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.
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Car-accident-fatalities-Q1-2024-trasnportation-Alternatives

Car accident fatalities Q1 2024 transportation alternatives

As car accident attorneys in New York City, the recent report from Transportation Alternatives revealing the deadliest first quarter in Vision Zero history are not just numbers—they are a sobering reminder of the lives lost and families shattered by traffic violence. In the first three months of 2024 alone, 60 New Yorkers lost their lives in traffic crashes, signaling an alarming upward trend that demands immediate and effective action.

Vision Zero was launched in 2014 with the promise of eliminating traffic deaths and severe injuries in NYC. However, this year’s data illustrates a devastating failure to protect the city’s motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Queens, notably, became the first borough to record 750 traffic deaths since the initiative began, highlighting a significant shortfall in the measures implemented under this program.

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DOB NYCAs building collapse attorneys based in New York City, we are deeply concerned about the recent findings concerning the parking garage collapse in Lower Manhattan. More than a year has passed since this tragic event, and the root cause remains undetermined, highlighting significant gaps in our city’s approach to building safety and regulation.

The recent declaration by the Department of Buildings (DOB) that the Ann Street parking garage did not fail due to overloading is a critical piece of information. It suggests that other factors, possibly related to the structural integrity of the building itself, might have led to the collapse. Notably, University of Arizona engineering professor Sammy Tin speculated that the garage’s condition at the time of collapse might have been a contributing factor, despite the walls and pillars appearing pristine and undamaged.

It’s alarming to learn that prior to the collapse, there were open violations dating back to 2003 and 2009 for issues such as loose or missing concrete. These findings were brought to light almost immediately after the collapse by investigative journalists. This raises significant concerns about the enforcement of building codes and the efficacy of the inspections process in New York City.

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Crane operator can easily be subject to het illness and fatigueAs New York City crane accident lawyers, we closely monitor industry trends and research to better understand the hazards that crane operators and inspectors face daily. A recent survey conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC) and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) Foundation sheds new light on the prevalent risks in the crane industry. Particularly, the findings highlight systemic risks like heat illness and fatigue, which significantly contribute to workplace injuries.

Survey Findings and Legal Implications

Direct Risks: Falls and Impact by Falling Objects

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The Electric Bicycle Shop that was selling non-compliant lithium batteriesThe recent arrest of an e-bike shop owner in Brooklyn for unsafe storage and sale of illegal batteries marks a significant moment in the enforcement of safety regulations surrounding lithium-ion batteries. This event, unfolding at the Electric Bicycle Shop at 1239 Flatbush Avenue, serves as a crucial case study for understanding the intersection of legal accountability and public safety in the rapidly growing e-bike industry.

The Electric Bicycle Shop, known for selling and servicing e-bikes, came under scrutiny following multiple civil summonses issued for safety violations related to the storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries. The situation escalated when fire marshals discovered the store was not only neglecting these safety protocols but was also selling uncertified, illegal batteries—a serious violation of newly implemented city regulations.

Legal Implications for the E-Bike Industry

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ar accidents near the intersection of Wallabout and Wythe StreetAs pedestrian accident lawyers, we find ourselves constantly grappling with the devastating consequences of traffic collisions, particularly those involving vulnerable road users like children. The recent incident in Williamsburg, where a 10-year-old girl lost her life after being struck by a driver, is yet another stark reminder of the urgent need for safer streets and stricter accountability measures.

The details of the crash, as reported by Streetsblog New York City, are distressing. A 62-year-old driver fatally struck the young girl at the intersection of Wallabout Street and Wythe Avenue. While the driver remained at the scene, questions loom regarding potential charges and the circumstances leading to this tragic event.

The tragic accident unfolded in an area notorious for its perpetual congestion, where the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway’s numerous entrances and exits intertwine with multiple schools and a playground. This complex intersection of vehicular and pedestrian traffic has been the cause of multiple crashes in the past.

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National Stand down to prevent injury and death caused struck-by incidentsAs attorneys representing construction workers injured on the job, we constantly encounter the devastating impacts of struck-by incidents on the lives of workers and their families. These incidents, which include being hit by moving vehicles, flying or falling objects, or swinging equipment, are not only the second leading cause of death in the construction industry but also the foremost cause of nonfatal injuries. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for stringent safety measures and comprehensive training.

