New York Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

New York Fire Fighters were able to rescue those trapped in an apartment fire in Brooklyn and prevent any fatalities. While eight residents and nine fire fighters are in the hospital for injuries, all of the residents were able to get out safely. The fire was first reported around 5am, states a New York Injury Lawyer and was put out around 7:30am. Fire fighters worked tirelessly to help residents out of the building and put out the fire.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Further investigation by arson investigators will be necessary to determine the cause or causes. The building was a four-story apartment building with many residents. Since the stairwells were blocked by the fire, getting people out required the fire department to use ladders, trucks with buckets attached and other equipment. As residents were evacuated, the fire was contained. The deputy fire chief congratulated the fire fighters for their ability to work quickly as a team in saving people trapped inside the building.

A NYC Injury Lawyer claims that 31 people in total were injured in the fire. While only 17 were sent to the hospital, many people suffered from burns and other minor injuries. Local emergency medical services were called out to tend to the injured people. It is unknown at this time the exact injuries of those who had to be hospitalized. In a fire like this one, severe burns, damage to the lungs and other types of wounds are typical.

Learning more about the cause of the fire is now a concern. If the fire was set intentionally, the person or persons must be caught to prevent another fire. Those who start fires usually continue to do so until they are caught. If the fire was an accident, arson investigators should be able to pinpoint from which apartment the fire started. The fire may have also started in the basement or electrical room in the apartment building. There are many unanswered questions at this time as to the actual cause of the fire. The residents will have to relocate in the meantime until the building is rebuilt

If you are a burn victim that has been injured because of the carelessness of another, or have suffered an injury because of an accident or negligence, it is important to speak to skilled legal counsel as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries including reimbursement for medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of income.

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Two children were injured in a car accident and taken to separate hospitals where they are recovering from critical injuries. One child was not breathing and was unconscious when emergency medical personnel arrived and had to be transported to the hospital in a helicopter. The other child was also unconscious, but able to breathe without assistance, reported a New York Injury Lawyer. The parents of the children were also in the vehicle, but only suffered minor injuries. Both children were securely fastened in child seats at the time.

The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident, a local church deacon, died at a local hospital from injuries he sustained after the car accident. It is unclear how the accident occurred, but the deacon ran off the road and hit the other vehicle while it was sitting at a stoplight. The deacon hit a utility pole which propelled his vehicle into the air. It then crashed into the other vehicle.

Further investigation is needed into the exact cause of this accident. Mechanical failure, driver error or medical emergency are potential causes, points out a NY Personal Injury Lawyer. A medical examiner's report should shed some light on the medical condition of the deacon at the time. He may have suffered a heart attack or stroke which could have caused him to lose control of his vehicle.

The deacon was a friendly, popular man in his church. Many in the parish are now mourning his sudden death. It is unknown when funeral arrangements have been made or where the funeral will be held. In the meantime, the community continues to mourn the loss of one of their leaders and hopes the children involved in the accident will recover soon.

Depending on the extent of their injuries, the children may have to spend time in the hospital and then participate in out-patient care. It may take many months before the children heal from their injuries. The damage to the vehicle the children were traveling in is unknown at this time. It is also unclear how badly injured the parents where after the accident.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident due to the carelessness or negligence of another, contact legal counsel right away. You could be entitled to just compensation for your injuries including reimbursement for hospital expenses, lost income from work, as well as pain and suffering. It is important to act promptly to ensure that your rights are protected at all stages of your legal proceedings.

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A recent study of orthopedic surgeons suggests that many order unnecessary MRI's, bone scans, x-rays and other tests to protect themselves in the event of a lawsuit. The study, which was conducted on a volunteer basis, compiled anonymous responses from members of the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society. A New York Injury Lawyer states that these responses demonstrate an overwhelming number of surgeons order tests on patients that are not essential to their care. These tests are expensive and increase the cost of health care for patients and health care centers each year.

The study claims that surgeons with at least 15 years of experience or those who have been sued in the past five years are most likely to order unnecessary tests. If sued, surgeons can better defend themselves by producing these test results, especially if sued for medical malpractice This is the first study published that relied mostly on responses submitted anonymously. Other studies have compiled outside data such as percentage of lawsuits, number of tests ordered per year and the concentration of surgeons in one area.

