Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel, PLLC

Man Seriously Injured in Elevator Accident in New York City

2025-02-12T06:14:09Z

A man was left seriously injured after a terrifying elevator accident in Manhattan in June of last year. The victim, a 46-year-old employee at the parking garage in which the accident occurred, was on the job at around 8:30 on the morning of June 11^th when he somehow became “caught up” in between floors while operating the elevator. NYFD arrived to find him pinned from the waist down. To make matters worse, there was a vehicle resting partially on top of the elevator car at the time. Responders were able to extricate the man by cutting away a portion of the elevator and lowering him by hand to the ground floor. EMS crews rushed the victim to a nearby hospital. He was, apparently suffering from a leg injury and is still recovering from his injuries. The man was fortunate in that his injuries were not immediately life-threatening. Similar elevator accidents in New York City have resulted in amputations and fatal crushing incidents. As this was a workplace injury, presumably, there will investigations by the Department of Buildings and OSHA. If it is discovered that proper safety procedures were not followed during loading or operation of the elevator, or that the elevator was unsafe to use due to improper maintenance, the owner and operators of the building and parking garage will have to answer. Regardless, the injured individual can seek compensation from any party deemed at fault for the accident or contributing to the accident. An injured party in such an accident can seek to recover compensation for pain and suffering for the injuries incurred in the accident, unpaid medical and health related expenses and lost wages for the time out of work which many times can stretch well into the future. If you’ve been injured in a commercial, residential, or industrial elevator, you need an experienced elevator accident lawyer in New York City working for you. Call The [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] at 800-734-9338 or [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] for your free consultation today.

Tragic Bicycle Accident on Long Island Claims Life of Child

2025-02-12T07:12:54Z

It’s no secret that there are a shocking number of bicycle accidents in New York City every year. However, most of those involve adult riders being struck. One sad accident last year claimed the life of an eleven-year-old boy. The child was riding his bicycle along a portion of Town Line Road in the Village of Sagaponack on Long Island when he was struck by a pickup truck backing out of a construction site. EMTs were summoned and arrived within minutes. They rushed the victim to a nearby hospital but doctors couldn’t save him. He passed away shortly after arrival. The driver of the pickup stayed at the scene of the accident and cooperated with police investigators. It’s unclear where exactly the boy was struck (the street, the sidewalk, within the jobsite) but in the eyes of the law, it doesn’t matter much. Drivers, under New York traffic laws have what is described as a “duty of care” to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists. Part of that responsibility is yielding to pedestrians and bicyclists and being aware of your surroundings. While this case seems like a tragic accident without any malice, the victim’s parents or guardian could potentially sue for financial compensation associated with the loss of their loved one. Such a claim would help them pay for unpaid medical expenses, funeral costs, and pain and suffering for time the boy survived after the accident. Many people see lawsuits as a punitive measure, however, in accident cases like this, such personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits are more about helping the victim’s family recover unpaid medical and funeral expenses and as the law permits obtaining a rightful recovery for the boy’s pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured while riding in NYC, you need an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in New York fighting for you. Call The [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] at 800-734-9338 or [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] for your free consultation today.

Tragic Crosswalk Accident in Staten Island Kills Toddler

2022-07-22T14:36:19Z

A fatal pedestrian accident in New York City left a young mother seriously injured and grieving after claiming the life of her young child. The toddler—just one-year-old, was killed by a reckless driver in a Jeep on May 26 as she was being led across the street by her mother. The pair were in a marked crosswalk and had the right of way. The collision happened at around 7 in the morning along Abbot Street in the Rosebank neighborhood of Staten Island. The Jeep, operated by a 40-year-old, stopped and stayed at the scene but there was nothing anyone could do. EMTs rushed the victims to nearby Staten Island North Hospital but the child was declared deceased shortly thereafter. The mother was treated for injuries to her leg and released. The driver of the car involved in the crash was later charged with multiple criminal offenses including failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care. The driver allegedly admitted to the officers investigating this tragic crosswalk accident in New York that she was in a hurry and “late for work.” This fatal pedestrian accident marked the 10^th traffic-related death of a child under the age of 18 in 2022 and the 88^th traffic fatality this year. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for drivers involved in pedestrian accidents in New York City to claim they were in a hurry, distracted, or had their attention pulled away from the street around them immediately prior to a pedestrian collision. The victims of these accidents can bring claims for pain and suffering, lost time from work and unpaid medical expenses. The hard part comes when the injured victims find out there is not enough insurance to compensate them for their injuries. This when the injured victims really need an experienced and competent attorney. This attorney will know the law and where to find the excess insurance. If you’ve been injured, speak with an experienced New York City crosswalk accident attorney today. Call the [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] at 800-734-9338 or [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] for your free consultation.

