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Sep 29
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Workers’ Compensation Settlements 2020

By Settlements & Verdicts

A Depew, NY woman received $172,200.00 from a bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome injury sustained over a number of years while working as a medical program supervisor. Her occupational disease resulted in the claimant undergoing multiple surgeries covered by the insurance carrier.

A West Seneca, NY truck driver received $150,000.00 after sustaining injuries to his left shoulder, back, and both knees while performing maintenance on his trailer. His accident resulted in multiple surgeries, and the settlement includes a medical set aside fund for future medical treatment.

$91,306.73 was awarded to a Depew, NY man who injured his back while lifting. His settlement includes a set aside fund for future medical expenses.

A North Tonawanda, NY tow truck driver received $122,001.00 following a severe ankle sprain injury and multiple consequential injuries requiring several surgeries. The claimant was unable to return to work. His settlement provides for the continuation of medical benefits.

A Lackawanna, NY man received $159,100.00 for an injury to his back that was sustained when he slipped and fell on ice. Medical benefits to the claimant continue as part of his settlement.

An Angola, NY worker for the Highway Department received $121,105.33 for an injury to his left leg.

$139,500.00 was awarded to a Buffalo, NY truck driver who sustained injuries to his back and other parts of his body in a fall from his trailer. His settlement provides for a set aside fund to cover his future medical expenses.

A Cheektowaga, NY corrections officer received a settlement of $149,008.77 for multiple injuries sustained when she slipped and fell on ice in a parking lot, striking her entire left side.

A Buffalo, NY woman received $93,625.04 following a slip and fall on ice at work, wherein she struck her head and sustained a concussion and multiple injuries. Her accident resulted in surgery and continued therapy. Her settlement provides for a medical set aside as well as an annuity fund.

A Lackawanna, NY custodian received $176,000.00 when he injured his back from a ladder, requiring surgery. His medical benefits continue to be covered by the insurance carrier.

A Tonawanda, NY woman received $216,750.00 was awarded to a Tonawanda, NY worker who sustained multiple injuries to her neck, back, shoulder, and other body sites when she was struck from behind by another motor vehicle. The accident required the claimant to lose time from work and undergo substantial treatment. Her settlement includes a set aside for future medical expenses.

A Tonawanda, NY corrections officer received $283,470.62 for multiple injuries sustained in an altercation with an inmate.

A Depew, NY man received $127,500.00 was awarded to a Depew, NY truck driver who injured his back and right leg while making a large delivery. His settlement includes a medical set aside for future expenses as well as an annuity.

A Cuba, NY state trooper received $117,066.93 after he fell on ice, landing on his back and striking his head. His settlement provides for the continuation of medical benefits to the claimant.

A Buffalo, NY mechanic received $212,500.00 settlement after sustaining injuries to his back, which required multiple surgeries. The settlement provides for the continuation of medical benefits to the claimant.

A Machias, NY man received $170,000.00 after sustaining multiple injuries when he slipped and fell in a parking lot while working. His accident required surgery to his shoulder, and his settlement includes a medical set aside fund for future treatment.

A Forestville, NY Department of Corrections employee received $170,000.00 after she slipped and fell on ice down a concrete staircase, injuring her entire left side. The settlement provides for the continuation of medical benefits to the claimant.

A Buffalo, NY corrections officer received $89,618.00 for numerous injuries sustained during a confrontation with an inmate. The settlement provides for the continuation of medical benefits to the claimant.

A Buffalo, NY corrections officer received $89,618.00 for numerous injuries sustained during a confrontation with an inmate. The settlement provides for the continuation of medical benefits to the claimant.

A Niagara Falls, NY bus driver received $89,250.00 after she was rear-ended by a taxi cab while driving students home, sustaining injuries to her neck, back, left shoulder and right wrist, and requiring multiple surgeries. Her settlement includes a fund set aside for future medical treatment.