This information is valuable not only to surgeons and hospitals, but also to insurance companies and patients. Before agreeing to a test, patients may need to be more diligent in asking their physician why the test is necessary in the first place, a Nassau County Personal Injury Lawyer advises. As healthcare costs continue to rise, many insurance companies may be reluctant to pay for certain tests. This cost may fall on the patient's shoulders instead.

It is unclear if further studies relying on anonymous replies from surgeons in other medical societies will be conducted. While it is worth investigating how many surgeons use these tests to defend themselves from lawsuits, many still use these tests to help treat patients. Questioning why tests are conducted may limit patient care. And while some cite the rising costs of malpractice lawsuits as the reason for the rise in healthcare costs, others agree the quality care comes at a price. Further studies may need to be conducted to determine if surgeons from different regions order unnecessary tests and if this varies from region to region.

If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, or have been injured in an accident, it is important to speak with legal counsel promptly. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including reimbursement for medical expenses, loss of income, as well as pain and suffering. It is important to not delay, because there are strict time deadlines for filing certain types of claims. If these deadlines are missed, you will permanently lose your right to file your case.

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A helicopter carrying a large air conditioning unit crashed into another building injuring the pilot, but not causing any fatalities. The aircraft was carrying the unit to a nearby office building, states a New York Injury Lawyer. When the helicopter crashed it caught fire. The first and second floors of the building were badly damaged due to the fire. Fire fighters were able to get to the scene quickly to put the fire out. No one was on those floors at the time.

The pilot was injured and taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated. The helicopter was not salvable and burned in the fire. The accident happened about one mile from the Los Angeles Airport, in the town of El Segundo, California. The accident occurred on a Sunday morning. It is unclear the extent of the pilots injuries or if he will require additional out-patient care after being released from the hospital.

Fire fighters quickly rescued the pilot from the cockpit before the fire reached him. According to the fire chief, it took about 30 minutes to put the fire out. The pilot's injuries would have been much worse if he had not been pulled from the helicopter at that time. No one else in the building or on the ground was injured.

It is unclear if pilot error caused the helicopter to crash or if it was a mechanical error or carrying if too much weight was the cause. Since the helicopter was destroyed in the fire, it may be impossible to know the actual cause of the crash. According to a Queens Personal Injury Lawyer, further investigation will be necessary to determine the cause or causes of the crash.

It is unknown if the air conditioning unit was salvageable after the fire was put out. Depending on the severity of the fire, the unit may have been destroyed along with the helicopter. It is uncertain whether a new air conditioning unit will be flown over to the same location. Fortunately, fire fighters arrived on the scene in a timely manner to put out the fire and prevent any additional injuries.

This pilot was lucky. Whether a helicopter crash, or an airplane crash, these types of accidents can cause serious injury and often death. They often pose unique and complicated legal challenges. Discovering the chain of events that caused the crash is often difficult, particularly when the plane has been destroyed in the accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that has resulted in serious injury, seek legal guidance right away. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including reimbursement for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of income.

Continue reading "Helicopter Crashes into Building While Airlifting Air Conditioning Unit" »

Two practicing attorneys with a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania law firm have decided to leave and join a competing firm after a bar brawl in a local pub. Both attorneys deny their reasons for leaving had anything to do with the fight, claims a New York Injury Lawyer. The attorneys simply felt that after years of service moving to a new firm was the right decision for their careers. The new law firm is happy to take them in and is thrilled about the additional business.

The bar brawl started one night when one of the attorneys went to visit co-workers after work. Another lawyer from the same law firm stood up and punched the attorney in the face. The attorney fell into a nearby table causing the table to break. As stated by a NY Personal Injury Lawyer, the attorney got up and left the bar after being slapped in the face twice. He filed a complaint against the lawyer after the assault. He claims he will be dropping the complaint out of respect for the law firm partners.

The two attorneys resigned after the bar brawl to form their own law firm. After speaking with another established law firm in the Philadelphia area, the attorneys decided to merge their fledgling law firm with the larger firm. This arrangement will take at least a year to become official. In the meantime, both firms will share the same offices and clients. While this may seem unusual, law firms are always losing and acquiring new talent. Since the two attorneys are known in the area for winning a majority of their cases, any law firm would be happy to have them on board.

