As many news outlets reported last month, an explosion caused by a gas leak ripped through East Harlem on March 13 around 9:25am, killing 8 people and injuring dozens.  The devastation was massive, leveling two buildings located at 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue in ruins, and the explosion caused tremors that could be felt for miles away. With the severity of this explosion as well as the suddenness of its arrival, it was only a matter of time until the victims of this horrible tragedy started seeking compensation for their personal injuries.

MyFoxNY has reported that Michelle Nelson, a 46-year-old Harlem woman, has filed a lawsuit against Con Edison as well as the owner of 1646 Park Avenue, stating that she sustained “severe and permanent injuries” from the explosion when it caused her to fall in her apartment that was located more than a block away from the blast area. [Read more…]

At Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias, LLC, we are often asked by our clients, “What should I do to pursue a personal injury claim?”

We use a number of criteria in order to help you determine if you should pursue a personal injury claim.  There is no standard approach to a personal injury case, but here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding to file suit: [Read more…]

The Citi Bike program in New York City seems like a simple, helpful idea: provide rentable bikes with stations throughout the city to anyone who would like to ride.

For three pedestrians, however, the parking stations have caused them great injury.

According to a report from the New York Daily News, three people who claim they sustained injury after tripping on the parking stations earlier this year are suing the Citi Bike program.

Lashonne Shelton, Howard Orlick, and Diana Mathes have filed personal injury claims, charging that the bike racks created “trap-like” conditions. [Read more…]

Photo credit: Rosaura Ochoa (Flikr)

Technology has been a bit like Pandora’s box. It has brought us some really great things, such as making it easier than ever to stay in touch with people via cell phones, email, and social media. However, one of the negative things that has sprung from that box is a general decrease in privacy. If you are currently engaged in a personal injury suit, this decrease in privacy is of particular concern for you. You will want to take certain steps to monitor your actions on social media in order to protect your case. Here are some tips:

1.) Avoid posting photos and videos. Photos and videos are often inaccurate because they tend to put your best foot forward. For example, if someone is about to snap a picture of you, you’re probably going to smile—whether you’re in a lot of pain or not. [Read more…]

Basically, personal injury involves suffering harm due to someone else’s negligence; the term covers a lot of different circumstances. Personal injury can include auto accidents, dog bites, falls, and much more. Generally, since the injury is due to someone else’s negligence, the person at fault or his or her insurance company should pay for your medical bills and potentially other damages as well. When you have suffered an injury, it can be difficult to know when it is time to seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney. Here are some tips for navigating the stressful situation surrounding an accident-related injury: [Read more…]