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New York Personal Injury Questions & Answers
2 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

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 7, 2024

I'm sorry for your ordeal. You may have already explored various avenues for coverage if you are without insurance and have been dealing with this on a long-term basis. One option could be to try to contact social workers at the hospital. Another could be to look into public plans, whether... View More

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2 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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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

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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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 .

Craig Z. Small
Craig Z. Small
answered on Oct 7, 2024

There could be a number of reasons. First, make sure your attorney filed the proper notice of claim and filed suit timely. There are deadlines for legal malpractice as well. Otherwise, call your attorney and ask why. Unless the case experienced the wrath of covid-delays, a trial, or an... View More

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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 .

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 7, 2024

A 2016 case - that seems like a long time - I agree with my colleague there. If it was a Department of Transportation vehicle, that could make for a long timeline - especially if liability was contested. On the other hand, if the Department of Transportation context is based on your case involving... View More

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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 .

Michael Bersani
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answered on Oct 7, 2024

That does seem a bit long, but honestly, for the NYC area, and with the defendant being a governmental entity, it is not uncommon. A lot would depend on whether there was "motion practice", which could delay the case by many, many months if the court is congested. If you believe your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Legal Malpractice, Personal Injury and Civil Rights for New York on
Q: Need legal help ,am indecent / public assistance

Lawyers have court clerk ,mailroom judges secretary ,records helping them file fake decisions .motions 2,3and were not filed in Superior court Newark by thr court clerk

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 30, 2024

I'm sorry for your ordeal with the courts. If you are indigent and need legal assistance, there are a number of options. Legal aid and pro bono attorneys might be able to help, depending on the nature of the matter. If there are criminal aspects to the matter, a public defender might be able... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Sexual Harassment for New York on
Q: What is the right time to look for a lawyer?

I have recently filed a police report for a sexual harassment/assault case and it is beginning investigation.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 28, 2024

The right time to look for an attorney is usually at the beginning of any claim. This is especially true in areas where law firms offer free initial consults to evaluate cases without obligation. The reason is that if you do find an attorney you'd want to work with, they could take necessary... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Can a medical group be held liable for multiple providers lack of training/ inability to properly diagnose a patient?

If a person goes to a large medical group and the 1st and 2nd opinion both lack the proper training to diagnose an issue that a different large medical is able to quickly diagnose accurately is the 1st group able to be held responsible for providers not trained to properly identify and diagnose?... View More

Alexander Karasik
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answered on Sep 28, 2024

Thank you for your question. Yes, a medical group can be held liable for the negligence of its individual providers. However, in order to prevail in a lawsuit, Plaintiff must establish a very serious injury, or damages, which are caused by the negligence. In this case, a delay in diagnosis and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Personal Injury and Sexual Harassment for New York on
Q: When do I introduce interrogatory questions and evidence in civil litigation for adult survivors act?

Can I request multiple things in one motion. Such as production of all relating evidence and production of answers to interrogatories from adversary. Furthermore I would need to amend complaint to include causes of action, which I plan to ask by motion. Do I need to formally have a process server... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Sep 18, 2024

A motion is a means by which to compel a response to a previously served demand for interrogatories or a notice for discovery and inspection, not a means by which to demand discovery for the first time. With regard to an amended complaint, it can only be filed on consent of all parties or by leave... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: As a federal employee, are Kalkines and Garritty violations grounds for Federal Tort Claims Act based legal action ?

After being threatened by my supervisor with termination (administrative actions), I was then summoned for an interview with federal investigators for questioning regarding an incident in the workplace. I was advised by a representative not to show up for said interview. After a lengthy... View More

David Fallon
David Fallon
answered on Sep 12, 2024

Dear federal employee:

I'm sorry to hear you went through this situation. Unfortunately, I don't think an attorney will be able to give you a definitive answer based upon the information you've provided. You ask if "Kalkines" and "Garrity" violations...
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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Car Accidents and Civil Rights for New York on
Q: Do i have the rights for trial jury?

In an injury case, if I rather the decision of the case being made by a trial jury instead of a judge, do I have Constitutional rights to request a trial jury? Thank you for your help.

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Aug 20, 2024

In New York, you have the right to have your case tried by a jury. That said, the judge will decide whether there are issues of fact to be determined by a jury or whether the defendant in your case is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Personal injury settelment denied lawyer is not giving me letter stating they are not representing me anymore?

Lawyer is not providing me the letter stating they have dropped me as a client. It's Been couple of months and everytime I call either they say they sent it or the the person handing my case is not avaliable.

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Aug 20, 2024

If your case was never put in suit, your attorney would not need permission from the court to withdraw as counsel. Although they have not provided you with a letter stating that they are no longer representing you, there is nothing stopping you from hiring a new lawyer. You can find many... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: How long does it take to investigate a car accident when 1 driver, my son, has a T B I , has been to court, and is bein

Ticketed with speeding. We are dealing with Colonie, N.Y. Court . Things are on hold till my son gets his memory back. Thanks for your help. Shawn

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 9, 2024

I hope everyone involved is okay and that your son is okay and that makes a healthy recovery. It could run anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on (1) who is doing the investigation (highway safety division of police pct, country district attorney office, insurance company claim... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: I was never answered back from the attorney general or court of claims or clerk of courts .why?

All sick call slips were denied . Grievences were found denied .grievance appeals were denied . Spinal fracture from injury .

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 24, 2024

This is something that attorneys who regularly appear before the Court of Claims could answer best, but you await a response for two weeks. One option could be to look into whether the Court Clerk's Office has information on your case. This sounds like a complex case - if you were represented... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: in April of 2022 I went to the ER for a hurting neck. they didnt take exrays or even look at my neck they gave me pain

meds and sent me on my way about a month later through horrible pain I find out i have a broken neck. Do i have a case for the pain and suffering for the time in between I went in to the time i had sugery

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

Sorry to hear what you went through. In any malpractice case, you need to demonstrate 1) a departure from the standard of care; and 2) harm or injury caused by the departure. Even assuming that the hospital departed from the standard of care in not ordering x-rays of your neck, you'd still... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: in April of 2022 I went to the ER for a hurting neck. they didnt take exrays or even look at my neck they gave me pain

meds and sent me on my way about a month later through horrible pain I find out i have a broken neck. Do i have a case for the pain and suffering for the time in between I went in to the time i had sugery

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 9, 2024

I'm very sorry for your injury and the ordeal it has caused you. Yes, it's possible you might have a case - but attorneys would probably want to review the matter in further detail before advising definitively. It could depend on the symptoms you presented with, statements you made during... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Consumer Law and Health Care Law for New York on
Q: Question 2: Would a patient falling from a stretcher be considered Medical Malpractice?

Patient was transported via ambulance to the Emergency Room at the hospital. Patient was told by hospital staff that he had fallen from the stretcher.

Medical Notes Available.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 22, 2024

It could be actionable as a tort claim, and attorneys might pose cogent arguments supporting both textbook negligence or med mal standards of care. However, Mr. Heyman raises a very good point that med mal claims often involve treatment/diagnosis on the part of medical professionals, defined by... View More

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