martin Abreu, said that the two young victims crossed the street against the light when her son hit them. She is blaming the accident on the victim.

“It was her fault,” she told the New York Daily News, referring to Feng, who police pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Police are still trying to confirm if the two pedestrians had the light or not.

Abreu’s mother went on to defend her son by saying she didn’t see anything wrong with her son’s drinking and driving.

“So my son went out and had a couple of drinks. He deserves to have a good time now and then,” she said.

According to police, Feng and Loffredo were crossing West Street early Saturday morning when Abreu hit them, killing Feng instantly and sending Loffredo to the hospital with head and leg injuries.

The Jersey City Police Department is not taking the same stance as Abreu’s mother.

"The charges surrounding this incident are most serious and this type of activity will not be tolerated by the JCPD..." Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey said in a statement. "While Mr. Abreu was in no way representing our department when this incident occurred, our primary thoughts are with the injured and the woman who perished. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families."

Abreu is being charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI, in addition to being suspended from the force.

Eli Lilly to Settlement Over Zyprexa

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7262 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

Eli Lilly, the drug company, has agreed to a settlement of approximately $1.4 billion for criminal and civil charges that it illegally marketed the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa for unauthorized use in patients who were vulnerable to its unsafe side effects.

Lilly has been accused of persuading doctors to prescribe Zyprexa to children and the elderly, even though the drug was not federally approved for those two groups of patients.

According to court documents, during one marketing effort, Lilly marketed Zyprexa to geriatricians as a way to sedate unruly nursing home patients so that there would be a reduction in “nursing time and effort.” Zyprexa is unlike other antipsychotic drugs in that it has serious side effects including sudden death, heart failure and life-threatening infections like pneumonia in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Lilly also encouraged doctors to prescribe Zyprexa to disruptive children, despite the fact that the drug is known to cause severe weight gain and metabolic disorders that is particularly pronounced in children. Over the last ten years, the use of Zyprexa among children has increased dramatically.

The $1.4 billion settlement is a record sum for so-called whistle-blower cases, which are federal lawsuits initiated by information from current or former employees of the company. The whistle-blowers for this case have not been revealed to the public.

For years, Lilly executives have claimed that the company’s marketing efforts of Zyprexa were legal and appropriate. Angela Sekson, a Lilly spokeswoman, was asked whether she could repeat those same assurances, but she said, “it would be inappropriate for me to comment further right now.”

Even though Lilly has agreed to the settlement, it doesn’t mean that doctors will stop prescribing the drug to elderly patients and children. Physicians have the right to prescribe medications as they see fit. However, Lilly will no longer be able to promote Zyprexa for uses other than what has been approved by the FDA.

Correction Officers Accused of Letting Inmates Run Rikers Island Jail

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7069 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Guards reputedly sent inmates to intimidate, threaten and silence uncooperative prisoners with brute force. Inmates were ordered to turn over money, and their every move, including when they could use the bathroom, was controlled. If word of an assault got out, the guards would allegedly orchestrate a cover-up.

For more information, follow the link below.

Bus rear-ended, 12 riders injured

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7073 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A dozen New York City bus riders were injured Tuesday when the vehicle was rear-ended by a school bus that did not have any children aboard, authorities said.

The B11 city bus was hit from behind just before 7 a.m. while it was stopped at the intersection of 49th Street and 14th Avenue in New York's Brooklyn borough, WABC-TV in New York reported.

For more information, follow the link below.

New York Construction Accident News - Crane collapse-grand jury indicts contractor

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7048 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A contractor was charged with manslaughter Monday for allegedly using worn, fraying safety straps. The straps broke apart and caused a crane to crash down on a Manhattan neighborhood, killing seven people. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), in one of the city’s worst construction accidents in decades, William Rapetti and his company, Rapetti Rigging Services Inc., were indicted by a New York grand jury. Court documents reveal indictments on seven counts of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide when a 19-story tower crane collapsed on March 15, 2008. The accident totaled a townhouse and upset the quiet neighborhood located just a few blocks from the United Nations.

For more information, follow the link below.

10 hurt in Brooklyn bus accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7049 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - Authorities say 10 people have been injured _ one seriously _ in an accident involving a New York City bus in Brooklyn.

For more information, follow the link below.

Van left in reverse kills 2 kids walking in NYC

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)7067 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AP) — An unoccupied delivery van mistakenly left in reverse jumped a curb and barreled into a group of children returning to their day care center after a trip to the library Thursday, killing two of them and seriously injuring a third, police said.

Fourteen other children were hospitalized for treatment of minor injuries.

For more information, follow the link below.

Appeal reinstates lawsuit against Sussex County over motorcycle crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6861 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The state Appellate Division today reinstated a lawsuit against Sussex County by a New York woman who crashed her motorcycle on a hairpin curve on Route 607 in Hopatcong four years ago.

Kathleen Fitzgerald, 51, of Staten Island filed the lawsuit after she crashed her Harley-Davidson motorcycle on the 135-degree curve on May 30, 2004, the appellate ruling states. The road also is known as Maxim Drive.

For more information, follow the link below.

Police Say Internal Affairs Did Its Part in Subway Inquiry

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6665 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

The New York Police Department has defended its handling of the investigation into a 24-year-old tattoo parlor employee’s claims that officers beat and sodomized him with a piece of police equipment in Brooklyn in October.

For more information, follow the link below.

NYC high school freshman hit, killed by school bus

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6666 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Authorities say a high school freshman in New York City has been struck and killed by a school bus.

New York City Department of Education spokeswoman Margie Feinberg says the 14-year-old girl was struck while walking to Francis Lewis High School in the Queens section of New York City. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

For more information, follow the link below.

Report Sounds Alarm on Child Accidents

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6609 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

Around the globe, accidents kill 830,000 children — the equivalent of all the children in Chicago — every year, according to a report issued Tuesday by the World Health Organization and Unicef.

