Premises Liability

Published on: August 9, 2013

Chemical Accidents Prevention: Obama signs executive order to to improve the safety and security of chemical facilities and reduce the risks of hazardous chemicals to workers and communities

Last April the explosion at a fertilizer plant in West Texas was of the magnitude of a small earthquake. It killed 15, destroyed houses, businesses and municipal buildings, and left a 93-foot crater. To avoid such a tragedy in the future, President Obama last week signed an executive order directing Federal agencies to work with stakeholders to improve chemical safety and security.
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Published on: July 17, 2013

New York Wrongful Death Suit brought against Brooklyn Church

By GGCRBHS&M

New%20York%20Wrongful%20Death%20Lawyer%20Howard%20Hershenhorn.jpg Our partner Howard Hershenhorn represents the family of a man killed by falling debris from a historic Brooklyn church in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday alleging that church officials failed to maintain and repair a building they knew had become increasingly dangerous. Howard was quoted in The Wall Street Journal as follows:

” Church officials “knew they had a humongous problem, which they knew could cause injury or death and they did nothing about it,” said Howard Hershenhorn, an attorney for Mr. Schwartz’s family. “They let it linger for a decade and it’s absolutely mind-boggling.”

Mr. Hershenhorn called for a criminal investigation. A spokeswoman for the Brooklyn district attorney’s office said the office would review his request.

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Published on: July 11, 2013

New York Personal Injury: Gas explosion appears to be the cause of the collapse of a Chinatown building that injured at least 9 people with 3 in critical condition

By GGCRBHS&M

3 people were severely injured and a total of 12 were hospitalized including 4 firefighters after what appeared to be a gas explosion occurred in a beauty parlor at the first floor of a five story building and caused the ceiling to collapse.The building has several violations and further investigation will determine if these violations may be related to this accident.

One of the victims suffered second degree burns and another one was found unconscious by the firefighters. Burns, loss of limb, electrical shock, concussion, traumatic brain injury and lacerations are among the most common injuries that victims suffer from a gas explosions.
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Published on: July 1, 2013

New York Residential Building Accident Prevention: New Yorkers can request a free inspection of their deck and porch without the threat of receiving a violation

By GGCRBHS&M

deck%20inspection.png If porches and decks are not maintained properly the weather changes and the exposure to elements can put them at risk of collapse and proprety owners can be held responsible for personal injury that may occur in the event of an accident . For this reason the NYC Building department just launched its annual no-penalty deck and porch inspection program.

New Yorkers who own a property can call 311 during the entire month of July to ask for a free inspection. Inspectors will make sure that deck and porches are structurally sound and will look for cracks, rotting, failed connections or any other signs that could lead to a collapse.