James Sikes, in case you missed the story, is a poor fellow whose name recently hit the national news when his 2008 Toyota Prius’ accelerator pedal stuck to the floor, sending him rocketing down Interstate 8 at speeds up to 95 miles per hour. Just the other day, Toyota held…
In my last blog post, I explained that “pain and suffering” is an important part of compensation sought in a personal injury lawsuit. Personal injury lawyers here in Central New York, and everywhere else for that matter, tend to lump the two words, “pain” and “suffering”, together as if they…
“Pain and suffering” is the ugly duckling of personal injury damage claims. Many people roll their eyes when those three words are spoken, especially when spoken by personal injury lawyers. The concept is so unpopular, so despised, that when Syracuse and Central New York personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers…
Cover-ups. Personal injury lawyers here in Syracuse, Central New York, and everywhere, love them. We play them for all they are worth. Think about those big tobacco lawsuits. Would those smokers have rung the bell with those big pain and suffering verdicts without evidence that the tobacco industry had covered…
Do you take you Syracuse or Central New York injury claim seriously? Do you want the insurance company to take it seriously, too? Well, I’ve got some news for you: The sure-fire way to guaranty that the insurance company will NOT take your injury seriously is to represent yourself. You…
I can think of few laws as unfair as “damages cap” laws. For those readers unfamiliar with this concept, let me explain. A “damages-cap” law essentially says that, in a personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuit, the injured plaintiff is limited to a certain amount of compensation for his or…
I abhor frivolous lawsuits. I try to bring my New York personal injury lawsuits only against companies and people whom I feel are truly liable for my clients’ injuries. But once in a while I am forced to sue “iffy” claims against those who probably are not responsible for my…
I get this question all the time. A client is hurt by someone else’s negligence and wants to know what to expect, and more specifically, HOW MUCH to expect in settlement for her personal injury. First, you can usually only tell after the doctor has released you from further treatment.…
I get it all the time: “I’m not THAT kind of person. I’m not the suing type”. They fidget nervously, from their chair on the other side of my desk, afraid I will think they are “that kind of person” for coming to see me. I think silently, “What must…
The Syracuse Post Standard reports today that State police have arrested a 28-year old socio-therapist at a residential center for teenage boys on rape charges. The socio-therapist is alleged to have had sexual contact with a 15-year-old resident of Snell Farms Children Center in Bath, in Steuben County. Criminal charges…