CHICAGO -- Prosecutors urged a federal judge Wednesday to deny bond to one of two Chicago men charged with plotting a terrorist attack against a Danish newspaper, while the man's lawyer argued that his client could have been the innocent dupe of an alleged coconspirator.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 48, was a danger to the community and a flight risk and therefore shouldn't be released on bond, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Collins told federal Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan.
Judge Nolan said she needed more information and set another hearing in the case for Tuesday, although she said she wouldn't decide the matter then, either.
The husky, full-bearded Mr. Rana appeared at the hearing wearing the bright orange jumpsuit of a federal prisoner but didn't say anything to the judge.
Hours before the hearing, prosecutors amended the complaint against Mr. Rana, adding a charge of providing material support to terrorism. He already had been charged with conspiring to provide material support to terrorism.
The new charge didn't add major factual allegations against Mr. Rana.
The complaint says Mr. Rana -- a Canadian national who was born in Pakistan and owns a grocery store and immigration service in Chicago -- provided travel services and other help to another man charged in the case, David Coleman Headley, as Mr. Headley scouted out the offices of Denmark's Jyllands-Posten newspaper for a possible terrorist attack.
The newspaper published 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in 2005 that triggered outrage throughout the Muslim world. One cartoon showed Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban. Any depiction of the prophet, even a favorable one, is forbidden by Islamic law as likely to lead to idolatry.
The cartoonist, 74-year-old Kurt Westergaard, said in an interview Tuesday with Jyllands-Posten that threats from the Islamic world drove him underground, living under the protection of the Danish intelligence service.
"For my wife and I, it's like a kind of dark depression has descended on us," he said. But he said that he doesn't regret drawing the cartoons.
"I am an old man, so I am not afraid anymore," he said.
Mr. Rana's attorney, Patrick Blegen, told Judge Nolan the evidence in an FBI affidavit outlining allegations against his client could easily support the notion that he was merely an innocent dupe of Mr. Headley's and knew nothing about any plan to attack the Danish newspaper.
"The weight of the evidence here is not as much as the government has told you," Mr. Blegen said in urging Judge Nolan to free his client on bond.
Prosecutors say Mr. Headley, whose former name was Daood Gilani, envisioned a plan to murder the cartoonist and the newspaper's former cultural editor.
Mr. Headley's attorney, John Theis, has said he would have comment. Mr. Headley's bond hearing is set for Dec. 4 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys.
Mr. Blegen told the judge that prosecutors had added a charge against his client just hours before the hearing to bolster their argument that he should not be released. He said the new charge upped the possible sentence from 15 years to 30 years in prison, adding weight to prosecutors' argument that Mr. Rana might try to flee to avoid going to prison.
Mr. Blegen scoffed at that notion, saying Mr. Rana lacks the money "to play an international game of cat and mouse with the government."
Mr. Rana will remain at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Mr. Blegen said Mr. Rana suffers from an old shoulder injury that makes it hard for him to press a button that works the water faucet in his cell, and that Mr. Rana needs to see a doctor.
Mr. Blegen said two of Mr. Rana's brothers in New Jersey were willing to post their homes as bond and relatives in Canada would post "what amounts to their life savings" to get him out of federal custody pending resolution of the case.
Judge Nolan said requiring numerous relatives to post their homes and savings would be helpful because it "puts more eyes on the street" to watch Mr. Rana and make certain he would not flee and leave them without their assets.
Source
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Second Chicago law school receives biggest gift ever
Chicago personal injury lawyers are loading up the city's lesser known law schools with donations, hoping their contributions will prime the pump for more gifts.
Philip Corboy, a founding partner of Corboy & Demetrio, and his wife Mary Dempsey, a lawyer who chairs the board of trustees for DePaul University, this week gave an unspecified seven-figure endowment to her alma mater, DePaul University College of Law. In September the couple gave more than $5 million to his alma mater, Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Both gifts were the largest the law schools had ever received. Also in September, Joseph Power and Todd Smith of Power Rogers & Smith gave $2 million to Loyola's law school.
"There's more need, and not as many people are stepping up because of the bad economy," Power said. "We're hoping to encourage people to give money."
DePaul is kicking off a fund-raising campaign next year, and Loyola is about half way through a seven-year bid to raise $40 million, of which $30 million has already come in. The two Catholic-founded schools can sometimes be overshadowed in the public eye by their city neighbors, the University of Chicago Law School and Northwestern University School of Law.
