Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.
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percentage of adverse events for patients undergoing surgeryRecent findings published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) have revealed alarming statistics about the safety of surgical care in hospitals. This extensive study, conducted across 11 U.S. hospitals, highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures to prevent adverse events during surgery. As medical malpractice attorneys, we understand the devastating impact such errors can have on patients and their families, especially when these adverse events are preventable.

Key Findings: Nearly 40% of Surgical Patients Experience Adverse Events

According to the study, adverse events were identified in 38% of patients admitted for surgery. Even more concerning, nearly 16% of these patients suffered major adverse events that resulted in significant harm, prolonged recovery, or even death. The study used a comprehensive review of medical records to assess over 1,000 patients, highlighting the severity and preventability of these adverse incidents.

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the shed before its collapseThe sidewalk shed collapse on 29th Street in Chelsea yesterday morning tragically underscores the dangers pedestrians face in New York City. According to recent updates from the Department of Buildings (DOB), the shed was struck by a box truck, causing the structure to collapse. The incident resulted in three injuries—one person critically injured with severe TBI and two others seriously hurt.

How Did This Accident Happen?

The DOB has now confirmed that a box truck collided with the sidewalk shed’s support beams, leading to its collapse. This revelation highlights the risks posed by vehicles operating in close proximity to construction sites and temporary structures. The crash occurred around 8:20 a.m., a time when many pedestrians were using the sidewalk. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying sound of the collapse, with nearby residents rushing to assist those trapped under the debris.

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Car Accident NYYesterday, communities around the world gathered to observe World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. This annual day, held on the third Sunday of November, is a time to reflect on the lives tragically lost to traffic violence and to advocate for measures that can prevent further tragedies. In New York City, the event took place in Flushing, Queens, a borough that has seen a troubling rise in fatalities, particularly among children, this year.

As attorneys representing victims of car accidents in New York, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact that traffic crashes have on families. Each case we handle represents a life irreparably altered — a loved one lost too soon, a child suffering life-altering injuries, or families left to navigate unimaginable grief. This is why we stand alongside the community members, advocates, and elected officials who are pushing for stronger safety measures and legislative changes to protect all New Yorkers.

A Rising Toll on Queens Streets

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NYPD carA recent announcement by the New York Attorney General’s office has reignited concerns about the tragic consequences of high-speed police chases on the streets of the Bronx. In a decision that has drawn mixed reactions, it was determined that no criminal charges would be filed against an NYPD officer who fatally struck a pedestrian, Sofia Gomez, during an emergency response.

The Tragic Incident in the Bronx

The accident occurred on October 5, 2020, when an NYPD officer was responding to an urgent call on the Throgs Neck Bridge after receiving reports of “shots fired.” The officer, driving a marked police vehicle with lights and sirens activated, was traveling at speeds exceeding 60 mph. As the officer approached the intersection of Pelham Parkway South and Wallace Avenue, he drove through a red light and tragically struck 23-year-old Sofia Gomez, who was crossing the street in a designated crosswalk.

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location of the MTA bus accident in QueensIn a tragic MTA bus accident yesterday near 46th Street and Queens Boulevard, multiple people were injured when a bus crashed into a bench and several parked cars. According to the FDNY, the crash was caused by a 51-year-old bus driver who experienced a sudden medical episode behind the wheel. The exact nature of the driver’s medical episode remains unknown, but it resulted in a chaotic scene that left several people hurt.

Injuries from the Queens Bus Accident

Two female passengers, ages 34 and 64, were injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The bus driver was also taken to a nearby medical facility for evaluation. Thankfully, it appears that none of the injuries were life-threatening; however, the impact on the victims’ lives can still be significant.

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location of the reckless fatal accidentA devastating accident on Myrtle Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant serves as a harsh reminder of the life-threatening risks faced by construction workers who work hard to ensure our city’s development. On October 29, 2024, a 37-year-old construction flagger, Luis Mario Sangurima, lost his life after being struck by a driver recklessly navigating around a box truck. Sangurima was directing traffic near a construction site when he was hit by a speeding van that crossed into oncoming traffic, underscoring the perils that flaggers and construction site workers face daily on Brooklyn’s streets.

