Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is proud to announce that a total of 9 of our distinguished attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, and an additional 3 attorneys have been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. This significant honor highlights the firm’s ongoing dedication to excellence and its unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding results for our clients.
New CPWR Data Bulletin Reveals Alarming Rise in Fatal Construction Injuries: Insights from our New York Construction Accident Lawyers
The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) recently released a crucial data bulletin, shedding light on the concerning trends in fatal injuries within the construction industry from 2011 to 2022. As Construction Accident Lawyers in New York, we must discuss these findings and emphasize the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and preventive strategies in our industry.
A Grim Overview of Construction Fatalities
According to the bulletin, the construction industry ranked among the top five for fatal injuries in 2022. Alarmingly, from 2021 to 2022, the number of fatal injuries in construction surged by 7.6%, with the rate of such injuries increasing by 2.2%. These statistics underscore the perilous nature of construction work and the critical need for robust safety protocols.
Urgent Call for Action: Protecting Cyclists on Queens Streets
As personal injury lawyers serving the Queens community, we are deeply saddened and concerned by the recent tragedy that occurred on August 5, 2024. A cyclist was struck and killed by a truck driver at the intersection of 34th Street and 43rd Avenue in Sunnyside, Queens. This unfortunate event marks the 148th traffic fatality in New York City this year, with 42 of these deaths occurring in Queens alone. These statistics highlight the ongoing dangers that cyclists face on our streets.
The cyclist was riding in a protected bike lane, a crucial link between the Queensboro Bridge and Queens Boulevard. However, the protection ended at the intersection, leaving the cyclist vulnerable. This incident underscores the inadequacy of current infrastructure, which often relies on temporary measures rather than permanent, concrete solutions that could offer true protection.
Elizabeth Adams, Interim Co-Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, expressed the collective grief and frustration poignantly: “We are heartbroken and outraged to learn that a truck driver struck and killed a person biking in Sunnyside today. All New Yorkers have a right to get where they’re going safely, and our city’s leaders failed to protect this bike rider today.”
Crane Collapse in Brooklyn: Legal Insights from our Crane Accident Lawyers
A 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.
Seeking Justice for Victims of Drunk Driving: The Tragic Case of the Long Island Nail Salon Crash
The recent tragedy in Deer Park, Long Island, where a drunk driver crashed into a nail salon, killing four and injuring nine, underscores the devastating impact of drunk driving. As car accident lawyers, we are committed to representing victims of such reckless behavior, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
On June 28, Steven Schwally, a 64-year-old retiree, drove his SUV at an alarming speed of 78 mph before crashing into the Hawaii Nail & Spa store. The collision resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including an off-duty NYPD officer, and left nine others injured. Schwally, with a blood alcohol content of 0.17, more than twice the legal limit, has been indicted on multiple charges, including murder and vehicular manslaughter.
This case is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of drunk driving. Schwally’s decision to drive under the influence, combined with his excessive speed, led to an unimaginable loss for the victims’ families. Prosecutors highlighted Schwally’s total disregard for public safety, emphasizing the depraved indifference to human life exhibited by his actions.
The Perils of Reckless Driving in the City: A Pedestrian Accident Lawyer’s Perspective
In East Harlem, a tragic incident unfolded 2 days ago, highlighting the grave dangers posed by reckless driving in urban areas. Nadjari Reid, a 51-year-old pedestrian, was killed in a chain-reaction crash caused by a speeding Mercedes-Benz driver.
Reid was crossing the street when a speeding Mercedes-Benz, driven by Angel Melendez, ran a red light and mounted a concrete island. The car struck a parked motorcycle, a Chevy Tahoe, and finally a parked Infiniti, pinning Reid between the Tahoe and a postal truck. Despite immediate medical attention, Reid succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The driver, Melendez, was found to have a blood alcohol level above the legal limit, adding another layer of recklessness to his actions. He now faces serious charges, including manslaughter and reckless endangerment.
The Hidden Dangers of Window Air Conditioners: A Premises Liability Perspective
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.
A Deadly Weekend in the Bronx: Two Fatal Car Crashes and Multiple Injuries
As Bronx car accident lawyers, we want to highlight the devastating accidents that occurred this past weekend, resulting in the loss of two lives and leaving several others injured. The Bronx witnessed two separate tragic car accidents, both resulting in heartache for the victims’ families. Here are the details of these unfortunate events:
Collision at Viele Ave. and Manida St.
Early Saturday morning, a 21-year-old woman from Pennsylvania lost her life in a tragic collision. Jinmaris Melendez of Lancaster, Pa., was in the passenger seat of a Ford Focus when it collided with a purple BMW at around 2:45 a.m. at the intersection of Viele Ave. and Manida St. in Hunts Point.
Legal Implications of the Long Island Nail Salon Crash Involving a Drunk Driver
On June 28, Deer Park, Long Island, witnessed a tragic incident when an alleged drunk driver, Steven Schwally, crashed into the Hawaii Nail and Spa. This accident resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left nine others injured. The case brings to light several critical legal aspects surrounding drunk driving incidents.
Steven Schwally, 64, allegedly drove under the influence with a blood alcohol level of .17, more than twice the legal limit. This information was released on Friday by the NYPD. The crash resulted in the deaths of Meizi Zhang, Yan Xu, salon co-owner Jiancai Chen, and off-duty NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack. Nine others, including a 12-year-old girl, sustained injuries.
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