As usual, it's time for the weekly ten-minute chat with Michael Brook, head of the Bureau of Accident and Road Incident Investigation.
Michael: Hello, Alexander. Hello, dear listeners. I traditionally wish everyone health and to avoid any troubles. But I advise you to always have my phone number handy as a lifeline. If something happens to you or someone you know, it's always worth calling and consulting. If you dial my number 718 256 56 10 now, you'll reach my website and can download useful information. Save it in your mobile and always carry it with you.
Michael: Here's what happened. A listener called and shared a story about his mother. She tripped over a large vase with artificial flowers in the building lobby where they live, fell, and broke her right arm. He has two questions: can anyone be sued for this, and will his mother's benefits be affected if she receives any money?
Michael: If my lawyers do everything correctly, your benefits will not be affected. If another lawyer makes a mistake, benefits like Medicaid may be affected. Therefore, always contact my lawyers. They create special trusts, and thanks to this, your family receives money, not the state or insurance company. This is a legal procedure, and my lawyers will handle everything.
The second part of the question is more important. We need to determine the building management's fault. Maybe the vase was improperly placed or the passage was too narrow. My lawyers conduct special investigations, and if they prove the owners' fault, you will receive money from the building's insurance.
Here's an example: a man contacted me whose mother fell in the lobby. She tripped over a decorative step, fell, and broke her arm. My lawyer proved the step was not built to code, and in court, the engineer testified as an expert. Thanks to this, we obtained $250,000 for the woman.
If something similar happens, call me at 718 256 56 10. We will figure out who is at fault and get you the money.
Alexander: Thank you for the detailed answers. We have a question from Gennady.
Gennady: I was helping a friend renovate his house and slipped, breaking my tailbone. Can I get money for this?
Michael: If a company sent you to work, your work is covered by two insurances. One covers treatment and missed work time. I will give you a lawyer who will handle getting the money. Another lawyer will sue the building owners if a violation is proven. In New York, if a person falls from a height over three feet, they receive money regardless of the employer's fault.
I had a similar case: a person worked on a site, slipped, and broke his hip. My lawyer proved the building owner's fault and got $900,000. If something similar happens, call me at 718 256 56 10.
Alexander: Thank you. We have a question from Rita.
Rita: I was hit by a car while crossing the road not at a crosswalk. Can anything be done?
Michael: If your health is affected, you can start a case. My lawyer will take it because pedestrians are always right. Even if you weren't crossing at a crosswalk, the driver should have let you pass. Here's an example: a woman was crossing mid-block and was hit. My lawyer proved the driver's fault and got $25,000. If something similar happens, call me at 718 256 56 10.