July, 2013 - Braunfotel and Frendel

New York’s new drunk driving laws

In 2009, New York passed Leandra's Law to impose harsher penalties on people convicted of drunk driving. Named after an 11-year old girl who lost her life in a drunk driving accident, the law makes driving drunk with a minor passenger a felony punishable by up to four years in prison. The prison sentence can reach seven years if the child is injured and 15 years if the child is killed. Leandra's Law also requires anyone convicted of an alcohol-related offense to have an ignition-interlock device installed in their vehicle.In July 2013, New York Governor Cuomo signed a bill into legislation that strengthens Leandra's Law and expands the penalties for drunk driving. Before the new legislation was passed, a person driving drunk with a conditional license would only be charged [...]

New York’s new drunk driving lawsjames2013-07-31T00:00:00+00:00

Possible new tool for those injured in a car accident

Drivers today have more safety options for their cars than at any other time in the past. However, there are still may people every day that are injured in a car accident. Some experts, though, are claiming that a new device could possibly help determine what may have led to an accident in some situations. While this device has its share of critics, drivers everywhere, including in New York may need to be aware of its possible uses.The device is similar to the so-called black boxes that are used in planes. Unlike the plane version which records everything that occurs during the flight and landing of the plane, this box would apparently only record the brief period of time that is related to when an accident happens. The device is [...]

Possible new tool for those injured in a car accidentjames2013-07-29T00:00:00+00:00

Man sentenced to 25 years for stolen lottery ticket

A man was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison on July 23 after being convicted of possessing a stolen $5 million winning lottery ticket. The 35-year-old New York man was said to have a winning ticket that was stolen in late 2006 from a convenience store owned by his parents. The man's father is also facing conspiracy charges and will begin trial in September. New York Lottery representatives report that they are finishing the process of verifying the real owner of the ticket.According to the local police department and lottery officials, the convicted man and his brother allegedly convinced a customer that his ticket was only worth $5,000 and paid him $4,000 as his prize, less a $1,000 handling fee. The brothers then reportedly waited more than five [...]

Man sentenced to 25 years for stolen lottery ticketjames2013-07-25T00:00:00+00:00

Study of medical malpractice claims establishes common errors

We continue to get a better understanding of the medical errors claimed against doctors in malpractice cases. A study recently completed looked at details on medical malpractice claims, including in New York, and revealed that the single biggest allegation of medical error is the failure to diagnose a disease, such as cancer or heart disease. The most frequently missed diagnoses according to the claims were cancer, heart attacks in adults, and meningitis in children.The second most common errors claimed were medication errors, such as prescription-related errors or adverse drug reactions. It should be emphasized, however, that this statistic has nothing to do with actual errors committed. About two-thirds of claims evaluated in the United States aren't accepted.In addition, most patients who experience medical errors do not file medical malpractice claims, [...]

Study of medical malpractice claims establishes common errorsjames2013-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

New York dean suspended after drug charges

The dean of students of an all-boys Jesuit school in New York was taken into custody after he was suspected of possessing illegal drugs. According to police reports, the 35-year-old man was found sleeping in his car near a business. Upon approaching the car, police say the school administrator told them he was feeling ill and took some medication. He allegedly showed them eight pills that were not in an appropriate container.Inside the car, police say they found three syringes, two spoons and folded paper that they suspect contained heroin. The dean was charged with illegal storage of narcotics because the prescription drugs were not in their original bottle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of narcotics.The 100-year-old private school that he works for released a statement when they learned [...]

New York dean suspended after drug chargesjames2013-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

New York City apartment building blast causes personal injury

Building owners are responsible for maintaining the structure and keeping it in good repair in order to help ensure the security and safety of all tenants who occupy the building. If grave injury is caused because of unsafe conditions, the owner may be held liable for damages. A building in New York City's Chinatown exploded recently after a beauty salon that occupied the first floor put out pest control foggers. At least nine people suffered a personal injury, with four in critical condition.The incident occurred after a woman at the salon put out 24 bug bombs. It is believed that the aerosol from one of the bug bomb canisters came into contact with a pilot light, setting off the explosion. Part of the first floor collapsed in the blast.At the [...]

New York City apartment building blast causes personal injuryjames2013-07-16T00:00:00+00:00

2 teens die in fatal auto accident in New York

Obeying the traffic laws is essential for drivers on the road. This helps minimize the chances of an accident occurring that could cause injury or even death. One of the most important rules to follow is the speed limit, since the faster one drives the less time one has to react to any obstructions or other cars on the road. Unfortunately this rule may have been broken in a recent fatal auto accident in New York which resulted in two deaths.The incident happened in late June at approximately 1:15 a.m. when an 18-year-old male driver was traveling on the road in a 1996 Honda. He was attempting to pass another car at a high rate of speed when the incident occurred. The other car was a 1999 Pontiac that was [...]

2 teens die in fatal auto accident in New Yorkjames2013-07-11T00:00:00+00:00

Man faces multiple drug and weapon charges after investigation

A man faces numerous charges after the New York State Police's Community Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at the man's home. He has received numerous weapon and drug charges.According to the authorities, the narcotics team discovered marijuana and numerous guns and assault-style weapons during the search warrant. The 54-year-old man faces charges for fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and one third-degree and one fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The man had been previously convicted on felony charges and was prohibited from possessing firearms. He was arraigned and is in prison in lieu of bail/bond.Because this is the man's second offense, he will face severe punishment if he is convicted on the charges. However, a New York criminal defense attorney may be able to help have the charges [...]

Man faces multiple drug and weapon charges after investigationjames2013-07-10T00:00:00+00:00

Workplace accident in New York traps worker in trench for 2 hours

Every construction worker goes to work every day fully aware of possible dangers they may face. This type of career choice holds certain occupational hazards that could lead to a workplace accident. These accidents could result in personal injuries or in some cases death.A New York construction worker was rescued from a trench 25 feet deep by firefighters. He was working in the trench when the structure became unstable and formed a barricade around his body from the waist down. The firefighters' two hour effort was handled both aggressively and cautiously to retrieve the man who reportedly complained of leg pain.Firefighters were also concerned that the man could have been suffering from crush syndrome while in the trench. This common condition causes a dangerous increase of potassium in the body [...]

Workplace accident in New York traps worker in trench for 2 hoursjames2013-07-05T00:00:00+00:00

4-Month probe yields 2 New Rochelle drug arrests

After a 4-month investigation, the Westchester County Narcotics Unit arrested a 33-year old man and a 35-year old man, both from the Bronx, for allegedly selling cocaine to undercover officers and possessing drugs with the intent to sell them. Both drug charges are felonies.The 33-year-old was arrested in front of his Tomlinson Avenue residence and charged with four counts of sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and another four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell it.The 35-year-old, who resides on Halperin Avenue, was allegedly found with 20 small bags of cocaine when he was arrested on June 25 at Nardozi Place. He was subsequently charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and one [...]

4-Month probe yields 2 New Rochelle drug arrestsjames2013-07-04T00:00:00+00:00

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