May, 2018 - Braunfotel and Frendel

Tesla car crash greeted with CEO’s critical comments

Ever since Tesla debuted its Autopilot program, the company has been running into issues. Residents of New York who are concerned about the safety of Tesla's semi-autonomous vehicles may have heard about the crash that recently took place in Utah. The driver of Tesla Model S collided with a firetruck even though Autopilot was on, the reason being that the driver was looking down at her phone.Although the driver wasn't seriously injured, this accident received widespread attention from news media, prompting the Tesla CEO and supporters of the company to respond. However, rather than say that Tesla will ensure more rigorous safety standards or have federal car regulators oversee the issues, the CEO expressed amazement that such a minor accident would become front-page news when other more serious accidents receive [...]

Tesla car crash greeted with CEO’s critical commentsjames2018-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

Drug charges: Defense strategy choice needs careful consideration

Any person facing criminal charges in New York will likely explore defense options. When it comes to drug charges for possession, several defense strategies are available for those who do not plead guilty. A defendant might claim that officers violated his or her Fourth Amendment rights during the search and seizure procedure if the seized drugs were not in plain sight but obtained without consent. Denying ownership of the drugs might be a viable defense if there were others present at the time when police found the drugs.A crime lab must analyze any seized drugs before the prosecution can prove them to be illicit. The lab worker who did the analysis must then testify in the court at the trial. The actual drugs must be produced at trial, and with [...]

Drug charges: Defense strategy choice needs careful considerationjames2018-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers’ accidents: 70-year-old falls from scaffold

The owners of construction companies in New York are responsible for the safety of employees. However, if they fail to enforce compliance with the safety regulations prescribed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, construction workers' accidents are sure to happen. In one such a case, a worker recently fell from a scaffold in Onondaga County.According to authorities, a 70-year-old worker was on a scaffolding structure to install siding on a residence when he fell from a height of between 12 and 15 feet. Reportedly he landed on an air conditioner unit, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries not thought to be life-threatening. The reason for his fall might indicate a lack of supervision.A spokesperson for the sheriff says a cable wire between a utility [...]

Construction workers’ accidents: 70-year-old falls from scaffoldjames2018-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

New York father faces drunk driving charges under Leandra’s Law

New York State has a Child Passenger Protection Act that is also called Leandra's Law. This law was named for a girl who was killed in a crash when she was 11 years old. The driver of the car in which Leandra was a passenger was impaired, and he later pleaded guilty to drunk driving charges. A driver in Farmingville is facing similar charges after he was arrested on a recent Sunday.According to an arrest report, a 911 call was made by an employee of a fast-food restaurant who reported that a man in a Jeep fell asleep in the drive-thru lane. Police responded to the scene and located the vehicle, which was occupied by the suspected drunk driver and two toddlers. When police arrived at the restaurant, the man [...]

New York father faces drunk driving charges under Leandra’s Lawjames2018-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

More safety training might lessen construction workers’ accidents

The New York City Buildings Commissioner recently announced new requirements for the number of hours construction workers must spend in safety training. He says most construction workers' accidents are preventable, and the fact that so many injuries and deaths continue to occur underscores the need for additional safety training. Reportedly, changes will become effective in stages over more than two years.The new regulations will apply to construction workers on building sites where site-safety managers, site-safety coordinators and construction superintendents are required by the Department of Buildings. The current safety training requirements of 10 hours for workers will be increased to 30 hours by December and 40 hours by May next year. Supervisors will need 62 hours of safety training.The commissioner said the training opportunities would be flexible. An example is [...]

More safety training might lessen construction workers’ accidentsjames2018-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

Misdiagnosing AMD

According to a study conducted by university researchers, 25 percent of age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, cases are misdiagnosed by eye care professionals. AMD is the primary cause of irreversible vision loss for people in America who are at least 50 years old. This finding indicates that there could be significant issues older adults in New York will have to face.The researchers reevaluated 644 patients, whose average age was 69 years and on whom an optometrist or ophthalmologist had performed a dilated eye exam. The results show that 25 percent of those patients whose eyes had been considered normal showed indications of AMD.According to the lead author of the study, it is imperative that patients receive a proper diagnosis as the baby boomer population reaches the age range in which [...]

Misdiagnosing AMDjames2018-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

Drunk driving charges filed against former FDNY Union leader

Being accused of impaired driving in New York can be detrimental to anyone's career, regardless of whether a conviction is ultimately secured. This was underscored by the arrest of the Executive Director of the New York City Fire Pension Fund who was reportedly relieved from his position immediately upon his arrest. Drunk driving charges or driving while impaired by narcotics or prescription medication can result in job loss even before the accused person appears in court.The 62-year-old was formerly the President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. He was arrested on a recent evening after he apparently lost control of the vehicle he was driving. A report indicates that the car came to a halt in front of a store after mounting the sidewalk and striking a dumpster. Reportedly, a witness [...]

Drunk driving charges filed against former FDNY Union leaderjames2018-05-18T00:00:00+00:00

Should one fight a traffic ticket?

Getting a traffic ticket in New York can ruin one's day and cost a significant amount of money in fines and result in an increase in insurance premiums. One may be wondering whether fighting the ticket is a good idea. In some cases, taking time off work to go to a hearing can cost one more money than the ticket itself, making it disadvantageous to fight. However, if one's traffic ticket is costing thousands of dollars, defending oneself may be the best option.There are many defenses to fight a traffic ticket. For example, if the accused delayed a court date or chose a date closer to a holiday, it may be less likely that the police officer who pulled the accused over shows up in court. If the officer does [...]

Should one fight a traffic ticket?james2018-05-17T00:00:00+00:00

Workplace safety: An ergonomic program can prevent back injuries

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration prescribes specific safety regulations for particular industries in New York and across the country. However, it also provides guidelines under a general duty clause to prevent injuries that can happen in any work environment. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says one such a general workplace safety risk is back injury, which makes up almost 20 percent of all reported occupational illnesses and injuries.OSHA expects employers to provide workplaces that are free of known hazards, which includes ergonomic program implementation to prevent sprains and strains. Ergonomics is a science by which equipment, workspaces and jobs are designed to fit the worker. The agency says the cornerstone of ergonomic efficiency is back safety.Painful and costly workplace injuries can be prevented by providing guidance and training [...]

Workplace safety: An ergonomic program can prevent back injuriesjames2018-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

Surgical sponges left inside patient for years

New York residents may have read media stories about surgical sponges being left inside patients who underwent surgery, but they may not know how serious the long-term consequences of this kind of medical mistake can be. A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine told the story of a 42-year-old Japanese woman who suffered abdominal bloating and discomfort for years that was eventually found to have been caused by two surgical sponges that had been left inside her during childbirth.A medical records check revealed that the woman had undergone Caesarean sections six and nine years ago. Her doctors believed that both of the sponges were left in her abdomen during one of these procedures. The sponges were removed during emergency surgery that was performed after a CT scan [...]

Surgical sponges left inside patient for yearsjames2018-05-14T00:00:00+00:00

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