New York Personal Injury Lawyers

Wrongful Death

$21.5 Million - Rafael C

Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP Are Experienced & Successful New York Serious Injury Lawyers with Results Exceeding $500 Million

New York Wrongful Death Lawyers: Seeking Justice

Losing a loved one unexpectedly is one of life’s most devastating experiences. Grieving families are suddenly faced with the loss of someone they held dear who provided love, companionship, affection, guidance, instruction, and often vital financial income or household services. When such a loss is caused by the negligence, carelessness, recklessness, or deliberate action of another, the emotional trauma for families is often intensified by the knowledge that the death should never have happened and could have been prevented. 

Even though financial compensation will never “compensate” for the loss of someone you love, a wrongful death claim can be brought in such situations on behalf of family members. These claims may help ease your pain, bring a sense of closure and justice, and provide you with the financial resources to move forward. At Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP, our team of New York wrongful death attorneys is here to help you recover the losses suffered in wrongful death. 

We fight for the compensation you need and deserve. One example of our success involved a $21.5 million structured settlement in a wrongful death case in New York City regarding the death of a sanitation worker (Rafael C v. the City of New York and St. Barnabas Hospital). No wrongful death case is like any other. However, the outcome of your case depends upon a variety of unique factors. We will help you understand the value of your case and seek every dollar available to you.

Talk to a New York wrongful death attorney at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP about your case in a free evaluation. We can be reached online or at (212) 732-2929 for appointments. 

What Is a Wrongful Death in New York?

Wrongful death is defined under New York Estate Powers & Trust § 5-4.1 (2021) which states that it is a death caused by a wrongful act, neglect, or attack. In such a matter, had the deceased party survived, he or she would have had the right to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. Because the injuries were fatal, that is no longer possible. However, others can file a claim on behalf of the deceased party. 

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In New York, only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Family members are not allowed to do so unless they have been designated as personal representatives. In these cases, the personal representative seeks damages on behalf of the estate and family survivors to compensate for the death. 

Here are the beneficiaries of a wrongful death lawsuit in New York:

  • Spouse: The surviving spouse of the deceased is usually the primary beneficiary in a wrongful death lawsuit in New York. If there is no surviving spouse, the next beneficiaries in line are typically the deceased person’s children.
  • Children: If the deceased person had children, they are often considered beneficiaries in a wrongful death lawsuit. If the deceased had multiple children, the compensation may be divided equally among them.
  • Parents: If the deceased person had no spouse or children, their parents may be entitled to recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit in New York.
  • Other dependents: In some cases, other individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased person may be considered beneficiaries and entitled to compensation. This could include stepchildren, adopted children, or other relatives who relied on the deceased for financial support.

Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim

Damages that can be recovered in a wrongful death claim will depend on the circumstances of the case.

Typical damages in these cases have included:

  • Pain and suffering caused to the deceased person before death
  • Medical expenses incurred by the deceased person before his or her death
  • Lost earnings that the deceased would have provided the family
  • The value of the lost services or support the deceased would have provided
  • The value of lost care, nurture, and guidance the deceased would have provided his or her children
  • Lost inheritance 
  • Funeral and burial costs

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Unfortunately, based on your query, we are unable to assist you at this time. Our firm specializes in serious accidents and negligence cases, such as car accidents, slips and falls, construction accidents, and other accidents that require hospitalization or ongoing treatment.

Causes of Wrongful Death

Wrongful deaths can occur in many ways. However, they are all based on the fact that another party was negligent or engaged in a wrongful act that caused the death. 

Examples of causes of wrongful death can include:

Liability in Wrongful Death Cases

One important aspect of proving a wrongful death case is determining who was responsible for your loved one’s accident—and gathering convincing evidence to show that this party is liable. This task is something that we can handle for you, as it can be challenging to examine all the details of your loved one’s accident on your own.

Keep in mind that the person who caused the accident may not be the only person responsible for compensating you. This is yet another aspect of proving liability that can be complicated. For instance, if your loved one passed away in a car crash, you may think that the driver is responsible for your case; however, after we investigate, we may determine that another party is also liable..

