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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ambulance at accident sceneA shocking and heartbreaking hit-and-run accident in Williamsbridge, Bronx, has left 3-year-old Mylah Rojas with a fractured skull after a reckless moped driver struck her on the sidewalk and fled the scene. This tragic event highlights the urgent need to address the dangers posed by reckless drivers, even on sidewalks where pedestrians should feel safe.

The Accident

The accident occurred on Friday afternoon around 1 p.m. on Holland Avenue as Mylah walked with her mother, Mariel Rojas. A blue moped with black stripes sped onto the sidewalk, striking the toddler and dragging her several feet. Surveillance footage later captured the driver limping away from the scene, but he remains at large as of this writing.

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Location of the Brooklyn Hit and Run CrashA devastating hit-and-run crash in Brooklyn has left a 25-year-old motorcyclist in critical condition. The crash, which occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on December 1, 2024, highlights ongoing concerns about traffic safety and reckless driving in Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Details of the Incident

According to the NYPD, an unidentified vehicle struck the motorcyclist from behind at the intersection of Farragut Road and Albany Avenue in East Flatbush. The driver fled the scene without stopping to render aid or provide information, leaving the motorcyclist seriously injured.

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Bruckner Boulevard and Castle Hill Ave intersection is deadlyPedestrian safety remains a critical concern in the Bronx, as two separate accidents this past weekend resulted in the tragic deaths of 60-year-old men. These incidents underscore the persistent dangers posed by speeding drivers, reckless behavior, and unsafe conditions on our streets.

Castle Hill Tragedy: Jeep Driver Fatally Strikes Pedestrian

On Saturday night, Uddin Shahi, a 60-year-old Bronx resident, was crossing the intersection of Bruckner Boulevard and Castle Hill Avenue (see picture), just a short distance from his home, when he was struck by a Jeep Compass. The driver, a 34-year-old woman, remained at the scene and cooperated with police. Despite being rushed to Jacobi Hospital, Shahi succumbed to his injuries.

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location of the Queens drunk driving accidentEarly Sunday morning, a suspected drunk driver caused a head-on collision with an FDNY ladder truck at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 115th Street in Richmond Hill, Queens. This incident underscores the severe risks posed by impaired driving, not only to the driver but also to others sharing the road.

Details of the Collision

Jimmy Lealecheverria, a 41-year-old driver from Harrison, New Jersey, was behind the wheel of a white panel van traveling eastbound on Jamaica Avenue when the crash occurred. The van collided with Ladder Co. 143, which was stationary and facing westbound at the time.

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Ben-Article-Ben Rubinowitz, our managing partner, has long been recognized as one of New York’s top trial attorneys. Recently, he was featured in an article titled “Ben Rubinowitz and the Art of Argument” by Claude Solnik, which explores his unparalleled skill in simplifying complex cases and achieving justice for his clients.

Rubinowitz’s career is defined by record-breaking verdicts and a dedication to ensuring his clients receive not only compensation but systemic change when needed. Among his most notable cases is “Lee v. Westchester Medical Center”, where a misdiagnosed stroke led to a $120 million verdict. His argument boiled down to three impactful words: “Time is brain.” Rubinowitz emphasized how delays in treatment caused irreversible brain damage, leveraging his ability to focus jurors’ attention on the hospital’s negligence.

A Legacy of Record Verdicts

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In the wake of a tragic incident on November 20, 2024, where an unmarked NYPD minivan fatally struck a woman reportedly lying on Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York, questions have emerged regarding the accuracy of official accounts. The NYPD stated that the woman was already lying in the roadway when the collision occurred.

As attorneys representing victims of NYPD vehicle accidents, we recognize the importance of critically examining such statements. While law enforcement agencies are tasked with providing factual information, there have been instances where initial reports were later found to be inaccurate or incomplete.

Historical Context of Discrepancies in Police Reports

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Koscuiuszko bridgeA tragic multi-vehicle collision at the base of the Kosciuszko Bridge on November 21, 2024, claimed the life of a 75-year-old man and left seven others injured, including a 9-year-old girl. This devastating accident highlights the dangers posed by inclement weather, congested roadways, and potential driver negligence.

Details of the Kosciuszko Bridge Crash

The accident occurred on the Brooklyn-bound side of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) near Exit 34, at Meeker and Morgan Avenues, in Maspeth, Queens. Initial reports indicate that a 46-year-old driver operating a pickup truck rear-ended another vehicle, triggering a chain reaction involving four vehicles: a pickup truck, a green “boro taxi,” an SUV, and a sedan.

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construction workers must be protectedThe latest data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on November 8, 2023, offers a nuanced view of workplace safety trends in the construction industry. While the rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses among construction workers declined slightly, the raw number of injuries rose, highlighting both progress and areas needing improvement in jobsite safety.

Construction Accident Injury Rate Declines, But Total Injuries Increase

In 2023, the construction industry reported 2.3 nonfatal occupational injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, a modest drop from 2.4 in 2022. This improvement brought construction’s injury rate below the national average of 2.4 across all U.S. industries. However, the total number of reported nonfatal injuries and illnesses increased by 2.1%, climbing from 169,600 cases in 2022 to 173,200 in 2023.

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percentage of adverse events for patients undergoing surgeryRecent findings published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) have revealed alarming statistics about the safety of surgical care in hospitals. This extensive study, conducted across 11 U.S. hospitals, highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures to prevent adverse events during surgery. As medical malpractice attorneys, we understand the devastating impact such errors can have on patients and their families, especially when these adverse events are preventable.

Key Findings: Nearly 40% of Surgical Patients Experience Adverse Events

According to the study, adverse events were identified in 38% of patients admitted for surgery. Even more concerning, nearly 16% of these patients suffered major adverse events that resulted in significant harm, prolonged recovery, or even death. The study used a comprehensive review of medical records to assess over 1,000 patients, highlighting the severity and preventability of these adverse incidents.

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the shed before its collapseThe sidewalk shed collapse on 29th Street in Chelsea yesterday morning tragically underscores the dangers pedestrians face in New York City. According to recent updates from the Department of Buildings (DOB), the shed was struck by a box truck, causing the structure to collapse. The incident resulted in three injuries—one person critically injured with severe TBI and two others seriously hurt.

How Did This Accident Happen?

The DOB has now confirmed that a box truck collided with the sidewalk shed’s support beams, leading to its collapse. This revelation highlights the risks posed by vehicles operating in close proximity to construction sites and temporary structures. The crash occurred around 8:20 a.m., a time when many pedestrians were using the sidewalk. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying sound of the collapse, with nearby residents rushing to assist those trapped under the debris.