New York Law Blog

The New York City Buildings Department and their commissioner Robert LiMandri are implementing new rules to keep better track of crane parts to prevent further construction accidents from occurring. This is great news for construction workers all over the City, and Jeffrey Lichtman had this to say on the new regulations:

This is another example of how our legal system attempts to address critical safety issues. The Buildings Department is now focused on new rules and regulations aimed at preventing another devastating crane collapse in New York City. The crane parts are finally going to be better tracked so that crane operators can be more confident that they are working a structurally sound machine. Last May, a crane collapse took the lives of Donald Leo (30) and Ramadan Kurtaj (28). The age and mechanical condition of the crane are the focus of a federal probe and lawsuit. It is my hope that the lawsuit and probe are successful in creating strict crane-oversight programs preventing these types of events from ever occurring.

Trolman, Glaser & Lichtman: Don’t settle for less!

Sending text messages while driving has become a serious problem with drivers these days, as we are all in a hurry to travel and communicate. An ambulance driver in Albany, New York who had previously been seen texting behind the wheel of an ambulance was involved in an accident where she ran into a snowbank. Senior partner Jeffery Lichtman had this to say about the incident:

This is becoming a serious problem that our state needs to address with strict rules and penalties.  In this incident, the driver of the ambulance that ran into a snowbank had been previously cautioned by an Albany firefighter about text messaging while driving.  The driver of this ambulance is supposed to be out saving lives and instead is dangerously putting the public in harm’s way.

Tom Nardacci, spokesman for Mohawk Ambulance, said the driver, Joanna McKinley, is no longer employed by the company. He further pointed out that, State law exempts emergency vehicles from cell phone laws but that Mohawk ambulance has a stringent written policy against the use of cell phones which would include texting except in the use of an emergency or when they have to call a physician at the hospital. 

Albany must address the state’s cell phone laws.  We must hold our public safety officials accountable.

Trolman, Glaser & Lichtman: Don’t settle for less!

Last month in the Chinatown section of New York City, a van that had been left in reverse backed over a sidewalk and struck a group of children in which two of the children were killed and left 11 others injured. The driver of the van did not realize the car was not in park until after the accident had already occurred. Jeffrey Lichtman had this to say about the incident:

This is an unfortunate tragedy which took the lives of two pre-school students from their families.  The driver of the van had double-parked and entered a store in Chinatown, leaving the van running and in reverse gear, thinking it was in park.  The van subsequently hopped the curb killing two pre-school students and injuring 11 others.  Unfortunately, the family members will have limited recourse in the court system due to New York’s antiquated Wrongful Death law.  It is time for Albany to act.  The law must be changed.

Trolman, Glaser & Lichtman: Don’t settle for less!