Category Archives:News

Welcome to the news from the New York Injury Lawyer blog. Here we present interesting and relevant news stories involving our areas of specialty, including personal injuries, slip and falls, medical malpractice and brain injury claims. Have an interesting injury story? Tell us.
February 28, 2017 News
0

Another pedestrian struck by tow truck on Long Island

New York – This is not the first time that a pedestrian accident involved a tow truck according to police. This latest tow truck accident occurred in Suffolk County and left the accident victim with serious injuries. The woman was crossing the street when she was suddenly hit by a truck, leaving her with multiple injuries. She was taken by ambulance to Huntington Hospital for emergency treatment, according to reports. Officials say that a similar tow truck crash versus a pedestrian occurred several months ago in Nassau County, Long Island. That collision in November killed the pedestrian woman. Of note, many tow truck operators complain that their job places them in a dangerous situation, exposed to dangerous or distracted drivers. This tow truck driver was injured at work when he was hit by a car while hooking up a disabled car. The worker in that case also died of his accident injuries. Authorities warn that everyone must maintain vigilance and safety when around a large truck such as this. Read more about the most recent tow truck collision here.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by David Shankbone [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

February 22, 2017 News
0

Drunk wrong-way driver causes accident on Long Island

New York – Police were called about a woman driving the wrong direction http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/northern-state-wrong-way-crash-caused-by-drunken-driver-cops-say-1.13068722 on the Wantagh State Parkway recently. Unfortunately, they were unable to stop the vehicle before she caused a car crash in a head-on collision with another car. The police investigators believe that the woman was driving while intoxicated, leading to her driving the wrong way onto the highway. The drunk driver was arrested and charged in causing the accident with injuries. The driver of the second car also suffered injuries, including a hand injury, in the accident and required treatment. Trauma specialists note that such an injury can include a broken bone, nerve damage and tendon or ligament wounds. They explain that an accident victim should seek emergency medical evaluation and treatment to prevent more serious complications. Accident reconstruction experts add that a head-on collision such as this can be even more significant, since the opposing forces can increase the severity and likelihood of injury. See this article http://patch.com/new-york/eastmeadow/nassau-woman-arrested-dwi-after-driving-wrong-direction-northern-state-causing for more about this drunk driving accident.

Illustrative Photo Credit: Rian Castillo [License]

January 29, 2017 News
0

New technology hopes to prevent birth injury

A healthcare instrument manufacturer has recently presented a new kind of scalpel to prevent birth injuries caused by a doctor during childbirth. The makers of this new surgical instrument say that it can prevent common accidental lacerations of the cheek, face and ear of the fetus as well as other body parts. Medical safety experts say that obstetrician doctors or residents often injure the infant while cutting through the mother’s tissues while working quickly to deliver the baby. Hospital errors can occur for various reasons. For example, unskilled physicians or fatigued staff sometimes have difficulty performing caesarean section surgeries under such time pressure. This can lead to permanent disability, wounds or even death of the baby. Patient safety can also be put at risk, leading to injury to the mother during such an intricate operation. The new medical device hopes to reduce the risk or such injuries and wrongful death. They also hope that the new safety blade design will prevent injury to the doctors and nurses involved in the surgery. Worker’s comp injuries involving hospital workers being hurt by needles, scalpels and other sharp instruments is a serious concern. Patient safety advocates explain that many medical safety devices are available to staff but some hospitals refuse to buy them due to high cost. However, they note that the high cost to a victim who suffers a medical malpractice injury must be taken into consideration. Many malpractice lawsuits, especially in cases of fetal injury, can be avoided with proper planning to avoid surgical error or a hospital mistake. Find out more about the new medical safety options here.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Credit: M C Morgan [License]

January 13, 2017 News
0

Train derailment in Brooklyn causes mass casualty incident

New York – Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) company officials confirm that there were over 100 injury victims from this week’s train accident. Reports show that the LIRR train derailed in Brooklyn during morning rush hour as it pulled into the station. Inspectors from the transportation and safety bureaus were unsure as to what caused the crash but they note that the train overran a stopping block. They explain that the bumper is there as a safety design to prevent accidents and collisions. However, it is unclear if the accident occurred due to speed, driver error, broken equipment from negligent maintenance or even human error. Emergency responders from the scene transported the crash victims to various hospitals with wide ranging injuries, including spinal injuries such as neck and back pain, head injury, dental injuries and suspected broken bones. Drug and alcohol testing was underway for the train engineer, according to officials with the National Transportation Safety Board. You can read more about this derailed train here.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Credit: Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York [License]

December 31, 2016 News
0

Defective part leads to Honda Odyssey car recall

A popular minivan has been recalled due to a faulty part that can lead to serious injury during a car accident. The defective parts involve the seat leavers for the middle row seats that often remain unlocked. This dangerous situation causes the seat to slide during a car crash, which can potentially cause severe injuries or even wrongful death, according to collision specialists. Concerned public safety advocates note that this minivan is often used by parents for children and carpool. They warn that such a hazardous condition puts kids at risk for more serious accident injuries, including dead injury, broken bones and abdominal injuries. Industry analysts explain that the Honda corporation has had to recall several cars from their fleet of vehicles due to dangerous damaged or deficient products. It is unclear if this latest product recall has been the cause of any injury or death. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, you can consult with a personal injury lawyer to find out your rights. You can read more about this minivan recall here.