Liable parties may include:

  • Owners and operators of motor vehicles
  • Property owners and managers
  • Local or state governmentsConstruction companies
  • Trucking companies
  • Cargo loading companies
  • Vehicle and their part manufacturers
  • Manufacturers of other defective consumer products
  • Dangerous drug and medical device manufacturers
  • Nursing home owners or administrators
  • Hospitals

Through an intensive investigation, we can determine that all appropriate parties are held responsible in your case. 

When the Other Party Shifts Blame 

 Ideally, insurance companies pay wrongful death claims based on the evidence in your case. However, more often than not, people run into complications when attempting to collect a fair settlement. For instance, the liable party may argue that they were not responsible in an attempt to avoid paying for your family’s losses.

You don’t have to deal with these accusations on your own. This is when a proven and trusted legal team can truly help through comprehensive case preparation. If an insurance company tries to challenge or deny your claim, we can prove the other party’s liability based on the compelling evidence that we have gathered. At Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP, we prepare every case for trial which means we are ready for any eventuality, from legal challenges from the other side to lowball settlement offers and jury trials. 

Statute Of Limitations in Wrongful Death 

Your time to bring a claim on behalf of your deceased family member is subject to a statute of limitations. This means you have a certain window of time to file your claim. In general, you have a two-year deadline from the date of your loved one’s death. 

If you fail to bring your claim before the deadline, you may be forever prevented from receiving the financial compensation your family deserves. We recommend that you seek our help as soon as possible in any wrongful death matter.

How We Can Help

At Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP, we play a significant role in helping our clients navigate the complexities of the legal system and obtain the compensation they deserve for their loss. Here’s how we can assist with a wrongful death lawsuit:

  • Legal Expertise: We have a deep understanding of New York’s wrongful death laws and procedures. We use our legal expertise to guide our clients through every step of the legal process, ensuring that their rights are protected and that they receive the maximum compensation available under the law.
  • Investigation: We conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of our client’s loved one. This may involve gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, consulting with experts, and reviewing relevant documentation to build a strong case on our client’s behalf.
  • Identifying Liable Parties: We determine who may be legally responsible for our client’s loved one’s death. This could include individuals, businesses, or other entities whose negligence or wrongful actions contributed to the fatal accident or incident.
  • Calculating Damages: We work with financial experts to assess the full extent of our client’s losses, including economic damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
  • Negotiation: We negotiate with insurance companies and opposing parties to seek a fair settlement that adequately compensates our clients for their losses. Our goal is to achieve a resolution that provides financial security and closure for our clients without the need for a lengthy and stressful trial.
  • Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, we are prepared to take the case to court and advocate vigorously for our client’s rights in front of a judge and jury. We have extensive experience litigating wrongful death cases and are committed to pursuing justice on behalf of our clients.

Throughout the entire process, we provide compassionate support and personalized attention to our clients, guiding them through this difficult time with empathy and understanding. Our team is dedicated to helping our clients obtain justice and compensation for the wrongful death of their loved ones.

Our personal injury team has extensive experience handling claims for car accidents, construction accidents, wrongful death, serious injuries, and more.

Call us today at (212) 732-2929 for a free case evaluation. We want to use our experience to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Focused on Your Recovery

Brain Damaged Child

$50 Million

A four-year-old boy was brought to the hospital for a routine eyelid repair. To cut costs, the hospital contracted out its anesthesia services to a third-party corporation.

Wrongful Death

$21.5 Million

This accident occurred in the Bronx when our client was working on a sanitation truck. The driver lost control while making a turn. Our client was ejected and the truck ran over his leg.

Pedestrian Injury

$10.3 Million

A 22-year-old theater intern was walking across the intersection of 42nd Street and Ninth Avenue in Manhattan when she was struck by the rear door of a passing truck which had flown open because it had been improperly secured by the driver.

MVA - Police Officer

$31 Million

A 35-year-old New York City Police officer was admitted to Jacobi Hospital with head and limb injuries after a collision.