Dempsey said that the Corboy-Dempsey contributions will be used for scholarships at both schools and also for faculty hiring at Loyola. The donation from Power and Smith will go to endowed chairs, program support and scholarships, said David Yellen, dean of Loyola's law school.
While Loyola has received fewer gifts amid the financial stress, overall fund-raising is "way up," Yellen said. "It really is true that big gifts attract more big gifts."
Despite the wave of associate cutbacks at law firms, neither Dempsey nor Power had any qualms about encouraging students to enroll in law school. The economy will improve and a law degree is useful in any profession, they said.
"I use my legal training and law degree every day even though one would not call me a practicing lawyer," said Dempsey, who serves as commissioner of the Chicago Public Library and keeps her law license current.
Source
Philip Corboy, a founding partner of Corboy & Demetrio, and his wife Mary Dempsey, a lawyer who chairs the board of trustees for DePaul University, this week gave an unspecified seven-figure endowment to her alma mater, DePaul University College of Law. In September the couple gave more than $5 million to his alma mater, Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Both gifts were the largest the law schools had ever received. Also in September, Joseph Power and Todd Smith of Power Rogers & Smith gave $2 million to Loyola's law school.
"There's more need, and not as many people are stepping up because of the bad economy," Power said. "We're hoping to encourage people to give money."
DePaul is kicking off a fund-raising campaign next year, and Loyola is about half way through a seven-year bid to raise $40 million, of which $30 million has already come in. The two Catholic-founded schools can sometimes be overshadowed in the public eye by their city neighbors, the University of Chicago Law School and Northwestern University School of Law.
Dempsey said that the Corboy-Dempsey contributions will be used for scholarships at both schools and also for faculty hiring at Loyola. The donation from Power and Smith will go to endowed chairs, program support and scholarships, said David Yellen, dean of Loyola's law school.
While Loyola has received fewer gifts amid the financial stress, overall fund-raising is "way up," Yellen said. "It really is true that big gifts attract more big gifts."
Despite the wave of associate cutbacks at law firms, neither Dempsey nor Power had any qualms about encouraging students to enroll in law school. The economy will improve and a law degree is useful in any profession, they said.
"I use my legal training and law degree every day even though one would not call me a practicing lawyer," said Dempsey, who serves as commissioner of the Chicago Public Library and keeps her law license current.
Source
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Fatal CTA bus wreck injures 10 people
Illinois personal injury attorneys alerts- One person was left dead after a Chicago Transit Authority bus and a van crashed.
Chicago, IL—A two-vehicle crash involving a van and a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus left one woman dead, and 9 others injured. According to police officials, the fatal crash happened on Tuesday afternoon, around 4:40 p.m., in the South Side Chatham neighborhood, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
A southbound No. 4 Cottage Grove bus was reportedly stopped at the intersection of 83rd Street and Cottage Grove, when a van slammed into the CTA bus from behind. Area emergency medical services (EMS) teams were alerted of the crash, who then launched an EMS Plan 1 to respond to the wreck. A total of 10 people were apparently injured in the crash initially. A passenger inside the van, Patricia Blackburn, 62, was tragically killed in the crash.
Blackburn was pronounced dead by medical professionals shortly after arriving at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County by EMS teams. Three injured victims were transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, and Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Two people were rushed to Jackson Park Hospital, and another was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in Evergreen Park. Another victim was transported to South Shore Hospital for treatment. Three other victims were treated at Jackson Park Hospital for their injuries. A total of five of the injured victims were traveling inside the van when the collision occurred. Police officials have not issued any citations at this time in connection with the fatal wreck.
Source
Chicago, IL—A two-vehicle crash involving a van and a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus left one woman dead, and 9 others injured. According to police officials, the fatal crash happened on Tuesday afternoon, around 4:40 p.m., in the South Side Chatham neighborhood, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
A southbound No. 4 Cottage Grove bus was reportedly stopped at the intersection of 83rd Street and Cottage Grove, when a van slammed into the CTA bus from behind. Area emergency medical services (EMS) teams were alerted of the crash, who then launched an EMS Plan 1 to respond to the wreck. A total of 10 people were apparently injured in the crash initially. A passenger inside the van, Patricia Blackburn, 62, was tragically killed in the crash.
Blackburn was pronounced dead by medical professionals shortly after arriving at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County by EMS teams. Three injured victims were transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, and Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Two people were rushed to Jackson Park Hospital, and another was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers in Evergreen Park. Another victim was transported to South Shore Hospital for treatment. Three other victims were treated at Jackson Park Hospital for their injuries. A total of five of the injured victims were traveling inside the van when the collision occurred. Police officials have not issued any citations at this time in connection with the fatal wreck.