An Eden, NY general mechanic and stationary engineer received $200,000.00 after injuring his back and left knee when he lost his foot carrying a heavy steel door across a catwalk and fell to one knee. His settlement provides for the continuation of his medical benefits.

A Buffalo, NY injured worker received $133,500.00 after injuring his neck and right shoulder when tending to a resident. His settlement includes provisions for a medical set aside for future treatment.

A Buffalo, NY delivery truck driver received $116,950 for injuries to his neck and elbow, as well as a concussion, following a single truck accident that occurred when he was making a delivery and was cut off by another vehicle, causing him to drive off the road. His settlement includes a medical set aside for future expenses.

An Elma, NY machinist received $97,750.00 for injuries to his neck and back while working with a die cutter. His settlement provides for the continuation of medical benefits throughout his life.

A Lakeview, NY corrections officer received $166,814.82 for injuries to his shoulder, elbow, and knee, following a fall down a stairway that required surgery to his shoulder.

A dental hygienist from Cheektowaga, NY received $150,000.00 after developing carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome from repetitive movements associated with her work. Her settlement includes a fund set aside for future medical treatment.

A Buffalo, NY business account executive sustained injuries to multiple body parts following a car accident in which he was rear-ended by another vehicle while driving to an appointment. He received $102,500.00 in a settlement that includes a medical set aside for future treatment.

A Scio, NY man received $83,750.00 for injuries to his low back sustained over the course of his employment as a truck driver. His settlement provides for a fund set aside for future medical treatment, as well as an annuity.

A Ft. Myers, Florida pharmacy technician sustained injuries to her back while lifting totes, requiring multiple surgeries. She received $137,542.00 and her settlement includes a medical set aside for future treatment as well as a lifetime annuity,

Sep 01
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David Zimmerman Joins LOSI & GANGI Attorneys

By New Attorney

 

David C. Zimmerman

Buffalo, NY – LOSI & GANGI has added new attorney, David C. Zimmerman, to the firm’s workers’ compensation practice. Mr. Zimmerman joined the firm in 2021 and concentrates his practice in areas of workers compensation and social security disability. He has been practicing law for more than 30 years. Prior to joining LOSI & GANGI, Zimmerman was an attorney at the firm of Cellino & Barnes and subsequently Cellino Law PC. where he headed the workers compensation department.

An experienced advocate for injured workers, Zimmerman believes his commitment to hard-working men and women comes from his upbringing in Buffalo, New York. “I firmly believe that by retaining me, injured workers will secure a better result than if they filed a workers compensation claim on their own. You can rest assured that I will not permit the insurance company or their hired attorney to trample on your rights. I can promise you that I will zealously represent you in court, I will diligently handle all your aspects of your claim, and I will deal with you in a respectful and courteous manner.”

Aug 05
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Pre-existing medical conditions and workers' compensation

Will a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Prevent you from Receiving Workers’ Compensation?

By Workers Compensation

August 5, 2021

Workers’ compensation cases are often controversial, and pre-existing medical conditions add to the confusion as to whether or not one is eligible in receiving their claim. Work injuries happen very frequently and are likely to arise from working in physical industries like construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation jobs. Those who have a pre-existing injury are much more at risk to get injured working in these fields than those who do not. 

In the result of a workplace injury, workers’ compensation must be paid. However, employees with pre-existing conditions unfortunately get denied from their work place injury claim far too often. For this reason, we want to make sure you know and understand all of the facts and regulations regarding pre-existing injuries and workers’ compensation. We will also cover how to have a plan of action in the event you encounter a situation where this applies to you or someone you know. It is our goal to help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to. 

What is a Pre-Existing Medical Condition? 

It is important to point out what exactly a pre-existing medical condition is. As defined, a pre-existing medical condition is any condition or injury that existed before the workplace injury. Many people deal with pre-existing medical conditions on a daily basis. Some conditions may be severe and create challenges with everyday tasks such as chronic back pain. 

