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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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.

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Bronx accident sceneAs 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.

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drunk drivingOn 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.

Legal Proceedings

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Our train accident attorneys represented all the passengers in the Metro North crash that killed 5 and injured dozens

On February 3, 2015, a devastating accident occurred at the Commerce Street Crossing in Valhalla, New York, involving a Metro-North train and a motor vehicle. The tragic incident led to the deaths of five passengers and numerous injuries, marking it as the deadliest crash in Metro-North’s history. After nearly a decade of legal proceedings, a Westchester County jury has delivered a landmark verdict, holding Metro-North primarily liable for the crash.

That evening, Ellen Brody, driving an SUV, inadvertently drove onto the tracks at the Commerce Street Crossing. As a northbound Metro-North train approached, the train struck the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic sequence of events. The train continued to move several hundred feet post-collision, causing the vehicle to strike the electrified third rail. The third rail dislodged and penetrated the floor of the first train car, igniting multiple fires and causing extensive damage. Tragically, Ellen Brody and five passengers lost their lives, and dozens were injured.

In the aftermath of the crash, the families of the victims and the injured passengers sought justice

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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.

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car-accident-scene-in-Manhattan-scaledAs car accident attorneys in New York City, it’s heartbreaking to witness the increasing frequency of deadly accidents on our streets. Over the past few days, our city has been struck by multiple tragic incidents, highlighting the urgent need for improved traffic safety measures.

Harlem Tragedy: A Family’s Worst Nightmare

On Thursday evening, a devastating crash in Harlem claimed the life of three-year-old Jaynelyse Valdez and injured her two younger brothers and mother. The family was crossing Malcolm X Boulevard with the walk sign when a 40-year-old driver, turning left onto W. 135th Street, struck them. Despite efforts to rush Jaynelyse to NYC Health and Hospitals/Harlem, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Her two-year-old and four-month-old brothers, along with their mother, sustained minor injuries.

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The headquarter of Philips in AmsterdamIn the ever-evolving landscape of medical technology, the recent recalls by Philips underscore the critical importance of product safety and the potential consequences when things go wrong. As product liability lawyers, these incidents highlight the vital role of legal oversight in safeguarding patient welfare.

Philips Recall of MRI Coils: A Closer Look

On July 9, 2024, Philips announced the recall of several models of Sense XL Torso coils used in MRI scanners, following reports of overheating and subsequent burns to patients. This recall, affecting over 1,000 devices worldwide, has been classified as a Class I event by the FDA, indicating the most severe risk level. The core issue lies in the coils heating up excessively during MRI scans, leading to serious injuries, including twelve reported cases of burns. Although no deaths have been reported, the potential for severe harm necessitates immediate action.

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Corlears-Hook-park-where-the-deadly-car-accint-occured-e1720473719458On the evening of July 4th, a tragic incident unfolded at Corlears Hook Park on the Lower East Side when Daniel Hyden, 44, allegedly drove his gray Ford F-150 into a crowd of people. The crash resulted in the deaths of Lucille Pinkney, 59, her son Hernan Pinkney, 38, and 43-year-old Ana Morel. Eight others were injured in the incident. According to reports, Hyden was driving under the influence of alcohol. He admitted to having a few drinks but refused a breathalyzer test. Additionally, Hyden’s driving privileges had been suspended due to his failure to answer four prior summonses.

Legal Perspective: What the Victims’ Families Can Do

In the wake of such a devastating event, the families of the victims are understandably seeking justice and compensation for their immense loss. Here are some legal avenues they can explore:

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US_Supreme_CourtIn a pivotal decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the Chevron deference doctrine, fundamentally altering the landscape of federal agency authority. This 6-3 ruling in the case of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo is set to have far-reaching consequences across various sectors, including personal injury law.

Understanding Chevron Deference

Chevron deference, established in the 1984 case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., mandated that courts defer to a federal agency’s interpretation of ambiguous statutes it administers, provided the interpretation is reasonable. This principle has played a critical role in how agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforce regulations.

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Pool owners have legal responsibility to make their pool safeIn an alarming span of just 24 hours, three separate drowning incidents occurred in backyard pools across Long Island, leaving communities in East Meadow, Wyandanch, and East Northport reeling from the loss. As personal injury attorneys, these tragic events underscore the critical importance of pool safety and the legal implications that often follow such devastating accidents.

The Heartbreaking Incidents

On Thursday afternoon, first responders were summoned to a home on Second Avenue in East Meadow after a 7-year-old boy was found unresponsive in a backyard pool. Despite swift transport to a nearby hospital, the young boy was tragically pronounced dead. The sorrow and shock felt by the family and community are immeasurable.