June 19, 2009

Fatal New York Work Site Accident

A 35-year-old worker was killed in a New York on-the-job accident. According to a WBNG news report, Shawn Brown was working on the body of a large recycling truck when the truck bed released and pinned him against the vehicle frame. Brown was located by a co-worker who contacted emergency personnel. Brown was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The New York State Police as well as the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating this work site accident, which occurred at Burt Adams Disposal in Chenango Bridge, New York.

Work site accidents such as construction site accidents and industrial accidents are devastating not only for the injured workers, but also for their families. In many cases, families struggle and face extraordinary financial crises because they lose their primary wage earner to a workplace accident. The sad fact about these workplace accidents in New York is that they can often be prevented.

Workers in New York are entitled to state workers compensation benefits. However, these are terribly inadequate and are hardly enough to cover medical expenses in the case of a major injury or loss of wages where the sole breadwinner has died. Injured victims and families in such situations would be well-advised to contact experienced New York workers compensation attorneys who can help with their workers compensation claims. In cases where a third party such as a contractor, sub-contractor or a defective product manufacturer is involved, additional claims may be filed against negligent parties as well. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a New York work-related accident, please call Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free and comprehensive consultation.

June 17, 2009

Greyhound Bus Accident Injures Six

Six people were hurt in a bus accident in Robinson, Pennsylvania after a sport utility vehicle crashed into a Greyhound bus which was traveling from New York City to St. Louis. Police said the auto accident occurred on the southbound ramp to the Interstate 79 near the parkway in Robinson. According to this news report, driver of the SUV, 26-year-old Michael Kuzo, was reportedly speeding when he rear-ended the Greyhound bus. The SUV then spun out of control and rolled over several times. Kuzo was extricated from the vehicle and is in the hospital with critical injuries. The bus was carrying 55 passengers. Five passengers were treated for injuries at local hospitals.

Taking the bus is a way of life for New Yorkers. Be it a bus, taxi or the subway, public transportation is something we use everyday to get to work, school, social events and other destinations. In some cases, bus accidents are caused by other motorists. But in many cases, bus accidents occur because of driver negligence, an impaired driver, lack of proper bus maintenance or a product defect.

It takes experienced New York bus accident lawyers to look into all aspects of an auto accident and determine the facts to discover whether someone's negligence or recklessness caused the accident and the resulting injuries. If you have been injured by someone else's negligence, you deserve to get fair compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings and other related damages. If you have been seriously injured in a New York bus accident, please call the New York personal injury attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free and comprehensive consultation.

June 15, 2009

Fatal Queens Car Accident Claims Three Lives

Three people have died in a Queens car accident after the driver lost control of his car and struck a concrete barrier, the New York Post reports in a story. New York City police officials say the driver of the 1993 Volvo lost control of his vehicle and crashed. No other vehicle was involved. The victims' names were not available, but police say the driver was 26 years old and the two other victims, also men, were 27. The fatal auto accident occurred at the corner of 48th Street and Laurel Hill Road.

Auto accidents occur for many reasons. Some auto accidents in New York are caused by careless drivers who either driver recklessly or negligently. This could include drivers who are speeding, running red lights or operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Some fall victim to other negligent drivers on the road. In some cases, auto accidents are caused because of a dangerous roadway or intersection and in other cases they are caused by product defects in the vehicle.

Depending on who or what caused the auto accident, experienced New York auto accident lawyers may be able to file a claim on your behalf to seek fair compensation for your injuries, damages and loss. In cases where another individual has been negligent or there was wrongdoing on the part of another person or entity, New York personal injury lawyers may be able to file wrongful death claims on behalf of deceased victims' families. Such claims compensate victims' families for medical and/or funeral expenses, loss of wages, loss of companionship and other related damages.

June 12, 2009

New York City Construction Accident Injures Worker

An ironworker, who was working at the Sept. 11 memorial construction site was hospitalized with hip and arm injuries after a construction accident in New York when he slipped and fell 20 feet. According to this news report, Guido Castro was on a break when he slipped on metal decking on the construction site and fell down one level. The worker was apparently wearing a safety harness, but it was not hooked because he was on a break. Castro sustained serious injuries.

Construction accidents mostly result in catastrophic injuries or death because most of them involve falls from a higher elevation. Injuries include brain injuries, broken bones and paralysis. In most of these cases, workers are unable to return to work permanently or for an extended period of time, putting them and their families under tremendous financial strain.

The skilled New York personal injury attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro will be able to investigate these construction accidents and determine who should be held responsible. Often, these construction site accidents occur because someone was negligent or did not follow mandated safety procedures. In many cases, the negligence could be on the part of someone other than the worker's employer. In such cases, claims may be filed against these negligent parties in addition to workers compensation claims.

Workers and their families may be able to receive more compensation to offset medical bills and other expenses they face during such hard times. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a construction accident, please contact the experienced NY construction accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free and comprehensive consultation.

June 10, 2009

New York Motorcycle Accident Leaves Two Dead

Two people died in a New York motorcycle accident following a collision with another vehicle. According to this CBS News report, Robert Williams Jr. and his passenger Sherry Moulton died in the fatal motorcycle crash. They were both 40 years old. Williams was reportedly driving a 2007 Harley Davidson when he passed a dump truck and then crashed into a car, which was making a left turn into the driveway. Williams and Moulton were thrown off the motorcycle and suffered fatal injuries.The driver of the car, who has not been identified, and his passenger sustained minor injuries.

Serious auto accidents have a devastating impact on the injured victims as well as their families. When you are injured in an auto accident in New York, the first step is to make sure you get proper medical care and attention. Once you have taken care of yourself, it would be in your best interest to contact experienced New York car accident lawyers, especially if you believe that you or a loved one was injured by a negligent driver.