NBC News Correspondent Recovering from Bicycle Accident in New York City

2022-06-29T19:39:34Z

A well-known news broadcaster took to television recently to highlight her long recovery from a terrifying bicycle accident in New York City this past April. At the beginning of the Covid Pandemic, she took up cycling—complete with a high-end bike including a helmet and other professional-grade equipment. However, she hit a pothole in the street near her home and left her hampered for weeks and with permanent scars. The crash occurred during a 65-mile long group ride. As she came down a hill just eight miles into the ride, she hit a hole in the asphalt that tore her tire, bent her wheel, pulled the handlebars out of her hands, and threw her to the pavement. In the aftermath of the crash, besides her bike being a mangled mess, she was bleeding and suffering from broken bones. Emergency crews were called. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors stopped the bleeding and set her broken bones. The doctors credit her bicycle helmet with potentially saving her life—its hard outer shell cracked and the soft inner lining crushed. It’s clear that the pothole caused the crash. However, victims of accidents caused by defects in the City streets often aren’t able to hold the City responsible. Only if the City of New York, Department of Transportation (who is responsible for maintaining the streets) was notified of the defect in writing and then failed to repair it within 15 days, can injured accident victims hold the City responsible for the accident and ensuing injuries. On the other hand, If the defect was on a privately maintained or owned stretch of road or pathway, written notice to the property owner would not be required. Navigating through the complex laws governing accidents on public streets is not an easy task. If you’ve been injured by a poorly maintained, unsafe roadway while riding, you will need the help of an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in New York City to get the compensation you deserve. Call the [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] at 800-734-9338 or [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] today.

Fatal Truck Accident in New York Claims Life of Young Man

2022-06-24T14:43:45Z

Tragedy struck late last month when the son of a NYPD officer was killed in a fatal truck accident in New York. The crash occurred at around 7:30 in the morning on April 19th. The victim was driving a smaller vehicle when it collided with a fully-loaded truck. Both the truck and the car suffered severe damage and both operators and a passenger in the truck were injured. When EMTs arrived at the scene, they found the young man in critical condition and rushed him to a nearby hospital. He was declared dead shortly after arrival. The individuals in the truck were treated and released. Such truck accidents in New York City often end in tragedy as these vehicles become high-speed wrecking balls. With so much mass behind them, these trucks often cannot stop in time to avoid a collision. When they don’t and smash into other vehicles, they cause tremendous damage—seriously injuring or sometimes killing the drivers and passengers. Investigators closed had road as they re-created the accident. Such re-creations are important for determining liability and criminality. While police investigators are concerned with whether either operator broke the law, victims or their surviving family members also have a vested interest in their determination. Regardless of the outcome of a police investigation which may be inconclusive, enlisting the help of an experienced New York City truck accident attorney is the next important step. Experienced attorneys have investigators and experts to gather the important evidence such as witness names and statements and to reconstruct the accident to demonstrate who was really at fault. This is especially critical in a death case and where the injured victim has become disabled and cannot work. In such cases, not only will there be a claim for pain and suffering, there will also be a claim for the loss of income to the household for all the years the breadwinner cannot work. If you’ve been hurt by a reckless driver, call the [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] at 800-734-9338 or [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] for your free consultation today.

