In personal injury cases, there are different types of compensation that may be awarded, including past medical expenses, future medical expenses, past pain and suffering, and future pain and suffering. Medical expenses are economic damages. Past medical expenses are relatively easy to determine as they are simply the bills from…
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Appellate Division set aside future pain and suffering award as it was based on too short of a life expectancy. Abreu-DePena v. Weber, 2021 N.Y. Slip Op. 224 (N.Y. App. Div. 2021)
In a personal injury case, when it comes to determining the amount of damages for pain and suffering and future medical expenses, the jury will look at number of factors including who was at fault, the seriousness of the injuries, the treatment involved, the treatment that will be required in…
Court of Appeals concluded that plaintiff mother could not seek damages for emotional distress for injuries to her baby. Sheppard-Mobley ex re. Mobley v. King, 4. N.Y.3d 627 (2005)
In this case the Court of Appeals considered whether an expectant mother may recover damages for emotional harm where her baby was injured in utero injury and subsequently born alive. When Plaintiff Karen Sheppard learned that she was pregnant, her obstetrician, Dr. King, also informed her that she had fibroids…
Court of Appeals concluded that time-barred medical malpractice claim could be revived based on equitable estoppel. Pahlad v. Brustman, MD, 4. N.Y.3d 627 (2005)
In New York, a medical malpractice case must be filed within 2.5 years of when the underlying act of negligence occurred. CPLR 214-a. However, in extraordinary circumstances, the doctrine of equitable estoppel can be invoked to revive time-barred claims. In Pahlad, the Appellate Division considered whether a time-barred medical malpractice…
Appellate Court rejected claim based on employment-related accidental death. Smith v Park, 2020 NY Slip Op 03583 (3d Dept. June 25, 2020)
In the case of the death of a 14-year boy , the appellate court considered whether his death was in the course of his employment as determined by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, or whether it was due to his employer’s criminal activity. Exclusive remedy rule In New York,…
Court rejects New York State’s “storm in progress” defense. Tucker v. N.Y.C. Transp. Auth., 2020 N.Y. Slip Op. 30115 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2020)
In a personal injury case involving a plaintiff slipping and falling on subway stairs, the court considered whether the defendant, New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), had a reasonable opportunity after the end of a snow storm to address the slippery condition, or whether NYCTA had actual or constructive notice…
Court upholds medical malpractice award in a case involving an injury during delivery of baby. Cinthya ARCOS v. Yehuda BAR–ZVI, 185 A.D.Sd 882 (2020)
In a medical malpractice case where the jury found the defendant to have been negligent, resulting in a severe injury to the plaintiff, the defendant asked the second department to determine whether the jury award should be set aside as excessive. Background On November 12, 2011, 27-year old Cinthya Arcos…
Court upholds medical malpractice in a case involving a baby with brain damage. Young v. Heller (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2022)
In a medical malpractice case where the jury found the defendants liable for the plaintiff’s birth injury, the second department was asked to determine whether a new trial should be ordered. Background On June 1, 2010, 38 years old Vashti Daisely, who was in the late stages of pregnancy, went…
Appellate court denies summary judgement in a “storm in progress” case. Powell v. MLG Hillside Associates, L.P., 290 A.D.2d 345, 737 N.Y.S.2d 27 (N.Y. App. Div. 2002)
On March 7, 1999 at 9:15am, the plaintiff slipped and fell in the snow in front of her apartment building, injuring her ankle. In the hours preceding her fall, there was a snow storm with about two inches of snow accumulating. The plaintiff filed a personal injury lawsuit against her…
Appellate court rejects New York State’s “storm in progress” defense. Scheuer v. State of New (2021 NY Slip Op 05906)
In the case of a car accident that killed one person and severely injured another, the appellate court was asked to consider whether the “storm in progress” defense applied. Background On March 2, 2005, 25-year-old Jeremy Killenberger and 25-year-old James Croote were passengers in a car being driven by Kevin…