Source
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Dallas Truck accident lawyers request the attention of accident victims
Dallas, Texas (CaymanMama.com) – Following a Colorado truck accident, wherein a fire truck collided with an SUV while responding to an emergency call, accident attorneys typically call for the surrounding parties involved to exercise restraint, as exercising care would save them from injuries and loss of property.
The driver of the SUV rammed into the fire truck, injuring the SUV driver, who was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. No firefighters were injured. The car was totaled. The authorities explained: “accidents do happen, even though we exercise so much care. We are responsible for the firefighters as well as for the citizen’s lives.”
Truck accident attorneys and the legal community have always advised citizens to exercise extra caution while driving, as accidents in the U.S. are one of the main causes of death and catastrophic injuries. Personal injury lawyers explain that people involved in accidents are forced to lead an altered life and even are forced to remain away from their work, thus facing loss of wages, which makes their lives difficult.
Truck accident injury attorneys are the people who help the injured in claiming the compensation for their injuries resulting from such accidents. The victims of truck accidents must contact a personal injury lawyer who can help them in recovering compensation for their injuries and losses that they have suffered due to the truck accident.
Source
The driver of the SUV rammed into the fire truck, injuring the SUV driver, who was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. No firefighters were injured. The car was totaled. The authorities explained: “accidents do happen, even though we exercise so much care. We are responsible for the firefighters as well as for the citizen’s lives.”
Truck accident attorneys and the legal community have always advised citizens to exercise extra caution while driving, as accidents in the U.S. are one of the main causes of death and catastrophic injuries. Personal injury lawyers explain that people involved in accidents are forced to lead an altered life and even are forced to remain away from their work, thus facing loss of wages, which makes their lives difficult.
Truck accident injury attorneys are the people who help the injured in claiming the compensation for their injuries resulting from such accidents. The victims of truck accidents must contact a personal injury lawyer who can help them in recovering compensation for their injuries and losses that they have suffered due to the truck accident.
Source
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Girl Falls 30 feet finished a Skylight and New royalty Personal Injury Lawyer king Perecman is not Falling for Excuses
Girl Falls 30 feet through a Skylight and New York Personal Injury Lawyer David Perecman is not Falling for Excuses
New York personal injury lawyer David Perecman questions the presence of an unfenced skylight near a rooftop playground.
New York, NY (Advertiser Talk) 24-Aug-2009 — A girl falls 30 feet through a skylight and New York personal injury lawyer David Perecman knows that this is a lucky fall. A 30-foot drop has the potential to cause far more severe injuries then only the broken arm and leg suffered by the eight year old. A fall like this can be fatal.
This fall highlights the need for building managers and owners to carefully monitor the health and safety procedures in place Building managers must practice good risk management practices and view it from the eyes of a child. The Best Lawyers in America New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Mr. Perecman and other New York personal injury lawyers wonder why there this skylight that was located next to a rooftop playgroup.
“This fall highlights the need for building managers and owners to carefully monitor the health and safety procedures in place,” says personal injury lawyer Perecman. “Building managers must practice good risk management practices and view it from the eyes of a child.”
Source
New York personal injury lawyer David Perecman questions the presence of an unfenced skylight near a rooftop playground.
New York, NY (Advertiser Talk) 24-Aug-2009 — A girl falls 30 feet through a skylight and New York personal injury lawyer David Perecman knows that this is a lucky fall. A 30-foot drop has the potential to cause far more severe injuries then only the broken arm and leg suffered by the eight year old. A fall like this can be fatal.
This fall highlights the need for building managers and owners to carefully monitor the health and safety procedures in place Building managers must practice good risk management practices and view it from the eyes of a child. The Best Lawyers in America New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Mr. Perecman and other New York personal injury lawyers wonder why there this skylight that was located next to a rooftop playgroup.
“This fall highlights the need for building managers and owners to carefully monitor the health and safety procedures in place,” says personal injury lawyer Perecman. “Building managers must practice good risk management practices and view it from the eyes of a child.”