For more information, follow the link below.

NY cops charged in subway sodomy assault

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6610 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

A New York police officer was charged with using a baton to sodomise a detainee in a shocking assault at a city subway station.

The officer was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault and faces up to 25 years prison if convicted, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said on Tuesday. Two other officers were charged with attempting a cover-up.

For more information, follow the link below.

Two Women Die in Queens Livery Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6517 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

A man suspected in the beating death of a financial worker in Manhattan in 2006 now faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving after a crash that killed the driver of a livery cab and her passenger early Sunday in Queens, the police said.

For more information, follow the link below.

GSP crash leaves Brooklyn man critical

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6429 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP -- According to the Press of Atlantic City, a Brooklyn man is in critical condition following a three-vehicle accident on the Garden State Parkway between a SUV towing a sedan using a nylon rope and a Greyhound bus.

For more information, follow the link below.

Bicyclist, 21, killed in Bronx hit-run

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6430 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

A bicyclist was crushed to death by a speeding delivery truck in a hit-and-run accident in an industrial section of the Bronx early Tuesday, police said.

The white box truck raced from the scene, leaving 21-year-old Faustino Morales dead, police said.

"I saw the body, but I couldn't look," said Lennox Williams, 58, a shop foreman at A.L. Eastmond and Sons, a boiler-making company. "He was dead - dead right here."

For more information, follow the link below.

Reckless Taxi Nearly Kills Child On 30 Rock Set

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6423 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

Shooting on U.S. sitcom 30 Rock was abruptly halted on Wednesday (19Nov08) after a taxi collided into the show's set - nearly killing a nine-year-old child.

For more information, follow the link below.

Honda to Demonstrate Advanced Safety Technology in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6424 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK, Nov 13, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Honda ( http://www.honda.com) engineers will demonstrate an advanced vehicle-to-vehicle communications system that helps vehicles avoid collisions with one another as part of Honda's participation in the 15th annual World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems. This will be done by showing a working prototype system on a public road in front of the Jacob Javits Center on Nov. 17-20, 2008.

For more information, follow the link below.

Priest Runs New York City Marathon to Honor Killed Construction Workers

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6201 — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

When the Rev. Brain Jordan leaves the starting line at today’s New York City Marathon, he won’t be running for a personal best time over the 26.2 mile course. The Catholic priest who serves as the chaplin for the New York City Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) will be pounding the pavement through the city’s five boroughs to honor construction workers killed and seriously injured on the job this year.

For more information, follow the link below.

Car, Fire Truck Involved in Accident in Brooklyn

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6047 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AP) -- Fire officials say four occupants of a car suffered minor injuries after their vehicle flipped over during an accident with a fire truck in Brooklyn.

The five firefighters aboard the truck were not injured in the 1:35 p.m. accident on Friday in the borough's Bay Ridge section.

For more information, follow the link below.

Lawsuit claims 13 years of clergy abuse

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6058 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

In the ninth civil lawsuit naming convicted abuser Francis DeLuca, along with the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, an anonymous 40-year-old plaintiff claims the former priest abused him for 13 years, beginning when he was 11.

For more information, follow the link below.

Road rage along Parkway leads to crash, arrest

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6059 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

A Brooklyn man forced another driver off the Garden State Parkway and then threatened the victim as he lay on the ground after being ejected from his car Friday afternoon, according to State Police.

For more information, follow the link below.

Mom, Boy Get Stuck in Middle of 2-Car Crash in Brooklyn

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)6046 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A woman was seriously injured and her young son was killed when they became stuck in the middle of a two-car accident on Kings Highway and East 95th Street in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn Friday afternoon, according to authorities.

For more information, follow the link below.

Construction worker deaths fell in NYC in 2007

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5980 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK -

Construction deaths fell by nearly half in New York City last year after spiking the year before, according to a federal report released Monday.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics figures came amid heightened concern about construction safety after a spate of deadly accidents this year. Roughly 20 construction workers have died in accidents citywide this year, approaching last year's total of 24, most of them killed in falls.

Police identify victim in Melville LIE crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5981 — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

Suffolk County police on Thursday identified a woman killed on the Long Island Expressway in Melville in a chain-reaction crash that began when another driver swerved as he changed lanes, Suffolk police said.

Luann Izzo, 54, of Deer Park, died in the Wednesday morning accident, police said.

For more information, follow the link below.

Train Hits Car, and a G.P.S. Is Blamed

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5888 — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

BEDFORD HILLS, N.Y. (AP) — For the second time this year, a G.P.S. device has been blamed for an accident involving a vehicle and a Metro-North Railroad train in this hamlet in Westchester County.

No one was injured.

For more information, follow the link below.

Another crane topples on US building site

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5889 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

Another crane has toppled over on a construction site in the US, just weeks after new crane safety guidelines were issued.

The accident occurred on Monday morning in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, when a crane's boom fell forward onto exposed steel beams, damaging a school that was under construction.

For more information, follow the link below.

Fiery NY accident claims biker's life

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5891 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

CLARKSTOWN, N.Y. - Police say a motorcyclist has been killed in a fiery crash with a car in suburban New York.

The unidentified victim lay on the lawn in front of a home Tuesday morning, covered with a yellow tarp.

For more information, follow the link below.

Brooklyn Boy, 5, Falls 10 Stories to His Death After Public Housing Elevator Stalls

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5487 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

A 5-year-old Brooklyn boy fell 10 stories down an elevator shaft to his death on Tuesday in a public housing complex where residents had complained of recurring problems with the elevators and renovations had been delayed because of federal cutbacks.

For more information, follow the link below.

Strategies and Attitudes of Walkers in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5488 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

From the table in Bryant Park where he was sipping an iced coffee last Thursday, Paris Dickey had a perfect view of the scaffolding around the high-rise tower from which a 1,500-pound glass panel had fallen two days earlier.

