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 Wrongful Death

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the wrong way drunk driving crash occurred on the Sunken Meadow ParkwayIn late 2020 a former firefighter from Long Island, Joseph Norris, caused a fatal wrong-way crash while driving under the influence. This accident claimed the life of 44-year-old Anthony Mariano, a beloved teacher from Queens. The devastating consequences of this drunk driving accident have left a deep and lasting impact on the Mariano family and the community.

Anthony Mariano’s fiancé, Christie Azzolini, shared her heart-wrenching loss during Wednesday’s sentencing. She expressed how she lost the love of her life due to the irresponsible actions of Joseph Norris. The tragedy robbed her of a promising future, leaving her to bear the burden of grief and sorrow.

The Mariano family spoke in court, describing the immense sadness that Joseph Norris’s reckless actions had caused. Vincent Mariano, the teacher’s father, couldn’t contain his anger and expressed his intense feelings directly to Norris, wishing him no rest or peace for his despicable actions.

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Misdiagnosis can lead to serious harm and deathMisdiagnosis of diseases and medical conditions is leading to an estimated 800,000 cases of permanent disability or death each year according to a recent study published by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence, in partnership with researchers from the Risk Management Foundation of Harvard Medical Institutions Inc.

Misdiagnosis is not a mere statistic; it is a human tragedy that affects hundreds of thousands of patients and their families every year. The report reveals that approximately 371,000 people lose their lives, while another 424,000 suffer from permanent disabilities annually due to misdiagnosis. These disabilities encompass brain damage, blindness, loss of limbs or organs, and even metastasized cancer. Behind these numbers are real individuals whose lives have been irreversibly altered or lost due to medical negligence.

The Top Culprits: Stroke and Other Common Diseases

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accident sceneCar accidents can be devastating under any circumstances, but when they result from a wrong-way driver on a busy expressway, the consequences can be catastrophic. The recent crash on the Long Island Expressway (LIE) involving a pickup truck driver going the wrong way highlights the urgency of understanding the legal implications and consequences associated with such accidents.

Early Thursday morning, Thomas Raimondo, aged 61, was driving his 2013 Chevrolet Silverado in the wrong direction on the westbound lanes of the expressway. Raimondo’s reckless decision led to a devastating head-on collision with a 2005 Acura sedan driven by 32-year-old Jose Ferreira. The accident occurred between Exits 62 and 63 in Holtsville, Suffolk County, leaving both drivers dead.

Legal Implication of Wrong-Way Crashes

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pregnancy medical malpracticeThe alarming rise in maternal deaths in the United States has become a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the number of individuals dying from pregnancy-related causes has more than doubled over the past two decades. This devastating trend affects all racial and ethnic groups, with the worst outcomes observed among Black women, Native American and Alaska Native people. As medical malpractice lawyers representing victims of birth related injuries and deaths, we are deeply concerned about the persistently high maternal mortality rates and the disparities that continue to place certain populations at greater risk.

The study highlights the detrimental impact of structural racism and the historical lack of access to adequate healthcare services on maternal mortality rates

The disparities in healthcare outcomes are further exacerbated for populations that have been historically underserved. Black women, in particular, have consistently experienced the highest maternal death rates, which have more than doubled over the past two decades. Similarly, the rates for Native American and Alaska Native people have tripled during the same period.

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GSHA pedestrian fatalities reportThe alarming increase in pedestrian fatalities in the United States has reached its highest level since 1981, according to a recent report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

The GHSA report reveals that in 2022, at least 7,508 pedestrian died marking a staggering 77% increase since 2010. This tragic statistic signifies not only a significant loss of life but also a growing safety disparity for pedestrians compared to other traffic-related fatalities, which saw a 25% increase over the same period.

Multiple factors contribute to this escalating crisis. Dangerous driving behaviors, inadequate infrastructure, and the prevalence of larger and heavier vehicles all play significant roles in the rising number of pedestrian fatalities. Regrettably, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic witnessed a surge in dangerous driving practices, which have persisted and further jeopardized the safety of pedestrians.

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ambulance at accident sceneIn the early hours of Tuesday morning, tragedy struck a bustling street near Chinatown when a fire erupted at an e-bike service store. Four lives were lost, while two others remain in critical condition. The cause of the fire? Lithium-ion batteries, which have become a growing concern in New York City due to their link to several fatal blazes.

At around midnight, a three-alarm fire broke out at the e-bike repair shop on Madison Street, engulfing the business and spreading through the building. Despite the valiant efforts of approximately 140 firefighters and emergency personnel, the blaze claimed the lives of four individuals and left two others fighting for their lives. The fire commissioner, Laura Kavanagh, confirmed that the fire was accidental and caused by a lithium-ion battery.