Contrarily, other pre-existing medical conditions can be as minor as an injury that flares up every once in a while. For instance, a high school ACL tear injury from playing a sport may be healed from surgery, but can act up when you do certain motions or put too much pressure on it.

Pre-Existing Conditions Examined Under the Law

Under New York State law, it is stated that If the condition is due to a previous work-related injury in which you have been receiving workers’ compensation for, then you can be eligible to receive additional workers’ compensation if it is further aggravated or has contributed to another condition.

It can be a tough call to make if you are unsure if your pre-existing condition has become worsened from performing a work-related task. A good rule of thumb to follow is : If your work responsibilities caused the pre-existing condition to once again require care and treatment. Therefore, if you find you need to seek additional medical help, you are most likely experiencing an aggravation of your pre-existing condition. 

How do you prove that Aggravation to a Pre-Existing Injury Happened? 

It is very important that an employee is able to prove that the aggravation happened at work or else they will not be able to receive their additional benefits. In other words, one must need actual proof that their pre-existing condition was made worse from a work related task. It is not good enough to simply state that your pre-existing condition is acting up and bothering you for you to receive the additional workers’ compensation. 

So, what can you do to prove this? One way in which you can accomplish this is by getting medical attention from an experienced workers comp doctor. Documenting your injuries right after the accident is crucial and it will help strengthen your case. Also, you must inform your doctor about any pre-existing conditions and let them know of any symptoms or injuries that have worsened or changed after the accident. 

Finally, you should follow up with your original pre-existing condition treatment provider. This way, you will have a record of your initial report from the injury and be able to point out any new changes or symptoms that occurred since this accident. 

The Degree to which the Injury was Caused by a Work Environment 

There are several scenarios where pre-existing conditions can make it confusing when determining how responsible an employer is for a new injury. Let’s say, for example, a worker gets his hand caught in a machine and now his hand has permanent damage. However, in his previous job, he had already injured this hand and therefore was at a disadvantage working in his current job with limited functionality. 

The question now raised from this scenario is: To what extent is the current job responsible for his permanent hand injury? This will require lawyers as well as an examination from a doctor. it is especially important to analyze the medical records and use them to make a comparison between the new injury as well as the old injury charts. 

Losi & Gangi is here to make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to. If you have any questions regarding pre-existing medical conditions when it comes to reviving workers’ compensation benefits… contact Losi & Gangi to speak with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers at (716) 854-1446

 

Article Adapted from:

https://www.injuredcalltoday.com/do-pre-existing-conditions-affect-your-workers-comp-claim-in-new-york/

Jul 01
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Are Remote Workers Entitled to Worker’s Compensation?

By Uncategorized

The rule has always been that employers are liable for employees workers’ compensation when injuries arise in the workplace. However, in recent years, rules had to be adjusted with the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and countless offices requiring their employees to work from home. The workplace culture is forever changed as a result of COVID-19 and new norms have been established. Even as many business have slowly began to reopen, working from home may be here to stay and has become much more normal than it was prior to the pandemic. 

Remote workers have come into question as to whether or not they are eligible to receive workers’ compensation. Some people say no, arguing that since they are at home and not in a traditional workplace setting, then it doesn’t qualify as a work injury. Others however, disagree and argue that if the injury happens during work hours and is work related, then workers’ compensation must be provided.

Women in neck pain working on lap top

Image courtesy of IWP – The Patient Advocate Pharmacy

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board had to find the answer to the question: “Are work injuries sustained at home in New York covered by workers’ compensation?” 

To answer this in short, yes – workers’ compensation is covered by New York for remote workers. The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board articulated the following rule: “injuries sustained by employees working from home should only be found to be compensable when they occur during the employee’s regular work hours and while the employee is ‘actually performing her employment duties”. It is tricky to digest who is responsible for a work injury at home when there is no one around to see what happened. Following the honor system and trusting that people are telling the whole truth regarding unwitnessed accidents is not reliable. For this reason, the Workers’ Compensation Board has strongly recommended that in the event of an injury, employees must provide a detailed report of the incident including time, place, and circumstances surrounding the incident. This way, the events are well documented and can allow for proper review by the board. 

