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.

Articles Posted in Brooklyn Personal Injury

Published on:

Accident sceneLabor Day weekend was marred by a series of fatal collisions across New York City, resulting in the loss of six lives. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about road safety in our city and the need for careful attention from all road users.

A Weekend of Fatal Collisions

The unfortunate events began on Thursday, August 29, when a 55-year-old  pedestrian identified as Jacqueline Healy of Jamestown was struck by a Ford pickup truck while crossing Cross Bay Boulevard at Pitkin Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens. The driver, Keith Ryan, 47, was arrested and charged with driving with a fake license.

Published on:

Location of the deadly Brooklyn Bike Accident on Union Street and Lynch StreetOn Sunday morning, Luis Mendez, a 46-year-old cyclist, was struck and killed by a van driver on Union Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Can Homer, was allegedly operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and without a valid driver’s license. This devastating event highlights the serious and ongoing issue of road safety for cyclists in New York City, particularly in Brooklyn.

The Legal Ramifications of Bicycle Accidents in Brooklyn

When a cyclist is injured or killed in an accident, the legal landscape can be complex, but it is crucial for justice to be pursued. In this case, the driver, Can Homer, has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and driving without a license. These charges carry significant legal consequences, and the pursuit of justice for the victim and his family will likely involve a thorough investigation and litigation process.

Published on:

location of the Brooklyn Crane AccidentA tragic incident unfolded in Brooklyn last Thursday when a crane partially collapsed onto an apartment building. This unexpected and alarming event has raised significant concerns about construction safety and regulatory compliance. As seasoned crane accident lawyers, it is imperative to delve into the legal implications of such incidents, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols and the rights of affected parties.

The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. at 1442 44th St., where workers were using a boom truck to lift steel beams over a three-story building. According to the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB), part of the boom broke off, landing on the apartment building’s roof and in the backyard of a neighboring home. Miraculously, no injuries were reported despite the potential for a catastrophic outcome.

Emergency responders, including firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, swiftly arrived at the scene. All construction workers and residents were accounted for, and the intact portion of the boom was safely retracted. The investigation by DOB inspectors began immediately, focusing on determining the cause of the break and potential enforcement actions.

Published on:

AC unit if not properly secured can be dangerous A 4-year-old boy was seriously injured in Brooklyn after he fell from a fifth-story window after an air conditioning unit’s side panel was pushed open. The child survived with serious injuries, and the story has raised important questions about premises liability, particularly in apartment complexes.

According to reports, the boy was playing near the bedroom window when he fell through the gap left by the air conditioner’s side panel. His mother, upon discovering him missing, found the panel ajar and immediately called emergency services. The child was hospitalized with multiple broken bones but is expected to recover. Thankfully, there were no injuries to his brain.

The incident underscores the vital need for proper installation and maintenance of window air conditioning units, especially in homes with young children.

Published on:

Bicycle accidentAs bicycle accident lawyers in New York City, we have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of unsafe cycling conditions on our streets. A recent data analysis on Bedford Avenue by Replica underscores the urgent need for a protected bike lane, which would not only enhance safety but also benefit the local residents and businesses in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Clinton Hill.

A significant portion of the thousands of cyclists who traverse Bedford Avenue daily are local residents commuting to homes, shops, and workplaces within the neighborhood. This debunks the myth that street safety projects cater primarily to non-residents. The data, compiled by Replica, highlights that 56% of these cyclists are people of color, and 45% end their trips in Bed-Stuy or Clinton Hill. Furthermore, 60% of these trips conclude at residential locations, while 29% end at retail spots, demonstrating the reliance of local cyclists on this corridor.

The push for a protected bike lane has garnered substantial support from local businesses. Forty-one businesses along Bedford Avenue between Dean and Flushing have signed a letter backing the project. McKendree Key, founder of the Artshack ceramic studio, emphasized the safety concerns, noting that the current bike lane is frequently obstructed by vehicles, posing risks to the many children and adults who visit the studio each week.

