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.

Articles Posted in Auto Accidents

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Our partners Anthony H. Gair and Christopher L. Sallay settled the personal injury case of a 63 year old female pedestrian who was struck by a motor vehicle traveling in reverse on a one-way street. The case settled prior to trial for $2,050,000.

As a result of the accident, the plaintiff sustained spinal fractures from L1 – L4, which required corrective surgery. The defense claimed that he never saw the plaintiff prior to his vehicle striking her as she was bending over in the street looking for her gloves. The defense further alleged that the plaintiff made a full recovery and required no additional treatment following the initial surgery.

The New York Personal Injury Lawyer at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf have years of experience representing people who have suffered injury in all types of accidents in New York.

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Christopher Sallay

Christopher Sallay
Gair Gair Conason
Steigman Mackauf
Bloom & Rubinowitz

Our Partner, Chris Sallay is the Co-Chair of this New York State Bar Association seminar together with Robert A. Glick, Esq; Brand, Glick & Brand, PC. Our Partner Anthony Gair will be speaking at the New York City and Long Island seminars.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
This full-day practical skills program is designed for the newly admitted attorney or the attorney seeking a fundamental but practical overview of handling an auto accident case. A representative case will be reviewed from inception to conclusion from both the plaintiff and defense attorney perspective. The step-by-step practical aspects of the case will be presented by experienced attorneys to demonstrate both the practical aspects of each phase of the litigation as well as the overall thought process behind each phase leading to the ultimate resolution.

AGENDA:

8:30-9:00 REGISTRATION
9:00-9:50 1. INTAKE OF THE PLAINTIFF’S CASE – THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE CASE FOR THE DEFENDANT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY
The Plaintiff’s Perspective:

Preliminary Investigation Highlights of the “Typical Case”
The Mechanics of Auto Collisions and Issues Relating to Accident Reconstruction Obtaining Information from the Roadway – Visibility and Traffic Control Devices Soft Tissue Injury Auto Accident Cases – The Serious Injury Threshold Early Settlement The Defendant’s Perspective:

Analyzing Liability, Damages, Threshold, Potential Exposure Knowing Whether to go Down the Road of Settlement or Trial 9:50-10:40 2. NO-FAULT ISSUES AND COVERAGE CONCERNS
No-Fault Coverage – Who is Eligible and Filing Requirements Statutory Requirements for Auto Insurance Coverage in New York The Basics of the Automobile Liability Insurance Policy – Primary and Excess/Umbrella Coverage Uninsured/Under Insured Motorist Coverage Considerations 10:40-10:50 BREAK
10:50-11:40 3. DISCOVERY
Notices for Discovery and Inspection Bills of Particulars The Preliminary Conference The IME 11:40-12:30 4. TAKING A MEANINGFUL DEPOSITION
Preparation is the Key Avoid the Boilerplate, Look up from your Outline and Listen to the Answers All Police and Accident Reports Scene and Vehicle Photos All Medical Records Other Documents – Repair Estimates, Diagrams, etc.
12:30-1:30 LUNCH (on your own)

1:30-2:20 5. MOTION PRACTICE RELATED TO AUTOMOBILE CASES
The Plaintiff’s Summary Judgment Motion – Not just in Rear-end Collision Cases The Serious Injury Threshold Motion – Making and Defeating It 2:20-3:10 6. MEDIATION, ARBITRATION AND SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS
The Mediation/Arbitration Statement Witnesses and Exhibits Remembering the Audience during Discussions 3:10-3:20 BREAK
3:20-4:10 7. ETHICS
Ethics Issues Related to Automobile Litigation Contingent Fee Agreements Advertising and Solicitation The Difficult Client 4:10 ADJOURNMENT

PROGRAM FACULTY:

Overall Planning Chairs
Robert A. Glick, Esq., Brand, Glick & Brand, PC, Garden City, NY Christopher L. Sallay, Esq., Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, New York, NY Local Panels (listed in order of appearance)

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2012
New York City

Chair: Christopher L. Sallay, Esq., Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, New York, NY
Panel: Christopher L. Sallay, Esq., Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, New York, NY * Robert A. Glick, Esq., Brand, Glick & Brand, PC, Garden City, NY * Nicholas Papain, Esq., Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo P.C., New York, NY * Anthony H. Gair, Esq., Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, New York, NY * Brian T. Stapleton, Esq., Goldberg Segalla LLP, White Plains, NY
TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012
Albany

