New City Law Blog

Physicians should pay heed of first time DWIs

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC posted in drunk driving charges on Friday, July 12, 2019.

Even a DWI first offense can leave a New Yorker facing serious consequences. This is the case even when the person has never had a criminal conviction before. She may even be a well-respected professional, like a doctor who makes her living treating patients with different illnesses and injuries.

Like many others, physicians and other medical may want to enjoy themselves over a few alcoholic drinks from time to time. If as a result they find themselves facing drunk driving charges, whether the charges are well-founded or not, they should strongly consider speaking with an attorney who has experience defending people charged with DWAIs and DWIs.

Can you get a DUI on a motorized scooter?

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

Motorized scooters are trending all over the United States. In most metropolitan cities, Lime and other motorized scooter rental companies make renting scooters and bicycles cheaper and faster than other forms of transportation. Because of these qualities, motorized scooters have been very popular--but there may be unforeseen risks associated with them.

Tennessee just passed a law stating that individuals may get arrested for drunk driving while on an electric scooter. The law explains that these scooters will be considered motor-driven vehicles and thus the driver may receive a DUI.

Cranes, crane operators must follow safety standards

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC posted in construction workers' accidents on Thursday, June 27, 2019.

A previous post on this blog talked about a serious crane accident that left several people either dead or severely injured. This accident was just the latest in a string of accidents, most of which affected construction workers in and around the cranes.

The previous post also mentioned that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, was stepping up safety inspections of cranes. OSHA is the federal agency responsible for ensuring that workers in this country stay safe while on the job. In New York, a state agency, the Division of Safety and Health of the Department of Labor, fills this role.

One killed, several injured in crane accident

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC posted in construction workers' accidents on Friday, June 14, 2019.

A crane accident in another state, which attracted widespread media attention, left 1 person dead and left 5 other people injured. Among those hurt, authorities described 2 of the injuries as serious and 2 more of them as critical.

The crane apparently collapsed in high winds as thunderstorms went through the city. Unable to stand upright in the wind, the crane tumbled down on to the top of a nearby apartment complex. At least one of the victims, the one who died, was not a worker.

A DWI can be career ending for commercial drivers

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC posted in drunk driving charges on Friday, May 31, 2019.

Many people in and around Rockland County, Orange County and Westchester County in the greater New York area drive for a living. In addition to long-haul truckers and mass transit drivers, many others must carry a commercial license in order to carry on their careers and earn a living.

Not surprisingly, those who hold a commercial driver's license, or CDL, are subject to additional rules and regulations, some of which are, at least indirectly, established by the federal government. Along with these additional rules come extra penalties, including a system under which a person can lose his or her right to drive a vehicle for a living.

Can you get workers’ compensation for psychological injuries?

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.

Most types of jobs come with a certain risk and some are more obvious than others. Construction workers are usually at risk of serious physical injuries since they deal with heavy machinery and manual labor. Office workers can be at risk for eye strain and carpal tunnel. Firefighters and police officers may be hurt in the line of duty whether it’s from capturing a perpetrator or getting a burn while carrying someone out of a burning building.

However, first-responders like firefighters and police officers may also be at risk for a less obvious injury. Psychological injuries can be just as damaging as any physical injury and unfortunately, they are not uncommon in high-risk jobs.

When is drunk driving a felony case?

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC posted in drunk driving charges on Friday, May 17, 2019.

As this blog has mentioned before, drunk driving in this state will almost always be treated as at least a criminal misdemeanor, even for a first-time offense. Under New York law, even misdemeanors can land a person in jail and can result in other significant penalties.

However, New York authorities crack down even harder when a person has a prior history of drunk driving. By way of example, someone who picks up a second drunk driving allegation may face a felony charge. This charge can land her in prison for up to 4 years if she receives the maximum sentence following a conviction.

Workers' compensation for injuries

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC on Friday, May 3, 2019.

Work site managers, foremen, and regulatory agencies all strive to make construction sites, warehouses and other industrial zones as safe as possible. But accidents do happen in these busy and vibrant environments.

When a worker suffers an injury, he or she must report it immediately, file a claim with the insurance company. Then the insurance company specifies the rehab program that injured worker must complete.

Deadly crane accident should concern New Yorkers

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC posted in construction workers' accidents on Friday, May 3, 2019.

A recent deadly crane accident should serve as a warning to New York construction workers and their employers about how important it is to stay safe around these devices.

In another major city in the country, a crane that was assisting with the construction of a major corporate building suddenly collapsed, falling down to the intersection below.

What is an ignition interlock device?

On behalf of Braunfotel & Frendel LLC on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

You probably know about the typical consequences of an impaired driving conviction: a license suspension, a fine, even possible jail time. But what you might not know is that anyone convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in New York state must install an ignition interlock device (IID) in any vehicle they drive during their sentence.