For more information, follow the link below.

Thirty people lift school bus to save pregnant woman in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5472 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

Thirty New York City residents are being hailed as heroes today after they hoisted a wrecked school bus to rescue a pregnant traffic agent trapped beneath the five-tonne vehicle.

While Donnette Sanz, the victim of yesterday's auto accident, could not be saved, her infant son was delivered safely at a nearby hospital thanks to the quick thinking of strangers who rushed to her aid.

Councilman Seeks to Ban Text Messaging at Wheel

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5473 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

Councilman David I. Weprin’s 16-year old twins are like a lot of teenagers: They text-message their friends every few minutes. And they cannot wait to get their driver’s licenses.

For more information, follow the link below.

New York Construction Company Fined for Worker's Accidental Electrocution

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5436 — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EST

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued $15,000 in fines to CKR Construction in the death of 44-year-old John Rodriguez. He was electrocuted in February while working at a Consolidated Edison property in Queens.

For more information, follow the link below.

New York man indicted in connection with fatal crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5382 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

GOSHEN – A 35-year-old Floral Park, Queens man has been indicted by an Orange County grand jury in connection with the death of a man who was a passenger in his car as he drove through the Town of Newburgh on May 24.

George Cook, who was with Hardeep Singh, was killed in the crash.

For more information, follow the link below.

Lindsay Lohan fine after accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5383 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - Lindsay Lohan is fine after being hospitalized for a motorcycle accident early Saturday morning, dad Michael told the New York Post on Sunday.

For more information, follow the link below.

Four New York teens injured in bus crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5384 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

PANGUITCH - Joseph Larkin was sleeping on a tour bus Thursday morning when his world was suddenly turned upside down.
The 16-year-old from Boca Raton, Fla., was one of 55 people on the bus when it drifted off the shoulder of State Road 12 in Red Canyon, about 12 miles west of Bryce Canyon National Park, and rolled 2 1/2 times into a dry wash, ending up on its roof.

For more information, follow the link below.

Police say men crashed truck twice on same street

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5385 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

Police say two drunken friends crashed their pickup truck into a parked car in New York City's northern suburbs and then drove down the street and crashed it again. Peekskill Detective Sgt. Eric Johansen said he's "never seen anything like it."

The crashes happened over the weekend.

For more information, follow the link below.

New York Burn Victims Fight Back

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5386 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

A Queens man and his 2-year-old daughter who were badly burned when an explosion damaged their building are "hanging in there," the family's pastor said as he prayed for all of the blast's victims.

"We ask that everyone pray for all the families," said Raul Latoni, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Flushing, which counts nine of the displaced families among its congregation. "We will try to help them rebuild their lives."

For more information, follow the link below.

New York Burn Victims Fight Back

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5387 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

A Queens man and his 2-year-old daughter who were badly burned when an explosion damaged their building are "hanging in there," the family's pastor said as he prayed for all of the blast's victims.

For more information, follow the link below.

FDA Gives Warnings and Instructions for Heparin Sodium Injection (Baxter)

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5283 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

As another Baby dies from a link to Heparin the folowing was issued from the FDA recently

Heparin sodium is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that is commonly administered intravenously. It is used in patients undergoing kidney dialysis, certain types of cardiac surgery, and treatment or prevention of other serious medical conditions, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary emboli. In many settings heparin treatment is initiated using high doses (5000-50,000 units) given directly into the blood stream (intravenously) as a bolus (over a short period of time, usually a few minutes). Serious adverse events have recently been reported in patients who received these higher bolus doses. The serious adverse events include allergic or hypersensitivity-type reactions, with symptoms of oral swelling, nausea, vomiting, sweating, shortness of breath, and cases of severe hypotension requiring treatment. Most events developed within minutes of heparin initiation although the possibility for a delayed response has not been excluded.. The reports have largely involved use of multiple-dose vials. However there have been several cases in which product from multiple, single-dose vials have been combined to administer a bolus dose.

FDA is providing the following recommendations to physicians, dialysis center staff, and other health care providers when using heparin sodium for injection.

When bolus use is required, try to use a heparin product from another manufacturer or an alternate anticoagulant
When Baxter product is the only heparin product available and use of heparin is considered to be medically necessary:
- Administer infusions without using a bolus dose whenever possible
- Use the lowest dose necessary at the slowest infusion rate acceptable to obtain the desired effect
- Closely monitor the patient for adverse events, particularly hypotension and signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity, and ensure that resuscitation equipment is available.
- Consider the potential risks and benefits in individual patients of pretreatment with corticosteroids or antihistamines before the heparin is administered. At this time FDA does not have data to determine if such pretreatment is effective.

Heparin sodium is a pork-derived product that has been marketed in the United States for nearly 70 years. It is estimated that over 1 million multiple-dose vials of heparin are sold per month in the U.S., about half of which are manufactured and distributed by Baxter Since late December 2007 Baxter and FDA have received nearly 350 reports of adverse reactions, and about 40% of the cases are estimated as serious, based upon preliminary and ongoing review. The number of reports seen in the past two months is a marked increase from the number of reports associated with heparin use normally received in a similar time period.

The majority of reported events occurred at hemodialysis centers. In early January, 2008, clusters of these allergic adverse event reports came to the attention of the CDC and to Baxter. Available data at that time suggested a link of these cases to product from specific heparin manufacturing lots. This resulted in Baxter recalling 9 product lots on January 17, 2008. FDA initiated inspections of Baxter’s U.S. manufacturing plant and processes the same day.

Since the January product recall, new reports indicate that adverse events are not limited to only the recalled heparin lots. Baxter and FDA have learned of cases occurring in hospitals where heparin was used during cardiac surgery and in patients undergoing photopheresis. Like the events associated with dialysis, most have resolved with medical management. Four patients have died since these adverse events were noted; the relationship between the deaths and the heparin use is not certain.

