Sanders, Sanders, Block, Woycik, Viener & Grossman, P.C. Updates

Eight Million Awarded in Highway Design Case
Senior trial attorney E. David Woycik, Jr. settled a highway design case against the Town of Smithtown for a life time pay out of eight million dollars. The accident occurred in January of 1992 when two Hauppauge High School students veered off a dangerous Smithtown road to avoid hitting a car exiting a hidden driveway.

Numerous accidents took place on the infamous road known as "the Nordic Jump at Lake Placid," because of its mountain-like steepness. The collision left the young driver dead and our client, paralyzed and brain damaged. Sanders, Sanders, Block & Woycik P.C. spent in excess of one hundred thousand dollars on the investigation, for experts and for trial exhibits to show how the town ignored a fatally dangerous road problem that should have been corrected. The case was settled on the eve of trial and was one of the largest settlements in Suffolk County this year.

Carpenter Receives $460,000.00 for Back Injury

Senior trial attorney Martin Block successfully represented a 35 year old carpenter for a work related back injury. At a construction site, the carpenter was told by his supervisor, to help unload three 300 pound doors from a delivery truck without the use of a forklift. Our client requested that the three doors, which were wrapped in plastic and banded together, be unloaded separately, but his supervisor refused. The truck driver slid the doors out of the back of the truck and toward the carpenter, who was waiting with a small hand cart. Unfortunately, the carpenter was not strong enough to catch the doors, and they fell on top of him resulting in severe injuries.

Mr. Block successfully negotiated with the defendants by arguing that the carpenter should not have been asked to move nine hundred pounds all at once without the use of proper working equipment such as a forklift. The case was settled on the eve of trial for $460,000.

In another automobile accident, a 50 year-old house painter received $312,500.00 for injuries sustained to his back. Mr. Block settled the case during trial.

You need to watch where you're going to prevent a serious fall. In order to avoid falls in your homes and offices try and wipe all spills immediately. Use non-skid pads under area rugs. Keep steps and stairs free of objects, in good repair, and well lit. Additionally, exercise to stay flexible and to improve your strength and coordination.

Despite your precautions, you've slipped and you are about to fall down the stairs. What should you do? Put your arms over and close around your head and try to relax your body. Try to land on your backside, thigh or shoulder rather than you spine or wrist. Also, fall forward rather than backward if possible.

If you fall on someone else's property you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact us if you or one of your friends was involved-in a slip and fall accident.

Video Surveillance: Is Big Brother Watching You?
If you are in the middle of a law suit and you think that someone is watching you, they probably are. Despite insurance companies advertising that they are your friends, they are your adversary and you're not in "good hands." Insurance companies will go to great lengths to avoid having to pay large claims. One of their favorite tactics is to hire private investigators to videotape claimants. The investigators are trained to find claimants doing activities which can hurt their claims. Investigators are trained to find claimants doing activities which can hurt their claims. Investigators film at the workplace and at homes and in most instances over more than a one day period. Frequently, they find claimants with back injuries bending down or lifting heavy objects.

The video surveillance does not show the aftereffects of the strain of activity. The investigators do not tape the claimant grimacing in pain after bending down. The fact that it could have been a rare activity will not register with juries who in many cases will rely on the videotapes and award smaller amounts. Some insurance companies would rather pay investigators and defense attorneys than their claimants. Our trial lawyers are familiar with the insurance companies' surveillance techniques and are prepared to tackle the tapes at trial.

Collisions on the Rise Due to Cellular Phone Use
Car phones make normal everyday driving into an obstacle course. According to Highway and Vehicle Safety Report , April 1996, people with car phones face a 34-persent greater risk of getting into an accident. If you eat or drink while using the phone, the danger increases. While driving, focus on the road. If you have a car phone and need to make a call, consider pulling over. While driving, pay extra attention to vehicles with car phone users, so that you can try and prevent yourself from becoming a victim of their driving.

Collisions on the Rise Due to Cellular Phone Use
Automobile insurance companies want to spend as little money as possible on thier No-Fault insurance claims. Their latest plan to save money is the promotion of Automobile Managed Care policies for their insured.

When you are in an automobile collision, medical bills and lost wage benefits are paid by the host vehicle without regard to fault. No-Fault coverage is a component of every policy in New York State and protects you, your family and your passengers. Insurance companies are currently offering lower premiums for drivers who choose Managed Care No-Fault options. We strongly urge our clients and friends not to choose this option.

Choosing Managed Care for No-Fault coverage means that you will lose the right to use the hospitals and doctors that you want to use following an accident. You will have no option other than treating with Insurance Company doctors, who may be more interested in saving money for the companies that they work for than treating and diagnosing your injuries. Under Managed Care you may not be approved for diagnostic testing MRI's, physical therapy or nerve testing which may be necessary to properly diagnose your injuries, and to prove the serious nature of your injuries to a judge or jury. Please read your new insurance policies carefully and contact a member of our staff if you have any questions before you sign a new policy.

Sanders, Sanders, Block, Woycik, Viener & Grossman, P.C. is Growing
SSBWV&G is proud to announce that it is opening a new office located in Concourse Plaza at 220 East 161st Street in the Bronx. This office, located four blocks from the Bronx Supreme Court House and Yankee Stadium, and housed within the same building as the Office of Hearings and Appeals for Social Security and the District Social Security Office, will provide SSBWV&G with a more distinct presence in the City of New York, and a growth outlet for the firm. If you know of anyone who needs legal representation in the Bronx, please have them contact our office at (718) 537-6666.

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