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Questions Answered by Jonathan R. Ratchik
2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Do I have a case after I was hospitalized due to consuming a baked good product and continue to suffer in pain while eat

I consumed a cake for a special occasion from a bakery. This is the only item that I consumed which was different from my usual diet in months since I don't eat outside food. I experienced severe abdominal pain which kept increasing in intensity for the next 2 weeks. At that point, the pain... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jan 13, 2025

Sorry to hear what you're going through. Absent any evidence that the cake you ate was not fit for human consumption or that the bakery failed to disclose ingredients in the cake to which customers are often allergic (such as nuts), there'd be no basis to sue the bakery. Moreover, you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice for New York on
Q: Lost records?

I just found out that my records only go back to Nov 2019 from the patient portal. My botched surgery took place in Oct 2019. This hospital knows they did wrong. My question is, can I request my surgery records from that hospital through the patient portal because I can no longer speak due to my... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jan 14, 2025

Yes, you can still request your records from the hospital. You'll need to submit a HIPAA authorization, https://www.nycourts.gov/forms/hipaa_fillable.pdf The hospital might charge you a fee to copy your chart ($0.75 per page). As my colleague correctly advised, the statute of limitations on... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: I get a hereby summoned by hit a pedestrian, and the office that filed the complaint wants to talk to me ?

I received a hereby summoned for a pedestrian accident, in the complaint they claim permanent physical and mental damages that exceed the coverage limit, although I think that is not the case due to the way in which the events were presented, I have already sent the documents for this claim to my... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jan 13, 2025

As my colleagues correctly advised, there could be many reasons why plaintiff's counsel wants to speak with you. That said, don't speak with them. Anything you say to them can be used against you in the civil lawsuit against you. You've already turned the matter over to your... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Defense, Personal Injury and Traffic Tickets for New York on
Q: More than 1 year later I get a Hereby summoned by hit a pedestrian, Should I report to my insurance or get a lawyer too

A pedestrian crossed the street several feet away from the crosswalk during a heavy rain, I called 911 but the pedestrian wanted to leave and I didn't let him and I told him he had to wait because I called for attention, the firefighters arrived and asked him if he felt anything, he said no... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jan 6, 2025

As my colleague correctly advised, report this matter to the insurance company you had at the time of the incident. It will perform its own investigation of the occurrence, assign counsel to defend you in the lawsuit and pay any judgment entered against you up to the limits of your liability... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Can I sue a mirror company that manufactured a mirror that made me go crazy and made me attempt suicide.

Can I sue a mirror company that manufactured a mirror that made me go crazy and made me attempt suicide. Carolina mirror produced a wall mirror that was covering the whole wall in my house. As a result of the mirror, I was very unhappy and attempted suicide. Can I sue the carolina mirror company... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jan 3, 2025

Sorry to hear what you've gone through. Although you may have disliked what you saw in the mirror, you have not described how the mirror itself was dangerous or defective. Rather, the mirror appears to have performed as warranted. As such, the manufacturer of the mirror would not be legally... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Wrongful Death for New York on
Q: My brother committed suicide. His ex-girlfriend was home with him, she may have provoked or encouraged him.

It was reported that she told someone that she told him to end his life, berated him or harassed him. He lived with her, their relationship was over, they jointly had purchased the home. At the time they were trying to figure out how to how to get out of their living arrangement. Immediately after... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jan 3, 2025

I'm so sorry for your loss. Although intentionally causing or aiding someone to commit suicide is a crime in New York, absent an underlying legal duty (such as one owed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, etc.), it likely does not give rise to a cause of action for wrongful death.

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1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for New York on
Q: Husband had a botched surgery past 5 years. He is still suffering. Can he sue or I for not being able to fulfill needs

Emergency surgery after first surgery. Used wound vac, had ostomy bag.

Happened in Buffalo, NY. Currently live in Florida

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Dec 17, 2024

Sorry to hear what happened to your husband. The statute of limitations in New York for medical malpractice lawsuits is 2.5 years from the date of malpractice; or, where there has been continuous treatment for the condition giving rise to the lawsuit, 2.5 years from the last date of treatment.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for New York on
Q: Medical group refused 2nd opinion by Dr of the same group and group would not provide external referrals for 2nd opinion

Saw Dr 1 for a routine procedure to diagnose pain in two areas. After pain worsened and numbness that started when numbing medication was applied for the procedure did not go away after a week. Contacted Dr 1 via messaging who responded w/ no medication to address the pain bad enough to consider... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Dec 16, 2024

I am unaware of any law that prohibits a medical group from providing external referrals. Although in your situation it doesn't sound so much as a refusal to provide a referral as a failure to provide one. Regardless, even assuming the failure to provide a referral constituted a departure from... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Is it legal to place a blank (no amount)social service 104 lien on my personal injury settlement in NY. Its a NF car acc

My case settled 4 months ago and my lawyer has not cleared the lien because they are waiting on a amount from DSS. And i have not received notice by mail of this lien from DSS.