Source
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tell it like it is’ says New York Personal Injury Lawyer
With 20-plus years as a personal injury lawyer, Michael Levine’s advice to clients may be one of the best pieces of free info you ever get. “I always tell my clients, just tell it like it is,” says Levine, in a soft-spoken ‘New Yorkah’ accent. “I have told my clients two and a half million times that there is no substitute for the truth. The truth never hurts you.evine says not being truthful is a lethal mistake when pursing a lawsuit. “People think no one will ever find out if you tell a lie,” he says. “Sometimes they block out the truth or intentionally hide it, but in a lawsuit your whole life becomes an open book.”
“People must be extremely truthful with their attorneys in order to get the best representation possible,” he adds.
Not telling the truth is at the top of Levine’s list of “deadly sins” clients can commit when pursing a lawsuit. “When I talk about deadly sins I am talking about what can hurt a client’s case,” says Levine. “I have been doing this since 1983 and I tell clients from the top: ‘I am not going to be the one that hurts your case; you are going to be the one that hurts your case.'"
Don’t Exaggerate
Exaggerating the claim can also poison a case. “People exaggerate, thinking that will help their case and that is not true,” says Levine. “Exaggerating can really hurt you in a personal injury case. For example claiming you can no longer do something and then get caught doing things you claimed you couldn’t do!”
Although it may seem obvious that not telling the truth or overstating the case is a negative, Levine says it is amazing how many people make those mistakes.
“Maybe the client had a criminal problem in the past. Maybe they even spent time in jail,” says Levine. “If they lie about it and it is discovered later it will hurt them."
A defense attorney will use even a tiny mistruth or inconsistency to tear apart the case. “That lawyer is going to keep on pouring salt into that wound and make it fester,” says Levine. “The jury is going to be thinking about that minor lie rather all the positive aspects of my client’s case. It may sound like a cliché but it is true.”
Source
“People must be extremely truthful with their attorneys in order to get the best representation possible,” he adds.
Not telling the truth is at the top of Levine’s list of “deadly sins” clients can commit when pursing a lawsuit. “When I talk about deadly sins I am talking about what can hurt a client’s case,” says Levine. “I have been doing this since 1983 and I tell clients from the top: ‘I am not going to be the one that hurts your case; you are going to be the one that hurts your case.'"
Don’t Exaggerate
Exaggerating the claim can also poison a case. “People exaggerate, thinking that will help their case and that is not true,” says Levine. “Exaggerating can really hurt you in a personal injury case. For example claiming you can no longer do something and then get caught doing things you claimed you couldn’t do!”
Although it may seem obvious that not telling the truth or overstating the case is a negative, Levine says it is amazing how many people make those mistakes.
“Maybe the client had a criminal problem in the past. Maybe they even spent time in jail,” says Levine. “If they lie about it and it is discovered later it will hurt them."
A defense attorney will use even a tiny mistruth or inconsistency to tear apart the case. “That lawyer is going to keep on pouring salt into that wound and make it fester,” says Levine. “The jury is going to be thinking about that minor lie rather all the positive aspects of my client’s case. It may sound like a cliché but it is true.”
Source
Monday, September 28, 2009
New York Personal Injury Attorney Defends Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is being seen as an important piece in the debate about healthcare reform in the United States. However, the real problem may be too much medical malpractice, not too much litigation. New York personal injury attorney David Perecman explains why he and his firm work so hard to secure maximum compensation for their clients.The person a financial cap would hurt the most are the victims with the most severe injuries - those who can no longer work and need intensive medical care. Special additions for their homes like wheelchair ramps, a special vehicle to get them where they want to do, home care, everything they need to maintain a life that is comfortable, this all costs money. Even more distressing is the fact that caps on pain and suffering would unfairly discriminate against the poor, elderly and women who may have less or no income losses but suffer just the same.
"The solution is not to take away victim's rights," says Perecman, a New York personal injury attorney who has fought tenaciously on lawsuits of numerous victims of medical malpractice.
Improving medical care has gained national attention since the 1999 Institute of Medicine report that stated as many as 98,000 people die each year due to medical errors made in hospitals. The number is greater than those who die in a given year from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDS. A large part of the study was conducted with data from hospitals in New York. Personal injury attorneys are looking out for their clients.
"The first thing you want to do as a personal injury attorney is make your clients whole, that's your job," adds Perecman.
Ironically, studies show that, by a large margin, the majority of medical error victims do not even file medical malpractice lawsuits. However, its only fair that when patients become victims of unavoidable or avoidable medical error, they need to be compensated for medical expenses, wage loss, pain and suffering and other financial loss.
In a video shot in his office in New York, personal injury attorney, Perecman presents the side of the victim who has just lost a limb, or now suffers a permanent or serious injury at the hand of a trusted doctor, even death.
