New York Law Blog

A fire broke out in a building in Lawrence, a part of Nassau County near JFK airport recently killing four people because of the lack of a fire escape in the building. Jeffrey Lichtman talks about the tragedy and how New York City officials need to work harder to ensure this doesn’t happen again:

This tragedy took the lives of a mother and her three children after they were trapped inside their second floor apartment by a fire which broke out on a nearby stairway.  The fire prevented their escape since the Landlord failed to have a required fire escape.  This is yet another example of when a landlord violated building code and as a result innocent lives are taken.  In this incident a summons was issued to the landlord after the tragedy happened.  Once again it was too late.  The City must take immediate action and properly inspect all buildings for violations such as this one in order to prevent these types of accidents from ever happening.  It is my hope that the City strictly enforces building violations and demands landlords to bring their properties up to code immediately.

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

A New York City man may finally see his day in court after waiting 11 years to have his medical malpractice case tried. Jeffrey Lichtman talks about Luis Berrios’ horrific ordeal with Our Lady Of Mercy Medical Center in the Bronx:

This is another tragic medical malpractice case that has been prolonged by our court system.  An already paralyzed man was put through tremendous torture because doctors took the law in their hands.  This paraplegic was pulled from his wheelchair, handcuffed to a hospital bed, and then forced to consume dangerous levels of laxatives for 27 hours.  He was then probed by doctors while police watched.  The hospital, Our Lady Of Mercy Medical Center in the Bronx, thought the man was a drug mule when he came in with stomach pain based on X-rays showing several spherical shapes they mistakenly identified as condoms stuffed with drugs.  They were gall bladder stones identified by a second radiologist later on.  After years of physical therapy the paralyzed man has still not gained full control over his own bodily functions.  After more than a decade this man will finally see his day in court.

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

Hwi Wu, a teacher of autistic children in Queens died last week when she was hit by a New York City bus after she slipped on the street. Senior partner Jeffrey Lichtman weighs in on the Wrongful Death law in New York state:

This is an unfortunate accident that took the life of a 26 - year old teacher in Brooklyn, which may result in a claim.  We don’t know the details of this case but New York’s antiquated Wrongful Death Law will limit family members recourse.  As a result of our Wrongful Death law family members of Hwi Wu will have limited recourse in the court system for emotional loss and grief.  Albany must take action now.  The law needs to change so family members get some form of compensation when tragedies such as this take place.

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