Struck-by incidents occur when a worker is hit by an object or equipment, which can be propelled, falling, rolling, or swinging. These hazards are particularly prevalent in construction zones where heavy machinery and vehicles are in operation. Common scenarios involve workers being struck by vehicles backing up, equipment failures, or materials being ejected from tools. Each scenario demands specific preventive measures, ranging from proper signage and barriers to equipment maintenance and worker training.

The Role of the National Stand-Down and Legal Advocacy

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U-Haul_Trucks_Stamford_CT_06902_USA_-_Feb_2013A troubling accident occurred in Downtown Brooklyn last Sunday afternoon when a U-Haul truck collided with a livery bus, leading to injuries for 15 individuals. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the potential hazards associated with vehicle rentals and the complex legal landscape that can surround such accidents.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Livingston Avenue and Elm Place, where a U-Haul vehicle rear-ended a bus full of passengers. The collision resulted in multiple injuries, though thankfully all were reported as minor. The scene was described with significant vehicle damage and debris scattered across the road.

Legal Considerations for Accident Victims

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schoolbus1This morning in Yorktown, Westchester County, a school bus carrying five high school students was involved in a collision with an SUV. The crash occurred before 9:30 a.m. on Route 132,  between Barger and Wildwoods streets as the investigation unfolds. While the front of the school bus was demolished (see video below), the students, thankfully, only sustained minor injuries and were taken to Westchester Medical Center with non-life-threatening conditions. The bus driver was also hospitalized for observation. Tragically, the SUV’s driver is currently in critical condition, possibly due to a medical emergency that could have precipitated the accident.

Understanding Your Rights After a School Bus Accident

If you or your child are involved in a school bus accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately, even if no injuries are apparent at the time. Some injuries, particularly those related to trauma or whiplash, may not become evident until hours or even days after the incident.

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New York City aging buildings at risk of collapseIn the aftermath of the recent earthquake that shook New York City, concerns about the structural integrity of the city’s aging infrastructure have once again surged to the forefront of public consciousness. Even before the seismic event, many New Yorkers harbored apprehensions regarding the resilience of buildings that form the fabric of their daily lives. As a leading law firm specializing in premises liability, Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf (GGCRBHS&M) provides a unique perspective on the potential dangers lurking in the aftermath of such natural disasters.

New York City is home to approximately 1.1 million buildings, many of which were erected before modern safety standards were implemented in the 1990s. These older structures, particularly unenforced brick buildings, are deemed to be at the highest risk in the event of seismic activities. While the United States Geological Survey has assured the public that the recent earthquake was not powerful enough to inflict major damage, the event has undeniably heightened awareness and concern among residents and property owners alike.

In response, city officials and inspectors have ramped up efforts to assess the condition of buildings, focusing on construction sites and responding to complaints from the public. Structural engineers emphasize the importance of vigilant observation, advising property owners to note any new cracks in the floors, ceilings, and walls.

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TMJ DisorderThe recent investigative piece by KFF Health News and CBS News on the daunting realities faced by patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders sheds light on a deeply troubling aspect of healthcare. The narrative, meticulously detailed through the experiences of patients like Lisa Schmidt and Jenny Feldman, echoes a recurring theme of misdiagnosis, ineffective treatments, and, most distressingly, a lack of accountability in the medical community. As medical malpractice attorneys, we see these stories not just as tragic accounts of individual suffering but as symptomatic of systemic failures in medical research, regulation, and treatment protocols.

The TMJ disorders, affecting up to 33 million Americans, exemplify a medical condition that has been marginalized and insufficiently researched. The journey of patients like Feldman, who has undergone at least 24 TMJ-related surgeries with little to no relief, underscores the dire need for a paradigm shift in how the medical community approaches TMJ. The investigation rightly points out that despite nearly a century of attempts to treat TMJ, the disorder remains widely misunderstood, and treatments often do more harm than good.

Patients trapped in a cycle of futile surgeries highlight a critical area of concern: the ethical responsibility of healthcare providers