Email UsSadly the New York area has recently seen a number of high speed motor vehicle accidents in which drivers have seemingly lost control of their vehicle and careened off the road, striking innocent pedestrians. Pedestrian accidents have resulted in a number of fatalities and horrible motor vehicle accident injuries. A similar tragedy took place on April 23, 2013 when a driver repeatedly smashed into another vehicle driven by James Hart, and then drove up onto a Queens sidewalk and pinned an auto body shop worker to the front of the store, killing him. Two other workers were also struck and severely injured, one of whom may require the amputation of both legs due to the car collision.
Construction Accidents on the Increase in New York
In a previous post, we discussed the Texas construction industry and its practices that are detrimental to workers. In this post, we take a look at New York construction accidents. Are we really any safer than our neighbor to the South?
Falls At Construction Sites: The Senseless Killer
Workers falling from a roof, a scaffold or a ladder are a far too frequent occurrence and are a type of construction accident that can largely be avoided. According to OSHA, following three specific but important principles will eliminate many work related falls and, thus, reduce construction injuries and deaths. They are PLANNING, PROVIDING and TRAINING.
New Bike Laws for NYC: Sound Law or Government Going Too Far?
A new bicycle law aimed at making our streets safer is going into effect. Most people who walk the streets of New York City have had a close call with a commercial bicyclist, be it food delivery person or messenger. Block O'Toole & Murphy, a noted personal injury law firm, outlines the law below.
City and owners share blame for increase in crane accidents
The sight of cranes crowding the New York City skyline has become an all-too-familiar sight, and as the rate of crane accidents rises, so does the city's determination to cut the number of construction accidents. Numerous factors are cited in the rise of crane accidents, and as the pressure to investigate these cases of construction accidents rises, inspectors are resigning. This leaves the city handicapped in its efforts to ensure safety regulations are being followed by owners and operators. Those inspectors who do remain confess that they are overtaxed with inspections.Records show that the reduced number of inspectors have led to contractors being left to police themselves. The pressure on construction workers to finish on time and under budget puts a limit on the level of care that they are able to perform. Operators have had their licenses suspended for attempting to take shortcuts such as taking on twice the load that a crane is able to handle. Others are working on sites without the proper OSHA training.
Boating Accidents Can Prove Fatal
Boating accidents can be very dangerous and usually can be avoided if common-sense safety precautions are adhered to. Boating accidents, like the one detailed below on the website cbslocal.com, tend to crop up as the weather improves. It is imperative that captains or operators of small and large vessels keep certain safety provisions in mind so that innocent victims avoid tragic consequences.
Lead at Construction Site Violates Workplace Safety Rules
OSHA has fined an upstate New York development company Ellicott Development Co. for exposing employees to lead and fall hazards at a Buffalo worksite. The fine is a total of $44,000 for a variety of workplace safety violations at a demolition site at 2017 Clinton Street. The violations were discovered when OSHA inspected the site in response to a December complaint. OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is charged with monitoring workplace safety at most workplaces throughout the United States, including construction sites.
Crosswalk won't prevent pedestrian accidents
Just because you are a law-abiding pedestrian who always uses the crosswalk and never jaywalks, don't think you are immune from being hit by a motor vehicle. It turns out that victims of pedestrian accidents are most often struck while legally crossing the street in a sidewalk.
Prevent medical malpractice -- Be your own advocate, Part 2
In our previous blog, we reviewed some statistics regarding the extent of preventable medical errors in the U.S. hospital industry. In this post, we list some of the steps patients can take to protect themselves from the consequences of medical malpractice while in the hospital.
Bike and pedestrian accidents happen in New York despite city efforts
Everyone knows that people in New York City walk, and if they don't walk, they take public transit or bike to work. Despite this, New York is not a very friendly city for walkers and bikers, and motor vehicle accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians happen almost daily.
Prevent medical malpractice -- Be your own advocate, Part 1
If four fully-loaded jumbo jets crashed each week, the number of fatalities would be equal to deaths from preventable medical malpractice. If the aviation industry had this kind of track record, the flying public would be up in arms. Although hospitals and doctors talk about fixing the problem of preventable medical errors, going to the hospital is still a very risky business.
Fewer work hours could increase physician errors
Conventional wisdom dictates that fewer hours on the job for a physician means fewer errors because of less stress and more rest. A recent survey of health care providers, however, has reached the startling conclusion that the opposite may be true. Fewer work hours for hospital residents has led to more medical mistakes and more surgical errors.
Pedestrian Accidents: Becoming a Deadly Trend
Pedestrians are being repeatedly victimized in serious accidents in New York. The tragic stories of pedestrian accident victims continue to fill the news headlines. On Wednesday, a man was fatally struck and dragged by a tractor-trailer while he was crossing the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues in Brooklyn. On Monday, two men were killed in a hit-and-run accident on the Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx. On Saturday evening, a mother and her toddler were critically injured when a car ran up on a sidewalk and struck them at the Brooklyn bus stop where they were standing; there were several other victims injured in the collision. Early Saturday morning, a 26-year-old man was critically injured when he was struck by a car in Uniondale. What is going on here? A Department of Transportation report on pedestrian safety revealed that pedestrians account for more than half of traffic fatalities in New York City. And a recent study by the NYU Langone Medical Center reveals that pedestrians struck by cars are most often hit while in the crosswalk, with the signal on their side. In response to horrific injuries and high fatalities for pedestrian victims in motor vehicle accidents, there have been calls for more red light and speed cameras and other traffic controls and designs aimed to slow traffic and make the streets safer to walk. Despite efforts thus far, the tragic pedestrian accidents continue to occur - - and occur far too frequently. The aftermath of such horrifying accidents is devastating, painful and frustrating to pedestrian accident victims and their families. Contacting an experienced attorney early on helps protect victims' rights and their future. The serious accident lawyers at Block O'Toole & Murphy have unparalleled experience and expertise in pedestrian accidents. The trial lawyers at Block O'Toole & Murphy work hard to protect pedestrian accident victims and have the track record of verdicts and settlements to prove it. Our results for pedestrian accident victims include a $32,756,156 verdict, a $15,500,000 settlement and a $12,000,000 settlement. Block O'Toole & Murphy works not only to maximize our clients' recovery under the law but to bring comfort, support and relief to their sad stories. And our clients appreciate the care, attention, sensitivity and earnestness we bring to their cases. The lawyers at Block O'Toole & Murphy, LLP are available for a free consultation at (212) 736-5300. You can also learn more about the firm by visiting the firm's website at blockotoole.com.
Early C-section may cause complications, possible birth injury
One of every three children is delivered via Cesarean section in the United States today, making a C-section one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the country. Lately, there has been a growing trend of C-section deliveries performed earlier than at the recommended birthing time. Many people do not understand that this procedure could result in a birth injury and possibly cause irreparable damage to both the child and the mother.
