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FATAL CRANE ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION QUEENS, NEW YORK (November 23, 2016) – Two people were killed Tuesday when a wire connecting a beam and a crane suddenly snapped, according to the Washington Post. Authorities are saying that the collapse in the Briarwood neighborhood was the result of a material failure with the crane. Apparently, the rigging system that was being used to hoist the crane snapped. Police have been able to identify the 47-year-old crane operator that died as George Smith. George Smith was killed when one end of the beam struck him and hit another construction worker. The second construction worker that was killed in the accident has been identified as Alessandro Ramos. Mayor de Blasio called the accident a tragedy. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the two men that died. We encourage the NYPD to conduct a thorough investigation into the crane accident that killed George Smith and Alessandro Ramos. We sincerely hope that the city will begin to take steps to make sure that this type of tragedy doesn’t happen again. 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.

SUBWAY TRAIN CRASH LEAVES ONE DEAD BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (November 11, 2016) One worker has died and another was seriously injured when a subway car was rounding a curve and pinned two workers against a wall, according to NBC News. The two workers were between the Fort Hamilton Parkway and Church Avenue stations. Initial reports suggest that the workers were setting up tracks for overnight repairs. Authorities have been able to identify the MTA worker that died in the accident as Louis Gray. Louis Gray was taken to the Maimonides Medical Center in critical condition but later died due to his injuries. The other worker that was hit by the train has been identified as Jeffrey Fleming. Police are saying that Jeffrey Fleming suffered injuries to his torso and was transported to the hospital. He is in stable condition. We at the RMFW Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the workers that were killed and injured in this accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they go through such a difficult time. 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.

( PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE FAMILY BY DONATING) SPRINGVILLE, NEW YORK (November 11, 2016) A seven year old girl was killed in a tragic school bus accident on Friday, according to NBC News. Authorities have been able to identify the girl the died in the crash as Alyssa Hearn. Investigators are still trying to figure out what happened. But they are saying that Alyssa Hearn was hit by the school bus sometime shortly after she got off. The girl was taken to the Bertran-Chafee Hospital where she later died. It appears as though the fatal crash took place near the intersection of West Main Street and North Buffalo Street. No other children appear to have been hurt in the incident. The Springville-Griffith community was in a state of grief upon learning about the death of  Alyssa Hearn. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm were deeply saddened to learn about the tragic death of Alyssa Hearn. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family as they cope with such an incredible loss. We encourage everyone that can to DONATE the little girl's GOFUNDME Page for the sake of her family. Robert Wolff Robert H. Wolff is a member and partner of the prestigious New York City Personal Injury Law Firm of Rosenberg Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff, LLP. Mr. Wolff graduated from SUNY Albany, cum laude, in 1978 with a B.A. in Psychology and American History. Thereafter, he attended St. John’s University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Team and the Criminal Law Society, graduating in 1981 with a Juris Doctor’s degree.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (October 30, 2016) A construction worker was killed after he fell 35 feet from scaffolding into a waste water tank at a sewage plant, according to the New York Daily News. Authorities are saying that the accident happened at the Coney Island Water Pollution Control Facility. Police have been able to identify the construction worker that died in the accident as Michael Buffamante. Michael Buffamante fell into the tank of wastewater that was being treated with chlorine. FDNY officials rushed to the scene of the accident in order to save Michael Buffamante, but he was later pulled out from the bottom of the tank. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm were deeply saddened to learn about the tragic death of Michael Buffamante. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family as they grieve such an incredible loss. 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.

FATAL BUS ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION BRONX, NEW YORK (October 24, 2016) A 43-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a yellow school bus as she was crossing the street in University Heights, according to ABC New. Police have been able to identify the woman that died in the crash as Carmen Puello. Authorities are saying that Carmen Puello was knocked over by the 2007 Ford school bus before being run over in the accident. She was crossing in a marked crosswalk near West Fordham Road and Sedgwick Avenue at the time of the collision. The bus driver was making a right turn onto Sedgwick Avenue when he struck Carmen Puello before running her over. The driver then proceed to leave her in the middle of the roadway. She sustained trauma to her body and was later transported to St. Barnabas Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. It remains unclear if the bus driver is going to be arrested. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm were deeply saddened to learn about the tragic death of Carmen Puello. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family as they cope with such an incredible loss. If there are any witnesses that saw the accident we encourage them to contact the police as police work to piece together what happened. 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.

HARFORD, PENSYLVANIA (October 24, 2016) A woman and her two children were killed in a tragic truck accident after the car that she was driving was rear-ended by a tractor trailer, according to ABC News. Authorities have been able to identify the woman that died as Alicia Stocks. State police are saying that the big rig truck struck the car shortly after 3:00 AM. She was transported to the Geisinger Community Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. The names and ages of the children that died in the accident weren't immediately released. Two other passengers from the car as well as the truck were taken from the crash site with minor injuries. Authorities are still working to determine what caused the fatal semi-truck collision. Tractor-Trailer crashes can often be the result of a fatigued driver. Truck drivers can be forced to drive long shifts and don't get the necessary sleep that the need in order to drive safely. Our Staff at the RMFW Law Firm extend our thoughts and prayers to the family of Alicia Stocks. Rear end collision typically involve a negligent driver. We encourage the police to investigate what happened thoroughly for the sake of the victims' family. No family should ever have to go through something so terrible. Robert Wolff Robert H. Wolff is a member and partner of the prestigious New York City Personal Injury Law Firm of Rosenberg Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff, LLP. Mr. Wolff graduated from SUNY Albany, cum laude, in 1978 with a B.A. in Psychology and American History. Thereafter, he attended St. John’s University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Team and the Criminal Law Society, graduating in 1981 with a Juris Doctor’s degree.

