On July 26, 2010, Sophie Kapassakis brought her car to a stop as she approached a traffic light at the intersection of Old Country Road and Levittown Parkway in Hicksville. After a few seconds, her vehicle was struck in the rear by a bus. Ms. Kapassakis, then 42 years old, was granted summary judgment
Neck Injuries
Huge Pain and Suffering Award Slashed in Car Crash Case
On February 23, 2017, Diego Nieva-Silvera was stopped in his car on the Long Island Expressway in Queens when it was struck in the rear by another vehicle.
Claiming substantial injuries, Mr. Nieva-Silvera, then 42 years old, sued the driver and owner of the other vehicle. After a judge granted plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment…
Appellate Court Orders Increase in Pain and Suffering Damages in Car Crash Case
On January 30, 2013, Arnaldo Rojas was driving his car on Union Avenue in Harrison when another car crossed the double yellow line causing a crash.
In his ensuing lawsuit, Mr. Rojas, then 62 years old, claimed neck and brain injuries. He was granted summary judgment as to liability and the matter then proceeded to…
Significant Pain and Suffering Damages Increase Ordered in Car Crash Case
On July 27, 2013, Franklin Abreu-DePena, then 39 years old, was driving his taxi in the Bronx when he was involved in a crash with another vehicle.
Mr. Abreu-DePena claimed shoulder, neck and back injuries and in his ensuing lawsuit again the other driver, the jury (a) determined that the other driver was 60% at…
Defendant’s Challenges to Large Pain and Suffering Damages Award Upheld on Appeal in Motor Vehicle Accident Case
On January 6, 2015, Kenia Cabrera had just finished work at a Dunkin Donuts shop located at LaGuardia Airport and had returned to the employee parking lot to retrieve her car and go home. As she was exiting the lot, a Mack truck spreading salt to keep the lot free of ice struck her car…
Appellate Court Affirms Denial of Motion to Set Aside Plaintiff’s Verdict in Construction Worker’s Spinal Injury Case
On April 3, 2007, Cleofoster Baptiste was working as a carpenter at a construction site at 1330 First Avenue in Manhattan when a plank of wood fell from the floor above and struck the back of his neck.
In his ensuing lawsuit against the site’s owner and general contractor, the jury (a) determined that the…
Appellate Court Slashes Large Pain and Suffering Award in Traumatic Spinal Injury Case
On November 19, 2009, Calvin Tarpley was driving his car and was pulled over to the curb by a police officer on 188th Street near Hillside Avenue in Queens. After he was given a traffic ticket, his stationary vehicle was struck at the front driver’s side by a city bus. Mr. Tarpley, a 43…
Future Pain and Suffering Award Increased in Rear-End Car Crash Case
On November 16, 2015, Roseann Maurer was stopped in her car waiting to tun left into a driveway on Big Tree Road in Wales (about 25 miles southeast of Buffalo) when another car struck hers in the rear end. Ms. Maurer sustained knee, neck and low back injuries.
After summary judgment as to liability…
Appellate Court Affirms Modest Jury Awards to Three Plaintiffs Claiming Spinal and Shoulder Injuries in Rear End Car Crash Case
On February 3, 2010, Emilio Carino was driving his van in the Bronx with two passengers. While stopped at a red light, the van was struck in the rear by another vehicle.
Carino and his passengers sued the other driver who conceded liability. A trial on damages ensued and the Bronx jury awarded pain and…
Pain and Suffering Award Affirmed for Hand and Neck Injuries
On October 1, 2012, Arianna Garcia was driving her car through an intersection in Middletown when she was struck by a car whose driver who failed to stop at a stop sign. Garcia, then 31 years old, was granted summary judgment as to liability and the matter proceeded to a trial on damages only.…