Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Personal Injury legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
New York Personal Injury Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: My father died last year from what I believe were multiple medical mistakes .Are hospitals hard to sue

My father died May 2 2022.l

believe is was direct negligence

caused by the hospital that cared for

him. Multiple medical mistakes

double medicating, defibrillater at

wrong settings, incorrect medication

given causing multiple firings of... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 13, 2023

I'm sorry for the loss of your father. The short answer to your question is, yes, hospitals can be hard to sue. New York (and other jurisdictions) generally require certificates of merit, where a law firm consults with a physician who believes the case has merit. There are qualifiers to this... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Sexual Harassment for New York on
Q: Hi! Hru? Hope all is well! Ty! In New York the Adult victims act just expired, and last year the child victim’s act

I’m 43 now, I was sexually abused by many people for many years, and missed the opportunities to get some justice, or is there something else I can do about that? If I can have some of the abusers admit will that help?

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Dec 22, 2023

Sorry to hear what happened to you. If you did not file a lawsuit before the expiration of the statute of limitations, there's nothing you can do from a civil litigation standpoint, even if your assailant has admitted to wrongdoing. There's been some talk about extending the Adult... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Is my landlord responsible for my medical bills- I was struck by lightning on her property.

She has no insurance on the property that I am aware of. The tree that was struck was extremely tall, and near the house. They were told by an insurance co. to remove it years ago. She threatened to have me “ out on the street” if I contacted national grid to inspect the electrical system. She... View More

Roland Godfrey Ottley
Roland Godfrey Ottley
answered on Dec 5, 2023

This is a rather complicated question as it evolves New York negligence law as well as landlord-tenant law. There are many questions to the answered in pursuing either one of these particular claims and so a consultation with an attorney would be necessary. Nevertheless, the tenant would likely be... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Communications Law for New York on
Q: I was in a private meeting with my staff and she recorded our conversation. I was terminated for saying something bad.

My staff recorded me without my knowledge and it was used it to terminate me. I said something inappropriate and was used to terminate me. Is this lawful, can I sue my employee?

Mr. Douglas A. Petho
Mr. Douglas A. Petho
answered on Dec 4, 2023

New York is a one-party consent state meaning that you can record conversations if you're physically in the state and are a party to the conversation or if you have permission from one of the parties in the conversation. If neither of the parties to the conversation have consented then it is a... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for New York on
Q: if I signed an agreement with mva attorney for them to receive a certain percentage yet they take more than agreement ?

I agreed to a 31% fee for mva accident attorney but I was charged 33% is that legal ? Also he had me pay tax if fair to get police report which I also had to pay for and then still charged me out of settlement for police report, charged me for postage and copies of forms that i received thru email... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Dec 1, 2023

What an attorney can charge is determined by contract--the attorney client fee agreement. If it provides for one percentage, that is all that can be charged for fees. Check the fee agreement as it is not uncommon for there to be an increased fee if a lawsuit is filed.

Certain costs may be...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Criminal Law for New York on
Q: Hello , a woman was tailgating me and honking for couples blocks I stopped my car talk to her and come back to my car

She came to me and hit me in my face while I’m in my car and everything was recorded I have Dashcam so I push her back as defense of self , she falls on ground she seems drunk , we both get arrested what should I do? For me I have never been arrested before I wondering if I’m I in trouble or... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 12, 2023

In New York, if you've been arrested following a confrontation where self-defense was involved, it's important to secure legal representation. The presence of a dashcam recording can be significant in demonstrating the events that led to the altercation. In terms of criminal proceedings,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Am I responsible if I allow someone to launch their boat from my property and there is an injury or damage to property

I have an easement on my neighbor’s property to access the water and install a dock. My neighbor allows people to launch their boats on his property resulting in a constant flow of traffic. Is my neighbor liable if someone gets hurt on our easement or if our property in the water (dock,boat) is... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 11, 2023

A boat owner who is injured (and their guests) could name both property owners and try to connect both to any kind of claim. In terms of actual liability arising from negligence on the part of the property owners, that would need to be sorted out on a fact-specific basis. A court could recognize... View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Is there any stupid questions and is this one of them?

I asked my lawyer if he, or someone in his office, would go over the medical tests, with me,

that he suggested I have. My question was never answered. I even sent a follow up email and it was ignored. The only thing i could think is, it is a dumb question to ask. If it is I'm missing... View More

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 10, 2023

If your lawyer has not responded to your request, it is possible that they are simply busy or that they forgot. However, it is also possible that they do not think it is necessary for them to review your medical tests. This could be because they are not familiar with medical terminology or because... View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for New York on
Q: I got lip fillers a week ago and above my top lip is sticking out like a duck the place is refuses to fix it for me

I got juvederm lip fillers last week and the top lip where I believe is called the vermillion border almost on top of the pink color of the lip is all raised out and I look like I have a duck top lip almost. There are lumps also under the lip as well and the bottom lip also has a purplish color on... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Nov 7, 2023

Sorry to hear what happened to you. Unfortunately, as my colleague correctly advised, a bad outcome, without more, will not support a medical malpractice case, especially one arising out of a cosmetic procedure. Rather, you need to demonstrate a departure from the standard of care and an injury... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Municipal Law for New York on
Q: how long and wide are hotel stairs supposed to be?