Elderly Man Injured in Pedestrian Accident in New York City Parking Lot

2022-06-21T16:53:01Z

An 89-year-old man was left in critical condition following a pedestrian accident in New York City late last month. The victim was walking in a parking lot located on 48^th Street in Long Island City when he was struck by an automobile. EMTs were summoned withing minutes of the collision. They found the man seriously injured at the accident site and rushed him to nearby Elmhurst Hospital.

The driver of the vehicle that stuck the man stayed at the scene of the collision and was reportedly cooperating with NYP investigators.

This type of pedestrian accident is not uncommon in New York City. Elderly individuals are much less suspecting of drivers not obeying traffic laws and are much more likely to be the victim of collisions whether these accidents occur in crosswalks, parking lots, driveways, and other areas that aren’t specifically in the street. Drivers tend to relax their guard and take fewer precautions as parking lots, driveways and the like are often less congested than roadways.

Unfortunately, elderly individuals are also more likely to suffer more severe, longer-lasting and more impactful injuries. Indeed, injuries suffered in pedestrian accidents in New York (especially head injuries) can sometimes turn fatal for older victims. One study (published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism) reported that elderly individuals are at a much higher risk of death from various complications after simply breaking a bone. That risk endures for up to 10 years. In addition, these older victims are far more likely to require rehospitalization after they’re released.

Fortunately, no-fault benefits (from the automobile’s insurance company) are available to pay for hospital and medical treatment. This is separate from the claim for pain and suffering that the injured pedestrian can bring against the driver and owner of the automobile.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a careless driver, speak with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in New York City to get the expert legal help you will need. Call [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] at 800-734-9338 or [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] for your free consultation today.

Underground Explosion in New York City Sets Off Panic in Times Square

2022-06-21T13:21:49Z

You might not think about the manholes you walk past everyday in NYC but in early April Times Square turned into a free-for-all as a series of underground explosions in New York City sent pedestrians and motorists hurrying for safety. Late in the afternoon of April 10^th, several underground fires broke out in the Times Square are of Manhattan causing multiple explosions and manhole fires along W 43^rd Street between 7^th and 8^th Avenues. The loud booms caused panic and sent pedestrians and tourists running for safety. The FDNY responded within minutes and extinguished the fires. The NYPD was also deployed to calm and control the frantic crowd. Manhole fires are not as rare as you might think—they just aren’t covered by the media as often as other types of accidents in New York City. In fact, even though explosions of this sort don’t occur often, there were over 6,000 manhole fires reported in 2020 alone. That’s a massive jump over previous years according to official reports released by the mayor’s office. These types of fires often occur when explosive gas builds up in the underground service conduits accessed by manholes. Usually, an electrical fault causes a spark that ignites those gasses. Sometimes the force of the explosion is large enough to actually catapult those manhole covers—which weigh hundreds of pounds each—through the air. Previous underground explosions in New York City have resulted in manholes slicing through automobiles or crushing the hoods of cars. There were no reports of such potentially deadly flying steel discs this time but the randomness of this most recent underground explosion in New York just goes to show how quickly a normal day in the city can turn into potentially life-threatening chaos. If you’ve been injured by a utility fire or gas build up in the city, you need a New York City attorney experienced in underground explosions on your side. Call [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] at 800-734-9338 or [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] for your free consultation with a personal injury professional.

Shocking Number of Fatal Construction Worker Deaths in New York City Spurs Movement

2022-06-21T16:54:57Z

Responding to the unacceptable number of deadly construction worker accidents in New York City, a group of workers organized to protest unsafe job conditions in what advocates have named “Fallen Worker Day.” Last year, nine workers were killed in fatal accidents in New York City ranging from falls to crushing accidents. Many of those victims were Hispanic immigrants—which make up a disproportionate percentage of employees and day laborers in the construction industry. In response, dozens of workers rallied late last month to protest.