The driver, Clyde Mercury, reportedly attempted to bypass a slow-moving truck by veering into the opposite lane. This act of impatience led to a fatal outcome, with Mercury now facing charges of criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and failure to exercise due care. As Brooklyn personal injury attorneys, we see the dire consequences that arise when drivers ignore traffic rules and fail to respect construction zones. Tragedies like this are preventable when drivers are responsible and follow basic safety protocols around construction areas.

Construction zones, especially in busy urban areas like Brooklyn, require vigilant attention from both drivers and workers. Often, flaggers like Sangurima are the first line of defense for work crews, directing traffic to protect colleagues and pedestrians. By donning reflective gear and guiding vehicles past narrow lanes, they ensure the safety of everyone around the construction site. However, when drivers disregard these signals and attempt dangerous maneuvers, they put lives at risk.

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private garbage truck involved in New york fatal bicycle accidentAs garbage truck accident attorneys in New York City, we see the urgent need for legal support for those harmed by private sanitation vehicles. Although the city’s Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) system promises to improve the safety of our streets, delays in implementing the system and questionable choices about which companies to involve have left the public vulnerable to serious accidents. This reality underscores just how critical it is for victims to have skilled attorneys advocating on their behalf, holding these companies accountable for the harm caused.

The Dangers of Slow Reform and Questionable Company Choices

Local Law 199, passed in 2019, set out to overhaul New York City’s notoriously dangerous private waste system by creating designated zones where only three companies would operate, limiting truck traffic and enhancing safety. Yet, progress has been sluggish, and while we wait, private garbage trucks continue to pose serious hazards according to a recent report. Shockingly, many of the companies selected for these zones have a history of frequent crashes and major safety violations. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, 17 companies chosen for the CWZ system were involved in at least 61 serious accidents, causing 103 injuries and tragically claiming three lives.

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Jaywalking is now legal in NYCIn our work as pedestrian accident lawyers in New York City, we frequently encounter the tragic aftermath of accidents where pedestrians are struck while crossing the street. With jaywalking now decriminalized, the city’s new law means New Yorkers can legally cross streets mid-block or against traffic signals without fear of receiving a summons. While this change responds to public calls for decriminalization and fairness, it also raises pressing questions about pedestrian safety in a city already grappling with high rates of traffic injuries and fatalities.

The Risks of Legalized Jaywalking

New York City’s streets are busier than ever, with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists sharing tight urban spaces. According to city transportation officials, crossing outside a crosswalk or against a light accounts for about 34% of all pedestrian fatalities, with nearly 200 people losing their lives in such accidents over the past five years. This law, while freeing, could further endanger pedestrians, especially if drivers fail to recognize pedestrians’ rights or act recklessly. From a legal perspective, this shift underscores the importance of ensuring that those injured in crosswalk-free zones have robust legal representation.

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African American Patient with DoctorsAs AI technology advances, the medical field has seen promising integrations, from diagnostic support to patient care management. However, recent reports highlight a significant risk: AI-powered transcription tools, such as OpenAI’s Whisper, are making alarming errors, particularly in medical settings. Whisper’s tendency to produce fabricated content—what experts call “hallucinations”—poses serious risks when used in doctor-patient consultations. These inaccuracies have far-reaching consequences for patients and healthcare providers alike, particularly if faulty transcriptions lead to misunderstandings, misdiagnoses, or even medical malpractice.

AI Hallucinations: What Are They?

Unlike traditional transcription errors, hallucinations involve the AI creating statements that were never said. For instance, in routine testing, Whisper reportedly added imaginary medical treatments or racial commentary that was absent in the original audio. While these hallucinations are concerning across all fields, they are particularly dangerous in healthcare, where accurate record-keeping is critical. Errors or fabricated statements in medical notes can misinform other medical professionals, lead to incorrect patient care, or provide grounds for miscommunication-based legal issues.