FATAL ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY (September 29, 2016) A train crash in Hoboken has killed one person and injured several others, according to CBS news. Investigators are saying that the train's breaking system may have played a role in the crash. The train approached the station at a high rate of speed and crashed through several barriers. Authorities have been able to identify the engineer that was injured in the crash as Thomas Gallagher. Over 100 people sustained injuries in the train accident. The NTSB has recovered a second black block following the train crash and is examining it. Police have indicated that the train was estimated to be traveling somewhere between 20 to 30 mph at the time of the crash. The speed limit when approaching the Hoboken train station is 10 mph. Thomas Gallagher was interviewed after the crash and said that he thought the train was traveling around 10 mph. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm were deeply saddened to learn about the fatal crash in Hoboken. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families as they cope with the aftermath. Robert Wolff Robert H. Wolff is a member and partner of the prestigious New York City Personal Injury Law Firm of Rosenberg Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff, LLP. Mr. Wolff graduated from SUNY Albany, cum laude, in 1978 with a B.A. in Psychology and American History. Thereafter, he attended St. John’s University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Team and the Criminal Law Society, graduating in 1981 with a Juris Doctor’s degree.

FATAL ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (September 18, 2016) A man has died in a tragic accident after becoming dizzy and falling off of the roof of a skyscraper in midtown Manhattan, according to Fox News. Police have been able to identify the man that died as Bruno Travalja, a 52-year-old architect and business owner from New Jersey. Authorities are saying that Bruno Travalja was kneeling down to take a measurement and when he stood up he became dizzy. An official reported to the daily news that there was going to be a glass barrier installed on the roof that may have prevented the accident. It appears as though Bruno Travalja was wearing a safety harness at the time of the fall, though it wasn't attached to anything. It remains unclear what caused the architect to become dizzy. Police are saying that there was an 18-inch safety barrier on top of the roof. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm were deeply saddened to learn about the tragic death of Bruno Travalja. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they cope with such an incredible loss. Robert Wolff Robert H. Wolff is a member and partner of the prestigious New York City Personal Injury Law Firm of Rosenberg Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff, LLP. Mr. Wolff graduated from SUNY Albany, cum laude, in 1978 with a B.A. in Psychology and American History. Thereafter, he attended St. John’s University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Team and the Criminal Law Society, graduating in 1981 with a Juris Doctor’s degree.

FAMILY RECOVERING AFTER ACCIDENT THAT ALMOST ENDED IN TRAGEDY MIDDLE ISLAND, NEW YORK (September 9, 2016) – A woman and her entire family were nearly killed after a generator gave off carbon monoxide in her home, according to CBS New. Authorities have been able to identify the woman that was nearly killed as Melanie Lyons. Melanie Lyons and her family were forced to spend the night at a local hospital after the close call. Lyons was forced to carry her two sons to safety. She and her family were able to recover after spending time in a hyperbaric chamber. The family told CBS News that a storm knocked out power to their home on Tuesday. In order to get power, they borrowed a generator from a friend and placed it in their basement. The generator was turned on around 10:00 PM on Tuesday night and by 4:30 AM Melanie Lyons husband woke up in agony.  It was at that moment that she made the connection that their was likely carbon monoxide poisoning. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to Melanie Lyons and her family as they recover from this accident. Generators can be extremely dangerous and are responsible for numerous deaths every year. 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.

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.

BUS MANUFACTURER AND/OR BUS OWNER MAY BE LIABLE FOR TRAGIC ACCIDENT EDGARTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS (July 29, 2016) A teenage boy from New York was injured when he fell out of a moving bus that had been converted from a school bus, according to Vineyard Gazzette. The teenager was with a group of other people that were visiting from Camp Greylock. Police are saying that the boy fell from an emergency exit window on the bus in the Katama section of Edgartown. Somehow the window became unlatched in an apparent malfunction. Police are still trying to figure out what caused the window to come open. The boy was flown to the Children’s Hospital in Boston where he was listed in critical condition following the accident. Authorities are saying that the bus involved in the accident belongs to Island Transport Inc. It's a well known tour bus company that is based out of Oak Bluffs. HELPING THOSE IN NEED BY RAISING AWARENESS If you or someone that you know has been affected by this accident, we will gladly help raise awareness of any gofundme campaign set up to support the victim or their family. We can link to it in this post which is then spread across our social media platforms. You can send your request to: gofundmerequest@gmail.com. Our staff at the RMFW Law Firm extend our thoughts and prayers to the young man that was injured in this bus accident. If there is anything at all that we can do for the victim's family as they seek medical treatment or have questions about their rights, our phones are always on 212-344-1000. Robert Wolff Robert H. Wolff is a member and partner of the prestigious New York City Personal Injury Law Firm of Rosenberg Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff, LLP. Mr. Wolff graduated from SUNY Albany, cum laude, in 1978 with a B.A. in Psychology and American History. Thereafter, he attended St. John’s University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Team and the Criminal Law Society, graduating in 1981 with a Juris Doctor’s degree.