Runaway SUV injures mourners

New York Accident News

Both the New York Times and the Daily News report that an out of control driver of a SUV plowed into a crowd of mourners at a funeral in Chinatown. more...>

Can't get a flu shot? It's the trial lawyers fault

The Club for Growth Growth, a group of so called pro-growth conservatives, placed a full page ad in the New York Times today blaming the trial lawyers for the flu shot problem. They neglect to mention that the main cause of the flu vaccine shortage, according to CNN, was due to Chiron Corp. problem in producing the vaccine at its British plant.

What is a tort?

Tort Reform is a highly charged issue in this year's presidential campaign. However, unless you are an attorney, you may not know what constitutes a tort. more...>

Tort lawsuits against the City of New York remain level

The New York Law Journal reports today that New York City's payouts on tort cases have remained steady for the past year. Shoshana Bookson, president of the New York State Trial Lawyers' Association, stated that this demonstrates "that there is no tort crisis in New York and the cries for tort reform are hollow."

Fay Leoussis, Chief of Corporation Counsel (the defense arm for the City of New York), cites that payouts have remained steady because the Law Department is more efficient in covering its caseload. more...>

How do Americans feel about immigration?

What are native-born American's attitudes toward immigration? Suprisingly, American's have been less negative about immigration than they have been in several years. more...>

Election sparks an interest from new citizens

The New York Times reports that the US election is being closely followed by new citizens. A recent voter drive by the New York Immigration Coalition has signed up 225,000 immigrant voters. The city's foreign born citizens are not a homogenus group, however, many are worried about their status in the US since 9/11. more...>

Should New York adopt no-fault divorce?

Currently, to obtain a divorce in New York, a party must either prove that they have a "fault" ground or a "separation" ground. Should there be a "no-fault" ground? more....>

Northport women killed in auto accident

New York Accident News: Johanna Davis, 80 years of age, from Northport, Long Island (where my wife is from) was killed yesterday in a tragic traffic accident. Ms. Davis, a passenger in a car operated by her friend, Francis Oshaughnessy, was killed when the vehicle was struck when it attempted to make a left turn. more...>

Looking for a Personal Injury Lawyer? Contact my law office. more...>

Slow processing times causes denial of vote to immigrants

The New York Immigration Coalition released a study that found that thousands of immigrants have lost their right to vote in the November election because a backlog in processing their applications. more...>

Spitzer's office reveals widespread corruption in the insurance industry

Lucrative payoff agreements. Soliciting rigged bids. Sounds like an episode of the Soprano's. But no, we are discussing your "friendly" insurance broker, Marsh & McLennan Companies.

New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer today sued the nation's largest insurance broker, Marsh & McLennan Companies for fraud and anti-competitive practices. The lawsuit implicates other insurance companies. Do you still blame the trial lawyers for your high insurance rates? more...>

American Insurance Reform releases a study finding price-gouging of doctors despite lower medical malpractice payouts

Tort reform has been a hot button issue in this year's presidential election. A group called Americans for Insurance Reform has released a study, based on the insurance industries own data, that there has been no explosion medical malpractice payouts. In fact, these payouts have dropped. The price hikes that doctors have been experiencing in their premiums can be attributed to dropping interest rates and investment losses. more...>

Justice for fixed cases?

A judge arrested on charges that he took bribes. A lawyer, confessing that he wined and dined him and plied him with cigars and cash in return for favorable treatment. What happens if you were on the opposite side of the equation and your court case was fixed. Do you think you would obtain re-trial? more...>

Large jury verdict awarded to a Farmingdale motorcycle victim

Newsday reports that Justin Firmes, a resident of Farmingdale, Long Island, was awarded $13.9 verdict due to injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The accident occurred when Mr. Firmes motorcycle was impacted by a pick-up truck operated by Christopher Tiejen. Mr. Firmes left leg was amputated due to the accident. more...>

The myth of America's lawsuit crisis

What does Newsweek and the Manhattan Institute have in common? Perpetuating the myth of America's lawsuit crisis. more...>

Bush attacks Kerry over tort reform in new ads

President Bush's ongoing war for tort reform continues. As usual, he places the blame regarding the cost of rising health care costs on lawsuits and out of control lawyers. more...>

What is a blawg?

Wondering what a blawg is (this site is one)? If you have powerpoint installed on your computer, check out Mathew Lerner's excellent presentation to law librarians on the subject. (see New York Civil Law, October 3, post)

Is Britney Spears legally married?

Pop diva Britney Spears married her childfriend friend Jason Alexander (not from Seinfeld) last January in Las Vegas. Is the marriage legal? How about the prenuptial agreement? The answer may be found at the end of this article.

USCIS publishes a guide for new immigrants

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services released its guide for new immigrants here. It provides basic information regarding rights and responsiblities of lawful permanent residents, settling in the United States, education and childcare, emergencies and safety, and becoming a US citizen.

Do you have a legal question? Contact my law office: 212-233-0666.