The underlying cause for the abrupt increase in the number of adverse events reported for Baxter’s heparin sodium is under investigation. FDA inspectors and scientists are working independently and in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Baxter to discover the underlying cause of the adverse events. FDA personnel and laboratories are conducting intensive inspection and testing related to Baxter’s heparin sodium. FDA is also seeking advice from outside experts in the manufacture and clinical use of heparin in order to help guide our investigation.

Brooklyn Girl Critical after Another Hit & Run

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5276 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Another child was struck by a hit and run driver in Brooklyn on Saturday.

Police say a 9-year-old Brooklyn girl is in critical condition after a tan Nissan Maxima slammed into her just before 9 p.m. Saturday. The accident happened when the girl was crossing Rockaway Ave., near Glenmore Ave. in Brownsville.

For more information, follow the link below.

Crane collapses at Houston refinery, killing 4

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5277 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

HOUSTON (AP) — Hitting the ground with enough force to lift a worker off the ground, one of the nation's largest mobile cranes collapsed at a Houston oil refinery, killing four workers and injuring seven others.

As federal officials prepared to investigate the latest in a string of fatal accidents involving cranes, the Louisiana company that owns the 300-foot-tall piece of equipment said it would pursue its own probe of Friday's incident. Deep South Crane & Rigging spokeswoman Margaret Landry issued a statement from the company's headquarters in Baton Rouge, saying it was investigating "to determine the root cause, correct it and ensure that this type of tragedy does not occur again."

For more information, follow the link below.

Crane inspector arrested after two New York accidents

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5183 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AFP) — New York City's chief inspector for cranes on construction sites was arrested Friday and charged with corruption after two crane collapses in March and May killed nine people, the city's mayor said.

"The arrest of this inspector is a good reminder to any city employee -- or any private company -- that bribery and fraud will be discovered and punished to the full extent of the law," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.

For more information, follow the link below.

Manslaughter charge in NYC construction accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5184 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK -

A Brooklyn construction site owner who hired $100-a-day laborers to build a laundromat was charged with manslaughter Wednesday for the death of a worker who was crushed by a crumbling wall.

Authorities said the indictment of William Lattarulo should serve as a warning to contractors performing shoddy construction work in a building boom that has caused dozens of construction accidents and 16 deaths this year.

For more information, follow the link below.

City commissioner wants feds to act on crane safety

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5185 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON - New York City is tightening inspection and maintenance regulations on high-rise cranes like those involved in two fatal accidents since March - but a top city official yesterday also pressed the federal government to do more.

"We are acting now, but this should fall under federal requirements because these cranes follow construction sites across state lines," acting city Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri said before a House labor committee hearing.

For more information, follow the link below.

Police arrest driver of truck in fatal NYC crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5186 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - The driver of a truck that slammed into a car in Manhattan and killed a passenger has been arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide.

Police say the 22-year-old man from Garfield, N.J., was also charged with driving while intoxicated in the Sunday morning crash.

For more information, follow the link below.

4 injured as car veers onto sidewalk in New York

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)5187 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

For the fourth time in two days, a car plowed into pedestrians on a New York City sidewalk, hurting four people in the latest of a strange outbreak of wrecks.

Saturday's accident in Brooklyn injured two toddlers and came a day after cars veered onto sidewalks at three locations in Manhattan, hitting a total of 18 people. Three were hospitalized.

For more information, follow the link below.

Dank, shabby and deafening, New York metro moves millions

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4986 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AFP) — Five million people ride New York City's under and above-ground railway every day, braving a vast, aging system that is dilapidated, deafening, and prone to floods, escalator outages and sealed-off exits.

Now the inconveniences they endure have been laid bare with the belated publication of a survey of the system's unreliable elevators and escalators, alongside a months-long investigative report by The New York Times.

For more information, follow the link below.

Four die in New York crane collapse

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4930 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Emergency workers on Sunday continued searching for victims or survivors of a crane collapse that killed four construction workers and injured 17 others at a four-story townhouse in Manhattan.

Crews used search dogs and heat-sensing cameras as they looked through the rubble, The Associated Press reported.

Three of the injured were in critical condition after Saturday's collapse, authorities said. Five firefighters had minor injuries.

Seven dead in New York crane accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4931 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AFP) — Seven people were killed over the weekend when a construction crane collapsed in New York, police said Monday, reporting the discovery of three more bodies in the rubble.

Four construction workers were initially confirmed dead in Saturday's accident, which saw a 60-meter (200-foot) crane collapse and crush an entire residential building and damage several other properties.

Out of Nowhere, a Thud, and Then Blood

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4932 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

IT was late morning, a few Sundays ago. My wife and I were returning to Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, via car, from tea and scones in Greenwich Village. At the approach to the intersection of Chambers and Centre Streets, right next to City Hall Park and close to the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge, we pulled up to a line of cars stopped at the light.

A cluster of television news vans was parked on the sidewalk for a news conference. Near one of the vans, a reporter was using the rectangular rear-view as a makeup mirror. My wife and I idly watched as she finished her touch-ups and started to cross the street.

Conference examines how clergy abuse is handled by dioceses worldwide

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4934 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Father Joe Mathias sat and listened, scribbling notes at times, paying careful attention to Teresa Kettelkamp, executive director of the U.S. bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection.

Kettelkamp was talking about the latest efforts by dioceses across the country to protect children from abuse. For the Jesuit priest from India, it was an education.

For more information, follow the link below.

1 Injured After Car Collides With Tractor-Trailer

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4715 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK -- One person was injured after a car collided with a tractor-trailer on the New England Thruway in the Bronx on Tuesday.

The accident happened around 10:51 a.m. on the northbound side at exit 13. The car got wedged under the tanker, caught fire and was extinguished.

The driver of the car was taken to Jacobi Hospital with a minor injury.

For more information, follow the link below.

LI boy struck by car after buying ice cream in coma

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4716 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

MELVILLE, N.Y. - Doctors are keeping a 7-year-old Long Island boy in a medically induced coma after he was struck by a car passing an ice cream truck where he bought a treat.

Javier (Ha-VEE'-yehr) Reyes (RAY'-es) remains in critical condition at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

For more information, follow the link below.

Car Thief Leads Police on Chase, Crashes

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4717 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

A car thief who blew past a stop sign Sunday morning took Jersey City cops to Secaucus and back before crashing the stolen van on Tonnelle Avenue, police reports said.

Steven Montgomery, 24, of Franklin Street in Newark, was charged with receiving stolen property, eluding a police officer and resisting arrest, reports said.

Construction Workers Critical after Separate Incidents

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4718 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AP) -- A construction worker was critically injured Tuesday after falling 25 feet while trying to secure a steel beam at an office tower being built near the East River, officials said.

For more information, follow the link below.

Ambulance Crash Injures Six People

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4719 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Six people have been injured in an ambulance crash in Lower Manhattan.

Police say the accident happened around 11:00 a.m. Tuesday near East Houston Street and Avenue C.

The ambulance driver and one other person were listed in serious condition and rushed to Bellevue Hospital.

For more information, follow the link below.

City's Buildings Chief Resigns as Outcry on Accidents Grows

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4720 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

Facing pressure from City Hall and growing criticism for a spike in fatal construction accidents, Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster resigned on Tuesday, becoming the first commissioner to leave the Bloomberg administration under a cloud of public controversy.

Two People Injured After Car Jumps Curb in Manhattan

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4661 — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/AP) -- Two pedestrians are slightly injured after a car jumped the curb and hit some scaffolding on East 27th Street in Manhattan.

A fire department spokesman says the accident occurred near Madison Avenue at 8:11 a.m. Tuesday.

For more information, follow the link below.

Car jumps NYC courthouse steps, pinning man

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4662 — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - Hours after a car hurtled up the courthouse stairs made famous by "Law & Order," injuring six people, a pedestrian was hit by a taxi across the street just yards away.

The taxi slammed into the pedestrian just before 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Pearl and Centre streets _ about 60 feet from the first accident.

For more information, follow the link below.

A slow return to normalcy in Manhattan area scarred by crane accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4553 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST

The boom of debris landing in metal trash bins echoed down the street, startling pedestrians in a neighborhood still scarred by the crane accident that killed seven -- including Staten Islander Anthony Mazza -- and upended life in this stretch of midtown Manhattan.

Workers are clearing the site where the 20-story crane crushed one town house and damaged at least seven other buildings. But the sound of things getting back to normal is an unwelcome reminder for some.

For more information, follow the link below.

Staten Island teen killed in car crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4554 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST

A Staten Island teen-ager was killed in a freak accident on a New Jersey road Saturday night, after he and his girlfriend's cars simultaneously lost control on a tricky bend, then crashed into each other and a tree.

The crash happened at about 10:15 p.m. in Tabernacle, N.J. -- about 65 miles south of Staten Island.

For more information, follow the link below.

Car Crash Stops Subway Service

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4555 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST

A car crashed through a chain-link fence, plunged roughly 30 feet onto subway tracks and burst into flames in Brooklyn early Saturday, disrupting service on the N line for several hours, authorities said.

The accident occurred just before 5 a.m. at 63rd Street and 15th Avenue at the New Utrecht Avenue station, where the D and M lines connect with the N.

For more information, follow the link below.

Catholic Dioceses Promoting Child Abuse Awareness Month

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4556 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic dioceses
nationwide will promote Child Abuse Awareness Month in April. Plans call
for raising awareness through special prayers during Sunday Masses,
diocesan and parish lectures, and other educational activities.

Child Abuse Awareness is a major initiative of the Catholic Church in
the United States. As a result, an estimated 1.6 millions persons have
undergone background checks; 1.8 million priests, deacons, candidates for
ordination, educators, employees and volunteers have gone through safe
environment programs and approximately 6 million children in parish school
and religious education programs have received age-appropriate instruction
in this area.

For more information, follow the link below.

Unsafe at Any Speed, With any Driver

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4426 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST

Every year, about 42,000 people die in automobile-related accidents in the U.S. In 1930, when there were about a tenth of the number of autos on the road, more than 31,000 people in the U.S. were killed by cars. "The automobile is here to slay," said one newspaper, its typo speaking volumes.

For more information, follow the link below.

Woman, 84, Killed In Queens Hit-And-Run Crash, Police Say

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4384 — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK -- An 84-year-old woman was struck and killed by a hit and run driver in Queens late Friday, police say.

The woman was crossing Union Turnpike in Glen Oaks when the crash occurred, police said.

The driver of the car fled. Police said the vehicle was a late model, two-door sedan in a gold or tan color.

One Dead, Four Injured in Stolen Car Chase

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4364 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - Police say one person was killed and four others were injured in an accident involving a stolen vehicle on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn.

Police said Thursday they came across the accident after losing sight of the stolen vehicle, a 1997 Nissan Infiniti, which they had been following.

For more information, follow the link below.

1 killed, 4 injured in Brooklyn stolen vehicle accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4365 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST

For more information, follow the link below.

New York City to Consider New Laws After Skyscraper Deaths Rise

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4366 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST

Feb. 4 (Bloomberg) -- New York City's buildings commissioner called for laws to require registration of concrete contractors and hiring of safety managers after a surge in construction worker deaths and injuries during a record building boom.