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Dec 9, 2024

There's nothing inherently illegal about leaving the figure blank, especially if your attorney does not know the amount of the lien. If you were a recipient of public assistance, NYS would have a statutory lien against the settlement proceeds which must be paid before the settlement proceeds... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for New York on
Q: Side Mirror Case

In NY, Monroe, couple days ago I hit a side mirror to a man,In my report I said I was using ph one and did not see him. I got GEICO report now where I have to share my story, and my plan is to say that "I was driving north of still road and the pedestrian was walking southeast of Still road.... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Dec 4, 2024

Be truthful. If GEICO is your insurance company, the statement you give to them will be confidential and non-discoverable in a lawsuit. That said, your statement will certainly affect GEICO's assessment of the claim and its apportionment of fault between you and the pedestrian, as will the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for New York on
Q: Can I sue for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress or Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

My parent died of cancer years ago but the latest damaging action by the offending party happened this calendar year. Prior to death, person spoke to her she could not express opinion without she asked her to. Then mailed a dismissive handwritten card when they stayed away. At the funeral, this... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Nov 26, 2024

Sorry to hear what you're going through. Generally speaking, to bring an action for negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress, you need to demonstrate conduct that is "so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death for New York on
Q: My wife died via suicide. Being treated by doctors and a hospital. EMS refused to work on her.

My wife died via suicide. She was being treated by a private practice doctor and was brought to the ER twice over her rapid decline from "anxiety". When I found her on the day of her death, she was still breathing and heart beating. EMS refused to work on her saying the wound was mortal.... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Nov 15, 2024

So sorry for your loss. Whether you have potential malpractice case will depend on whether the EMTs treatment of your wife departed from the standard of care and whether any such departure caused harm to your wife (an uphill climb if your wife had suicidal ideations). The only way to assess the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Is there a set price limit for a negligence lawsuit

Im suing a funeral home/cemetery for negligence mishandling and recklessness and my lawyer wants to settle for 150,000

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Nov 15, 2024

There is no limit on how much you can sue someone for. That said, both the trial court and appellate court can reduce a verdict if it "deviates materially" from what would constitute fair and adequate compensation for the alleged harm. Speak with your lawyer and ask why the settlement... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice for New York on
Q: How do I get in?

I have a large pseudomeningocele caused by a csf leak that is very symptomatic. (symptoms are active) I also have h.o.d. which is not symptomatic. My pseudomeningocele is getting worse daily, but every time I go to the emergency room they blame the h.o.d. and don't admit me. I need to be... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Nov 11, 2024

Sorry to hear what you're going through. As my colleague correctly advised, you need to get some form of health insurance, either through Medicaid or the marketplace, https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/

That said, you cannot dictate to any medical provider how you should be treated -...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Legal Malpractice for New York on
Q: My kids have rare genetic disorde and take infusions weekly. They were conceived 2013 and 2016 and do not respond to vac

My kids have rare genetic disorde and take infusions weekly. They were conceived 2013 and 2016 and do not respond to vaccines. They spent first 6 years of life horribly sick, the spern bank we used was Manhattan Cryo. I am curious if we have a chance at settlement. Their medicall care require... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Nov 5, 2024

Sorry to hear what you're going through. Although New York does not recognize a cause of action for "wrongful life", it does recognize one for "wrongful birth". In a wrongful birth action, the parents would claim damages for the extraordinary costs of raising a child with... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for New York on
Q: Hello, my brother was attacked while in custody at Cayuga Correctional, he is now deformed -does he have a case?

wondering how to go about getting someone to represent my brother, can someone advise further? TY so much

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Oct 29, 2024

Sorry to hear what happened to your brother. Whether he has a case will depend on whether his attack was foreseeable and therefore preventable. A sudden, spontaneous attack that could not have been foreseen, no less prevented, does not give rise to any legal liability on the part of the State.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law, Personal Injury and Criminal Law for New York on
Q: Is there a way I can sue NYS for neglect if they paid for my boarding school and I was abused there?

I wa sent to a boarding school now shut down by FEDS for abuse etc and they forged documents there to get the NYS BOE to pay for me being there. I never once met with Anyone from the BOE they had a special education plan fore me which was not followed at all this boarding school took me out of... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Oct 28, 2024

Sorry to hear what happened to you. The Child Victims Act created a window in which to bring lawsuits against entities such as the DOE (or perhaps the boarding school) for abuse you experienced as a minor. Unfortunately, the deadline by which to bring any such lawsuit expired in November 2023.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice for New York on
Q: I'm looking for a medical malpractice attorney

I have proof of a pseudomeningocele (collection of a csf leak .cerebro spinal fluid) on many MRIs. I also have h.o.d.(Hypertrophic olivary degeneration) which has no cure. It may also be asymptomatic (no symptoms) as opposed to the csf leak which I have all the symptoms. But whenever I go to the... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Oct 21, 2024

Sorry to hear what you're going through. It sounds like you need appropriate medical treatment, not a medical malpractice attorney. A malpractice lawsuit will not get you the medical treatment you claim to need for your condition. If you cannot afford insurance on the Exchange, you may be... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: personal injury attorney did not my WC attorney to get my settlement numbers prior to mediation.

I had a WC case settled on medical. I did have a lien from WC case in NY. My personal attorney used lien money to leverage the settlement be a higher amount which I understood. During mediation she found out the numbers were incorrect, I lost out on significant amount of money. Now she is... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Oct 8, 2024

It is not uncommon for the lien amount with which you negotiate a settlement is different than the final lien amount. That said, the attorney should arguably take reasonable efforts to get an updated lien amount before engaging in settlement discussions (and finding out whether you settled the... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: My case started in 2016 why is it taking so long

It was a car accident in queens against DOT, I had surgery .

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Oct 8, 2024

Although cases against public entities such as the MTA generally take longer than cases against private defendants, eight years is a bit long. Best to speak with your attorney and ask about the status of your case. Given the age of your case, it should arguably be on the trial calendar. Keep in... View More

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