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Police Brutality in NYC: Understanding the Different Levels of Force Allowed
Unfortunately, the number of alleged cases of New York City police misconduct and brutality have risen in recent years, although this trend unfolded after a period of greater stability. In some ways, everyone is now on edge. Citizens are afraid that even the slightest misstep could result in the use of excessive force that might result in death. And when residents are worried about their safety, they’re far less likely to report some crimes or report witnessing dangerous events in their neighborhoods. What exactly constitutes excessive force? Stated simply, it’s using more force in a situation than what was necessary or justified under all the circumstances involved. This standard requires a certain degree of flexibility since police officers are often forced to make split-second decisions about the level of harm a suspect may suddenly inflict, especially if s/he appears to be armed. When people allege excessive force in lawsuits against the police, they usually
Insurance Defense Tactics
After a serious personal injury, an individual is often confused about what to do to protect their rights. The legal process itself can be daunting. When insurance companies are notified about personal injury lawsuits that clearly have merit, there are usually two avenues they can pursue. If the personal injury claimant does not have an attorney, the insurance company can attempt to settle with the individual directly, usually for “pennies on the dollar” offering extremely low figures in exchange for a full release of all claims. However, if the individual does hire a lawyer to pursue the injury claim, the insurance company will usually hire or assign an insurance defense counsel to defend the lawsuit. Once a personal injury lawsuit is filed, the defense counsel may employ several defense tactics or “strategies” to avoid paying a valid personal injury claim timely: Delay One common defense tactic used by insurance companies
Preparing Our New York City Personal Injury Clients for Their Depositions
Over the years, our firm has learned that telling our clients how their lawsuits will normally unfold and helping them prepare for their depositions are two of our most important tasks. Once we’ve accepted your case, we’ll carefully investigate all the facts, obtain all the pertinent medical records and other documents — and then file the pleadings. Your deposition is part of the lawsuit stage known as discovery. During this process, we’ll request crucial documents and records from the defendant’s attorney (and those possessed by any insurance company that may be involved). We may also send out questions that require sworn answers to familiarize ourselves with all the defendant’s key information and defenses to your claims. And we may send out requests for admissions. Throughout this lengthy stage that can extend until a trial begins (when no agreeable settlement amount could be reached), both sides will try to learn all
Sidewalk Grates & Cellar Doors Can Cause Serious Pedestrian Accidents
While many pedestrian accidents that happen while walking down city sidewalks or crossing the street may be minor, others can lead to severe injuries. Sidewalk grates and poorly fastened cellar doors can send unsuspecting pedestrians or workers tumbling into dark vaults below. People may also stumble over poorly fitted manhole covers, gas caps, and other embedded sidewalk objects. Fortunately, New York City rules and regulations, along with state case law, recognize the need to provide compensation when property owners are negligent. What follows is a general look at liability issues pertaining to sidewalk and street injuries and a summary of some actual past cases involving these types of hazards. A few safety precautions are also shared. More common sidewalk hazards are also noted, along with the likelihood of recovering compensation for fall injuries related to them. Liability for accidents may be shared or assigned to just one party The New
Spinal Fusion Settlements & Lawsuits
The average spinal fusion settlement in New York ranges from $250,000 on the low end to over $5,000,000 on the high end, depending on the severity of the injury, surgical complexity, venue, and available insurance coverage. Cases involving permanent disability, multi-level fusion, and significant lost earning capacity consistently produce the highest awards, with some New York verdicts exceeding $8 million when liability is clear and nerve damage is well-documented. If your treating physician recommends spinal fusion surgery for your cervical or lumbar spine injury, you may be wondering what impact this back surgery will have on the value of your personal injury lawsuit. Cervical or lumbar fusion surgery dramatically increases what an injury lawsuit may be worth – and understanding why you helps pursue the full compensation you deserve. When people have surgery, medical complications often occur, and there may be a lengthy period of rehabilitation. Patients must also cope
Slip & Fall Lawsuit Values In New York City
How Do Slip & Falls Happen? Slip and fall accidents in the New York City area, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and nearby areas, happen due to a variety of reasons. A person can slip and fall because of a dangerous condition on the floor that a property owner failed to fix. This can include water, oil, ice, or any dangerous or hazardous substance that could cause someone to fall. Loose cables, debris, garbage, or wires can be a leading cause of falls. A Slip & Fall lawyer helps identify the causes of falls by investigating the facts and circumstances of the traumatic event and working with experts such as safety engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, and others. How Do I Win My Slip & Fall Lawsuit? To prevail in your personal injury case and win your slip & fall injury lawsuit in New York, you will need to prove that the defendant you are suing