Lithium-ion batteries have become a common power source for various devices, including e-bikes, phones, laptops, and power tools. However, their flammability has become a growing concern as the usage of electric vehicles, especially e-bikes and scooters, has surged in New York City. Commissioner Kavanagh revealed that these batteries have been responsible for 108 fires and 13 deaths so far this year alone. In 2022, approximately 200 fires were linked to lithium-ion batteries.

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June is trench safety stand downLast April a devastating trench collapse at a construction site in John F. Kennedy International (JFK) Airport claimed the lives of two workers, Francisco Reyes, 41, and Fernando Lagunas Pereira, 28. The tragic accident occurred when the trench in which Reyes and Pereira were working suddenly collapsed, burying them under debris. Despite rescue efforts, both workers lost their lives at the scene.  This horrible construction accident highlights the need for a comprehensive review of safety practices. It is crucial for authorities, construction companies, and regulatory agencies to collaborate and conduct a thorough analysis of the incident to identify any lapses or gaps in safety procedures.

Last year in the US, 39 construction workers died in trench collapse. Trench collapse accidents are preventable and usually occur because of negligence for several reasons:

  • Lack of Proper Planning: Trench accidents can be prevented through careful planning and assessment of the work site. Negligence may arise if there is a failure to adequately plan the excavation process, including conducting a thorough analysis of the soil conditions, identifying potential hazards, and implementing appropriate safety measures.
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Queens Boulevard is dangerous for cyclistsQueens Boulevard in New York City has been historically notorious for its high number of fatal bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. The thoroughfare gained the infamous nickname “Boulevard of Death” due to the significant risks it posed to cyclists and pedestrians.

After almost a decade of planning, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT)  announced that the infamous boulevard is finally undergoing a transformation with the extension of bike lanes further east into the Borough. This long-awaited project aims to improve street safety and create a more equitable transportation system. As NYC bicycle accident lawyers, we view this expansion as a positive step towards reducing accidents and promoting safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus commuters.

The DOT recently presented a comprehensive proposal to extend bike lanes on Queens Boulevard. The plan involves repurposing a travel lane in each direction between Union Turnpike in Forest Hills and Hillside Avenue in Briarwood. This move has been applauded by advocates who appreciate Mayor Adams’ commitment to bringing safer infrastructure to communities of color.

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Traffic accidents near JFK airportLast week 15 people were injured in a bus accident and a teenager was killed when the car she was in collided with a truck. Both accidents took place near JFK Airport, which is currently undergoing a major makeover. The aim of this $19 billion project is to rejuvenate the airport by providing modern facilities and improved terminals. However, this extensive renovation comes at a cost: roadways are being torn up and closed, resulting in significant traffic disruptions that are projected to last for several years. Consequently, various modes of transportation, including driving, public transit, taxis, and ride-hailing services, will be affected, potentially causing substantial congestion, delays, and safety concerns.

Last Friday a collision occurred between a Delta Airlines bus and a commuter van on the Van Wyck Expressway, resulting in 15 injuries. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by commuters in and around JFK Airport and southeast Queens. Local leaders, such as Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, have been advocating for clearer signs, speed warnings, and overall safer street designs as part of the JFK Airport overhaul. Additionally, Richards highlighted the peril of driving on North and South Conduit Avenue, where a 14-year-old girl was killed in a car accident just two days prior. The accident took place on North Conduit Avenue near 160th Street. The 14-year-old was a passenger in a BMW driven by a 16-year-old driver. The young driver, who was not supposed to be driving alone, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a UPS truck, resulting in the death of his passenger and friend.

As predicted by Frommers, commuting to JFK airport, is currently and will continue to be a nightmare for years to come.

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Monterey garage in UWS has structural issuesThe recent collapse of a parking garage in Lower Manhattan, which resulted in the loss of a life and injuries to several individuals, has raised concerns about the safety and condition of parking structures throughout New York. In response, city officials conducted inspections of numerous garages, uncovering widespread structural problems that have been allowed to persist for years. This blog explores the findings of The New York Times’ investigation into the state of these garages, shedding light on the hazards faced by both employees and customers.

The investigation by The New York Times has revealed that serious structural issues are prevalent among parking garages across the city. Crumbling ceilings, exposed and rusting reinforcing bars, and other defects have been identified in over three dozen garages including the Monterey Garage in the UWS where the DOT documented that a 12 by 18-inch chunk of concrete fell from the ceiling. Shockingly, many of these garages have continued to operate despite the documented hazards. In some cases, inspections uncovered garages that were exceeding their capacity, with exits blocked on multiple levels due to overcrowding.

Neglected Violations