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Un joven chino con discapacidad de desarrollo de 21 años caminaba con algunos amigos después de la escuela cuando salió al cruce de peatones contra la luz y un autobús de la ciudad que estaba girando demasiado cerca de la esquina lo golpeó.
Un ayudante de camarero de 20 años fue atropellado por un automóvil en Ocean Parkway en Brooklyn, lo que lo dejó en coma y con graves lesiones cerebrales.
Esta contable caminaba después del trabajo en Battery Park en el paseo peatonal cuando de repente fue golpeada por una motoneta de la policía que iba a gran velocidad.
Una pasante de teatro de 22 años caminaba por la intersección de la calle 42 y la Novena Avenida en Manhattan cuando fue golpeada por la puerta trasera de un camión que pasaba cuando la puerta abrio volando porque no había sido asegurado correctamente por el conductor.
La Sra. Y-H, pasajera en un tren del metro que descarriló.
Un ayudante de camarero de 20 años fue atropellado por un automóvil en Ocean Parkway en Brooklyn.
Un repartidor en bicicleta de 26 años fue golpeado por una camioneta Dollar Rent-A-Car que iba a gran velocidad en una intersección concurrida, causando múltiples fracturas en el cuello, espalda, brazo y pierna, así como daños cerebrales leves.
Christian, un niño de 4 años, fue llevado al hospital para una reparación rutinaria de párpados caídos. El hospital, en una medida de reducción de costos, había contratado sus servicios de anestesia en quirófano a una corporación que empleaba principalmente enfermeras anestesistas en lugar de médicos capacitados para administrar anestesia.
Un niño sufrió lesiones graves después de caerse mientras corría detrás de su autobús escolar y ser atropellado por las ruedas traseras. Este caso demuestra la habilidad de la firma para obtener compensación en accidentes que involucran autobuses escolares y menores.
Un joven chino con discapacidad de desarrollo de 21 años caminaba con algunos amigos después de la escuela cuando salió al cruce de peatones contra la luz y un autobús de la ciudad que estaba girando demasiado cerca de la esquina lo golpeó.
La Sra. Y-H era una pasajera en un tren del metro que descarriló.
Un ayudante de camarero de 20 años fue atropellado por un automóvil en Ocean Parkway en Brooklyn, sufriendo lesiones graves, incluyendo un coma. Aunque es un caso de peatón, el incidente involucra un vehículo y demuestra la experiencia de la firma en manejar accidentes graves de tránsito.
A pesar del hecho de que este caso fue referido a Dansker & Aspromonte LLP Associates por otro abogado 17 años después de que ocurriera el accidente, se obtuvo un veredicto impresionante a través de una investigación cuidadosa y una preparación incansable.
En uno de los casos más trágicos que ha visto esta oficina, dos madres y sus cuatro adolescentes conducían a una reunión de natación de la escuela secundaria en el New York State Thruway en una camioneta.
Este caso involucró a una niña de 6 años que estaba en una camioneta que fue golpeada por una ambulancia en un choque de varios autos en el Northern State Parkway en Long Island, Nueva York.
Una oficial de la Policía de la Ciudad de Nueva York de 35 años sufrió lesiones graves mientras era pasajera en un automóvil policial en camino a una llamada de emergencia.
Un carpintero de 46 años cayó de una escalera que resbaló en el sitio de trabajo, lo que le causó lesiones significativas. Este caso ilustra la experiencia de la firma en accidentes de equipo defectuoso en entornos de construcción.
Un carpintero de 30 años cayó de una escalera en un sitio de trabajo en una tienda minorista, resultando en lesiones graves. Este caso subraya la capacidad de la firma para asegurar compensación en accidentes de caídas en proyectos de construcción.
Un inmigrante mexicano sin documentación cayó 30 pies desde un andamio en un sitio de construcción, sufriendo lesiones graves al impactar contra el cemento. Este caso demuestra la experiencia de la firma en caídas en el lugar de trabajo, comunes en la construcción.
Un trabajador de construcción sufrió fracturas en el hombro, clavícula, costillas y cadera, además de lesiones internas que requirieron múltiples cirugías. Este caso destaca la habilidad de la firma para manejar lesiones graves en el lugar de trabajo.
Baby S was born with a congenital hip dislocation which was not anyone’s fault. However, malpractice occurred when the doctors and hospital did not recognize the condition after she was born. Their failure to diagnose and properly treat the condition resulted in a slight but permanent deformity.