Women in back pain from remote working

Image courtesy of IWP – The Patient Advocate Pharmacy

Examples of Common Work from Home Injuries: 

  1. Back related injuries: Many remote workers are getting their work done from their couches, at their kitchen tables, their beds, or their coffee tables. A combination of sitting hunched over and poor posture results in back pain. 
  2. Rotator cuff injuries: Pinched nerves in the neck and cervical spine have gone up 
  3. Eye strain and fatigue: Squinting at a small laptop monitor without taking breaks can lead to eye strain and fatigue resulting In headaches, blurry vision, and dry itchy eyes
  4. Wrist pain and Carpal tunnel syndrome: lack of wrist support can put strain on the wrist. 

Working compensation claims are not always cut and dry, and of course, there is some grey area when defining what a work from home injury consists of. Additionally, It’s no secret that people love to find loop holes especially when it comes to receiving money. With the flexibility that comes along with working from a home setting, it became much easier to do this. An off-the-clock injury can be misconstrued into a work related injury all too easily if worded properly. This is why there must be a clear understanding and distinction between personal activities and work related tasks. Activities like taking a short break, getting something to eat, or exercising don’t fall into the category of being eligible for workers’ compensation. 

The home environment allows for many distractions and opportunities to deter from  employment-related tasks. Making sure that these personal activities don’t get tangled up as a work related task is the most challenging part of classifying which cases are compensable while working remotely. 

If you have any questions… Contact Losi & Gangi to speak with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers at (716) 854-1446.

 

Feb 11
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Understanding Workers Compensation: Is Your Injury or Illness Work Related?

By Workers Compensation

If you have recently been injured and are seeking workers compensation benefits, you will have to show that your injury or illness is work related.  Typically, if you were doing something for the benefit of your employer and you became ill or was injured as a result, then your injury or illness can be classified as work related.  You must meet the following eligibility requirements  to receive benefits: 

  • Be an employee 
  • Your employer must carry workers’ comp insurance 
  • You must have a work related injury or illness 
  • You must meet your state’s deadlines for reporting the injury and filing a workers’ comp claim 

Here are some common situations: 

Lunch Breaks

Usually, injuries that happen on an employee’s lunch break are not considered work related.  If you were hurt while eating lunch on the company’s premises (lunchroom or cafeteria) the injury will generally be considered work related unless you were doing something during the lunch break that wasn’t allowed or fell within exceptions to workers’ comp coverage.  

Company Events 

If your company sponsors special events like parties, picnics or sporting games, injuries that occur at these events are usually considered work related.  There can be an exception if the employer doesn’t require their employees to participate in the off-duty events.  

Travel 

Under the “going and coming rule,” workers comp generally doesn’t cover injuries sustained during your commute to and from work.  There are exceptions to this rule including: 

  • Driving a company vehicle 
  • Required to bring your own car for business use during the work day 
  • Doing special errands for your employer 
  • Traveling on a business trip 
  • An employee who regularly travels for work or doesn’t have a regular fixed work site 

Misconduct

If you were injured while breaking a workplace safety rule or doing something that your employer has prohibited, your injury might still be covered by workers’ comp.  This is part of the workers’ compensation bargain. Employees do not have the right to sue their employer for work-related injuries but those injuries are usually covered by workers’ comp regardless of fault.  There are some exceptions to the rule.  For example, workers’ comp usually doesn’t cover injuries that happen because an employee was under the influence of alcohol or using illegal drugs.  Several states rule our workers’ comp coverage when the injured employees were: 

  • Trying to hurt themselves or someone else 
  • Committing a serious crime 
  • Horseplay
  • Breaking a workplace rule on purpose 

Illness, Cumulative Injuries and Stress-Related Conditions

Workers’ comp may also cover cumulative injuries developed over time (repetitive stress injuries RSIs) occupational diseases and other illnesses resulting from on the job exposure and physical or psychological illness resulting from workplace stress.  In these cases, it may be difficult to prove that the illness or injury is work related especial in the case of infectious diseases like COVID 19.  If a pre-existing condition was irritated at work, it could possibly be considered a workplace injury.  

