New York Personal Injury Attorneys Blog

Published on: March 13, 2014

Months before the New York Gas Explosion tenants were complaining about gas odors but little was done about it

The catastrophic explosion that happened in New York yesterday may have been caused by negligence and may have been prevented. Mayor de Blasio said the first warning came 17 minutes before the explosions but Harlem residents say that the mayor’s statement is inaccurate. According to them a strong gas odor had been persisting for months and even though there were numerous complaints little had been done about it. Since last fall residents have been calling 311 to complain about the gas odor. Around Christmas time a FDNY officer visited the premises and reassured tenants that everything was fine… Obviously we know today it wasn’t.

Rescue team finds more victims in New York Gas Explosion

By GGCRBHS&M

After a massive explosion led to the collapse of two buildings in East Harlem, NYC, the rescue team worked all night and found several more dead bodies raising the death toll to seven. More than 60 people suffered personal injury and were treated in nearby hospitals. A 15 year old boy as well as another victim are in critical condition. Residents of adjacent buildings were evacuated and were not able to return home yesterday night.

A giant sinkhole developed in front of the site limiting the use of heavy machinery by the rescuers. According to the investigators the sinkhole was caused by a water main break that may also have played a role in rupturing a gas line. But so far investigators were unable to determine whether the water main broke before or after the explosion.

Click on picture to see what was inside of the two collapsed buildings

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Published on: March 12, 2014

At least three people died and many others suffered personal injury in a gas explosion in New York

By GGCRBHS&M

An explosion in New York injured dozens of people and killed at least three while more than eight are still missing. The explosion was so severe that it sent people flying out the windows. 250 firefighters had to be called to the rescue to fight the blaze that consumed the two buildings that contained 15 apartments, a church and a piano store.

New York County Supreme Court: in the aftermath of the Fukushima Explosion, two class actions seek damages based on product liability against GE

By GGCRBHS&M

Two Summons with Notice have been filed in The New York County Supreme Court alleging that GE’s failure to properly design and maintain the Fukushima plant hurt more than 100,000 people. Lead plaintiff Mitsuru Okura demands at least $3 million per plaintiff and the second plaintiffs Sasaki Body Ltd. and Mihana Ltd are seeking $5 million in damages per class member. If successful these class actions could wipe out GE whose market capitalization is estimated at $260 billion.

Okura claims that GE’s negligence caused the explosion and the meltdown at the plant and that the radiation released from this accident caused class members “personal injury, mental anguish, emotional distress, property damage, business interruption, loss of business, loss of income, economic injuries, and ongoing long-term physical, mental and emotional health problems,”

Read more in the Court House News Service

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Published on: March 12, 2014

Chrysler recalls the 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango for a defective braking system and the 2014 Fiat 500L for a defective transmission system

By GGCRBHS&M

A defect in Chrysler’s Ready Alert Braking system is causing a diminished break pedal feel in the 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango models. The defect didn’t lead to any accidents or injuries as Chrysler pointed out that the brake function was never lost nor was it out of compliance with regulations. The recall affects more than 25,000 cars in North America.

Chrysler also announced a separate recall for its 2014 Fiat 500L model because of a glitch in the transmission software that prevents some vehicles from shifting readily out of park. No accident nor injury have been reported. The fix consists of a software update and affects a little less than 20,000 cars in North America with some 20% of them remaining on dealer lots.

How to prevent bicycle accidents on dangerous Jay Street Bike lane in Brooklyn, New York?

By GGCRBHS&M

The risk of being involved in a bicycle accident on the Jay Street bike lane in Brooklyn is higher than on most bike lanes in New York City. Last year the bike lane was voted scariest bike lane in Brooklyn by the readers of the Brooklyn Paper.

Yesterday night Transportation Alternatives organized a brainstorming session to find solutions to protect bicyclists from potential accidents. Among the proposals the idea to physically separate the bike lane from the road was the most successful. Other ideas included better road markings, pedestrian overpass and outright parking bans.

8 People suffered Personal Injury in a Car Accident during which a car plowed into a store in the Bronx, NYC

By GGCRBHS&M

A car crashed into a store in the Bronx injuring 8 people. According to a witness it seems like the driver who was parked in front of the store hit the gas pedal instead of the break.

Last weekend in New York two pedestrian accidents killed one and severely injured another

By GGCRBHS&M

A pedestrian was killed and another one suffered severe personal injury in two separate car accidents.
64 year old Kumar Ragunath was crossing Northern Blvd at 40th Road on Saturday night when he was struck by a SUV driver as he was crossing out of the crosswalk. The driver didn’t stop and the pedestrian died at the hospital shortly after the accident. The police are looking for a dark colored Chevy Blazer. Read more in DNA Info New York.

In an another accident a pedestrian who was crossing Rockaway Parkway was struck by a SUV driver who was trying to pass a vehicle making a left turn. Read more in the New York Daily News

Published on: March 10, 2014

After Ariel Russo, a 4 year old girl, was struck causing her death by a reckless SUV driver, a New York Street is renamed after her.

By GGCRBHS&M

Ariel Russo was killed in a car accident last June as she was walking to school with her grandmother. The two pedestrians were on Amsterdam Ave at 97th street when a 17 year old driver with a learners permit jumped the curb and hit the young girl causing her death. The young man was charged with manslaughter. Today Ariel would have been 5 years old. In her memory the city renamed west 97th Street between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway “Ariel Russo’s Place”.

Metro North worker struck and killed by a train

By GGCRBHS&M

Just a few months after a Metro North train accident killed 4 and inured more than 70 people, a Metro North worker who was standing outside of the approved work zone was hit by a train on Monday morning. The worker,a 58 year old man from Yonkers was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.