Julio, 16, was an outpatient at the Manhattan Children’s Psychiatric Hospital where he attended school and got psychiatric counseling and supportive therapy every day. The NYC Board of Ed operated the school. One day after school, Julio ran after his bus, which was leaving without him. He slipped and was run over by the back wheels, sustaining severe injuries, including bilateral hip fractures and a shearing injury to his buttocks. Board of Ed rules required that Julio was to be escorted to the bus. The NYCTA denied liability, claiming they weren’t negligent because Julio ran after the bus. The City denied liability because they claimed the school day was over. At trial, both the Board of Ed who had knowledge of Julio’s poor impulse control and was required to put him safely on the bus, and the NYCTA whose bus driver saw Julio running and made no effort to slow or stop the bus were found to be responsible.
Baby Taylor C. – Taylor’s mother had gained over 50 pounds during the pregnancy, was past due, and had a prolonged first stage and second stage of delivery. These are warning signs of an overly large baby. Baby Taylor was 9 lbs. 13 oz. Instead of delivery by C-section, which was clearly indicated, the attending physician elected a natural birth. When the baby was stuck in the pelvic area, excessive force was used to pull her out, injuring the nerves in her neck and causing partial paralysis of her left arm. The condition is known as Erbs Palsy. The case was settled during the trial. Fortunately, Baby Taylor’s injury improved over time.
Ayisha W- A young girl slid down a sliding pond in the playground of an NYC school. The slide was not installed properly and there was a gap between the metal on the side of the slide. As Ayisha slid down, her ring finger went into the gap and the top of it was cut off. The City argued that since it was just the tip of her finger it was not worth much money. At trial, it was proved that Ayisha had a devastating emotional reaction that affected every aspect of her life and self-esteem. The jury agreed.
A 46-year-old carpenter was working on a straight ladder which had been leaned against the wall on a jobsite. He fell when the ladder slipped away from the wall. As a result, he suffered facial injuries and a fractured knee that required surgery. The property owner and general contractor were found to be responsible because Jian S. should have been provided with a more suitable A-frame ladder or scaffolding.
A 30-year-old carpenter who was working at a job site in a retail store fell from a ladder onto both feet. He suffered bilateral calcaneus fractures requiring multiple surgeries.
An undocumented Mexican immigrant working on scaffolding at a construction site fell 30 feet onto the cement. He fractured his skull and vertebrae in his neck and back. It was shown at trial that the company he worked for failed to provide him with a safety line, which would have prevented his fall.
Following a 4- story fall, a construction worker at a West 17th Street construction site in Manhattan recently won a $5.5 million dollar settlement from the general contractor and building owner for failing to provide him with a safe workplace. Defendants had argued that the fall was the result of the 56 year old construction worker’s own carelessness but Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP lawyers were able to prove otherwise. As a result of his fall, the construction worker suffered fractures of his shoulder, clavicle, ribs and hip, as well as internal injuries which required multiple surgeries. These injuries required home care which was primarily provided by his wife who also received a payment of $500,000 as part of the settlement. To minimize their own responsibility, the general contractor and building owner claimed that the worker had made an excellent recovery when he had not. In order to prove the case, Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP retained 5 separate experts to illustrate the full extent of the worker’s injuries and the disabling effect they would have over the course of his life.
Maria, a housekeeper, was walking across Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn in the crosswalk when she was struck by a school bus and thrown over 25 feet. She sustained severe injuries, including multiple fractures. The bus driver claimed that he had a green light and was travelling at a safe speed. Unfortunately, Mrs. S. could not recall any of the facts of the accident. Our investigator combed the area for witnesses. He found a woman who lived on the sixth floor of an adjacent apartment building. Although she didn’t see the accident, she happened to look out her window and saw Maria’s body lying in the roadway down the street. Using this testimony, our accident reconstruction expert was able to prove that the bus had to be speeding to knock Maria that far from the crosswalk. The case was settled immediately after that testimony.
Our client was a married NYC Parks Department employee. On a snowy night in Staten Island, he was preparing his truck to spread salt on the roadways. He drove the spreader truck to the salt storage yard. As he waited alongside his truck, the operator of a front loader truck used to place the salt in the spreader lost control of the loading bucket. Sadly, he was struck by the bucket, suffered massive injuries and died in the hospital several hours later.