It is unclear at this time if the two attorneys will commit fully to becoming a part of the established law firm as they continue to describe the situation as an "engagement period before marriage." The partners at the law firm the two attorneys recently resigned from claim to harbor no hard feelings and wish their former co-workers the best of luck as they pursue new business opportunities with the competing law firm.

If you have been injured, whether because of a motorcycle accident, a slip and fall, or an accident at work, it is important to take prompt action and speak with legal counsel. There are strict filing deadlines with injury cases, which are called the statute of limitations. If you delay and miss these important deadlines, you will permanently lose your right to file a claim.

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An 81-year old man was killed in a car accident with another vehicle. The man swerved into on-coming traffic and hit another vehicle. It is unclear at this time why the man moved into the wrong lane. Further investigation will be needed to determine if the man had suffered a medical emergency or was not paying attention to the road while driving.

The passengers in the other vehicle were taken to the hospital, but did not suffer any serious injuries. While the driver of the vehicle had been drinking before driving, alcohol did not play any role in the accident. It is unknown the extent of the injuries the driver and passenger have suffered or why they will be released from the hospital.

The vehicles were traveling in opposite directions at the time of the accident. A Manhattan Personal Injury Lawyer points out that bad weather or slick road conditions were not factors. The extent of damage to both vehicles is unknown. Police officials may have to examine the vehicles to determine the exact cause of the accident. So far, no charges have been filed against the deceased or the driver of the vehicle. In some cases when accidents like this occur no one is held responsible.

Police officials will have to examine several factors such as the man's age, his ability to drive, road conditions the night of the accident and whether the man was taking any medication which could have caused disorientation or drowsiness. So far, investigators have shared little information with the media. It will be after an extensive investigation will police make any comments that could provide additional details about the accident to the public, claims a New York Injury Lawyer.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident. It is unknown when the funeral for the man will be held. He was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. The injuries to those in the other vehicle were not life threatening, but may require additional out-patient care such as physical therapy depending on the types of injuries suffered and the length of time it will take to heal.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to the negligence of another party, it is important to take prompt action and speak to legal counsel. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries that can include reimbursement for medical expenses and lost income from work. There are strict time deadlines involved however, which is called the statute of limitations. Failure to meet these filing deadlines can effect your right to file a claim, so dont delay.

Continue reading "Elderly Man Killed During Head-On Collision" »

A public school bus driver and one student were injured when the bus collided with a car on a highway in North Carolina. The driver of the vehicle and three passengers were killed as a result of the auto accident. Apparently, the driver of the car was trying to pass the school bus at the time of the collision. Further investigation is needed to provide additional details. This is a tragic accident as the passengers in the car were a family.

The accident happened around 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon. The bus driver and student were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. The bus driver, a 61-year old woman and the student are expected to be released soon. A New York Injury Lawyer points out that even though the bus driver and student only suffered minor injuries, they may need out-patient care and counseling to deal with the stress of being involved in a fatal accident. Local school districts have created counseling teams to help other students and those living in surrounding areas cope with the tragedy.

It is unknown where the driver of the vehicle and his family were going at the time of the accident. The driver attempted to pass the bus by moving into the center lane. The vehicle hit the bus at a fast speed which caused major damage to the vehicle and to the bus. While police believe excessive speed may have been the cause of the accident, police are still investigating to determine if poor road conditions, medical emergency or mechanical error may have contributed.

It is unknown if funeral arrangements have been made for the family or where the funerals will be held. The extent of damage to the vehicle and the bus is also unknown at this time. Police officials may have to examine the vehicle and the bus to determine the exact cause of the accident. In the meantime, the community mourns the loss of a family that has passed under tragic circumstances.

Continue reading "North Carolina Family of Four Dies in Collision with School Bus" »

A European football player was involved in a car accident when his vehicle was struck by a local bus. The bus, carrying about 40 passengers hit the player's vehicle around 8am. The player was on his way to train when the accident happened. Two teammates were driving in another vehicle behind the player and were able to get him out of the vehicle before medical personnel arrived on the scene. The teammates were able to safely remove the player without causing additional injury.