Fatalities on high rises -- projects of 15 stories or more -- rose to five last year from one in 2006 and injuries increased 63 percent, to 52, according to the New York City Buildings Department. More than 60 percent involved materials falling during concrete pouring.

For more information, follow the link below.

Schumer wants elder abuse law

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4367 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., on Wednesday said it was time for the federal government to get serious about elder abuse.

Schumer said the swift passage of the Elder Justice Act, which is pending before the Senate's finance committee, would be the first piece of federal legislation to directly deal with elder abuse.

Schumer said that in 2007, about 8,693 cases of elder abuse were reported in New York, with 120 cases reported in Cayuga County, but a study from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging shows that more than 80 percent of elder abuse goes unreported, which could raise the number in Cayuga County to nearly 600 cases.

For more information, follow the link below.

Bus Accident Injures Ten

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4312 — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST

BINGHAMTON -- Ten passengers on a Greyhound bus were taken to local hospitals Monday after a driver-in-training went off the road and crashed into a tree off Route 17 west/Interstate 81 north at exit 4S in Binghamton.

The injuries consisted mostly of facial and back injuries and none were deemed serious, but almost all of the 31 passengers on board complained about headaches, according to Binghamton police

For more information, follow the link below.

Secretive Allstate File Could Show 'Bad Faith'

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4154 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST

TAMPA - Behind the fight between Florida's insurance commissioner and Allstate Insurance Co. is a mystery that could have come from a John Grisham novel.

Secret Allstate documents - known as the McKinsey documents - allegedly show how the insurance giant intentionally has made low-ball claims offers to its customers for years, netting Allstate billions of dollars in the process.

But the McKinsey documents have never seen the light of day.

Trial lawyers who have sued Allstate in recent years have eagerly sought them, and Allstate reluctantly has turned them over to lawyers under subpoena. However, each time a judge has prohibited lawyers from distributing them to the media and the public under a protective order.

For more information, follow the link below.

At least one injured in spectacular crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4155 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST

AUBURNDALE-WABC -- Two people were hurt in a spectacular car accident in Auburndale, Queens, Thursday.

Police say an out-of-control car overturned near a house at 144-24 20th Avenue, near Parsons Boulevard, around 3:30 p.m.

For more information, follow the link below.

Scaffold Falls, Killing Worker in Brooklyn

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4156 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST

A construction worker fell 12 stories to his death in Brooklyn on Wednesday when the scaffold he was standing on collapsed, apparently because of high winds, according to city officials and witnesses.

For more information, follow the link below.

LIE reopens after two-car crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4157 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST

A pre-dawn two-car accident closed down the eastbound Long Island Expressway Wednesday, causing a massive traffic jam that stretched miles in both directions before the crash scene was finally cleared at about 6:45 a.m.

For more information, follow the link below.

Queens: Eight Injured in Fire Truck Crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)4158 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST

Eight people were injured on Thursday in a crash in Laurelton involving a United States Postal Service tractor-trailer, a taxicab and a fire engine responding to an emergency, the Fire Department said. The injured, five firefighters and three civilians, were taken to area hospitals. The Fire Department said the accident, which occurred about 3:15 p.m. at 225th Street and Conduit Avenue, was under investigation. The truck driver, who was not identified, was in critical condition Thursday evening, the police said. The injuries to the firefighters and the other civilians were said not to be life-threatening.

Hit and Run Driver Caught by Civilians

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3994 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - Bystanders to a deadly car accident in Brooklyn leaped into action Friday when the driver tried to escape. A group of witnesses to the hit-and-run crash said they chased the motorist on foot and in vehicles, grabbed him and stuffed him into a cab, which returned him to the scene of the crime. "I was glad we got the bastard," Chris Blake, 41, of Bay Ridge, told the Daily News. "He killed a guy. He was meant to get caught. He deserves to go to jail."

Escalator accident likely mechanical

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3995 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Authorities on Monday took a cursory inspection of the Giants Stadium escalator that malfunctioned and injured seven people this weekend after the Giants’ loss to the New England Patriots. “We took a very cursory look and we’re planning to get everybody together…to determine what may have failed on that escalator,” said James Minish, vice president of facilities for the state Sports and Exposition Authority. For more information, follow the link below.

New York Docs Feeling Ill Over Proposed Insurance Surcharge

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3996 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

There are worries that a proposed $50,000 surcharge on all MD's in the state could do irreparable harm to New York's health care community. The state's medical malpractice liability fund is underfunded, and state insurance superintendent Eric Dinallo is looking for ideas. Doctors unable to obtain liability insurance from commercial carriers are required to get insurance from a pool for high-risk doctors called the Medical Malpractice Insurance Plan, which charges doctors at least 290% the going rate of insurance for their profession. The pool is in the red right now, however, and it falls upon commercial carriers to cover any deficits.

Charges dropped in NYC bus crash that left children hurt

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3941 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - Prosecutors have dropped charges against the driver of a van that was carrying seven children who were hurt when it collided with a New York City bus. Queens District Attorney spokesman Kevin Ryan says charges against the 60-year-old driver would not be pursued because of a lack of evidence to sustain criminal charges. For more information, follow the link below.

Bicyclist killed when car door opens, sending him into truck's path

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3881 — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

His nickname was "Lights" because he always put bike safety first. But Wednesday morning, cyclist David Smith fell victim to the very accident he always warned friends about. For more information, follow the link below.

ANGIE MARTINEZ SURVIVES CAR CRASH

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3816 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

New York radio jock Angie Martinez was involved in a nasty car crash late last week in advance of her first annual Angie Martinez Hair Show and Beauty Expo over the weekend at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

Eight Injured in NYC Construction Accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3817 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

Eight people were injured on Oct. 17, when a New York City construction crane bucket fell 53 floors, crashing into a street level scaffolding structure. The incident occurred at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Forty-Second Street.

