New York City Personal Injury Blog

Drowsy driving and the risk for car crashes

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Monday, May 20, 2019.

In New York and across the U.S., drowsy driving is becoming an epidemic. In a AAA survey, nearly one-third of respondents said that at least once in the past month, they drove while having trouble keeping their eyes open. Many drivers are not getting the seven hours of sleep every night that the CDC recommends, and some may have a disorder like obstructive sleep apnea that makes them tired even when they get seven hours.

Others ignore the side effects of medications like antidepressants, antihistamines and muscle relaxers. Others may take prescription sleep aids and yet ignore the direction that says they should sleep seven to eight hours afterward. A 2018 Consumer Reports survey found that one in five Americans who take sleep aids drive within seven hours of taking them. Some medications will interact with each other to induce sleepiness.

What is the definition of quid pro quo sexual harassment?

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019.

If you have had a disturbing experience at work and think that the experience qualifies as a type of sexual harassment, it is likely that you have started to conduct research on the matter. The law on sexual harassment in the workplace can often be confusing at first glance, but this should never discourage you from taking the appropriate action.

The phrase, "quid pro quo" refers to a specific type of sexual harassment. Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase that translates loosely into "something for another thing." In the context of sexual harassment in the workplace, the phrase refers to a person's abuse of their employment power in order to gain something of a sexual nature.

Drizzle linked to fatal car crashes

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

Car accidents in New York can be devastating and may cause people to sustain catastrophic injuries and even die as a result. Many factors, from increased distraction due to smartphones to outdoor weather conditions, can combine to make driving on the roadways a more dangerous experience. One study revealed that even light rainfall can significantly increase the risk for a dangerous or fatal crash. Rain, snow and ice can make roadway fatalities 34% more likely, according to a study from the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

Even simple drizzle, where pedestrians may not even carry umbrellas, could raise the risk of fatal car accidents by 27%. The study analyzed data from 125,012 fatal crashes that took place in the continental United States between 2006 and 2011. The researchers also assessed factors like the volume of traffic on the road in order to isolate the impact of weather. The researchers used precise radar data to determine the severity of the weather conditions when each crash took place. This enabled the researchers to detect the rise in deadly collisions linked to rain falling even at a rate of a 1/10 of an inch each hour.

Swimming pool safety for older children

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

Parents of young children are typically extremely vigilant when their child is near a swimming pool. Younger children tend to have lower swimming proficiency, and they are of a much higher risk of drowning or slipping when in or near the pool.

However, older children with a relatively high swimming proficiency can also be at risk of poolside injuries. In addition, the tendency for parents to be less vigilant around their older children can increase their risk of injury. The following are some key guidelines on pool safety, as well as the actions you can take if your child was injured at a public pool.

Root Insurance surveys drivers on distracting behavior

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

Drivers in New York and across the U.S. are distracting themselves behind the wheel, even when they know it is wrong. Moreover, they tend to criticize others for the same reckless behavior they themselves engage in. This was the conclusion of Root Insurance's second annual distracted driving study.

For 47 percent of drivers surveyed, distracted driving was a top concern on the road. Ninety-nine percent acknowledged phone use as among the top three driver distractions. Yet respondents were found to use their phones for an average of 13 minutes a day behind the wheel. Nearly two in five drivers never put down their phones when they see police around.

How does harassment negatively affect the workplace?

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

In the workplace, there tend to be many unwritten rules in place that dictate behavior and interactions between employees. While some of these behavioral expectations may be superficial, there are some rules that all employees must adhere to without exception. For example, sexual harassment or discrimination is never acceptable under any circumstances.

When sexual harassment is tolerated or ignored in the workplace, it can have a negative effect not only on the victim but on the entire workplace.

How to avoid being wrongfully blamed after a truck crash

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. posted in Truck Accidents on Monday, April 8, 2019.

If you are a truck driver and you become involved in a crash, you will want to make sure you do certain things to protect you should you wish to commence litigation or if someone sues you. As in any motor vehicle accident and you are injured do not get out of the car until police or ambulance are on the scene. If you see the other vehicle(s) note the make and model. If you see the license plate jot that down. If you are physically able you should take pictures of the scene. This will help you whether you are suing or you are being sued as an employee for a trucking company. Depending on the circumstances there are many possibilities regarding who is at fault for the collision. It could be the fault of another party, it could be the fault of the trucking company, or it could be your fault.

It is important that, as a truck driver, you are aware as to what the facts are while you are at the scene.

Second suit accuses law firm of sexism, toxic work environment

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. posted in Sexual Harassment on Monday, April 8, 2019.

New York residents interested in business news or employment issues might want to know about the lawsuit and allegations levied at a Washington, D.C., law firm called Jones Day. One suit brought by a former partner alleges that the firm uses a system to pay women less than their male peers. A second suit filed on April 3 addressed the compensation system and a "fraternity culture" that harms women.

Six plaintiffs are involved in the second suit that alleges a toxic, misogynistic culture that women must endure and take part in to have any hope at doing well within the firm. Objecting to the culture would reportedly derail one's career. The suit seeks $200 million in damages.

Can I claim workers' compensation for a car accident?

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. on Thursday, March 28, 2019.

If you were in a car accident while you were on the job in New York City or engaging in work-related activities, you may wonder whether you have the ability to make a workers' compensation claim. While car accident damages are not the most obvious reason to file a workers' compensation claim, you may be able to successfully file a claim, depending on the circumstances.

Car accident-related workers' compensation claims can become complex. In order to make a successful claim, the injured person must be able to show that the car accident occurred while they were performing a job-related task.

Poll looks at changing attitudes toward sexual harassment

On behalf of Godosky & Gentile, P.C. posted in Sexual Harassment on Monday, March 25, 2019.

Some male employees in New York may be less concerned about sexual harassment in 2019 than they were in 2017, according to a Gallup Poll. More male employees are also more likely to say they believe people are too sensitive about sexual harassment in the workplace compared to 2017. The number of women who believe people are too sensitive increased as well but less dramatically compared to men.

In 2017, around the time the #MeToo movement broke, 69 percent of all adults said they thought workplace sexual harassment against women was a major problem. By February 2019, that number had dropped to 62 percent. Among women, the number dropped from 73 to 70 percent and among men from 66 to 53 percent.