The gathering was a local iteration of a national day of mourning and recognition that began as a way for the very people at risk—construction workers—to shine a light on unsafe conditions everywhere. The protest was designed to advocate for more safety training, more accessible safety equipment, and more safety oversight at job sites nationwide. Rallying under the slogan that “no worker is disposable,” the group has expanded to include delivery workers as well. Those individuals, according to new data from a research project conducted in conjunction with Cornell Labor Institute, are extremely vulnerable with 50% of those surveyed having been injured while on the job. Worse yet, 75% of those injured had to pay for medical treatment themselves.

New York City has already begun to crack down on unsafe workplaces under Local Law 196—passed in 2017. In 2021 it began requiring all workers at construction sites to have undergone specific safety training and hold “SST” training cards before they’re allowed to be hired.

However, even though workers must now pass basic safety training, employers are still expected to provide additional specialized training and proper equipment to help prevent injuries and deaths.

If you or a loved one has been injured while working on a construction site in the city, speak with an experienced construction accident lawyer in New York City who is fully knowledgeable with the specialized laws in New York State with regard to safety on construction sites. Call [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] at 800-734-9338 or [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] for your free consultation.

Fatal Train Accident Claims Life of Renowned Writer

2022-06-13T14:42:13Z

A well-known journalist and writer was killed in a terrifying train accident earlier last month. His death has sent shockwaves across the news media and even as high as former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The victim in this particular train accident, 57-year-old Eric Boehlert, has been called “defender of truth” by friends and acquaintances. He was riding his bicycle on the evening of April 4^th near his home when he was struck by a commuter train. It’s unclear exactly how the bicyclist and the train collided but reports from the accident site state that the victim was killed instantly. An investigation was immediately launched into this bicycle fatality but details, so far, have been scarce. It’s uncommon for pedestrians and bicyclists to be struck by trains at crossings here in New York City but not unheard of. However, it is more common for commuters to be injured at subway stations here in New York City. In fact, collisions involving commuters on station platforms have become so common that public pressure is continuously growing on the MTA to put safeguards such as barriers and sliding doors in place at stations to protect New Yorkers from these fast-moving hazards. Such cases involving bodily injury or death often result in personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits against the municipal agencies in charge of mass transit. These lawsuits are the only way victims and their surviving family members can get financial compensation for their losses and the support they would have had during the lifetime of the deceased. However, the Transit Authority and the City of New York vigorously defend these lawsuits and only at trial can victims be assured that they will get the fair and adequate compensation they are entitled to. If you’ve been injured in any sort of train/subway accident in the city, you need the expert assistance of a serious subway accident attorney in New York City. Call the legal professionals at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel, PLLC, PLLC at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation and get the help you need today.

Fatal Pedestrian Accident in New York City Caused by Police Van

2022-06-01T18:09:44Z

A man was struck and killed by an NYPD van in a fatal pedestrian accident in New York City earlier this month. The victim, a 53-year-old man, was walking in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn on April 8th when he was struck by the van. He was declared deceased shortly after the collision. The driver of the NYPD transport van was delivering four prisoners from one location to the 77th Precinct at the time of the collision. In a sadly ironic twist on this terrible story, the Crown Heights neighborhood has historically been on the list of most dangerous neighborhoods for pedestrians in New York City for years. Despite several well-intentioned efforts by the mayor and safety advocates to make walking in Brooklyn safer, Crown Heights remains a hotspot for automobile accidents. Indeed, in just the first two months of this year alone the area has seen 15 pedestrians injured and 46 motor vehicle operators hurt. That’s far higher than the city’s overall average and much higher than the safest Borough in New York (Manhattan). So far in 2022, Brooklyn has the most traffic accidents in New York City—even knocking Queens out of the tops spot for the first time in years. The family of the deceased victim could potentially seek financial compensation from the driver of the van, the NYPD and the City of New York. The claim would be for pain and suffering for the time the victim survived after the accident and if employed, the amount of money the victim would have contributed to his household over his work-life expectancy. In addition, as a pedestrian, the victim would be entitled to no-fault benefits from the City of New York as owner of the vehicle which would pay for medical and funeral expenses. If you’ve been injured by a careless driver anywhere in the city, you need an experienced New York City pedestrian accident lawyer fighting for you. Call The Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel, PLLC at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation.