Edelman & Edelman, P.C.'s Blog

NYC construction injuries are at their highest in a decade

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. posted in Construction Accidents on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Construction workers deserve a safe workplace, just like any other employee expects at their job, but unfortunately this is not always the reality. In New York City, construction workers face a potentially more dangerous environment as each year passes.

Reported construction injuries are currently on the rise in the city. In 2018, injury rates were higher than any other year after the 2008 recession. As this decade-high occurs, construction fatalities have remained high over the past few years as well.

Injured while renting an Airbnb? What are your options?

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Friday, December 21, 2018.

As many well-traveled individuals know, short-term vacation rentals like Airbnb are often a win-win situation for everyone involved — the renter gets an affordable place to stay and the owner/occupier gets to earn a little extra money.

Unfortunately, however, there can be a downside too, particularly when dangerous conditions are present at the rental property. So, who is responsible when a traveler using a short-term rental is seriously injured because of these unsafe or dangerous conditions? The owner? The booking company?

Is the rise of local delivery services causing more accidents?

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Monday, December 3, 2018.

New Yorkers have more options than ever when it comes to local delivery services, whether for groceries, products or take-out. Delivery truck accidents are also on the rise in New York City. The question is, are these issues connected?

Are more women dying in childbirth?

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Monday, November 19, 2018.

Pregnancy is a unique time for women, but it is for men as well. Something monumental is happening in your life and to your partner’s body, and there’s little control you have over the situation. It is natural to feel a little like you’re sitting on the sidelines.

What makes matters worse is when something goes wrong during pregnancy, birth or recovery. You want to help your partner as much as you can, but everything is new and you’re unsure of the right solution. Your best option is to place your trust in the medical professionals who you expect to know what to do, but sometimes things can still go wrong.

Is the disregard of potential allergies cause for legal action?

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Awareness of food allergies has increased in the past decade, as the problem impacts more people across a broad range of settings. Food allergies are an important consideration for schools, restaurants, airlines, sports venues, corporate kitchens and any other setting where food preparation and the public converge.

The severe consequences of not paying close enough attention to food allergies was realized when a 15-year-old girl with a sesame seed allergy ate a sandwich purchased from the chain Pret A Manager at Heathrow Airport in London and died hours later of cardiac arrest on a flight to Nice.

Workers' comp: why it may limit your compensation

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

Anyone who has suffered a serious on-the-job injury while working construction knows just how devastating it can be. Not only are victims unable to work, but they must also contend with mounting debt -- especially if they need extensive medical treatment.

While you may be tempted to seek workers' compensation benefits to cover your expenses, it is important to remember that you may be entitled to much more, particularly if your injuries were caused by a third party. This is why you need to make sure you take the correct steps in order to protect your rights.

The cost of wrongful convictions: 20,000 lost years, and counting

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Friday, October 5, 2018.

According to a recent report, The National Registry of Exonerations has finally hit a terrible milestone: victims on wrongful convictions who were later exonerated for crimes they didn’t commit have now lost more than 20,000 years behind bars.

Specifically, the Registry — which is a joint project involving the University of Michigan Law School, Michigan State University College of Law and the University of California Irvine Newkirk Center for Science & Society — indicates that exonerated individuals have spent a total of 20,080 years wrongfully imprisoned.

NY Scaffolding Law: 3 things all construction workers should know

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

Quite simply, New York has some of the best worker protections laws in the United States. In fact, unlike other states, New York even has a law that is specifically designed to protect construction workers who spend their days working high atop scaffolding.

Aptly named the “Scaffolding law,” New York’s Labor Law §240 requires general contractors and property owners to provide construction workers with proper safety equipment — including scaffolding — when the workers are constructing, demolishing, painting or merely cleaning a building. If the owner or contractor fails to fulfill this duty, and a worker is injured in a fall as a result, the owner or contractor may be liable.

NYC construction is booming — and construction deaths are spiking

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

There is no other way to put it, construction is booming in New York City. In fact, according to the city Department of Buildings (DOB), there were 168,243 construction permits issued last year, which is an all-time high.

The unfortunate downside of this recent boom, however, is that construction accidents are also increasing dramatically. Indeed, a recent report by the New York Post found that construction-related deaths in New York City have doubled, not to mention that injuries have also spiked 17 percent.

An intro into New York lead paint laws

On behalf of Edelman & Edelman, P.C. on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.

Earlier this summer, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) found itself marred in controversy when federal prosecutors filed a complaint claiming the agency woefully failed to comply with several crucial lead-paint regulations.

While this lead-paint debacle surprised many, it also served as a wake-up call for many New York residents — particularly those with children. Given that dust from lead paint is the most common cause of lead poisoning among children, New York parents need to familiarize themselves with the laws and regulations that govern lead paint here in New York.