The player was taken to the hospital for minor injuries and remained overnight for observation. An MRI was given to determine if the player suffered a concussion or other internal injury such as head trauma or neck strain. The player was also checked for shoulder injury. The hospital has since stated that the player is in stable condition.

It is unclear at this time which driver caused the accident. No injuries were reported by those on the bus. The bus, a local public transportation bus, was making its usual stops when the accident occurred. It is unknown how much experience the bus driver had or if the bus experienced mechanical problems at the time of the accident. Further investigation into the accident will be needed to determine the exact cause. No charges have been filed so far, points out a New York Injury Lawyer, but may be pending if the player or the driver is found negligent.

The player has had an exciting career so far. It is unknown when the player will be allowed to return to the field. Depending on the extent of his injuries, he may need physical therapy and time to heal before returning to the game. In the meantime, the player is recovering without incident. The damage to the player's vehicle and the bus is also unknown at this time. Police may have to examine the vehicle and bus for evidence.

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Several National Guard troops helped rescue two people trapped in a car after an accident. The car had caught on fire, but the troops were able to safely pull the people out before they suffered major injuries. The troops were also able to start emergency medical procedures before medical personnel arrived. The troops probably saved those people's lives, points out a New York Personal Injury Lawyer. The people involved in the accident were taken to the hospital and treated for their injuries.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The car was traveling alone on the highway when it flipped over. Two people inside were trapped, but not seriously injured. One of the National Guard troops had a combat lifesaver bag in his vehicle which he used to provide treatment to the car accident victims. The troops were on their way to a local air force base when they came upon the vehicle. It is unknown at this time what caused the accident. Both the driver and the passenger will probably be interviewed once they are well enough to do so.

The accident occurred in the morning hours. The roads were not slick and bad weather was not a factor. It is unknown if alcohol or illegal substances played a part in the accident. The driver of the vehicle will be issued a ticket and may face other charges as evidence is collected. Further investigation by local law enforcement officials is needed to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Luckily, the National Guard troops arrived on the scene to save the trapped passengers in the vehicle, The injuries the driver and passenger could have been much worse. The condition of the vehicle is unknown. It took clean-up crews several hours to remove the vehicle and leftover debris. The highway was then reopened to other motorists.

The driver and passenger of the vehicle were on their way to the airport at the time of the crash. The highway is a popular route for those going to and from the airport to use.

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A convicted sex offender accused of kidnapping and raping an 11-year-old girl, then holding her captive for 18 long years was expected to plead guilty. Instead, due to allegations from the kidnapper’s lawyer that the jury was improperly selected and acted in an inappropriate manner, the kidnapper entered not guilty pleas to charges of kidnapping, rape, and other charges, according to a New York Personal Injury Lawyer.

The kidnapper’s public defender claimed there were problems with the jury during a brief hearing where the kidnapper and his wife made their pleas. The public defender did state she had questions about the racial and geographical makeup of the jury that first indicted the couple for kidnapping and imprisoning the young girl, who is now 30 years old.

According to a Superior Court judge, the defense had raised “issues about the process itself before the grand jury” and whether the panel “acted appropriately during the proceeding.” He told the public defender that she had to submit her statement writing, and also told her he would seal the motion once it was submitted.

According to a New York City Personal Injury Lawyer, the lawyer for the kidnapper’s wife had stated earlier that the 60-year-old accused kidnapper intended to plead guilty, and that he had agreed to spend the rest of his life in prison. The public defender was not pleased with the other lawyer’s statements to the press.

“He shouldn’t have been speaking for [my client]. He should speak for his client”. The alleged kidnapper’s attorney explained that he only learned about the other attorney’s plans the day before the hearing. Neither one of them wished to comment further about just what problems they found in the grand jury.

The district attorney of the area said he was not bothered by the challenged to the grand jury. He expected everything to proceed as it had been.

“My responsibility is to see that these two are held accountable for the enormity of their actions,” he said to a Manhattan Personal Injury Lawyer. “We are determined to do that.”