Report: New York's Med Mal Crisis Self-Inflicted

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3818 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

ALBANY–Shortsighted policy decisions by New York’s government in the 1990s are responsible for the purported medical malpractice “crisis” in the state according to a report released by Public Citizen, New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) and the Center for Medical Consumers. The report urges Gov. Eliot Spitzer and a task force studying malpractice to focus on ways to improve patient safety and to resist pleas from the insurance industry and the state’s doctors to pare back patients’ legal rights. It has been sent to Spitzer, the task force and New York state lawmakers. The report, A Self-Inflicted “Crisis:” New York’s Medical Malpractice Insurance Troubles Caused By Flawed State Rate Setting and Raid on Rainy Day Fund, was written by Public Citizen researchers. NYPIRG and the Center for Medical Consumers assisted. http://www.citizen.org/documents/NYFinal.pdf

2 people run over in accidents at confusing Brooklyn intersection

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3819 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - A girl was run over by a cement truck Saturday at a street corner where a woman had been knocked down by a car earlier in the afternoon, police said. The first victim was a 24-year-old woman who was crossing under a walk light at the Brooklyn intersection, which has a two-way road that cuts through another two-way road and leads into a one-way road. She was hit by a car around 12:30 p.m. but wasn't seriously hurt and escaped with just some bad bruises, friends said. For more information, follow the link below.

Son of Brooklyn Brewery owner dies in accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3820 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - The son of one of the founders of the Brooklyn Brewery died in a freak bike accident when he fell off the upper level of the Manhattan Bridge to the lower level and into oncoming traffic. Sam Hindy, 27, and a friend had been drinking at bars in lower Manhattan and were headed to Brooklyn shortly before midnight Friday when they mistakenly entered the upper roadway, which is reserved for car traffic.

6 Children, 2 Adults Injured in S.I. Bus Crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3673 — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST

The accident was reported after 9 a.m. at Park Hill Lane and Vanderbilt Avenue in the Fox Hills section. Apparently, the school bus collided with a car and flipped on its side. EMS officials said all patients were transported to Staten Island University Medical Center with minor injuries.

New Jersey man admits driving drunk and running down off-duty cop

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3674 — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST

A New Jersey man who ran down an off-duty police officer driving a motorcycle pleaded guilty yesterday to drunken driving and felony vehicular assault. Charlie Lin, 29, rammed Brian Rickli's Kawasaki from behind while driving his 2005 Nissan Altima on Route 59 in West Nyack on May 24. For more information, follow the link below.

NYC Construction Becomes More Deadly

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3675 — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Sucha Ram was getting ready to tar the roof of a building in the Bronx last year when he fell over the side, plunging 15 feet to his death. He was not wearing any fall-protection gear and had never received formal training in fall hazards, a report said. Ram was a 52-year-old immigrant from India, the sole breadwinner of the family — and part of a long line of casualties of New York City's roaring construction industry in 2006. Forty-three people died while working construction in New York in 2006, the deadliest year in at least a decade in the city, according to recently released data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The death toll was up 87 percent from 2005, when 23 people died. Nationally, construction deaths in 2006 rose just 3 percent. For more information, follow the link below.

Recalls Don't Catch All Products with Lead

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3676 — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST

Lead can be found in far many more products than toys, and many of those items have not come up for recall, according to a study to be published in the December issue of Consumer Reports magazine. A four-month investigation found detectable levels of lead in the caps on glue sticks, children's vinyl backpacks, dishware, jewelry, toys and many other items, Consumer Reports said. The investigation examined both products found in stores in the New York metropolitan area and items in the homes of employees of Consumers Union, the nonprofit that publishes Consumer Reports. For more information, follow the link below.

NYC man dies in Ulster motorcycle accident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3677 — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST

KRIPPLEBUSH - A New York City man died Sunday morning after his motorcycle crashed into a vehicle on County Route 2 in the Town of Marbletown. Larry Eng was pronounced dead at the scene about 11:30 a.m., according to state police in Ellenville. For more information, follow the link below.

Critics: ConAgra Mishandled Recall

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3577 — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Critics say ConAgra Foods Inc.'s delay in recalling pot pies linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak increased the chance that more people would become sick, opened up the company to greater liability, and exposed a key weakness in the nation's food safety system: voluntary recalls. For more information, follow the link below.

Man in wheelchair critically injured by 2 vehicles

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3584 — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK - A man in a wheelchair has been critically injured by two vehicles while trying to cross a Harlem street. The NYPD says the 44-year-old man was hit around 6 a.m. Wednesday by a white van traveling west on 125th Street.

Bail set at $75,000 for alleged driver in fatal DUI hit-and-run

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3500 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST

Bail was set at $75,000 today for a Baruch College student accused of mowing down a young Scottish woman in a drunken driving accident and then fleeing the scene. Tenzing Bhutia, 21, of Queens, was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident involving a death, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Five states to sue U.S. over child health plan

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3501 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Five states said on Monday they will sue the federal government to block new rules governing a children's health insurance program that they fear will force them to drop some children. New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois and Washington will file suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York later this week, a spokeswoman for New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said.

Woman Late For Plane Dies In Police Custody At Phoenix Airport

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3502 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST

She was late for a plane. She started yelling. She was taken into police custody. She was handcuffed. She was put in a cell. And then she was dead. Yes, there is an explanation for what happened, but it's a shocker given the fact that she was the mother of three young children, from a prominent New York City family, and she's said to have died in a way that will raise some eyebrows until the autopsy is done — or perhaps if the matter winds up in court as part of a lawsuit:

Baby, grandma escape death as semitrailor falls from NYC highway

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3420 — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AP) _ A baby girl and her grandmother were nearly crushed when a tractor-trailer fell from an elevated highway and smashed down in front of their car, striking its hood. "I can't believe I'm alive," said Jenetta Christopherson, 61, in Wednesday editions of the Daily News. She said she was driving her 1-year-old granddaughter, Kayle McGrath, westbound on the Staten Island Expressway on Tuesday afternoon when the truck flew off the highway above them.