"I can't go back and make what happened to my client go away but what I can do is try and give them a life that is comfortable and the only way [New York personal injury attorneys can do that is by monetary compensation," explains Perecman.
According to a June 16, 2009 report from Bloomberg, the idea that protecting doctors from lawsuits will rein in medical costs is not a significant factor in what drives up the costs of health-care. Inefficiency is cited as a much greater problem. A 2004 report by the Congressional Budget Office also says that even significant reductions would do little to reduce high health-care expenses.
Source
"The solution is not to take away victim's rights," says Perecman, a New York personal injury attorney who has fought tenaciously on lawsuits of numerous victims of medical malpractice.
Improving medical care has gained national attention since the 1999 Institute of Medicine report that stated as many as 98,000 people die each year due to medical errors made in hospitals. The number is greater than those who die in a given year from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDS. A large part of the study was conducted with data from hospitals in New York. Personal injury attorneys are looking out for their clients.
"The first thing you want to do as a personal injury attorney is make your clients whole, that's your job," adds Perecman.
Ironically, studies show that, by a large margin, the majority of medical error victims do not even file medical malpractice lawsuits. However, its only fair that when patients become victims of unavoidable or avoidable medical error, they need to be compensated for medical expenses, wage loss, pain and suffering and other financial loss.
In a video shot in his office in New York, personal injury attorney, Perecman presents the side of the victim who has just lost a limb, or now suffers a permanent or serious injury at the hand of a trusted doctor, even death.
"I can't go back and make what happened to my client go away but what I can do is try and give them a life that is comfortable and the only way [New York personal injury attorneys can do that is by monetary compensation," explains Perecman.
According to a June 16, 2009 report from Bloomberg, the idea that protecting doctors from lawsuits will rein in medical costs is not a significant factor in what drives up the costs of health-care. Inefficiency is cited as a much greater problem. A 2004 report by the Congressional Budget Office also says that even significant reductions would do little to reduce high health-care expenses.
Source
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
New York Personal Injury Lawyer - 866-ATTY-LAW - Workers Comp Attorney
If an individual injured at the workplace then they are eligible to avail the advantages of worker’s compensation. It is advised to inform the employers whenever a person has received injury in the workplace. Every U.S State has its own Statute of Limitations and so notifies the employer within the time limit.
Nevertheless, once the employer is informed about the personal injury caused, the employee must file formal workers compensation claim forms with the employer. This shall include the information about the level of personal injuries suffered, cause of injury and certain other details related to personal injury claim. It is also possible that you have to file for a worker’s compensation claim through insurance company or even the State.
According to the Workers Compensation Law, suitable justice and compensation is provided to the victims of personal injury/accident injury in the workplace. There are many instances when the employers neglect the safety regulations at workplaces which could lead to serious accidents to the employees. Furthermore, the employer’s insurance company shall hire aggressive defense lawyers who shall try to reduce claims to the minimum or even deny the charges completely.
In case one finds themselves in same situation when employer’s worker compensation insurance challenges the claim, then one has to prove their personal injury was partly caused due to job. To prove the injuries, one has to have a proper medical report and get in touch with a professional workers compensation lawyer who specializes in this law. If the insurance claim is denied or decreased by the employer’s insurance company then the worker’s have a right to appeal. There shall a hearing of the case if the employee and employer are not able to settle the claim. Consult a worker’s compensation lawyer or New York Personal Injury Lawyer in case you are also in the same situation.
Source
Nevertheless, once the employer is informed about the personal injury caused, the employee must file formal workers compensation claim forms with the employer. This shall include the information about the level of personal injuries suffered, cause of injury and certain other details related to personal injury claim. It is also possible that you have to file for a worker’s compensation claim through insurance company or even the State.
According to the Workers Compensation Law, suitable justice and compensation is provided to the victims of personal injury/accident injury in the workplace. There are many instances when the employers neglect the safety regulations at workplaces which could lead to serious accidents to the employees. Furthermore, the employer’s insurance company shall hire aggressive defense lawyers who shall try to reduce claims to the minimum or even deny the charges completely.
In case one finds themselves in same situation when employer’s worker compensation insurance challenges the claim, then one has to prove their personal injury was partly caused due to job. To prove the injuries, one has to have a proper medical report and get in touch with a professional workers compensation lawyer who specializes in this law. If the insurance claim is denied or decreased by the employer’s insurance company then the worker’s have a right to appeal. There shall a hearing of the case if the employee and employer are not able to settle the claim. Consult a worker’s compensation lawyer or New York Personal Injury Lawyer in case you are also in the same situation.
