Pedestrians are the largest at-risk group related to motor vehicle accidents, comprising one half of all roadway fatalities, according to New York City statistics. Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. is an ardent defender of those victimized by such accidents and who suffer catastrophic injuries as a result. On Monday, December 17, the firm secured a $1.4 million settlement for a woman who was struck down by an ambulance on the streets of Manhattan. The settlement was reached during a trial before the Hon. Nicholas Figueroa in New York County Supreme Court.
Nicholas Wise, a senior trial attorney with Weitz & Luxenberg, who represented the injured pedestrian said, “Throughout the case, the defense took the position that our client had had a very good recovery from the injuries she sustained in the accident. Although it took a trial, by paying the settlement, we believe the defense has finally acknowledged the severity of our client’s injuries.”
The Manhattan resident, who was 75 at the time of the incident, was struck by a TransCare New York Inc. ambulance while in the crosswalk of Second Avenue and 33rd Street. The same ambulance transported her to New York University Hospital where she was determined to have suffered a fractured pelvis that required surgery. She also suffered a fracture of the orbit, as well as a cranial hematoma. Now 78, the injured woman has lasting health issues related to the accident, among them brain damage that has manifested itself in persistent memory problems.
Of the settlement of her case, the injured Manhattanite said, “I am pleased with the outcome and I owe it to Mr. Wise and his opening statement in court.”
Weitz & Luxenberg filed a case (Index No. 112603/04) against the defendants TransCare and the driver of the ambulance. After opening statements in the court by both sides, and shortly before a neurologist was to take the stand on behalf of the plaintiff, the defendants opted to settle the suit for $1.4 million.
Wise, who has been with the firm for over a decade, has successfully won and obtained awards in various matters including products liability, excessive police force, motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents and labor law. Prior to joining Weitz & Luxenberg, Mr. Wise worked as a criminal defense attorney and was involved in several high-profile matters.
Weitz & Luxenberg offers free case reviews from www.weitzlux.com.
People who have been injured by a motor vehicle or in another type of accident may contact Weitz & Luxenberg by visiting the firm’s Web site at www.weitzlux.com.
About Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.
Weitz & Luxenberg, founded in 1986, is one of the leading plaintiffs’ law firms in America. The firm has also played leading roles in national and local litigations involving asbestos, DES, silicone breast implants, medical malpractice, and general negligence, among others. A forerunner in the legal fight against environmental polluters, Weitz & Luxenberg has worked with clients harmed by MTBE and mercury, among other toxins. The firm has won numerous cases involving dangerous pharmaceuticals, including Vioxx, achieving a $13.5 million verdict against Merck & Co. The firm’s other active pharmaceutical litigations include actions against the manufacturers of Bextra, ReNu, Celebrex, Ortho Evra and Seroquel.