Illustrative Photo Credit: Chris F [License]

December 15, 2016 News
0

Another pit bull dog attack leaves victim with devastating injuries

New York – This recent dog attack has left a young woman fighting for her life in a local hospital. Reports show that the woman was mauled by what appeared to be a pit bull dog sometime after midnight on a city street. It is unclear as to why the dog was outside without a leash, as is required by law to prevent just this type of assault. Police say that the owner was unable to stop the dog from continuing the attack and they were therefore forced to shoot and kill the dog. Meanwhile, the assault victim suffered horrific dog bites all over her body, including a severe arm injury. Hospital officials say that doctors were forced to amputate her injured arm in order to save her life. She continues to remain hospitalized after the arm amputation in very serious but stable condition. Police and investigators continue to look into the situation to determine if there was any dog owner negligence that created a dangerous situation to the public. A top New York injury attorney warns that the dog owner can face both criminal charges and a personal injury lawsuit in such a case. The owner of the dog was hit by a bullet during the incident but it is unclear whether this was from a police bullet that ricocheted or if the man was caught in the path of fire. Investigators are also looking into these details. Find out more about this pit bull dog mauling here.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo Credit: Gromkey Blackwind [License]

November 30, 2016 News
0

Baby strollers and carriers: Head injuries, traumatic brain injury and other hazards

Researchers looking at injuries caused by strollers and baby carriers have noted an increased number of children suffering a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI). They compared statistics of accident injuries from 1990 until 2010 and saw a marked increase in these diagnoses following head injury. However, it is still unclear whether the spike is related to more dangerous stroller design and manufacturing. An alternative theory is that it can be attributed to more parents bringing their children to a doctor or emergency room for evaluation of possible wounds or more astute diagnosis by doctors. Public safety advocates say that some parents may be more aware of more subtle injuries than they used to, driving them in larger numbers to seek evaluation and treatment for their baby. Some believe that increased public education on the seriousness of head injury and the long-term effects of cognitive function following a concussion (post-concussional disorder) may have led to these changing statistics. Whatever the cause, activists say that continued pressure on manufacturers and government regulatory agencies is necessary to continue to improve child safety, prevent dangerous or defective products from being sold and maintain product liability to prevent negligence. Dangerous product recalls are one way that industry and governmental bodies maintain responsibility and prevent injury or death. You can see more details about the recent baby stroller hazard study here.

Illustrative photo credit: Matthew Yglesias [License]

November 15, 2016 News
0

Two workers hit by a subway in Brooklyn train accident

New York — A Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) subway train accident injured one worker and killed a second victim in Brooklyn. The two transit workers were setting up warning lights to warn subway traffic into the Fort Hamilton station that construction and repair work was underway. The MTA uses these warning lights to signal train operators to slow down or stop. This safety system apparently failed when the workmen we struck by the train as it rounded a bend in the track. One of the MTA employees was injured in the work accident and taken to the hospital for care. However, the other laborer was killed in the train crash after suffering extensive and fatal injuries.

Investigators are looking into the cause of the collision to determine if any negligence may have caused the wrongful death. Union and work safety advocates note that more rigorous safety precautions are needed to protect workers as well as the public. They say that safety protocols must be reviewed and additional safety equipment should be issued to prevent future accidents or injury. Some have also pointed out that proper preventative maintenance is necessary to prevent an accident. Negligent maintenance has become an issue in many fast-paced workplace injuries according to specialists. To find out more about this workers comp injury please see this article.

Illustrative Photo Credit: Barry Pousman [License]

October 26, 2016 News
0

Horrific pedestrian accident with two child victims in Queens

New York – The driver of green Chevrolet car hit two child pedestrians as they crossed the street just two days ago. The accident victims were walking to school that morning when the car collided with them and caused severe injuries. The girls, only 13 years old, were thrown to the ground, with one of them suffering a serious head injury with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sadly, that girl died of the crash injuries while doctors feverously tried working on her in the emergency room. The other victim of the crash is being treated for a leg injury with possible broken bone or nerve damage. Local activists from the Ozone Park community have expressed their outrage about this accident with injuries and wrongful death. They say that better street signs, traffic signals and crossing guards are needed to prevent more collisions, injuries and deaths. They demand that the city council take immediate action to ensure the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers alike. Some have asked why it has to come to this, with a serious accident and someone getting killed before the authorities take appropriate safety actions. Check out this article for up-to-date information about this fatal pedestrian accident.

Illustrative Photo Credit: COD Newsroom [License]

October 10, 2016 News
0

Long Island Railroad train accident injured tens of passengers

New York – This week’s train collision involved a passenger commuter train and a maintenance train. Long Island Railroad (LIRR) officials reported that there were approximately 600 passengers on the train at the time of the crash. The initial investigation reveals that the maintenance train got in the way of the commuter one as it was traveling on a nearby track. The closer-than-normal proximity of the 2 trains caused the train accident and led to the train derailment. As the trains collided and then derailed, victims were sent flying in all directions. Emergency responders reported that at least 33 accident victims were injured in the train crash. The injured people were extricated from the wreck and evacuated to area hospitals.

Commuter safety specialists and passengers alike have expressed their outrage. They complain that the train companies must tighten their safety standards to prevent such tragic accidents. They note that vehicles as large and fast as a train require the highest level of safety and accident prevention. Some have contended that safety enforcement has become too lax and has led to negligent maintenance of the equipment. They also warn that engineer drivers often speed and disregard safety directives. Many have pointed to the recent New Jersey train crash that killed one passenger and injured over 100 people on the train and in the train terminal. Federal investigators don’t believe there’s any relationship between these 2 incidents. However, public activists point to the overall environment of lax safety compliance as proof of a more systemic danger that has created a hazardous condition. You can see more about the recent train derailment with updates on the investigation here.

Illustrative photo credit: Metropolitan Transportation Authority of NY [License]