If you have questions regarding your injury or illness call Losi & Gangi today at 716-854-1446.  Our attorneys will help answer all of your questions and find out whether you might be eligible for benefits under worker’s comp.  

Article adapted from: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/workers-compensation-injury-or-illness-32964.html

Nov 10
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Warehouse Safety

By Workplace Safety

In the past few years there was been a significant increase in the number of warehouse and warehouse workers in the world.  In the United States alone, there are more than one million warehouse workers!  These employees can be exposed to many hazards and it is important to train your staff so that everyone stays safe while at work.

Back injuries are one of the most common workplace injuries and in warehouses, they usually arise from improper lifting techniques.  Improper lifting or twisting while carrying a heavy load can lead to sprains, torn muscle or cartilage and displaced vertebrae.  The most repetitive lifting your employees do, the more at risk your employees are for back injuries.  Mechanical lifting methods, like a pallet jack or dolly, should be available on site but if you do not have any mechanical lifting methods, you should train your employees on ways to reduce the risks of a manual lift.  Safe manual lifting practices include:

  • Planning lifts before getting started
  • Checking the load for information tags
  • Using the handles on the load or adding some if not already available
  • Testing the load’s stability and weight
  • Asking for assistance if the load is too heavy or awkward for one person
  • Wearing gloves and long sleeves to protect hands and forearms
  • Bending your knees to lower yourself in front of the item, instead of bending your back
  • Keeping the load between your chest and knees

By properly handling and storing materials it will help reduce the risk of multiple hazards including slips, trips and falls, fires and dropped objects.  To prevent boxes and materials from falling, they should be stacked evenly in a straight line with the heaviest materials on the bottom.  Employees should only remove items from shelves one at a time.  By blocking, interlocking or limiting the height of the pile, this will help loose materials from falling.  Materials should be stored safely to help prevent fire hazards, explosions and pest infestation.  Keep the floors clean and free of slip and fall hazards.

Forklifts and trucks can be located on a loading dock and where heights and heavy lifting can take place.  Open loading dock doors should be blocked off when not in use and the edges of the dock should have visual warnings and signage.  Never jump off or climb up a loading dock; use the ladder or stairs.

If the warehouse has chemicals or compressed gas, each chemical should have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) associated with it.  The SDS will tell you how to handle and safely store the chemical.  Employees should never attempt to use or clean up a chemical even after reading the SDS, unless they have been trained on how to properly handle the chemical.  An emergency plan should be put into place which delegates what roles people should be responsible for in case of an emergency.  The plan should include emergency exit locations, evacuation procedures and the location of all emergency equipment including fire extinguishers.  This plan should be reviewed thoroughly and constantly revised so that your team is up to date on all safety precautions.

To reduce the risk of fires, flammable and explosive materials must be stored in appropriate storage areas away from other materials and any source of ignition.  Chemicals should be stored according to manufacturer recommendations and relevant fire codes.  Smoking and open flames should be prohibited in the warehouse especially in battery charging or compressed-gas storage areas.

Providing your employees with mechanical equipment to help them lift heavy or bulky objects can help speed up the process and reduce the risk of injuries but come with their own risks.  Forklifts alone cause approximately 8,500 injuries and 90 deaths each year across all industries.  Lifting equipment involves pinch point hazards and cranes create overhead, struck by and dropped object hazards.  Before allowing any employee to use any equipment, you should properly train them and make sure they are following manufacturer instructions.  Forklift is a term commonly used for a group of vehicles that OSHA classifies as “powered industrial trucks.”  The most common types of powered industrial trucks (PITs) are electric and internal combustion engine rider trucks.  Forklift tractors, narrow aisle trucks, motorized pallet jacks and rough terrain forklifts all classify as PITs.  Employees should be trained on using a forklift from the controls, to any specific hazards that are found in the workspace.