If you have been hurt by another, it is important to act promptly and get legal advice as soon as possible. In many instances there are strict time deadlines within which you are able to file a claim. Be sure to contact legal counsel as soon as possible.

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A tradition of San Antonio, Texas, is Fiesta, in which there is much consuming of alcoholic beverages. One Texas mother pleads for a bit of responsibility from revelers, however, requesting they think about what they’re going to do after drinking. Her daughter was killed by a drunk driver and she is very intent on seeing it does not happen to anyone else.

It might seem like plain common sense to make plans of what to do after drinking, like how to get home or where to sleep it off, but very few people actually ever do so.

In the San Antonio area, there were 5,769 arrests for drunk driving in 2010, which included 2,870 wrecks, and 55 deaths.

Due to Fiesta, April is a high point of drunk driving related deaths. It is difficult to create a direct link to official Fiesta events and actual crashes, but April is a month that sees a significant increase in fatal crashes in the San Antonio vicinity.

Reporters told New York Injury Lawyers that 10 people were killed in drunken driving incidents in April of 2008 and 10 more in April of 2009. There was only one less death in April 2010.

The mother pleading for some responsibility lost her daughter to just such an accident. Her 19-year-old daughter, a rising rodeo star, was killed in an auto accident with a drunk driver. The woman driving the SUV that struck the 19-year-old woman’s vehicle was driving on the wrong side of the road.

The 19-year-old woman was killed instantly and three friends in her truck were critically injured. She was buried a week before her 20th birthday.

The mother of the victim has no harsh words for the woman who caused the accident, who was a mother herself, with three children. “The drunk driver was killed as well, so we never got to hear her side of the story,” she told a Staten Island Personal Injury Lawyer. “All we know is she had some issues in her life to deal with. She chose to deal with those issues with alcohol, and she chose to get behind the wheel.”

These types of accidents leave scars that will take a lifetime to heal, if ever. Remember that if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident because of the negligence of another, you are entitled to just compensation for your injuries including medical expenses, and lost income from work. Be sure however, to act promptly. The sooner you contact counsel after your accident, the better your chances for a positive outcome.

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A camp counselor shot himself after allegations of child molestation surfaced. The day after police began an investigation into claims that the counselor molested a boy in 1985, the counselor committed suicide. The boy, now 35-years-old, says he was encouraged to come forward by the revelation in a senator's biography that the senator was also molested as a boy.

The senator attended the same camp as the accused counselor, when he was a boy. He was abused at an unnamed summer camp. It is now known that the senator attended the camp in question and they wrote a letter of apology to the senator.

The sentor spokeswoman told a New York Injury Lawyer, “the senator is aware of the reported suicide at [the camp], but wants to emphasize he does not know the deceased and has never met him.”

The camp also had a statement. “The [camp] family is deeply saddened by the loss of our long time employee. Our heartfelt prayers are with [the counselor’s] family.”

The state police began their investigation when an attorney faxed them a letter detailing the abuse his client suffered as a child, sources revealed to a NYC Personal Injury Lawyer. The police responded quickly.

After the suicide, the attorney received two phone calls from other adult men who claimed they had also been abused by the counselor.

“There were red flags,” the attorney said. “The questions remain: What did the supervisors know? When did they know? And what did they do about it?”

A former camp employee explained that camp administrators had been informed the counselor had child pornography on his computer in the late 1990s, but they did nothing about it. He even contacted police in 2002 and told them, but nothing ever happened.

“I know of two children personally who said that (the counselor) abused them,” the former employee said. He did not say anything further about the matter.The attorney is even now looking into filing a civil suit against the camp and finding out what the supervisors knew. “Children need to be protected,” he said.

It is always important to remember that if you or a loved one has been injured, whether it be from a car accident, defective product, or from an accident that results in a wrongful death action, you deserve compensation for your injuries or loss. This compensation can include reimbursement for medical expenses, lost time from work, pain and suffering, and more. It is extremely important to seek the guidance of skilled legal counsel right away. There are strict time deadlines to file personal injury claims, so act promptly to ensure you receive the benefits you or your loved one deserves.

Contact Stephen Bilkis and Associates for advice and guidance. We have offices located throughout New York, including locations in Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn. We also have locations in Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island, and Westchester County.

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