New York Personal Injury Law Blog

A doctor's errors can be life-threatening

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in medical malpractice on Friday, August 17, 2018.

There are times when you might go to the doctor with such vague and minor symptoms that you don't think there is anything serious going on. When this happens, you probably expect that the doctor will evaluate you, make a diagnosis and offer a treatment plan. This is what happens quite often, but there are some instances in which the case might stump the doctors at first. When this happens, you could be in for a long road to getting the appropriate diagnosis.

It is imperative that your doctor does get you an accurate diagnosis. The issue that comes into the picture in some of these cases is that the condition a person has might be more serious than what it seems. Sometimes, life-threatening conditions might seem like other conditions that aren't as severe. This is when the doctor's training needs to kick in so that they can diagnose the condition and you can start receiving treatment.

Construction hazards are a threat to New York pedestrians

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in construction workers' accidents on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.

When you're walking through the city, you often have to avoid construction. With so many homes and businesses, streets and a major park system in the Big Apple, it's no wonder that construction is almost always taking place.

The problem with construction is that it's a risk to people almost it as much as it's a risk to construction workers. For instance, if you are walking near a scaffold, it could collapse on you, or objects could fall from above and hit you on the head or back. This would likely lead to injuries, especially if the objects fall from high above.

Stopping slip and falls must be a primary concern

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in Premises Liability on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents can lead to serious injuries for the victims. It is imperative that all property owners, including government entities and commercial property owners, take steps to ensure that anyone who is on the property is safe from hazards that can lead to these mishaps.

Some hazards are universal. Others are specific to the type of site, such as a construction site. Here are some considerations for all outdoor spaces:

5 important vehicle recalls for consumers to check

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in product liability on Friday, August 10, 2018.

It seems as though there isn't any shortage of recalls in the news recently. From food and toys to vehicles, consumers have to be vigilant about everything they are using just because of the risk of a recall. There are several vehicle recalls that came out recently that drivers should be aware of.

Volkswagen Golf and Golf SportWagen models from 2015 to 2018 have been recalled due to the possibility of being able to remove the key from the ignition even if the vehicle isn't in park. The official notification won't start until Sept. 8.

Trucker fatigue can come from many different factors

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in truck accidents on Friday, August 3, 2018.

All drivers on the road should be sure that they are ready to drive. This means that they can't be fatigued and should be in good mental shape. The trouble is that many people don't realize that lack of sleep isn't the only thing that can lead to fatigued driving.

When a trucker is the one who is driving while fatigued, the situation can turn dire quickly. Accidents that crush smaller vehicles might occur. It is important to realize that some work conditions can cause fatigue.

Reminders to use caution with all products keep popping up

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in product liability on Friday, July 27, 2018.

The news has been full of recalls lately. Some of these that have to do with food are very scary. They are a stark reminder that you have to be careful with everything that you purchase these days. We understand that most people are naturally cautious, but even things that seem harmless and healthy might be impacted by recalls.

Keeping up with current recalls might seem like a real challenge because in the last few days, everything from cheese dip and tires to car seats and bicycle pedals have been the subjects of recalls. As you are making purchases, it is possible to check the lists and not see the items on there but then they show up later. We understand that this system isn't ideal but it is the best that we have right now.

What are some considerations of a car wreck settlement?

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in Car Accidents on Friday, July 20, 2018.

Car wrecks are serious matters that demand immediate attention. For some victims of these crashes, the need to seek compensation is pressing. Sometimes, it is possible that the victim will be able to work out a settlement with the defendant. This is often a faster option that will help the person to get the money they need sooner.

A settlement isn't immediate and the person who suffered the injury should be prepared to negotiate. It normally isn't advisable to accept the first offer that the person responsible for the crash makes. There are some important points to know about settlements in these cases.

Not all shopping trips are safe for customers, but they should be

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in Premises Liability on Friday, July 13, 2018.

People who go shopping expect to run in, grab what they need and go home. They don't think that something will happen to them while they are shopping. This is due, in part, to the fact that customers tend to put their trust in the stores they frequent.

Unfortunately, there are times when customers will suffer from injuries while they are at the store. One of the risks that many individuals face is wet floors. This is especially true when it is raining outside because people can bring the water in on their shoes. This creates a slip risk for them. Stores can combat this by using rugs or blowers, as well as using wet floor signs to warn customers.

Some construction injuries might require third party claims

By on Friday, July 6, 2018.

Unions are a hot topic in the construction industry in New York. Unionized workers believe that this collective group helps to keep them safe, but non-unionized workers seem to think that the record of unions isn't all that others make it out to be. While it is true that union job sites have been involved in fewer injuries in the past, there are many other things that can have a direct impact on worker safety in this industry.

When a construction worker is injured, it is necessary to take a look at the big picture so that the worker can make a plan for what to do next. Many people believe that all injuries in this industry are handled through the workers' compensation program, but this isn't always the case. Here are some points that might come into the picture when a worker is trying to decide how to proceed with a third party claim:

Injured construction workers might be able to file a lawsuit

On behalf of Pat Crispi posted in construction workers' accidents on Friday, July 6, 2018.

Construction workers who are injured at work often have a difficult road to recovery. In some cases, this comes with considerable time off that can mean income suddenly stops. This can make covering bills difficult until the income is started again.

Injured workers will usually need to turn to workers' compensation to get their medical bills and lost wages covered. There are some instances in which workers' compensation won't be the avenue that has to be pursued.