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POLICE IDENTIFY VICTIM OF FATAL FORKLIFT ACCIDENT HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK (September 6, 2016) – A 64-year-old man died in a tragic work accident after falling off of a forklift and sustaining a head injury at Nature's Answer on85 Commerce Dr, according to Patch.com. Authorities have been able to identify the man that died as Anthony Capogna. Police are saying that Anthony Capogna was standing on top of a forklift when another forklift accidentally bumped into the one that he was standing on. The crash caused the man to fall to the ground. He was later taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the deadly accident. This is the third time this year that a worker in New York has died following a forklift accident. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm were heartbroken to learn about the tragic death of  Anthony Capogna. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they mourn such an incredible loss. We encourage OSHA to investigate this accident thoroughly and take the necessary steps to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. Gary Silverstein Gary Silverstein has been a partner of Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff since 2001, and an associate of the firm since 1989. Mr. Silverstein graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York College at Oneonta in 1983. Mr. Silverstein holds a degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, having graduated in 1988.

Many people operate heavy machinery or equipment in their workplace. When operating large equipment of any type, it is imperative that the employee focus his or her full attention on the task at hand. Unfortunately, sometimes there are distractions that can take the focus away from safe machinery operation. When distractions occur and accidents happen, serious injuries can result. If an accident happens on a worksite as a result of machinery or for any other reason, an injured worker can get benefits with the help of a New York workers' compensation law firm. Cases in which the worksite injuries were caused by distraction of an employee can be complicated, but an attorney can provide assistance in proving injuries were work-related accidents which should result in benefits. Public Education Campaign to Reduce the Risks of Distracted Machinery Operation Distraction while operating machinery has become a big problem. Construction Equipment.com explained recently that the risk of operating heavy machinery or equipment while using a cellular phone could be up to six times more dangerous than using the equipment while intoxicated. Despite the fact that it is dangerous to use a phone while operating tools or equipment, far too many workers do it. Not only does the distraction cause a loss of focus on surroundings and a delayed reaction time, but it also causes inattention blindness. This means the person who is texting or talking on the phone may see something in his surroundings, but the brain won't process the information properly and the person will not register what has been seen. Because distracted operation of machinery and equipment is so dangerous, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has joined forces with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in order to develop a new safety alert for workers. The alert is part of the ongoing AEM/MSHA Alliance, which is an alliance focused on promoting best practices for workplace safety in order to minimize the risk of equipment maintenance and equipment operation. The AEM/MSHA campaign to discourage distracted operation of machinery will take a similar form to past public service campaigns that have discouraged behaviors like drunk driving.  The campaign involves notifying contractors, equipment operators and other workers around a job site about how dangerous it can be to operate any machinery, equipment or vehicle while focusing on anything other than what is going on around them. As many as 6,000 fatalities happen each year in auto accidents alone caused by distraction, and many more people are injured. In an effort to prevent injuries while on a job site, workers need to be aware of the extent of impairment that distracted operation can cause.  The risks associated with texting are so well-known that there are 46 states that already impose a ban on texting while operating a vehicle. Since driving a car is so dangerous when texting that the behavior has to be banned, it is clear that operation of machinery or heavy equipment would also be a major hazard. If workers on every worksite follow best practices for safety and avoid distraction, hopefully the risk of distraction-related accidents on worksites will be reduced. If such accidents do happen, an attorney at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff should be consulted for help. Gary Silverstein Gary Silverstein has been a partner of Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff since 2001, and an associate of the firm since 1989. Mr. Silverstein graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York College at Oneonta in 1983. Mr. Silverstein holds a degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, having graduated in 1988.

MALFUNCTIONING ELEVATOR MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENT MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (June 15, 2015) - An elevator repairman had his arm amputated in a freak accident as he was working on the top floor of 50 Broadway in the financial district of lower Manhattan, according to the Gothamist. ( map) The resident of Brooklyn who has still been unidentified was working for Centennial Elevator Industries. There is still no word yet on what may have caused the elevator to move unexpectedly. Firefighters and emergency medical workers rushed to the scene of the accident in order to transport the man to the Bellevue Hospital. Two students who went to school in the building told the New York Post that the elevator was only installed about one month ago. The RMFW Law Firm extends its thoughts and prayers to the elevator repairman who was injured in this horrific tragedy. This elevator may have been installed improperly prior to the accident. Or, perhaps, their is a design defect with the elevator that caused it to malfunction. These are just some of the things that investigators should look into as they try to piece together what happened. Are you suffering from a personal injury through no fault of your own? You may be entitled to compensation for your claim. Our lawyers at RMFW Law are standing by to help accident victims get just and fair settlements for their injuries. We have successfully recovered over 1 billion dollars for our clients across New York. Give us a call today to see if you may be able to pursue a claim against the party that wronged you. You can reach us at 212-344-1000. Gary Silverstein Gary Silverstein has been a partner of Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff since 2001, and an associate of the firm since 1989. Mr. Silverstein graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York College at Oneonta in 1983. Mr. Silverstein holds a degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, having graduated in 1988.