Block O'Toole & Murphy, LLP

Tonight’s 57th Annual New York State Trial Lawyers Association Installation marks the end of BOM Partner David Scher’s term as President of the organization. It’s also the start of BOM Associate Aaron Fishkin’s role as a member of the NYSTLA Board of Directors. Congratulations to both our attorneys for their amazing accomplishments and continuous leadership in the field.

Partner Pawel P. Wierzbicki, Esq. secured a $950,000 settlement for a 57-year-old client whose car was rear-ended by an SUV in Long Island. Defense argued that the injuries claimed by our client were not casually related to this car collision as the impact was not substantial. Defense also asserted that our client had raised complaints of neck pain to her primary care physician within months preceding the car accident, which supported their position. Our client underwent conservative treatment to her neck which did not alleviate all the symptoms, requiring her to undergo a surgical procedure. The case settled a few weeks after mediation while on the trial calendar.

The Albany Times Union Editorial Board published an article today advocating for the passage of the Grieving Families Act, which would finally modernize New York’s outdated wrongful death laws. Block O’Toole & Murphy encourages everyone to lend their support to the latest version of this bill, so that grieving families may have that grief recognized under the law. “The purpose of law is to move us closer to justice and accountability, and the Grieving Families Act does both,” the article said. “A statute that values the life of a wealthy person more highly than the life of a low-income person should have no place in the state of New York." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eFAGmzAU

Partners Stephen Murphy and David Scher secured a $1,000,000 settlement, representing the total available insurance coverage, for a carpenter hit by a falling piece of wood during a store renovation. The carpenter, a man in his mid-thirties, suffered injuries to his neck and back, along with a head laceration that required stitches. When conservative treatment failed to resolve his neck pain, he underwent a surgery consisting of an anterior cervical discectomy with fusion. Our attorneys were successful in persuading the insurance company to settle early in the litigation process, well before a trial date had even been set. Through a sustained campaign of tough negotiations, they were able to secure every dollar of the insurance policy for their client. 

Partner Pawel P. Wierzbicki, Esq. secured a $2,000,000 settlement, representing full available insurance coverage, for a Local 1 plumber who collided with a dump truck while bicycling to work. Due to the accident, our client sustained right foot crush injuries that required surgical removal of damaged tissue and crushed bones. Defendants claimed that our client was at least 75% at fault and presented video footage of the accident to support their allegations. Pawel efficiently litigated the case and was able to address and overcome its challenges. Thanks to his dedication, he managed to secure this resolution during the discovery phase of litigation, a mere four months from the day of the accident.

BOM Partner David Scher was quoted in the New York Law Journal today when discussing the Grieving Families Act, which New York lawmakers recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of for a third time. Now, it’s up to Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the bill and give grieving New Yorkers a path to justice.  Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eyyifShm

Wednesday evening, Partner David Scher spoke at New York State Trial Lawyers Association's webinar, “Construction Accidents from the Trenches: Strategies to Win Your Labor Law Case.” Scher, also the President of NYSTLA, offered his expert insights into framing and pleading Labor Law cases to a virtual audience of over 200 people. Thank you to everyone who attended, and be sure to tune in again on June 12 for the second part of this series.

Throughout his tenure as President of New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Partner David Scher has continuously advocated for the passage of the Grieving Families Act. Yesterday, he spoke to Spectrum News to express support for the latest iteration of the bill. “The Grieving Families Act recognizes the changes the governor called for and is ready for her signature, which will at long last bring New York into step with 48 other states,” said Scher. “Self-interested, profit-hungry insurers, who oppose this common sense reform, are raking in record profits at the expense of hardworking New Yorkers.” Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e8kjx5gG  

For the third time, New York state lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Grieving Families Act, which, if passed, would allow families to seek damages for grief in wrongful death cases. This bill will update the state’s outdated wrongful death law, which currently only allows families to file claims for monetary loss.   “The Grieving Families Act will usher in an era of improved care and bring justice and equity to those who died preventable deaths and to their surviving loved ones,” said BOM Partner and New York State Trial Lawyers Association President David Scher. “This bill will finally recognize the grief of New Yorkers who lose a loved one due to the negligence of others.”   Despite strong bipartisan support, Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed the Grieving Families Act twice before. With this iteration, it’s time for New York to finally join the rest of the nation and allow families to seek justice for each devastating loss.

On Monday, every settlement featured on the Verdicts & Settlements page of the New York Law Journal was a case handled by Block O'Toole & Murphy. Thank you to all our attorneys and staff members who make this incredible work possible. BOM will continue to raise the bar in personal injury law throughout New York and New Jersey.     The settlements featured include:  • $5,000,000 for a truck driver who fell off a steel plate and into excavation, resulting in injuries to his elbow, ribs, back, shoulder, and knees, some of which required surgeries to repair.   • $2,950,000 for a passenger in a rear-end car crash who sustained injuries to his neck, back, and shoulder.  • $800,000 for a woman who fractured her wrist after her car was struck by another driver who ran a red light at an intersection.