Warehouses are a necessity in many industries but they come with their own risks such as heavy machinery and hazardous substances.  Training is an important part of running a safe warehouse and will be an effective communication tool for your staff.  Your employees will be working in a safe environment and will know what their role is within the warehouse.

If you have recently suffered an injury in a warehouse contact Losi Gangi at 716-854-1446 for a free consultation.  We will make sure you are represented fairly throughout every step of your case.

Article adapted from: https://safetyskills.com/warehouse-safety/

Oct 08
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Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death?

By Uncategorized

When someone dies or is killed due to the negligence or misconduct of another, including murder, the surviving members of the victim’s family may sue for wrongful death. When you file a wrongful death lawsuit, you are seeking damages for the survivors’ loss which includes lost wages from the deceased, lost companionship and expenses for the funeral. The right to file a lawsuit for wrongful death is fairly new, common law did not allow this kind of lawsuit. Every state in this country now has some kind of wrongful death law.

Wrongful death claims involve all types of fatal accidents from simple car accidents to medical malpractice or product liability cases. People, companies and government agencies can be legally at fault for acting negligently. To file a wrongful death lawsuit in New York State the following must be shown:

– The death of a person
– The death was caused by wrongful conduct or negligence of another
– The wrongful conduct/negligence could be subject of a lawsuit where the person harmed could have recovered damages if they didn’t die (pain and suffering)
– Survivors who have suffered specific damages due to the death

A wrongful death claim must be filed by a representative on behalf of the survivors who suffer damage from the decedent’s death, otherwise known as the real parties in interest. Unlike many other state, New York places the responsibility for filing a wrongful death claim to the personal representative of the deceased persons estate. New York State will not allow a family member to bring a wrongful death claim to court unless that family member is also the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. New York law allows the following individuals to file a wrongful death lawsuit:

– The decedent’s spouse
– The decedent’s children
– The decedent’s parents
– The personal representative for the estate of the decedent

Damages awarded in New York wrongful death cases depend on the specific facts that are demonstrated in court. Damages have been awarded in New York wrongful death cases for losses such as:

– Funeral and burial expenses
– Reasonable medical, nursing and other health care expenses related to the deceased person’s final injury or illness
– Wages and benefits lost between the deceased person’s final injury or illness and his or her death
– Value of support and services the deceased provided to family members
– Value of parental nurturing, care and guidance to surviving children
– Lost inheritance suffered by surviving children
– Conscious pain and suffering endured by the deceased due to the final injury or illness
– Nine percent interest on the damages award, calculated from the date of birth

New York State does not allow surviving family members to recover their own damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish or loss of companionship even if the deceased is a child. Parents may recover damages for the lost value of services such as household chores, performed by the child but the amount is reduced by the reasonable cost of caring for the children until they have reached adulthood.

A wrongful death claim in New York must be filed within two years of the date of the deceased person’s death. This is known as a statute of limitations, bars wrongful death claims from being filed in New York courts if more than two years have passed between the date of death and date of filing. New York does not stop the statute of limitations from running if the personal representative of the deceased person is a child or legally incapable of filing the claim. In these specific cases, the guardian of the child or incapable person is expected to file the wrongful death claim instead.

Nothing can take away the pain and suffering of losing a loved one but if the loss is due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover damages. Contact Losi Gangi if you feel you have a valid wrongful death claim at 716-854-1446.

Sep 28
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How Do You Prove Liability for a Vehicle Accident?

By Personal Injury

A car accident can happen on a highway, or country road and can be a head on collision or you can be hit on the side from someone leaving a parking lot.  One of the most common types of collision is getting rear ended from behind.  Most of the time people think that rear-end car accidents are always the fault of the driver who rear ended the car in front but this is not always the case.

Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care, resulting in damage or injury to another.  You are considered negligent if your actions fall short of what a reasonable person would or would have not done under the circumstances that led to the accident.  To prove that one of the drivers were negligent in a car accident, you have to prove that a duty existed.  All drivers owe one another a duty to exercise care when they are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.  You must prove the other driver breached their duty by:

  • Failing to pay attention to the road and look out for hazards
  • Failing to stop within a reasonable time
  • Failing to drive at a reasonable speed
  • Failing to maintain control of the vehicle
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Failing to use turn signals
  • Failing to follow at a safe distance

Third, you must prove the other driver’s breach of duty was the cause of the accident and you must establish that you were left with actual damages either to your body or the vehicle as a result of the accident.

The driver of the car that rear-ends another vehicle will almost always be considered at least partially negligent.  Every driver has a duty to follow other vehicles at a safe distance.  This is due to the driver sometimes suddenly slow down or come to quick stop to avoid a hazard in the road or heavy traffic.  You are expected to have enough distance between you and the car in front of you to prevent a collision in case an unexpected stop may occur.

It is possible for the driver of the car that gets rear-ended to be negligent as well if any of these scenarios happen to take place:

  • A driver reverses suddenly
  • A driver stoops suddenly to make a turn and fails to execute the turn
  • The driver’s brake lights do not function
  • A driver gets a flat tire but does not pull over or turn on the hazard lights

New York is a pure comparative fault state.  This means each defendant is only liable for his or her percentage of fault and allows a damaged party to recover even if it is 99% at fault.  Recovery is reduced by the damaged party’s degree of fault.  Accident victims can recover some compensation for their injuries no matter how negligent they were even if their degree of fault is higher than the defendant’s.

If you have recently been involved in a car accident and have been injured call the attorneys at Losi & Gangi at 716-854-1446 for a free consultation and review of your case.

Article adapted from: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/is-fault-automatic-rear-end-car-accident-case.html

Aug 26
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Show your local representatives why injured workers are so important and shouldn’t be forgotten about.

By Workers Compensation, Workplace Safety

                                                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

            Losi & Gangi wants to take the time to tell our clients, affiliates and friends how happy we are that you allow us to work for you. We appreciate everyone who lets us fight on their behalf when it comes to their legal matters. Whether you were hurt at work, hurt in a motor-vehicle accident, or slipped and fell, you shouldn’t be punished.

             The Injured Workers’ Bar Association on behalf of claimant attorneys, and injured workers across the State of New York has been fighting to correct the broken legal system we find ourselves in.

              Please read the information from https://www.protectinjurednewyorkers.org.  Next please go to the website and voice your opinion by submitting your electronic letter to the local representatives in your area. This will show the amount of people being effected by the below information, but most importantly shine a spot light on how injured New Yorker’s are being treated as a whole.

            Workers’ compensation payments, meant to serve as income protection for workers injured on the job, have been declining in New York since the 1990s. Legislative and administrative changes in 2007 and 2017 decreased workers’ compensation benefits and minimized employer costs, leading to its steady decline.

            New York was the first state in the nation to adopt an effective and efficient workers’ compensation system. Today, New York ranks 29th in workers’ compensation.

           While injured workers have been receiving low workers’ compensation benefits, if any at all, insurance companies have been making billions. A recent report by James Parrott at The New School found that insurance companies profited $1.6 billion from New York workers’ compensation in 2018 alone.

           We need a workers’ compensation system that works for Hard Working New Yorkers.

Legislative Bills currently being proposed are to help fix the protections that are supposed to be in place for injured workers.

