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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Justin Diaz killed by a drunk driverThe recent arraignment of Michael Peña, a former FDNY firefighter accused of causing a fatal car crash in Kew Gardens while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, highlights the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the urgent need for accountability in our justice system.

On February 26, 2025, 23-year-old Justin Diaz (picture) was just a block and a half from his family’s home, driving to an early shift at LaGuardia Airport, when his life was tragically cut short. According to prosecutors, Peña—who was off-duty at the time—was traveling at 83 mph, nearly three times the speed limit, when he ran a red light at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street and slammed into Diaz’s vehicle. The crash proved fatal.

Our Queens car accident attorneys represent families devastated by senseless, preventable crashes like this one. No one expects that a loved one commuting to work will be killed by a driver allegedly intoxicated by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine—especially not someone sworn to protect the public.

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IMG_4235-scaledIn a groundbreaking ruling, the New York Court of Appeals has eliminated a long-standing legal hurdle for dog bite victims. For the first time, individuals injured by dog attacks in New York can file negligence claims against dog owners—even if the animal had no known history of aggression.

A Departure from the Old Standard

Historically, New York law required victims to prove that a dog had “vicious propensities” and that the owner was aware—or should have been aware—of this dangerous behavior. Without clear evidence of prior attacks or threatening conduct, many victims were left with no legal recourse.

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NYPD Chase LawyersOn April 2, 2025, a high-speed police chase through Upper Manhattan ended in tragedy when a stolen 2025 Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood and burst into flames. The driver, later identified as 31-year-old Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, was killed in the fiery wreck. Now, his family is demanding accountability—and legal experts are questioning whether NYPD officers violated pursuit policies that were specifically designed to prevent such outcomes.

As NYC car accident lawyers who have represented families in cases involving police chase fatalities, we understand the legal and emotional turmoil these cases leave behind. This incident, like many others, raises troubling questions about the balance between law enforcement efforts and public safety.

Family Left in Agony as Identification Delayed

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St John Episcopal HospitalThe tragic death of 24-year-old Tenisha Evans, a first-time mother who passed away just 15 days after delivering twin boys via C-section at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, has left her family and community searching for answers—and justice. As New York birth injury lawyers, we know that stories like Tenisha’s are far too common, especially among Black and Brown women in the city.

Her family believes her death may be linked to complications from the cesarean section, yet they say the hospital has not provided any follow-up or explanation. “When she came home from the hospital, nobody reached out,” said her mother, Lynette Williams. “It’s like my other half is gone.”

Now, Tenisha’s newborn sons—Angel and Liam—are being raised by their grandmother as the family navigates unimaginable grief and the uncertainty of what legal options are available.

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Queensboro_Bridge_from_Manhattan_sideDespite years of planning and a near-complete pedestrian infrastructure project on the Queensboro Bridge, New York City continues to favor motor vehicles over the safety of its most vulnerable road users. On Saturday, more than 200 activists, including local officials and transportation advocates, walked across the southern roadway of the bridge to protest Mayor Adams’s failure to open the long-promised pedestrian pathway.

As New York City bicycle crash attorneys and pedestrian accident lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand how overcrowded, dangerous infrastructure contributes to severe injuries and fatalities. Nowhere is this more evident than on the Queensboro Bridge, where pedestrians and cyclists are forced to share a single, narrow 10-foot path—often resulting in collisions, near-misses, and chaos.

A Preventable Safety Crisis

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Ben Rubinowitz to speak at Trial UniversityGair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is proud to announce that Managing Partner Ben Rubinowitz will be speaking at the upcoming Trial Lawyers University (TLU) Skills Training Bootcamp, taking place June 4–7 in Huntington Beach, California.

This immersive four-day event brings together some of the nation’s top trial lawyers to focus on the science and technique of human connection in the courtroom. Developed over nearly a decade, the TLU Skills curriculum breaks down complex courtroom communication into identifiable, repeatable micro skills—such as eye contact, voice and emotional control, word selection, and listening. These skills are practiced, recorded, and coached in the context of voir dire, opening statements, and cross-examination.

Ben Rubinowitz’s session will focus specifically on jury selection, a foundational moment in any trial that can determine how a case unfolds. Ben will lead a workshop on how to question jurors about:

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Helicopter tour ManhattanA devastating helicopter crash in New York City has claimed the lives of six people, including Agustin Escobar, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, along with his wife, children, and the pilot. The April 10 tragedy occurred just after 3:15 p.m. when a Bell 206 helicopter operated by New York Helicopter plummeted upside down into the Hudson River during a sightseeing tour. Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene; two later died in the hospital.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the victims included two adults and three children visiting from Spain, along with the pilot. The flight was operated by a private tour company offering aerial views of Manhattan — a form of tourism that has drawn increasing scrutiny due to safety concerns.

Helicopter Crashes: Legal Accountability and Recourse

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Deadly Bronx Intersection of E 149th St & Morris AveA 52-year-old pedestrian, Inza Fofana, tragically died after being struck by a van while crossing the street at E. 149th Street and Morris Avenue in Mott Haven. The fatal crash occurred around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday when a 2019 Ford Transit van, driven by a 48-year-old man, was attempting a left turn onto Morris Avenue. Fofana was transported to Lincoln Hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries.

As Bronx car accident lawyers who have handled numerous pedestrian fatality cases, we understand how common and devastating these left-turn collisions can be — particularly at intersections like E. 149th and Morris, which see high volumes of foot and vehicle traffic. Left-turn crashes are notoriously dangerous for pedestrians due to limited visibility, driver inattention, and misjudgment of speed or distance.

In many of the pedestrian accident cases we handle, the victims were lawfully crossing the street when they were hit by drivers who either failed to yield or were not exercising due care. Investigations may take time, and fault is not always immediately assigned, but under New York law, drivers have a legal duty to watch for pedestrians and avoid collisions, even when the pedestrian is not in a marked crosswalk.

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2025-Plaintiff-Consumer-Lawyer-shopGair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is proud to announce that seven of its attorneys have been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list. This prestigious recognition honors the most accomplished attorneys in the nation who represent plaintiffs in personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, mass torts, and consumer fraud cases.

The following attorneys from our firm have earned a place on this year’s Lawdragon 500:

  • Marijo Adimey – Known for her expertise in complex medical malpractice and catastrophic injury litigation.

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Location of the hit and run accident on Court Street and Atlantic AveA 4-year-old boy is recovering from his injuries after being struck by an SUV in a hit-and-run crash that occurred Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. According to the NYPD, the crash happened just before 5 p.m. as the child was crossing the street with his family.

Police say the driver was traveling eastbound on Court Street in a right-turn-only lane but failed to turn, instead continuing straight through the intersection—illegally—before hitting the child in the ankle. The driver then made a left onto Atlantic Avenue and fled the scene without stopping. The young victim was transported to Cobble Hill Hospital in stable condition.

As Brooklyn car accident lawyers who have handled countless cases involving reckless drivers and unsafe intersections, we are deeply troubled by yet another preventable crash at this notoriously chaotic crossing.