Source
Monday, August 24, 2009
Personal Injury Lawyer Dallas News: Former Texas politico dies after Colorado car crash
Past El Paso County Commissioner killed in multi-vehicle Monarch Pass accident.
Dallas, TX(JusticeNewsFlash.com)–A five-vehicle collision in Colorado, on Sunday, left a former County Commissioner of El Paso, Texas dead, and his wife seriously injured, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. The Colorado State Patrol say, a recreation vehicle traveling westbound on U.S. 50 along the Monarch Pass swerved into the right-hand lane sideswipping a Lincoln Town car. The Town car reportedly then sideswiped a Toyota Camry, which sent both cars careening off the side of the road. The RV then hit an eastbound Nissan Altima head on, which caused the Nissan to rollover onto its side. The debris resulting from the crash struck a fifth vehicle, but no one traveling inside the fifth vehicle was reportedly hurt.
Colorado troopers identified the driver of the Nissan as the former El Paso County Commissioner, Miguel Solis, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the tragic accident. Solis wife, Felipa, was airlifted to Saint Mary’s hospital in Grand Junction for treatment of her serious injuries she sustained in the multi-vehicle collision. The driver of the RV, Ray Stout, 79, of Montrose, Colorado was also pronounced dead at the scene of the accident
Source
Dallas, TX(JusticeNewsFlash.com)–A five-vehicle collision in Colorado, on Sunday, left a former County Commissioner of El Paso, Texas dead, and his wife seriously injured, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. The Colorado State Patrol say, a recreation vehicle traveling westbound on U.S. 50 along the Monarch Pass swerved into the right-hand lane sideswipping a Lincoln Town car. The Town car reportedly then sideswiped a Toyota Camry, which sent both cars careening off the side of the road. The RV then hit an eastbound Nissan Altima head on, which caused the Nissan to rollover onto its side. The debris resulting from the crash struck a fifth vehicle, but no one traveling inside the fifth vehicle was reportedly hurt.
Colorado troopers identified the driver of the Nissan as the former El Paso County Commissioner, Miguel Solis, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the tragic accident. Solis wife, Felipa, was airlifted to Saint Mary’s hospital in Grand Junction for treatment of her serious injuries she sustained in the multi-vehicle collision. The driver of the RV, Ray Stout, 79, of Montrose, Colorado was also pronounced dead at the scene of the accident
Source
Monday, July 20, 2009
As Lawsuits Hit the MTA, Personal Injury Lawyers Consider How Much is Too Much, or Too Little
Unfortunately things aren't looking up for the MTA. The numbers of people claiming they were injured on transit property continues to skyrocket. New York personal injury lawyers are paying close attention. The MTA receives around 3000 claims a year, according to a recent Audit committee report. The agency, instead of trying to bring down the number of accidents and the people who suffer in these accidents, by making conditions safer is actively looking to bring the number of lawsuits down and they are appealing to the state legislature for help. One of the Authority's proposals singles out people who put themselves in harms way. In the past, juries have tended to look favorably upon the MTA and 96 out of 150 jury decisions last year were decided in favor of the agency. "The problem with banning suits is where to draw the line," says David Perecman, a New York personal injury lawyer. "The MTA should not have any special right to be exempted from personal injury lawsuits. If they are partly to blame they should pay their part . If the claimant is partly to blame they don't get compensated for their part. That's the law in this State. If a jury decides that a person is 505 at fault they only ger 50% of their damages. Banning the claim outright would allow the MTA to walk away from their share of responsibility. From the point of view of the law, the burden of responsibility is with the transit operator and the claimant to act reasonably and prudently." Each case is different so generalization can be dangerous. Anyone who finds himself or herself in a personal injury accident on the MTA or other public transit should call a New York personal injury lawyer to discuss his or her options, urges Perecman. About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, PLLC: For the past 25 years, the New York personal injury lawyers, construction accident, auto accident and medical malpractice lawyers at The Perecman Firm, PLLC have championed all types of cases for personal injury. David Perecman, founder of the Firm, is the current Secretary of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) and a chair of its Labor Law Committee. Mr. Perecman's achievements have brought him recognition as an Honoree in the National Law Journal's Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine's "The Best Lawyers in America" and The New York Times Magazine "New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition". Source
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