Who is a negligent driver? Such a motorist could include someone who is speeding, running a red light, breaking traffic regulations, driving recklessly without any regard for public safety, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In such cases, it is most important that you consult with skilled NY personal injury attorneys who will help protect your rights and make sure you get the compensation and justice you rightfully deserve. Injured in an auto accident? Please contact Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro today to schedule your free consultation and case evaluation.

June 8, 2009

Long Island Wal-Mart Faces Fine in Worker's Death

The death of a Wal-Mart employee who was crushed to death by “Day after Thanksgiving” shoppers could have been prevented had Wal-Mart taken the necessary safety precautions, federal officials said. According to an Associated Press news report, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and health Administration (OSHA) is slapping a $7,000 fine on the nation's largest retailer for inadequate crowd management after the wrongful death in Long Island of Jdimytai Damour.

Federal officials who are issuing the citation said effective planning and crowd management could have prevented this fatal New York on the job injury. Wal-Mart has 15 days to respond to the allegations. OSHA is imposing the maximum allowable fine of $7,000 on Wal-Mart. The agency usually issues such serious citations when "death or physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known."

Employers in New York State have the duty to provide their employees with a safe and secure work environment. In some cases, work-related injuries are caused by third parties – those other than the employers. Experienced Long Island workplace injury attorneys can help injured workers and their families commence lawsuits against these third parties. These types of claims are usually worth a lot more to injured workers and their families than New York workers compensation benefits. In such claims, additional damages such as pain and suffering, loss of wages, and medical expenses can be claimed, in addition to workers compensation benefits. For more information about your legal rights and options, please contact Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation.

June 5, 2009

New York Truck Accident Leaves One Dead, Two Injured

One man died and two others were injured in a car versus truck accident in New York State. According to this news report, 37-year-old Roberto A. Vasquez was driving a tractor-trailer rig north on Route 60 in he town of Charlotte when a southbound GMC Envoy crossed into the northbound lane directly into Vasquez's path. Donald F. Lines, 65, the driver of the Envoy was killed and his wife, 69-year-old Georgianna E. Lines, was seriously injured in the crash. Vasquez apparently tried to take evasive action, but the GMC hit the nig rig and came to rest on the west shoulder of the roadway, New York State Police officials said. Lines was pronounced dead at the scene while his wife suffered head injuries. Vasquez sustained neck and back injuries in the NY auto accident.

According to the Department of Transportation statistics, there were 3,206 large truck accidents in New York State in 2007 involving both fatal and non-fatal big rig accidents, a significant increase from 2,874 truck accidents in 2006. Some of these truck accidents are caused by truck drivers while others are caused by drivers of passenger vehicles.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New York truck accident, it would be in your best interest to contact New York's skilled truck accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation and case evaluation. We will thoroughly analyze the facts of the case, determine whose fault the accident was and make sure the negligent parties are held accountable and you get fair compensation for your injuries, damages and loss.

June 3, 2009

Staten Island Pedestrian Accident Causes Critical Injuries

A Staten Island pedestrian accident inflicted critical injures on a newspaper delivery man after he was struck near the intersection of Arthur Kill Road and Wood Avenue in Tottenville. According to this news report, Arthur Santos, 42, was seriously hurt while completing his route on the Staten Island street. Santos was hit by a Nissan Maxima while crossing the street. Police said the 19-year-old driver was going at about the 30 mph speed limit. He has not been charged or arrested pending an investigation. Santos has been taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

Each day in New York and in the United States, innocent pedestrians are injured by reckless or negligent motorists. Very often, it is the pedestrian who suffers catastrophic injuries as a result of the collision, not the motorist who strikes the pedestrian. The effects on injured pedestrians can be quite serious including broken bones, paralysis, brain injury, spinal cord injuries or death. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Staten Island pedestrian accident, please contact a skilled Staten Island personal injury attorney to find out more information about your legal rights and options.

According to 2002 pedestrian accident statistics, more than 4,800 pedestrians were killed and 71,000 pedestrians suffered injuries in traffic accidents. Every 7 minutes, a pedestrian was injured in a traffic accident. Experienced New York car accident lawyers can help analyze all aspects of the case and make sure that the negligent parties are identified and held accountable for the pedestrian accident. Please call Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation to discuss your pedestrian accident or auto accident case today.

June 1, 2009

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settled Against New York City Hospital

The family of a woman who died on a hospital floor struggling to get up while staffers ignored her, has settled a New York wrongful death lawsuit against New York City for $2 million, according to this news report in the Insurance Journal. Esmin Green's death was recorded on a hospitals security video. Green, a 49-year-old psychiatric patient, was apparently waiting for 24 hours at the city-owned Kings County Hospital when she collapsed on June 19, 2008. Green was on the floor for nearly an hour without anyone stopping to help her. She died from blood clots.

When you go to any hospital, it is your belief that you would get quality care and attention. However, very often, that does not happen. In many New York medical malpractice cases, negligence or wrongdoing on the part of medical practitioners – be it doctors, nurses, technicians or hospital staff – could result in serious injury or as it happened in this case, death.

In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing causes fatal personal injuries, families of deceased victims are able to file what are known as wrongful death claims. Such claims basically provide compensation to victims of those who have died because of someone else's negligence or wrongful actions. These claims generally compensate victims' families for pain and suffering, medical/funeral expenses, loss or earnings, loss of companionship, and emotional distress. If you have lost a loved one because of someone else's negligence or wrongdoing and would like to pursue your legal rights, please contact New York's skilled wrongful death attorneys at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation.