Metro-North Railroad Train Derailment Kills 4, Injures Dozens in New York
A southbound Metro-North Railroad train derailed around 7:20 am in the Bronx on December 1, killing four passengers and inflicting serious injuries on at least 60 people. According to The Wall Street Journal, the crash is being reported to be the result of the engineer not properly braking and going too fast around a tight curve just north of Manhattan.
The severity of this New York train derailment caused all seven passenger cars and the diesel locomotive pulling the train to leave the tracks, with two cars flipping onto their sides. The section of track where the fatal derailment occurred has an abrupt speed limit change, dropping from 70 mph down to 30 mph.
How Can Your Child Be Affected by Cerebral Palsy?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) defines cerebral palsy as a neurological disorder that affects children starting in infancy or early childhood. When a child is injured during delivery, they may develop cerebral palsy as a result of the injury. Some children who catch a bacterial infection during or after delivery may also have cerebral palsy if the infection damages their brain. Although cerebral palsy does not worsen over time, the impediments it does cause can change the course of a family’s life.
In cerebral palsy, parts of the brain that control motor function are damaged, resulting in impaired body movement or poor muscle coordination. The body’s muscles and nerves are usually healthy; the problem is in the part of the brain that sends messages to the muscles and nerves to create movement. In most cases, cerebral palsy can be diagnosed by the time the child is three years old, when it becomes clear the child isn’t moving normally. No two persons with cerebral palsy have exactly the same impairments, but some common symptoms include a lack of muscle coordination, muscles that are too tight or too loose, dragging one foot or leg while walking, or walking on the toes.
This Thanksgiving, Give Back to New York Through Local Charities
Thanksgiving in New York is a time for many to spend quality time with family and friends, being thankful for what they have in life. However, it is also the perfect opportunity to focus on those in need who are less fortunate than many. With the holiday almost here, there are countless opportunities in New York City and throughout the state for those looking to give back by helping people in need.
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our legal team is committed to helping New York residents both in and out of the courtroom. If you are considering volunteer work this Thanksgiving but don’t know where to go, consider the following opportunities.
What Wintertime Road Hazards are in New York?
Winter is coming to New York again, and the cold weather is already here. While few places beat New York in the winter, drivers must stay aware of the dangers they face on the road due to cold weather. Rain, snow, and freezing wind all create unique hazards on the road that can result in devastating accidents in mere moments.
WRSH Wins $4,250,000 Verdict for Patient Paralyzed by Medical Malpractice
The personal injury law firm of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP recently reached a verdict that gave $4,250,000 in compensation to a woman paralyzed by medical malpractice. The case result made the first page of VerdictSearch, which detailed the case and the struggles experienced by the girl.
In 2003, the then-fifteen-year-old girl was on vacation in Hawaii when she developed a face rash, unsteadiness, and slurred speech. She was taken to Kapiolani Medical Center in Honolulu, where she was diagnosed with lupus and was administered regular steroid doses to combat the condition. However, complications with the steroid doses caused the child to be paralyzed from the neck down because of steroid-induced myopathy.
Preventing Dog Bite Injuries in New York
Dog bites can happen to a person of any age, but they are more common among children. According to the New York Department of Health, about 6,600 children younger than the age 20 suffer dog bites in New York each year, with about 200 of these bitten badly enough to need hospitalization.
While dog bites rarely cause death, the severe pain, bone and tissue damage, and scarring that can result can be severe.
Here are some tips to avoid child injuries due to dog bites at any time of the year.
Living with a Brain Injury after an Auto Accident
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually. The CDC reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of TBI-related deaths and are the second leading cause of TBIs. Unfortunately, many brain injury victims struggle to return to the lives they led before the accident.
Life after a TBI may be very different for survivors. The victim may not be able to physically perform as he or she did prior to the accident. He or she may have reduced mental capabilities and a number of brain injury victims also deal with behavioral changes that may be permanent.
The Top 10 Most Popular Children’s Halloween Costumes for 2013
Every October, Americans spend billions of dollars on all things Halloween. According to a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, Americans are expected to spend $2.6 billion this Halloween season, with $1 billion of that being spent on children’s costumes alone. While costumes definitely come in all shapes and sizes, some are clearly more popular than others. According to the NRF, here are the 10 most popular:
Fairy
A pair of wings is the focal point of this popular children’s costume. Couple those wings with a whimsical dress or ballet tutu, and you have yourself the 10th most popular children’s Halloween costume of 2013.
Superman
It’s a bird … it’s a plane … it’s the 9th most popular children’s Halloween costume of 2013. A classic superhero outfit that numerous children find themselves enamored with, who wouldn’t want to dress up as the Man of Steel? After all, he CAN fly.
The Top 5 Halloween Treats Kids Never Want
It’s Halloween time once again, and that means that neighborhoods throughout New York will soon be filled with kids of all ages, looking to show off their costumes and get some of their favorite treats. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our New York legal team remembers those exciting times and the thrill of getting a great candy haul. Unfortunately, not all treats are made equally, and occasionally you do have to sift through some of the more undesirable types of candy to get to the good stuff.
If you’re a trick-or-treater, you may have to put up with some unwanted snacks on Halloween night. If you’re a home owner, do everybody a favor and skip picking these up when you’re at the store!
5. Candy Buttons
Not since the Wax Bottle has a candy required more effort for so little reward. You can pick them off one by one or scrap off scores with your teeth.
Either way, your memory of how much time and energy was used eating Candy Buttons will last far longer than the moment of sweetness you tasted once you ate a handful of these disappointing drips of sugar.
Keep Your Kids Safe This Halloween Season
As the cool fall weather sets in and October is coming to a close, families in New York and elsewhere are busying themselves in preparation for the Halloween festivities. This means pumpkin carving gatherings, costume parties, spooky house decorations, and, of course, trick-or-treating for the kids. With so much to do, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season; however, it is important to keep in mind the dangers present in various Halloween activities so you can prevent injury to your children and to others.
Costumes
If your kids plan to go trick-or-treating at night, make sure to get them costumes that are bright and reflective. Avoid any costumes with excessive length as this may pose a tripping hazard. Also avoid any costumes that are made of flammable material. If your child’s costume is accompanied by an accessory, make sure it is safe and remains so in the event your child stumbles or trips.