Late Tuesday morning I fell all the way from the top to the bottom of the stairs. There are 17 stairs and I have 17 stitches above my eyebrow. I wasn't intoxicated or on any drugs. It could have been from my shoes, but I am unsure of what happened. My leg is also messed up from the fall, it is... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Oct 19, 2023

Sorry to hear what happened to you. I am unaware of there being any Code requirements as to the maximum width of an interior staircase (they have to be at least 36" wide). With regard to staircases in NYC, the riser height can be no higher than 7". Tread depth can be no greater than... View More

View More Answers

5 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Am I liable if someone sustains a back injury or has a heart attack shoveling my driveway snow?
Michael Bersani
PREMIUM
Michael Bersani pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 9, 2023

You are not liable because you did nothing negligent or careless to cause of this.

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Education Law for New York on
Q: In NYS state, should we sign a liability waiver that includes waiver of willful/gross negligence

Our child’s school is requiring us to sign a liability waiver that includes willful and/gross negligence to attend a mandatory, all-day retreat. He is not allowed to graduate without it and we’ve been told we are not allowed to alter the language of the release.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 28, 2023

I'm sorry you were placed into this position. In general, such liability waivers are not looked kindly upon by courts, for reasons of public policy. In terms of your question of whether or not you should sign it, it's an individual decision. As a general premise, such agreements can be... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Can I sue the Red Cross for atrial puncture injury caused during blood donation?

After the injury the Red Cross provided misleading information on severity and needed treatment. This resulted in a Pseudo aneurysm that required surgery.

Jonathan Bradford Ripps
Jonathan Bradford Ripps
answered on Sep 22, 2023

Hello - so sorry about your situation. What you describe sounds terrible. In order for you to have a malpractice claim, you would need to prove that the nurse or whoever did the blood draw deviated from a normal standard of care. You should consult with an attorney to discuss your matter further... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft, Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for New York on
Q: Please help!! How can i get my structed settlement money turn over to me?

I am 35 year old and i just found out my mother have been secretly using my settlement money since I was 7 year old. This settlement money was rewarded to me when I was a minor due to medical malpractice. My mother told me that I need to stay quiet about it and you still under guardianship. So I... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Sep 26, 2023

If you had a medical malpractice case as a minor which settled, the proceeds would likely have been deposited in a bank account which would have been jointly held in trust by your guardian (your mother) and an officer of the bank. Significantly, any such monies should have been off-limits to your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for New York on
Q: Can you direct me to the legal act that protects personal injury settlements from garnishment by creditors in NY State?
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 14, 2023

In New York State, personal injury settlements are generally shielded from garnishment by creditors through a combination of federal and state laws. While there isn't a single specific legal act that offers this protection, it's derived from various legal provisions. Federal exemptions... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Is there liability for a insurance company if my condition worsens due to their denial of authorization for more PT?

I was undergoing physical therapy for back/ spine issues with intermittent numbness and improving. Additional authorizations by my insurer were suddenly denied. PT office did not appeal immediately and only did once I received a copy of the letter and informed them. An appeal would take 30 days to... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 16, 2023

You raise a very good question - and one that does not go overlooked by attorneys in challenging denials of medical care. Unfortunately, it is also a difficult issue to argue in most settings where a claim is closely processed with valid independent medical exams or peer reviews. If you have an... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury and Products Liability for New York on
Q: If a case is reassigned in federal court to a different judge, do previously submitted motions need to be resubmitted?

If, in a federal civil action, a case is reassigned from a magistrate judge to a district judge and all hearing dates are vacated with the order that "motions must be renoticed for hearing before the judge to whom the case has been reassigned," does that mean the previously submitted... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Sep 9, 2023

Generally, reassignment of a case does not mean it starts all over again. That goes for motions which were filed and presumably decided already. The rulings are considered the law of the case. Essentially, the new judge picks up where the former judge left off.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury, Products Liability and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Got chemical burns to my face and scalp, from Blonde Solutions hair products applied by their Educator. who do I sue?

After visiting a dermatologist, I found out the person listed as an Educator was an Unlicensed stylist.

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Sep 8, 2023

Sorry to hear what happened to you. If the educator was the individual who applied (or misapplied) the hair product in question, you would arguably sue that person along with his or her employer (assuming the educator was acting within the scope of employment). In the meantime, take photographs... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: My husband has constant bedsores as a result of being bedridden for months at a hospital I won’t name. Is this a case?

My husband has cancer that has responded to treatment but he’s suffering multiple issues just from the staff neglecting him. Bedsores, infections, psych meds not given when it was very clear in his chart he needed them. Location of hospital is in westchester but our home is in Wappingers Falls.

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Sep 7, 2023

Sorry to hear what's happening to your husband. He might certainly have a case for malpractice if his bed sores were caused due to the hospital's neglect and could have been prevented. Best to reach out to an experienced medical / nursing home malpractice attorney. You can find many... View More

View More Answers

4 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: I found a piece of glass in my sandwich today thankfully I didn’t swallow it or suffer any injuries. Do I have any case
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 5, 2023

Thankfully you were not injured. You definitely have a case but your compensable damages are probably the cost of the sandwich

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.