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 Brooklyn Personal Injury

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location of the reckless fatal accidentA devastating accident on Myrtle Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant serves as a harsh reminder of the life-threatening risks faced by construction workers who work hard to ensure our city’s development. On October 29, 2024, a 37-year-old construction flagger, Luis Mario Sangurima, lost his life after being struck by a driver recklessly navigating around a box truck. Sangurima was directing traffic near a construction site when he was hit by a speeding van that crossed into oncoming traffic, underscoring the perils that flaggers and construction site workers face daily on Brooklyn’s streets.

The driver, Clyde Mercury, reportedly attempted to bypass a slow-moving truck by veering into the opposite lane. This act of impatience led to a fatal outcome, with Mercury now facing charges of criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and failure to exercise due care. As Brooklyn personal injury attorneys, we see the dire consequences that arise when drivers ignore traffic rules and fail to respect construction zones. Tragedies like this are preventable when drivers are responsible and follow basic safety protocols around construction areas.

Construction zones, especially in busy urban areas like Brooklyn, require vigilant attention from both drivers and workers. Often, flaggers like Sangurima are the first line of defense for work crews, directing traffic to protect colleagues and pedestrians. By donning reflective gear and guiding vehicles past narrow lanes, they ensure the safety of everyone around the construction site. However, when drivers disregard these signals and attempt dangerous maneuvers, they put lives at risk.

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Intersection of Dekalb and Wyckoff where a pedestrian was killed by a Box truckMarco Gallardo Tirado, a 59-year-old retired Brooklyn home health aide, was fatally struck by a box truck in Bushwick while on his way to a doctor’s appointment. The accident occurred on DeKalb Avenue near Wyckoff Avenue around 9:35 a.m. on Friday morning. Sadly, Mr. Tirado’s life was cut short just blocks from Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, where he was rushed but could not be saved.

The driver, identified as Lennis Escalona Luna, did not stop at the scene but was later identified through his truck’s U.S. Department of Transportation number. He now faces charges of failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care. However, the emotional toll on Mr. Tirado’s family is immeasurable, as they mourn the loss of a kind and caring man who had simply been on his way to a routine checkup.

This incident is just one of several fatal truck accidents that have plagued New York City over the past few days, bringing increased urgency to the conversation around pedestrian safety. As truck traffic continues to rise in the city, especially in densely populated areas like Brooklyn, so too does the risk to pedestrians.

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NYPD misconduct cost a lot of money to New York tax payersThe recent incident at a Brooklyn subway station, where an innocent bystander was critically injured by police gunfire, raises urgent questions about police accountability and transparency. Gregory Delpeche, a 49-year-old hospital worker, was riding the L train to his job at Woodhull Hospital when he was struck in the head by a bullet fired by NYPD officers. The officers were responding to a fare evader, Derell Mickles, who allegedly threatened them with a knife. Amid the chaos, a 26-year-old woman and one of the officers were also injured.

As police brutality attorneys, we stand with Delpeche’s family in their call for transparency. His cousins demand the release of body camera footage to clarify what truly happened. Despite claims by the NYPD that officers showed “restraint,” family members are rightfully questioning whether the officers’ decision to discharge their weapons in a crowded subway station was reckless and avoidable.

Body cameras are designed to ensure accountability and to provide an objective account of events when situations escalate, as this one did. The footage could be crucial in determining whether the officers followed proper protocols and if there were sufficient attempts to de-escalate the situation before resorting to lethal force.

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Accident sceneLabor Day weekend was marred by a series of fatal collisions across New York City, resulting in the loss of six lives. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about road safety in our city and the need for careful attention from all road users.

A Weekend of Fatal Collisions

The unfortunate events began on Thursday, August 29, when a 55-year-old  pedestrian identified as Jacqueline Healy of Jamestown was struck by a Ford pickup truck while crossing Cross Bay Boulevard at Pitkin Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens. The driver, Keith Ryan, 47, was arrested and charged with driving with a fake license.

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Location of the deadly Brooklyn Bike Accident on Union Street and Lynch StreetOn Sunday morning, Luis Mendez, a 46-year-old cyclist, was struck and killed by a van driver on Union Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Can Homer, was allegedly operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and without a valid driver’s license. This devastating event highlights the serious and ongoing issue of road safety for cyclists in New York City, particularly in Brooklyn.

The Legal Ramifications of Bicycle Accidents in Brooklyn

When a cyclist is injured or killed in an accident, the legal landscape can be complex, but it is crucial for justice to be pursued. In this case, the driver, Can Homer, has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and driving without a license. These charges carry significant legal consequences, and the pursuit of justice for the victim and his family will likely involve a thorough investigation and litigation process.

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location of the Brooklyn Crane AccidentA 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.

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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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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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Location of the Brooklyn DWI AccidentAs Brooklyn personal injury lawyers, it is both heartbreaking and frustrating to witness preventable tragedies like yesterday’s crash in Brownsville, that left a one-year-old child in critical condition.

Yesterday evening, 28-year-old Natalie Leonard was driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the legal limit in New York. She ran two red lights and collided with another vehicle at Dumont Avenue. In the passenger seat was a 21-year-old mother holding her one-year-old son, who was not in a car seat. Both were unrestrained, leading to severe consequences when the crash occurred. The child suffered a skull fracture and was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

Legal Ramifications

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Brooklyn DA OfficeAs personal injury attorneys representing victims in Brooklyn, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of negligence in the construction industry. The recent conviction of a Nassau County construction company owner for criminally negligent homicide in the death of a young girl serves as a reminder of the critical importance of adhering to building codes and safety protocols.

On August 29, 2019, a tragic event unfolded in Bushwick, Brooklyn, when 5-year-old Alysson Pinto-Chaumana lost her life due to the collapse of a poorly constructed stone wall. Alysson, along with her mother and friends, was visiting a residence at 444 Harman Street. While waiting on the enclosed patio, the stone pillars and horizontal plates of the wall suddenly fell, crushing Alysson and causing her untimely death.

An in-depth investigation revealed that Nadeem Anwar, the owner of City Wide Construction and Renovations, Inc., had constructed the wall in violation of numerous provisions of the New York City Building Code.