Chair: John W. Bailey, Esq., Bailey Kelleher & Johnson PC, Albany, NY
Panel: John B. Casey, Esq., Dreyer Boyajian LLP, Albany, NY * Jeanne M. Gonsalves Lloyd, Esq., Friedman, Hirschen & Miller LLP, Albany, NY * Vincent J. DeLeonardis, Esq., Bailey, Kelleher & Johnson, P.C., Albany, NY * P. Baird Joslin, Jr., Esq., O’Connor O’Connor Bresee & First PC, Albany, NY * Mackenzie C. Monaco, Esq., Carter, Conboy, Case, Blackmore, Maloney & Laird, P.C., Albany, NY * Jeffrey K. Anderson, Esq., Anderson, Moschetti & Taffany, PLLC, Latham, NY * John W. Bailey, Esq., Bailey Kelleher & Johnson PC, Albany, NY
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2012
Long Island (Melville)

Chair: Robert A. Glick, Esq., Brand, Glick & Brand, PC, Garden City, NY
Panel: Robert A. Glick, Esq., Brand, Glick & Brand, PC, Garden City, NY *Christopher L. Sallay, Esq., Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, New York, NY * Robert S. Santander, Esq., American European Insurance Group, Inc., New York, NY * Nicholas Papain, Esq., Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo P.C., New York, NY * Anthony H. Gair, Esq., Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, New York, NY * Brian T. Stapleton, Esq., Goldberg Segalla LLP, White Plains, NY
Syracuse

Chair: Michael P. Kenny, Esq., Kenny & Kenny PLLC, Syracuse, NY
Panel: S. Robert Williams, Esq., Williams and Rudderow, Syracuse, NY * Benjamin C. Rabin, Esq., The Rabin Law Firm, Syracuse, NY * Erin K. Skuce, Esq., Law Offices of Destin C. Santacrose (Employees of Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.), Buffalo, NY * Sandra J. Sabourin, Esq., Goldberg Segalla LLP, Syracuse, NY * Michael P. Kenny, Esq., Kenny & Kenny PLLC, Syracuse, NY * James E. Reid, Esq., Greene & Reid, PLLC, Syracuse, NY * Paul G. Ferrara, Esq., Costello, Cooney & Fearon, PLLC, Syracuse, NY
THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012
Buffalo

Chair: Paul J. Callahan, Esq., Law Offices of Sliwa & Lane, Buffalo, NY
Panel: David F. Kluepfel, Esq., Cascone & Kluepfel, LLP, Garden City, NY * Leonard D. Zaccagnino, Esq., Shaw & Shaw P.C., Hamburg, NY * Joseph M. Schnitter, Esq., Brown & Kelly, LLP, Buffalo, NY * Jennifer Stashko Adams, Esq., Adams Hanson Finder Hughes Rego Kaplan & Fsibein, Williamsville, NY * Leonard M. Cascone, Esq., Cascone & Kluepfel, LLP, Garden City, NY * Michael T. Coutu, Esq., Law Offices of Sliwa & Lane, Buffalo, NY * Jeffrey F. Baase, Esq., Rupp, Baase, Pfalzgraf, Cunningham & Coppola, LLC, Buffalo, NY * Peter M. Kooshoian, Esq., Rosenthal, Siegel & Muenkel, LLP, Buffalo, NY
DATES AND LOCATIONS:

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2012
New York City Affinia Manhattan 371 Seventh Avenue at 31st Street New York, NY 10001-3984 (212) 563-1800
TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012
Albany New York State Nurses Association 11 Cornell Road Latham, NY 12110 (518) 782-9400
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2012
Long Island (Melville)
Melville Marriott Long Island 1350 Old Walt Whitman Road Melville, NY 11747 (631) 423-1600
Syracuse Genesee Grande Hotel 1060 East Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13210 (315) 476-4212
THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012
Buffalo Holiday Inn Amherst 1881 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Amherst, NY 14228 (716) 691-8181
The last day to pre-register online is May 30, 2012. Register online now

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In Vasquez v. County of Nassau, 2012 NY Slip Op 00508 decided on January 24, 2012 The New York Appellate Division 2d Department affirmed a jury verdict of $3,025,000.00. The case was tried by our partner Howard Hershenhorn in Nassau County Supreme Court. Our partners, Rhonda Kay and Richard Steigman handled the appeal.

On Oct. 18, 2003, plaintiff’s decedent Maria Araujo, 34, was crossing Washington Street, at the corner of Jackson Street, in Hempstead. She was carrying her 3-year-old son, plaintiff Fernando Araujo. Glory Upke was driving a sport utility vehicle north on Washington Street, and a public bus, driven by William Malloy, was traveling on the westbound side of Jackson Street. The bus struck the right rear quarter panel of Upke’s vehicle. Upke’s vehicle spun in a counterclockwise direction and struck and killed Maria Araujo. Fernando was also hurt. The Appellate Division set forth the facts of the accident as follows;

“This case stems from an accident involving multiple vehicles and two pedestrians at the intersection of Jackson Street and Washington Street in Hempstead, which was governed by traffic light signals. The decedent was carrying the infant plaintiff, her three-year-old disabled son with Down Syndrome. As the decedent crossed Jackson Street on the north side of the intersection in the crosswalk, she was struck by a vehicle operated by the defendant Glory E. Upke, after that vehicle was struck by a bus operated by the defendant William Malloy and owned by the defendant Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority. The force of the impact propelled the decedent into the air and caused her to let go of the infant plaintiff. Prior to the accident, the bus was traveling in a westerly direction on Jackson Street, and the Upke vehicle was traveling in a northerly direction on Washington Street.