One Dead, Four Injured In Queens Crash

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3391 — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK -- One person was killed and four others were injured in a car crash in Queens on Wednesday. Emergency services responded to a one-car on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway just before 6 a.m. on Wednesday. One person was killed and four people were injured. Two people were treated for serious injuries and another was in critical condition. For more information, follow the link below.

NYPD cover-up alleged in fatal Brooklyn hit-run

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3327 — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

It's tough enough surviving the streets of north Brooklyn. It's even tougher when the police break the law, then try to cover it up. That's the argument made by the family of Bobby Roman, a young motorcyclist killed in July 2006 by a hit-and-run driver in Bedford-Stuyvesant. His family says a patrol car struck Roman, then sped off. For more information, follow the link below.

Subway Supervisor Is Demoted for His Role in Fatal Acccident

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3328 — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

The superintendent who investigators said was partly responsible for the death of a subway track worker has been demoted and will be assigned to a job as a cleaner, a person with knowledge of the disciplinary action said yesterday. For more information, follow the link below.

Sprinklers were shut off at site of fatal New York fire

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3329 — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK -- The absence of a working sprinkler system in the former Deutsche Bank Building where two firefighters died Aug. 18 was not an accident, city and state officials said Thursday. Shutting off the system was a deliberate decision made by regulators well before workers started taking apart the toxic, flammable building. For more information, follow the link below.

Burn Victims Sue Over Steam Pipe Blast

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3330 — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (AP) — A tow-truck driver and his passenger who were burned when a huge steam-pipe explosion blew a crater in a Manhattan street last month have sued the city's utility provider, accusing it of misconduct. Passenger Judith Bailey and a guardian for driver Gregory McCullough seek unspecified damages from Consolidated Edison in the lawsuits filed Tuesday in State Supreme Court. The victims accused Con Edison of failing to "properly operate and maintain its steam system," thereby creating a "ticking time bomb." More than 12 such pipes have exploded since 1987, including one that killed three people in 1989 and released 200 pounds of asbestos, the plaintiffs claim. For more information, follow the link below.

City Report Shows Downward Trends in Claims Filed And Settlement Costs — With Some Exceptions

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3331 — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK — The city comptroller issued a report this month showing downward trends in the number of claims filed against the city and in the city's costs for legal settlements and judgments. Brooklyn had the highest number of new claims for personal injury and property damage, according to the report, but Manhattan had the highest settlement costs for such claims, among the five boroughs. Brooklyn attorney John Bonina, president of New York's Academy of Trial Lawyers, attributed the higher number of Brooklyn claims (5,843, compared to 5,646 in Manhattan) to the borough's larger population and the fact that two of the city's most troubled hospitals are located here. For more information, follow the link below.

The Hidden Cost of Foreign Goods

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3170 — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

Wal-Mart, Target, and other "big box" retailers are importing faulty and dangerous products into the US faster than our regulatory agencies can keep up with them. Follow the link below for more details.

Why New York Medical Malpractice Insurance Jumped 14%

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3145 — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

You may have seen the screaming New York headlines: Doctors hit with 14% increase in medical malpractice rates! Doctors in high risk specialties paying 6-figure insurance premiums! Insurance reserves so low carriers may become insolvent! Blame the lawyers! came the cry from the doctor's, for surely it must be due to medical malpractice cases. A little protectionism called tort "reform" would go a long way to curing the problem. Right? For more information, follow the link below.

Bonina: Don't Blame Lawyers For Med-Mal Insurance Crisis

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3146 — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:00:00 EST

There is more than mild shock among trial lawyers — especially those who practice in the medical malpractice area — at the news that Gov. Eliot Spitzer and his Insurance Commissioner Eric Dinallo managed to sneak through a 14 percent increase in med mal insurance premiums for which they, as usual, blame the lawyers! Doctors, of course, were outraged but, in general, were buying into the disturbing explanation voiced by Dinallo, who incorrectly stated that “The cause [for the 14 percent boost] is high medical liability costs.” For more information, follow the link below.

Poll: Americans dislike corporate misdeeds over frivolous lawsuits

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3142 — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:00:00 EST

OKLAHOMA CITY – Americans are much more concerned about corporate misdeeds than tort reform, according to a national poll conducted for the American Association for Justice, formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. For more information, follow the link below.

6 in New York Family Are Believed Dead in Crash in Virginia

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3143 — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:00:00 EST

Six people killed in a fiery car crash in Virginia on Tuesday are believed to be members of an extended New York City family of Trinidadian immigrants, the police in Virginia said last night. The police said they had been unable to identify the victims, four males and two females, because of the severity of their burns, and were planning to use dental and medical records. For more information, follow the link below.

Steam Pipe Explosion Triggers Lawsuits

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)3144 — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:00:00 EST

Follow the link below for more information.

Judge Bork sues New York social club over fall

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)2859 — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 08:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rejected U.S. Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork sued an exclusive New York social club on Thursday for at least $1 million over injuries he suffered in a fall last year while trying to climb onto a dais. Bork, 80, said the Yale Club in midtown Manhattan failed to provide a handrail or stairs leading to an unreasonably high dais and that he fell as he tried to mount it, hitting his leg on the side of the dais and his head on a heat register. For more information, follow the link below.

Sicko? The truth about the US healthcare system

mlevine@rapplaw.com (News Author)2860 — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 08:00:00 EST

Cynthia Kline knew exactly what was happening to her when she suffered a heart attack at her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She took the time to call an ambulance, popped some nitroglycerin tablets she had been prescribed in anticipation of just such an emergency, and waited for help to arrive. For more information, follow the link below.