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.
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:

National Stand down to prevent injury and death caused struck-by incidentsAs attorneys representing construction workers injured on the job, we constantly encounter the devastating impacts of struck-by incidents on the lives of workers and their families. These incidents, which include being hit by moving vehicles, flying or falling objects, or swinging equipment, are not only the second leading cause of death in the construction industry but also the foremost cause of nonfatal injuries. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for stringent safety measures and comprehensive training.

Struck-by incidents occur when a worker is hit by an object or equipment, which can be propelled, falling, rolling, or swinging. These hazards are particularly prevalent in construction zones where heavy machinery and vehicles are in operation. Common scenarios involve workers being struck by vehicles backing up, equipment failures, or materials being ejected from tools. Each scenario demands specific preventive measures, ranging from proper signage and barriers to equipment maintenance and worker training.

The Role of the National Stand-Down and Legal Advocacy

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

Published on:

schoolbus1This morning in Yorktown, Westchester County, a school bus carrying five high school students was involved in a collision with an SUV. The crash occurred before 9:30 a.m. on Route 132,  between Barger and Wildwoods streets as the investigation unfolds. While the front of the school bus was demolished (see video below), the students, thankfully, only sustained minor injuries and were taken to Westchester Medical Center with non-life-threatening conditions. The bus driver was also hospitalized for observation. Tragically, the SUV’s driver is currently in critical condition, possibly due to a medical emergency that could have precipitated the accident.

Understanding Your Rights After a School Bus Accident

If you or your child are involved in a school bus accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately, even if no injuries are apparent at the time. Some injuries, particularly those related to trauma or whiplash, may not become evident until hours or even days after the incident.

Published on:

New York City aging buildings at risk of collapseIn the aftermath of the recent earthquake that shook New York City, concerns about the structural integrity of the city’s aging infrastructure have once again surged to the forefront of public consciousness. Even before the seismic event, many New Yorkers harbored apprehensions regarding the resilience of buildings that form the fabric of their daily lives. As a leading law firm specializing in premises liability, Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf (GGCRBHS&M) provides a unique perspective on the potential dangers lurking in the aftermath of such natural disasters.

New York City is home to approximately 1.1 million buildings, many of which were erected before modern safety standards were implemented in the 1990s. These older structures, particularly unenforced brick buildings, are deemed to be at the highest risk in the event of seismic activities. While the United States Geological Survey has assured the public that the recent earthquake was not powerful enough to inflict major damage, the event has undeniably heightened awareness and concern among residents and property owners alike.

In response, city officials and inspectors have ramped up efforts to assess the condition of buildings, focusing on construction sites and responding to complaints from the public. Structural engineers emphasize the importance of vigilant observation, advising property owners to note any new cracks in the floors, ceilings, and walls.

Published on:

TMJ DisorderThe recent investigative piece by KFF Health News and CBS News on the daunting realities faced by patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders sheds light on a deeply troubling aspect of healthcare. The narrative, meticulously detailed through the experiences of patients like Lisa Schmidt and Jenny Feldman, echoes a recurring theme of misdiagnosis, ineffective treatments, and, most distressingly, a lack of accountability in the medical community. As medical malpractice attorneys, we see these stories not just as tragic accounts of individual suffering but as symptomatic of systemic failures in medical research, regulation, and treatment protocols.

The TMJ disorders, affecting up to 33 million Americans, exemplify a medical condition that has been marginalized and insufficiently researched. The journey of patients like Feldman, who has undergone at least 24 TMJ-related surgeries with little to no relief, underscores the dire need for a paradigm shift in how the medical community approaches TMJ. The investigation rightly points out that despite nearly a century of attempts to treat TMJ, the disorder remains widely misunderstood, and treatments often do more harm than good.

Patients trapped in a cycle of futile surgeries highlight a critical area of concern: the ethical responsibility of healthcare providers

Published on:

Postoperative_X-ray_of_normal_knee_prosthesis,_lateral_viewAn investigation presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting in February 2024, delivers a compelling narrative on the comparative outcomes of robotic-assisted knee replacement surgeries versus the conventional approach. As surgical malpractice attorneys entrenched in the intersection of medical innovation and patient outcomes, this study serves as a crucial touchstone for understanding the potential implications on patient care and legal practice.

At the heart of the discussion is the study’s revelation: robotic assistance in cementless total knee replacement surgeries does not significantly decrease the likelihood of patients requiring revision surgery within two years when compared to manual methods. This conclusion draws attention not only for its clinical implications but also for its potential to reshape perceptions of medical negligence in the context of emerging surgical technologies.

The research analyzed 9,220 cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures recorded in the American Joint Replacement Registry from January 2017 to March 2020. The finding that both robotic-assisted and manual knee replacements had similar rates of implant loosening and infection challenges the narrative that robotic assistance inherently enhances surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Published on:

Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn fights for better maternal careAssembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn was recently interviewed by  New York Family. Her advocacy and personal experiences shine a critical light on Maternal Health issues. As birth injury and maternal death attorneys dedicated to the protection and advancement of maternal health rights, we find Rodneyse’s story not only compelling but also deeply instructive.

Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, serving as the Assemblywoman for New York State’s 42nd Assembly District and the Brooklyn Democratic Chair, has positioned herself at the forefront of the fight against the maternal health crisis affecting minorities. Her efforts are underscored by a painful personal narrative—a pre-term pregnancy loss that highlighted the stark deficiencies in maternal healthcare and communication. This experience catalyzed her commitment to improving maternal healthcare through legislative action, culminating in the enactment of the “Jonah Bichotte Cowan Law.”

Legal Implications and the Role of Attorneys

Published on:

location of the deadly box truck hit and run accident in QueensLast Sunday afternoon near JFK Airport, a devastating accident claimed the life of 68-year-old U Fo Ng. Mr. Ng was parked along the shoulder of the Nassau Expressway when an unidentified box truck driver veered off the road, striking his Honda CRV in a lethal collision. The driver, in a flagrant disregard for human life and legal obligation, chose to flee the scene.

As attorneys specializing in truck accidents, this tragic accident underscores the devastating impact that negligent driving and hit-and-run behavior can have on victims and their families. The loss of U Fo Ng is not just a statistic; it represents a profound personal tragedy for his loved ones and a grave injustice that demands legal redress.

The Legal Ramifications of Hit-and-Run Accidents

Published on:

NYC accident sceneIn the span of just two days, the East Side of Manhattan has witnessed three alarming accidents where pedestrians were struck by cars, highlighting a disturbing trend of vehicular accidents in one of the busiest areas of New York City. As New York pedestrian accident attorneys dedicated to advocating for the safety and legal protection of individuals on foot, we are compelled to address these accidents and the urgent need for enhanced pedestrian safety measures.

Accident One: A Close Call in Midtown Manhattan

On Monday morning, a 40-year-old female driver, navigating her SUV northbound on Third Avenue, swerved to avoid colliding with another vehicle. In a harrowing sequence of events, her vehicle veered off the road at East 58th Street, striking a 22-year-old male pedestrian and crashing into sidewalk scaffolding. The impact, captured on video, left the SUV ensnared in the wreckage of the scaffolding, painting a stark picture of the chaos unleashed in mere moments. The young man was quickly transported to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center with a leg injury, the severity of which remains unclear. Miraculously, no criminality was suspected in the crash, and the driver remained at the scene, cooperating with law enforcement.