  •   Bill A9900/S7850 would provide a hearing for every workers compensation case to allow injured workers to be heard
  • Bill A9955/S7954 would define temporary total disability as the inability to perform the job, in which injured, or a job offered by the employer that has been modified to meet the abilities of the injured worker
  • Bill A10472/8396 would enact the COVID-19 injured workers’ protection act to offer protections to workers who contracted the virus on the job
  • Bill A9920/S7726 would amend Section 35 (Safety Net) to define extreme hardship and apply it to cases with 50% LWEC
  • Bill A9924/S7751 would include a presumption of permanent total for those on social security disability insurance as a result of an injury or inability to perform sedentary work
  • Bill A10067/S7843 would provide a live verbatim stenographic record, make decisions issued in the native language of the injured worker, and make a hearing or stipulation required at the closing of the case

               These bills will make New York the leader it once was in protecting injured workers. With your support, we can ensure that all working New Yorkers have the protections they deserve.

                If you have questions about this article, please visit the website above. Contact our office at (716)-854-1446, if you want clarification on these issues and submit your letter to show your approval to take back your injured worker protections.

 

Aug 10
Love0

What is Willful Negligence?

By Uncategorized

Negligence is caused by the failure to behave with the level of reasonable care that someone of ordinary prudence under the same circumstances.  This behavior usually consists of actions but can also consist of omissions when there is some duty to act.  Proving negligence is required in most claims from car accidents to slip and fall cases.  Negligence claims must prove four things in court: duty, breach, causation and damages/harm.

In order to win a negligence case, the plaintiff must prove these four elements to show that the defendant acted negligent:

  1. Duty – The defendant owed a legal duty to the plaintiff under the circumstances
  2. Breach – The defendant breached that legal duty by acting or failing to act in a certain way
  3. Causation – It was the defendant’s actions (or inactions) that actually caused the plaintiff’s injury
  4. Damages – The plaintiff was harmed or injured as a result of the defendant’s actions

Ordinary Negligence

A reasonable person requires individuals to act in the same manner as a reasonably mindful person would under similar situations.  Ordinary negligence is when an individual acts in a way that a reasonably mindful person wouldn’t. Under negligence law, it is required that individuals take a reasonable measure to protect themselves and others from danger.  Negligence law establishes a responsibility for reasonable care.  Any person who doesn’t follow this responsibility and harms another individual may be financially liable for any damages that occur.

Ordinary negligence applies to:

  • Ordinary claims
  • Catastrophic accidental injury
  • Defective products

Gross Negligence

Gross negligence is a conscious and voluntary disregard of the need to use reasonable care, which is likely to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm to persons, property, or both.  It is more difficult to claim or prove gross negligence because it involves:

  • Conduct that is a significant leap from the guidance by which a competent and reasonable person would act
  • A serious or high degree of negligence
  • Behavior which was taken out of line from a normal, reasonable person
        • Typical care is not taken
        • An absence of any kind of diligence
        • No care is taken whatsoever

Courts have characterized gross negligence as a reckless and unmistakable abuse of duty to the legal rights of others.  Under a wrongful death statue, proving gross negligence is mandatory in order to qualify for punitive damages.

Willful, Wanton, Reckless Conduct

Willful misconduct is considered further along the misconduct charts since willful misconduct is:

  • Intentionally or voluntarily committed
  • Reckless or intentional

When trying to prove willful, wanton, reckless behavior, a prosecutor will try to provide evidence that a significant harm was the result of the defendant’s actions. The two main differences between negligence and willful, wanton, reckless conduct are:

  1. The defendant intentionally or knowingly disregarded all risk
  2. The risk would most likely result in substantial harm

Plaintiffs looking to seek punitive damages from injuries must prove that the defendant engaged in willful, wanton, or reckless behavior.

Willful misconduct and gross negligence insurance policies vary by state, but the general terms say that acts of:

  • Negligence are covered
  • Gross negligence are not covered
  • Willful misconduct are not covered

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact a lawyer, especially if you have missed work and have accruing medical bills.  Call our experienced team at Losi & Gangi today for a free consultation at 716-854-1446.

Article adapted from: https://www.upcounsel.com/willful-negligence

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