We discussed the nearly $15,000,000 damages award in the fatal motor vehicle crash case of 28 year old Jason M. Rhoades in an article published on December 3, 2013, here. As we predicted, the defendant appealed arguing that the loss of parental guidance awards were excessive and that the loss of inheritance awards were
Appellate Court Addresses Damages in Medical Malpractice Death Case
Wilbur Rodriguez, a 44 year old postal worker, went to a hospital emergency room in Manhattan at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2009. He complained of shortness of breath that started the day before, fever and chills. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and, after 12 hours in the ER, admitted and assigned a
New York’s Highest Court Rules on Damages in Multiple Fatality Motor Vehicle Rollover Case
On July 1, 2000, 60 year old Steven Motelson lost control of his 1998 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle on Route 17 in Goshen. It rolled over nearly four times and landed on the driver’s side. The roof of the car collapsed onto Steven’s head and caused his death at the scene.
Steven’s 36 year
Substantial Awards in Medical Malpractice Case for Pre-Death Pain and Suffering and Costs of Care of Decedent’s Disabled Adult Child
On Wednesday June 18, 2008, Nam Yoon Lee woke up with stabbing pain on the right side of his stomach. He went with his wife to the emergency room at a hospital in Queens where morphine was administered, tests led to a diagnosis of gallbladder disease and a plan was made to surgically remove his
State of New York Liable for Damages in Two Cases involving Roadway Fatalities
On January 23, 2004, Jason Rhoades sustained fatal injuries when the vehicle he was driving slid across the roadway over a bridge on Interstate 81 in Syracuse, struck a snowbank packed against the concrete barrier guard at the edge of the bridge, and his car vaulted off the bridge to the road below.
Thirty-six
Appellate Court Rules on Conscious Pain and Suffering Damages in Case Invovling Death at Scene of Bus Accident
Lourdes Fernandez was 68 years old on July 2, 2008 when, at about 1:30 p.m., she was crossing Madison Street near its intersection with Jackson Street in Manhattan. She was struck by a left turning bus and died at the scene.
The crowd at Madison and Jackson Streets, as the
Pain and Suffering Claim in Suicide Case Survives Appeal
In 2005, Erin Stolarski lived in a Port Chester apartment with her boyfriend Donald DeSimone, a police officer. In October, though, Donald told Erin that he wanted to break up and he asked her to leave the apartment. Despondent over the breakup, Erin (23 years old) attempted suicide on October 15, 2005 by ingesting Oxycodone
Damage Awards Affirmed in Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice Case
Hermine Browne, a 58 year old nurse’s aide, was experiencing excruciating stomach pain when she went to see her internist on February 17, 2001. The doctor diagnosed her with irritable bowel syndrome and prescribed medication. Unfortunately, the pain continued (and the same diagnosis was made) through March of 2002 when a sonogram and then a
Court Affirms Pain and Suffering Award in Wrongful Death Car Crash Case – Passenger Conscious for 39 Minutes
On August 11, 2008, Elvia Collado was 22 years old and working as a counselor for developmentally disabled kids while attending college at night. That was the day she died when Waldo Vargas, her boyfriend of three years, crashed his car while driving intoxicated on the Belt Parkway at Springfield Boulevard in Queens. He lost
State Negligent in Causing Death but No Damages Allowed
Cheryl Thurston lived in a group home facility operated by New York State’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. The residents at 8 Hilltop Drive in Pittsford all had developmental disabilities and each was subject to varying degrees of supervision with regard to things like mobility and safety.
Ms. Thurston was mentally and physically