Category Archives: Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer

A mother supporting their child on the monkey bar set.

When to Call a Playground Injury Lawyer in NYC


Posted on July 14, 2017 by

What Parents Should Know About Playground Injuries

Playgrounds should be some of the safest spaces in New York City, as they are constructed with the safety of kids in mind, but unfortunately, accidents on NYC playgrounds are all too common.

Slip and falls are among the most common causes of playground injuries, often resulting in broken bones, head trauma, and other serious medical issues. If your child was injured because of unsafe playground conditions, speaking with a playground injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options.

At the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, we help families throughout Brooklyn and New York City pursue compensation after preventable playground accidents.

Common Causes of Playground Accidents

Children can be injured on playgrounds in many different ways. While some accidents are unavoidable, others occur because of dangerous conditions or negligent supervision.

Common causes of playground injuries include broken or defective equipment, slippery surfaces, unsafe swings or climbing structures, poor maintenance, exposed metal or sharp edges, and inadequate safety surfacing beneath playground equipment.

According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, more than 213,000 children younger than 18 are treated in U.S. emergency departments for playground-related injuries each year. Most playground injuries are caused by falls and commonly involve broken bones, sprains, cuts, and head injuries.

Serious Injuries That Can Occur at Playgrounds

Playground accidents can lead to injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to long-term physical trauma. Children may suffer broken bones, concussions, neck and back injuries, sprains, soft tissue damage, and severe lacerations.

In more serious cases, injuries may require surgery, rehabilitation, or ongoing medical treatment. Head injuries can be especially concerning because symptoms are not always immediately visible after an accident.

Who Can Be Liable for a Playground Injury?

Determining liability after a playground accident depends on how the injury occurred and whether a dangerous condition contributed to the incident.

Potentially responsible parties may include:

  • Property owners
  • Schools or daycare facilities
  • Municipalities or parks departments
  • Maintenance companies
  • Playground equipment manufacturers

For example, if playground equipment was broken or improperly maintained and the hazard was ignored, the responsible party may be held liable for negligence.

Claims involving public parks can be especially complex because lawsuits against the city often involve strict filing deadlines and legal procedures. Speaking with an experienced NYC playground accident lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your rights.

What to Do After a Playground Accident

If your child is injured on a playground, taking immediate action can help protect both their health and your potential legal claim.

Parents should seek medical attention right away, even if the injury initially appears minor. It is also important to document the accident scene by taking photos of the playground equipment or the hazardous condition that caused the injury.

If possible, gather witness information and report the incident to the property owner, school, or parks department. Keeping records of medical treatment, expenses, and communications related to the accident can also be helpful later.

How a Playground Injury Lawyer Can Help

A serious playground injury can leave families facing medical expenses, emotional stress, and uncertainty about what comes next.

A playground accident lawyer can investigate how the accident happened, determine who may be legally responsible, gather evidence, and handle negotiations with insurance companies. Legal representation can be especially important in cases involving public property or multiple liable parties.

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the injury.

Contact a NYC Playground Accident Lawyer Today

If your child was injured because of unsafe playground conditions, you may have the right to pursue compensation.

The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum helps families throughout Brooklyn and New York City navigate complex premises liability and playground accident claims. We are committed to protecting your rights and helping your family move forward after a serious injury.

Call (718) 237-5586 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with an experienced playground accident lawyer today.

Construction workers building scaffolding at site

Time Limit on How Long Scaffolding Can Remain in Place


Posted on January 27, 2017 by

When you are walking down the street in New York, you see a copious amount of scaffolding on the buildings. When buildings are repaired, scaffolding is put up to support work crews as well as shield pedestrians below from potential hazards like falling bricks and equipment and even exposure to dust particles from the work being done.

Sometimes, scaffolding remains in place for months, even years. This could change if a proposed bill sponsored by Councilman Ben Kallos is passed, which would require scaffolding to be taken down within six months of being placed. Ideally, this would not only reduce the structures that many consider to be an eyesore, it would reduce the number of construction accidents suffered by pedestrians.

Continue reading →

Xray scan showing brain injury

Brain Injuries in Sports


Posted on September 26, 2016 by

Millions of young people in the United States play sports on a regular basis. From gymnastics to football, soccer to lacrosse, sports are important from a cultural, health, and social perspective. And while there is no doubt that playing sports can help children and adults to maintain physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle, as well as develop important skills, sports-related brain injuries are an emerging risk. In fact, according to a report published by S&P Global Ratings and cited by Insurance Journal, sports-related brain injuries are one of the top emerging insurance claims in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Continue reading →

Chipolte’s Recent Food Safety Issues


Posted on January 18, 2016 by

Chipotle – best known for providing high-quality, fresh ingredients in its nation-wide burrito chain stores – was linked to several food-borne illness cases in 2015. According to a BuzzFeed news report, the problems occurred in its California and Minnesota stores in addition to those located in Washington and Oregon. Chipotle has experienced as many as three outbreaks over the course of a few months.

Chipotle is not alone in experiencing food-borne illness problems. Indeed, the strain of e. coli affecting its Pacific Northwest stores is the same one that affected Jimmy John’s restaurants in 2012. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the number of foodborne outbreaks has been steadily increasing since 2011.

If you or someone you know believes he or she has been contaminated with a food-borne illness as a result of the wrongdoing of another, contact a seasoned Brooklyn personal injury attorney right away.

Top Food-borne Illnesses

There are several types of food-borne illnesses, commonly referred to as “food poisoning,” which can make a person sick. The most common, however, are E.coli, norovirus, salmonella, shigella, and hepatitis A. The first three are the top food-borne illnesses, according to research.

  • E.coli – this is a bacterium that produces a deadly toxin and is found in undercooked or raw meat (particularly hamburger meat) produce, and raw milk. E.coli is responsible for about 73,000 cases of foodborne illnesses annually in the U.S. Symptoms include cramping, dehydration and severe diarrhea.
  • Norovirus – the leading cause of diarrhea in the nation, this highly infectious virus transfers to any type of food if it is handled by someone who has norovirus. Symptoms include nausea, fever, vomiting and cramps.
  • Salmonella – the most common cause of foodborne deaths, salmonella causes millions of cases of foodborne illnesses and can be found in raw or undercooked eggs, seafood, dairy products, undercooked meat or poultry, as well as fruits and vegetables. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps and fever.
  • Shigella – poor hygiene allows shigella to be easily passed from person to person, and accounts for approximately 300,000 cases of diarrhea. Sources of shigella consist of unclean water, milk and dairy products as well as salads. Symptoms beyond diarrhea include fever, chills and dehydration.
  • Hepatitis A – a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, which can affect anyone and can consist of isolated cases or a widespread epidemic. Symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, cramps, diarrhea, fever and fatigue.

Personal Injury Attorneys & Help in New York

Foodborne illnesses are a costly, yet preventable, public health risk. The CDC estimates that each year 1 in 6 Americans get sick from food poisoning. As many as 250 different foodborne illnesses have been recognized. If you or someone you know is experiencing any or all of the symptoms listed above and resides in New York, food poisoning may be the cause. Accordingly, an experienced Brooklyn personal injury attorney should be contacted immediately. The legal professionals at the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum serves all of New York, including Brooklyn and the Bronx. Call (718) 237-5586 or click here today for your initial case evaluation.

Brain Injury: Judge Found Doctor at Fault


Posted on September 24, 2015 by

Two people holding hands while one is laying in a hospital bed.

A doctor working out of Bayfront Health Port Charlotte hospital has lost a recent medical malpractice lawsuit, according to a Wink News report. Earlier this year, a jury found Dr. Michael Coffey 70 percent responsible for a 2010 birth that resulted in a severe brain injury. The jury found the hospital, which was named Peace River Regional at the time of the incident, 30 percent responsible. The mother of the child alleges she visited Dr. Coffey, who is still on staff at the hospital, during her pregnancy looking for treatment because of decreased fetal movement as well as other concerns. Continue reading →

Toddler Dies After Being Hit With Falling Bricks on Upper West Side


Posted on June 8, 2015 by

Young girl sits on hospital bed.

A tragic accident occurred in the Upper West Side last month on a quiet Sunday morning, according to a recent Online news report . A portion of a terracotta window at the Esplanade, a senior citizens’ resident on West End Avenue at 74th Street, plummeted eight stories onto a two-year-old and her grandmother who were on a morning stroll. The debris hit the toddler, Greta Green, on the head and caused a severe and fatal brain injury. The grandmother, 60-year-old Susan Frierson, suffered a serious leg injury but survived the incident. If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, it is important to contact a skilled brain injury attorney Bronx residents can retain in order to ensure you receive just compensation for your damages and/or lost. Continue reading →

Bronx Injury Attorney : Injuries on NYC Playgrounds


Posted on May 15, 2015 by

Playground with large blue twisting slide.

Playgrounds in New York provide children and their families with a healthy, enjoyable form of outdoor entertainment. Playgrounds, however, can also pose significant safety and health risks for children if they are not properly maintained. For example, injuries can occur from improperly maintained surfaces or protruding nails from playground equipment. Notably, injuries at playgrounds in New York have become an increasing problem. Continue reading →

New York Construction Sites Pose Dangers From Above


Posted on April 23, 2015 by

Construction sites can Building with construction being done to it. pose significant dangers for construction workers, especially when adequate safety precautions are not taken. There is, however, another group that also faces dangers from construction sites: pedestrians. A recent online article in the Wall Street Journal looked into the dangers that pedestrians throughout New York City face from construction sites.

According to the article, at least once a month, a pedestrian walking the streets of New York City is injured by something at a construction site. The culprit? New York City pedestrians are injured by a variety of different objects that fall from a construction site or that are improperly maintained. Examples include falling bricks or tools, windblown fences, and collapsing sidewalks. Continue reading →

How to make sure you get the full compensation you are entitled to if you are injured in Brooklyn


Posted on May 23, 2013 by

Getting the justice you deserve when you or a loved one is injured also means getting the full compensation you’re entitled to. The question is, how do you win your lawsuit? It all comes down to these factors: the extent of your injuries (damages), the liability or responsibility of the defendant (person, business or municipality) in your case and having a diligent and experienced personal injury lawyer on your side like Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum.

Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer

Will you get full and fair compensation, enough to pay for the medical costs and the lifelong financial , physical & emotional consequences of your injury (pain and suffering)? Or will you settle for an amount that’s not even enough to cover the needs of your family or compensate for your loss of earnings? Of course, you deserve the first. That’s only possible by working with a competent Brooklyn personal injury lawyer who’s willing to fight for your rights. Continue reading →