Published on:

Location of the Brooklyn DWI AccidentAs Brooklyn personal injury lawyers, it is both heartbreaking and frustrating to witness preventable tragedies like yesterday’s crash in Brownsville, that left a one-year-old child in critical condition.

Yesterday evening, 28-year-old Natalie Leonard was driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the legal limit in New York. She ran two red lights and collided with another vehicle at Dumont Avenue. In the passenger seat was a 21-year-old mother holding her one-year-old son, who was not in a car seat. Both were unrestrained, leading to severe consequences when the crash occurred. The child suffered a skull fracture and was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

Legal Ramifications

Published on:

Brooklyn DA OfficeAs personal injury attorneys representing victims in Brooklyn, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of negligence in the construction industry. The recent conviction of a Nassau County construction company owner for criminally negligent homicide in the death of a young girl serves as a reminder of the critical importance of adhering to building codes and safety protocols.

On August 29, 2019, a tragic event unfolded in Bushwick, Brooklyn, when 5-year-old Alysson Pinto-Chaumana lost her life due to the collapse of a poorly constructed stone wall. Alysson, along with her mother and friends, was visiting a residence at 444 Harman Street. While waiting on the enclosed patio, the stone pillars and horizontal plates of the wall suddenly fell, crushing Alysson and causing her untimely death.

An in-depth investigation revealed that Nadeem Anwar, the owner of City Wide Construction and Renovations, Inc., had constructed the wall in violation of numerous provisions of the New York City Building Code.

Published on:

The Electric Bicycle Shop that was selling non-compliant lithium batteriesThe recent arrest of an e-bike shop owner in Brooklyn for unsafe storage and sale of illegal batteries marks a significant moment in the enforcement of safety regulations surrounding lithium-ion batteries. This event, unfolding at the Electric Bicycle Shop at 1239 Flatbush Avenue, serves as a crucial case study for understanding the intersection of legal accountability and public safety in the rapidly growing e-bike industry.

The Electric Bicycle Shop, known for selling and servicing e-bikes, came under scrutiny following multiple civil summonses issued for safety violations related to the storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries. The situation escalated when fire marshals discovered the store was not only neglecting these safety protocols but was also selling uncertified, illegal batteries—a serious violation of newly implemented city regulations.

Legal Implications for the E-Bike Industry

Published on:

ar accidents near the intersection of Wallabout and Wythe StreetAs pedestrian accident lawyers, we find ourselves constantly grappling with the devastating consequences of traffic collisions, particularly those involving vulnerable road users like children. The recent incident in Williamsburg, where a 10-year-old girl lost her life after being struck by a driver, is yet another stark reminder of the urgent need for safer streets and stricter accountability measures.

The details of the crash, as reported by Streetsblog New York City, are distressing. A 62-year-old driver fatally struck the young girl at the intersection of Wallabout Street and Wythe Avenue. While the driver remained at the scene, questions loom regarding potential charges and the circumstances leading to this tragic event.

The tragic accident unfolded in an area notorious for its perpetual congestion, where the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway’s numerous entrances and exits intertwine with multiple schools and a playground. This complex intersection of vehicular and pedestrian traffic has been the cause of multiple crashes in the past.

Published on:

U-Haul_Trucks_Stamford_CT_06902_USA_-_Feb_2013A troubling accident occurred in Downtown Brooklyn last Sunday afternoon when a U-Haul truck collided with a livery bus, leading to injuries for 15 individuals. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the potential hazards associated with vehicle rentals and the complex legal landscape that can surround such accidents.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Livingston Avenue and Elm Place, where a U-Haul vehicle rear-ended a bus full of passengers. The collision resulted in multiple injuries, though thankfully all were reported as minor. The scene was described with significant vehicle damage and debris scattered across the road.

Legal Considerations for Accident Victims