On June 14, 2018, Mauricio Plazas was stopped at a red light in Somers when a left-turning car driven by Brenna Sherlock struck the side of his car. She claimed he’d moved past the stop line into the intersection when the collision occurred. Mr. Plazas, then 45 years old, sued Ms. Sherlock claiming that he
Neck Injuries
Courts Evaluate Pain and Suffering Award in Non-Surgical Spinal Injury Case
On September 6, 2016, Bruce Brown was asleep in his bed when an unsafe ceiling collapsed above him in an apartment and the debris fell onto him. Mr. Brown then 74 years old, claimed that he sustained significant spinal disc injuries and he sued the premises owner.

After returning a verdict finding that the…
Construction Worker’s Claims Upheld at Trial and Substantial Damages Awarded but Retrial Ordered on Collateral Issues
On August 1, 2012, Besnik Malecaj was working for an excavation company renovating a townhouse at 45 West 70th Street in Manhattan to convert it from a multi-unit cooperative to a single family residence with an indoor swimming pool. Mr. Malecaj, then 40 years old, injured his neck, back, head and a shoulder when he…
Damages for Hospice Aide Upheld on Appeal in Slip and Fall Case
On October 3, 2016, Jazmon Morrison was injured while working as a hospice aide at a nursing care facility in Williamsville when she slipped and fell striking her head on the hard floor of her patient’s room.

A Patient Room at Site of Accident
In her ensuing lawsuit against the facility owner and operator, Ms. …
Appellate Court Reduces Pain and Suffering Award in Neck Injury Case
Construction Worker’s Neck and Shoulder Pain and Suffering Award Affirmed
On September 5, 2018, Nidia Vasquez was injured while working as a laborer at a demolition and construction site in Buffalo when she was struck on her head and a shoulder by an unsecured ladder that had been standing against a wall.
Ms. Vasquez, then 57 years old, sued the site owner, the construction manager…
Jury’s Awards Reduced for Spinal Injuries in Bus Crash case
On February 1, 2013, Marie Petit was a passenger in a city bus that crashed into another vehicle on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn.

Ms. Petit, then a 55 year old home health aide, sued both drivers claiming she sustained spinal injuries.
A Kings County jury (a) determined that the accident was wholly the fault of…
Appellate Court Affirms Jury Verdict Awarding No Damages in Significant Motor Vehicle Injury Case
Parties in Car Crash Case Dispute Date from Which Interest on Pain and Suffering Award Runs
On December 17, 2013, Michael Sabine was injured when he was driving his vehicle in Waterloo and a state park employee in a state-owned pick-up truck lost control and crossed into his lane causing a crash.

Mr. Sabine, 61 years old, was granted summary judgment as to liability by a court order issued on 9/26/18…