A 21-year-old developmentally disabled Chinese boy was walking with some friends after school when he stepped out into the crosswalk against the light and a City bus which was turning a little too close to the corner struck him. The young man had crippling injuries which prevented him from leaving the hospital where he died several months later. Despite the fact that eyewitnesses said the boy stepped into the street against the light, the law reduces an injured person’s share of liability in accordance with their mental capacity. At trial, it was proven through a guidance counselor from his school that he was intellectually comparable to a seven-year-old. Thereafter, the jury determined that this young man was not legally responsible for his actions and awarded 100% in his favor on the liability portion of the trial
In one of the most tragic cases this office has seen, two mothers and their four teenagers were driving to a high school swimming meet on the New York State Thruway in a van. When the driver suspected a flat tire, instead of pulling over onto the shoulder, the mother of two of the children inexplicably stopped the van in the right moving lane of traffic. Within a very short time, the driver of a tanker truck traveling at a steady 65 miles an hour who claimed not to see the stopped van, struck it at full speed, literally cutting the van in half. There were two survivors with grave injuries and four fatalities. We secured the maximum insurance that was available to cover these claims.
Following a 4- story fall, a construction worker at a West 17th Street construction site in Manhattan recently won a $5.5 million dollar settlement from the general contractor and building owner for failing to provide him with a safe workplace. Defendants had argued that the fall was the result of the 56 year old construction worker’s own carelessness but Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP lawyers were able to prove otherwise. As a result of his fall, the construction worker suffered fractures of his shoulder, clavicle, ribs and hip, as well as internal injuries which required multiple surgeries. These injuries required home care which was primarily provided by his wife who also received a payment of $500,000 as part of the settlement. To minimize their own responsibility, the general contractor and building owner claimed that the worker had made an excellent recovery when he had not. In order to prove the case, Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP retained 5 separate experts to illustrate the full extent of the worker’s injuries and the disabling effect they would have over the course of his life.
Un trabajador de construcción de 50 años estaba montando su bicicleta cuando cayó debido a un defecto en la carretera y sufrió pequeñas fracturas y daños cognitivos leves.
Un trabajador de mantenimiento de 31 años golpeó un sensor de presión de control de tráfico de la ciudad de Nueva York mientras montaba su bicicleta. Debido a un mal mantenimiento del sensor, el trabajador sufrió lesiones graves.
Una mujer y su novio estaban andando en bicicleta cuando entraron en un sitio de excavación sin protección en una zona completamente oscura bajo un paso elevado. La bicicleta de Rhonda cayó en un pozo y su cara se estrelló contra la carretera.
Un repartidor en bicicleta de 26 años fue golpeado por una camioneta Dollar Rent-A-Car que iba a gran velocidad en una intersección concurrida, causando múltiples fracturas en el cuello, espalda, brazo y pierna, así como daños cerebrales leves.
La madre de Taylor había subido más de 50 libras durante el embarazo, estaba atrasada, y tuvo una prolongada primera y segunda etapa del parto.
Una joven madre china por primera vez resultó herida debido a la negligencia médica de los médicos y el personal de lo que entonces era el Hospital Beekman Downtown.
Un bombero de 42 años, que antes había corrido más de 30 maratones, se cortó la pierna mientras luchaba contra un incendio.
Christian, un niño de 4 años, fue llevado al hospital para una reparación rutinaria de párpados caídos. El hospital, en una medida de reducción de costos, había contratado sus servicios de anestesia en quirófano a una corporación que empleaba principalmente enfermeras anestesistas en lugar de médicos capacitados para administrar anestesia.
Un guardia de seguridad resbaló en una superficie helada frente a un edificio propiedad de Metropolitan Life, lo que le causó una fractura de rodilla.
Una asistente de salud en el hogar de 56 años tropezó con un cable expuesto que se extendía desde una cabina telefónica en la plataforma del metro, resultando en una lesión que requirió un reemplazo de rodilla.
Un conductor de servicio se bajó de su vehículo para recoger dinero en el carril de un Burger King cuando cayó a través de una rejilla de alcantarillado rota, resultando en una caída de 4 pies y lesiones significativas.
Un trabajador de construcción indocumentado cayó desde un andamio a 30 pies de altura, impactando contra el cemento y sufriendo lesiones graves. Este caso muestra la experiencia de la firma en caídas graves en el trabajo, que se relacionan con incidentes de resbalones y caídas en entornos peligrosos.