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Ben B. Rubinowitz

Ben B. Rubinowitz
Gair Gair Conason
Steigman Mackauf
Bloom & Rubinowitz

Our partner, Ben Rubinowitz, achieved one of the highest awards for an 83 year old man who suffered a fractured leg as a result of being struck by a car: $1,120,000.00. The injured man was an 83 year old pedestrian who was standing next to his car when struck. The man, who had suffered from heart problems and cancer prior to the accident, underwent surgery for a fractured femur. As a result of the accident he now has difficulty walking. “I am extremely pleased with this result” said Rubinowitz who explained that “often times insurance companies feel that because an injured individual happens to be in his 80’s or is elderly that the case has little or no value. That type of ugly age discrimination is simply not tolerated by our firm. If we agree to take a case it makes no difference to us if the injured person is 8 or 80. We give the same effort regardless of age.” Perhaps this is why the lawyers at Gair Gair Conason Steigman Mackauf Bloom and Rubinowitz have achieved the best results for victims of car accidents, construction accidents and medical malpractice cases over their 90 plus year history. “Simply put” said Rubinowitz “we have the talent and we have the resources — and we do one other thing — we give 100 percent effort at all times to ensure the best possible results for our clients.”

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHTQ8y3c9AM
One of the best New York personal injury trial lawyers, Ben Rubinowitz, a partner at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf , demonstrates the importance of a well prepared opening statement. The presentation was given to lawyers at a Trial Law seminar in 2009. The case involved a pedestrian who was struck by a car. The driver of the car claimed, in a misleading and improper manner, that the pedestrian was fully at fault for the happening of the accident. The medical proof told a very different story than the less than truthful statement of the driver.

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In this new program, an outstanding faculty, including partners of many of New York State’s leading plaintiff and defendant personal injury law firms, will focus on specific types of cases frequently encountered in motor vehicle litigation. Open to both new and experienced attorneys, this practice-based program will present the “nuts & bolts” of handling these types of cases from the perspective of both the plaintiff and the defendant.

Topics Include: 

Program Co-Chairs:

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nysbaThis year’s program will focus on specific types of cases frequently encountered in motor vehicle litigation. Our Partner, Christopher L. Sallay is the Program Co-Chair of this New York State Bar Association program and will be speaking at the New York and Long Island program. Our partner, Howard S. Hershenhorn will also be speaking at the program. Below are Links to the locations, dates and description of the Program.

There are four Statewide Locations– Click on one of the links below for complete program information and to register online. Program time for all locations: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Long Island
www.nysba.org/MVALongIsland
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Albany
www.nysba.org/MVAAlbany
Thursday, November 10, 2011
New York City
www.nysba.org/MVANewYork

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Syracuse
www.nysba.org/MVASyracuse

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On Tuesday, November 1, 2011, Cardozo Law School will hold a seminar on Opening Statements for more than 100 students as a prerequisite to its Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP). Featured Speakers at the lecture include Ben Rubinowitz, and Judith Livingston. Both Rubinowitz and Livingston have been recognized as two of the most successful Trial Lawyers in New York and both are members of the Inner Circle of Advocates — a group of the top 100 Trial Attorneys in the Country. Each of these speakers has obtained multiple million dollar verdicts in areas including Medical Malpractice claims, Automobile Accident cases, Construction Accident cases, Products Liability claims and Civil Rights violations. In the past both Rubinowitz and Livingston have been asked to give demonstrations of their successful Trial Techniques at the annual Continuing Legal Education program “Masters of Trial Law Seminar.” Rubinowitz stated “It is an honor to be asked to participate in this program. I am delighted that Judy Livingston will be joining me in this event.”

Learn more about ITAP:

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A Mobile jury awarded a $40 million wrongful death judgment to the parents of a Mobile County teenager who was killed in a 2004 car accident. The judgment was against Kia Motors and the makers of a seatbelt buckle. Tiffany Stabler was ejected from the vehicle after she struck a sign and the car overturned. Witnesses said that she was wearing her seatbelt, while Kia maintained that she was not.

Stabler was driving a 1999 Kia Sephia that her father had bought for her 16th birthday. Kia officials knew that seatbelts in the 1999 model vehicles were faulty, according to plaintiff testimony, but did not include them in a recall of 1995-1998 vehicles.

Read More: Mobile County jury slaps Kia with $40 million wrongful death verdict