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
Cervical Fusion
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…
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…
Parties Dispute which Injuries were Caused by Car Crash
Appellate Court Reinstates Neck Injury Pain and Suffering Award after Significant Reduction by Trial Judge
On October 19, 2005, Louis Demetro was employed as a stationary engineer by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation in the newly constructed boiler room of Jacobi Medical Center. During the course of his employment, Mr. Demetro, then 39 years old, was knocked to the ground and injured after being struck by a…
Apartment Ceiling Collapse Leads to Serious Neck Injury and Significant Pain and Suffering Award
On February 17, 2014, Nelsida De La Rosa was injured when she stepped out of the shower and the bathroom ceiling in her apartment collapsed and sheetrock debris fell down and struck her head.
Ms. De La Rosa, then 46 years old, sued her landlord who conceded liability on the day the jury was selected…
Court Affirms Jury’s Award of No Damages for Future Pain and Suffering in Car Crash Case
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…
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…