Un niño de 16 años fue atropellado por un camión que estaba retrocediendo lentamente y quedó atrapado contra una pared, sufriendo una grave laceración en el bazo, que tuvo que ser removido.
Adjudicado al cónyuge. El Sr. S. era un empleado casado del Departamento de Parques de Nueva York. En una noche nevada en Staten Island, estaba preparando su camión para esparcir sal en las carreteras
En uno de los casos más trágicos que ha visto esta oficina, dos madres y sus cuatro adolescentes conducían a una reunión de natación de la escuela secundaria en el New York State Thruway en una camioneta.
Una pasante de teatro de 22 años caminaba por la intersección de la calle 42 y la Novena Avenida en Manhattan cuando fue golpeada por la puerta trasera de un camión que pasaba cuando la puerta abrio volando porque no había sido asegurado correctamente por el conductor.
Adjudicado al cónyuge. El Sr. S. era un empleado casado del Departamento de Parques de Nueva York. En una noche nevada en Staten Island, estaba preparando su camión para esparcir sal en las carreteras
Adjudicado a la familia. Un hombre de 49 años cayó por el hueco de un ascensor cuando las puertas del ascensor se abrieron, pero la cabina del ascensor estaba en un piso superior.
En uno de los casos más trágicos que ha visto esta oficina, dos madres y sus cuatro adolescentes conducían a una reunión de natación de la escuela secundaria en el New York State Thruway en una camioneta.
Este accidente ocurrió en el Bronx cuando Rafael C. estaba trabajando en un camión de saneamiento. El conductor perdió el control al girar el vehículo.
Una pasante de teatro de 22 años caminaba por la intersección de la calle 42 y la Novena Avenida en Manhattan cuando fue golpeada por la puerta trasera de un camión que pasaba cuando la puerta abrio volando porque no había sido asegurado correctamente por el conductor.Una pasante de teatro de 22 años caminaba por la intersección de la calle 42 y la Novena Avenida en Manhattan cuando fue golpeada por la puerta trasera de un camión que pasaba cuando la puerta abrio volando porque no había sido asegurado correctamente por el conductor.
En uno de los casos más trágicos que ha visto esta oficina, dos madres y sus cuatro adolescentes conducían a una reunión de natación de la escuela secundaria en el New York State Thruway en una camioneta.
Un bombero de 42 años, que antes había corrido más de 30 maratones, se cortó la pierna mientras luchaba contra un incendio.
Un Oficial de la Policía de la Ciudad de Nueva York de 35 años era una pasajera en un automóvil de la policía que iba a una llamada de emergencia.
An undocumented Mexican immigrant working on scaffolding at a construction site fell 30 feet onto the cement. He fractured his skull and vertebrae in his neck and back. It was shown at trial that the company he worked for failed to provide him with a safety line, which would have prevented his fall.
Julio, 16, was an outpatient at the Manhattan Children’s Psychiatric Hospital where he attended school and got psychiatric counseling and supportive therapy every day. The NYC Board of Ed operated the school. One day after school, Julio ran after his bus, which was leaving without him. He slipped and was run over by the back wheels, sustaining severe injuries, including bilateral hip fractures and a shearing injury to his buttocks. Board of Ed rules required that Julio was to be escorted to the bus. The NYCTA denied liability, claiming they weren’t negligent because Julio ran after the bus. The City denied liability because they claimed the school day was over. At trial, both the Board of Ed who had knowledge of Julio’s poor impulse control and was required to put him safely on the bus, and the NYCTA whose bus driver saw Julio running and made no effort to slow or stop the bus were found to be responsible.
Baby Taylor C. – Taylor’s mother had gained over 50 pounds during the pregnancy, was past due, and had a prolonged first stage and second stage of delivery. These are warning signs of an overly large baby. Baby Taylor was 9 lbs. 13 oz. Instead of delivery by C-section, which was clearly indicated, the attending physician elected a natural birth. When the baby was stuck in the pelvic area, excessive force was used to pull her out, injuring the nerves in her neck and causing partial paralysis of her left arm. The condition is known as Erbs Palsy. The case was settled during the trial. Fortunately, Baby Taylor’s injury improved over time.
Ayisha W- A young girl slid down a sliding pond in the playground of an NYC school. The slide was not installed properly and there was a gap between the metal on the side of the slide. As Ayisha slid down, her ring finger went into the gap and the top of it was cut off. The City argued that since it was just the tip of her finger it was not worth much money. At trial, it was proved that Ayisha had a devastating emotional reaction that affected every aspect of her life and self-esteem. The jury agreed.