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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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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car-accident-scene-in-Manhattan-scaledAs car accident attorneys in New York City, it’s heartbreaking to witness the increasing frequency of deadly accidents on our streets. Over the past few days, our city has been struck by multiple tragic incidents, highlighting the urgent need for improved traffic safety measures.

Harlem Tragedy: A Family’s Worst Nightmare

On Thursday evening, a devastating crash in Harlem claimed the life of three-year-old Jaynelyse Valdez and injured her two younger brothers and mother. The family was crossing Malcolm X Boulevard with the walk sign when a 40-year-old driver, turning left onto W. 135th Street, struck them. Despite efforts to rush Jaynelyse to NYC Health and Hospitals/Harlem, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Her two-year-old and four-month-old brothers, along with their mother, sustained minor injuries.

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The headquarter of Philips in AmsterdamIn the ever-evolving landscape of medical technology, the recent recalls by Philips underscore the critical importance of product safety and the potential consequences when things go wrong. As product liability lawyers, these incidents highlight the vital role of legal oversight in safeguarding patient welfare.

Philips Recall of MRI Coils: A Closer Look

On July 9, 2024, Philips announced the recall of several models of Sense XL Torso coils used in MRI scanners, following reports of overheating and subsequent burns to patients. This recall, affecting over 1,000 devices worldwide, has been classified as a Class I event by the FDA, indicating the most severe risk level. The core issue lies in the coils heating up excessively during MRI scans, leading to serious injuries, including twelve reported cases of burns. Although no deaths have been reported, the potential for severe harm necessitates immediate action.

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Corlears-Hook-park-where-the-deadly-car-accint-occured-e1720473719458On the evening of July 4th, a tragic incident unfolded at Corlears Hook Park on the Lower East Side when Daniel Hyden, 44, allegedly drove his gray Ford F-150 into a crowd of people. The crash resulted in the deaths of Lucille Pinkney, 59, her son Hernan Pinkney, 38, and 43-year-old Ana Morel. Eight others were injured in the incident. According to reports, Hyden was driving under the influence of alcohol. He admitted to having a few drinks but refused a breathalyzer test. Additionally, Hyden’s driving privileges had been suspended due to his failure to answer four prior summonses.

Legal Perspective: What the Victims’ Families Can Do

In the wake of such a devastating event, the families of the victims are understandably seeking justice and compensation for their immense loss. Here are some legal avenues they can explore:

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US_Supreme_CourtIn a pivotal decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the Chevron deference doctrine, fundamentally altering the landscape of federal agency authority. This 6-3 ruling in the case of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo is set to have far-reaching consequences across various sectors, including personal injury law.

Understanding Chevron Deference

Chevron deference, established in the 1984 case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., mandated that courts defer to a federal agency’s interpretation of ambiguous statutes it administers, provided the interpretation is reasonable. This principle has played a critical role in how agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforce regulations.

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Pool owners have legal responsibility to make their pool safeIn an alarming span of just 24 hours, three separate drowning incidents occurred in backyard pools across Long Island, leaving communities in East Meadow, Wyandanch, and East Northport reeling from the loss. As personal injury attorneys, these tragic events underscore the critical importance of pool safety and the legal implications that often follow such devastating accidents.

The Heartbreaking Incidents

On Thursday afternoon, first responders were summoned to a home on Second Avenue in East Meadow after a 7-year-old boy was found unresponsive in a backyard pool. Despite swift transport to a nearby hospital, the young boy was tragically pronounced dead. The sorrow and shock felt by the family and community are immeasurable.

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schoolbus1The recent tragedy in Mamaroneck, New York, where a young kindergarten student and his mother were fatally struck by a school bus while walking to school, has left our community in shock and mourning.

As school bus accident attorneys, we are deeply familiar with the complexities and dire consequences of such tragic events. The details of this particular incident are heart-wrenching: a 6-year-old boy and his 43-year-old mother, just half a block away from Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary School, were hit by a school bus as they rightfully crossed the street at a designated crosswalk. Despite the walk sign being on, the bus, carrying several students and an aide, turned left and tragically struck the pedestrians.

The young boy was pronounced dead at the scene, and his mother succumbed to her injuries after being rushed to the hospital. This loss is not just a statistic; it represents a significant and irreplaceable loss to their family and our community.

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New York City aging buildings at risk of collapseIn a monumental move to safeguard New York City’s residents, the City Council has passed a bill mandating proactive inspections for residential buildings based on their structural risks. As building collapse attorneys in New York City, this development is not only welcome but long overdue. The city’s new initiative promises to prevent tragedies by identifying potential hazards before they become catastrophic failures.

A Shift from Reactive to Proactive

Historically, New York City’s approach to building safety has been largely reactive, relying on complaints and reports of visible damage before taking action. This method has proven insufficient, as evidenced by recent incidents of structural collapses that have caused significant disruption and loss.

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John Adams High School where sexual abuse occuredAs New York City grapples with an alarming increase in sexual misconduct complaints within its public school system, the capacity to investigate these claims is severely hampered by budget constraints and staff shortages. The Special Commissioner of Investigation, tasked with overseeing complaints against Education Department employees and contractors, faces unprecedented challenges. This is where the expertise of specialized legal representation becomes indispensable.

A Surge in Complaints, a Decline in Investigations

The Special Commissioner of Investigation received over 10,260 complaints last year, a record high compared to the 9,630 complaints in 2019. Yet, despite this increase, the number of investigations has drastically decreased. In 2023, the agency conducted less than half the investigations it performed in 2015, despite nearly double the number of complaints. This sharp decline underscores the growing strain on the office’s ability to manage its caseload.

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drunk drivingIn a poignant day of justice and sorrow, two separate cases of drunk driving that resulted in five tragic deaths saw the perpetrators sentenced in Nassau County. The courtrooms were filled with emotional outpourings from grieving families, marking the end of a painful chapter but also a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence.

Case One: High-Speed Tragedy in Laurel Hollow

Sotirios Spanos, 33, was sentenced to seven to 21 years in prison for his reckless actions last August that claimed the lives of Ismenia and Odalis Urena, a young married couple. Spanos, intoxicated and speeding at nearly 100 mph, lost control on Northern Boulevard, crossing the yellow line and colliding with the couple’s Ferrari convertible.