Suffered a Dog Bite Injury? Here are the Laws You Should Know About
In a recent adversity in New Jersey, a three-year old boy was killed by his neighbors’ dogs while playing in his yard with his mother. While the boy succumbed to his injuries, his mother is in the hospital with severe injuries and remains in a critical condition. The dogs, since then, have been euthanized. What do the numbers say? Unfortunately, dog bite incidents are more common that we think. Data suggests that approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. Nearly 1 out of 5 bites becomes infected. Each day, over 1,000 persons are treated in hospital emergency departments for nonfatal dog bite-related injuries. Moreover, the average cost of a dog bite-related hospital stay was $18,200, about 50% higher than the average injury-related hospital stays. What are the common injuries sustained in a dog bite? Some of the common injuries are: Bite injuries on the neck, face, and head Bite injuries on the hands, fingers, forearm, and wrist Cuts on the face Who is responsible in case a pet dog bites someone? Dog owners, landlords, and anyone who harbors a dog have a responsibility to train their animals and ensure that they do not pose a threat to the public. Unfortunately, some owners are lax in these responsibilities. Even worse, a handful of dog owners are willfully negligent and actually encourage dangerous canine behaviors. What does the law say about dog bite injuries in New York? In terms of the law governing dog bites in New York, it holds dog owners liable for injuries caused by their pets only if the owners knew or should have known of their dog’s “vicious propensity.” Once this knowledge is established, the owner faces strict liability. New York State law, Section 121 of the New York Code says that the owner of a “dangerous dog” is responsible for injuries sustained by people, livestock, or companion animals such as service dogs. A “dangerous dog” is one that meets at least one of the following criteria: Has already bitten a person, livestock, or pet Exhibits dangerous behavior such that a reasonable person would believe the dog poses a threat to others Law enforcement dogs are not included in this statute. In New York, the statute of limitations on a dog bite case is three years from the time of the bite. Your injury claim must be filed before this statute runs out for your case to be heard. Regarded as a personal injury, attorneys can be hired to represent people who suffer from dog bite injuries due to someone’s negligence. Using the above-stated Code, a personal injury lawyer can help in fine tuning the details of your case to make sure that the owner is liable to pay you a fair settlement. You’re liable for a settlement which recovers medical cost, income loss, pain and suffering, disfigurement, therapy expenses etc. If you or someone you know has suffered a dog bite due to someone’s negligence, you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Election Day is Near…Long Lines to Vote, So Why Bother?
As November 3, 2020 nears, the country is gearing up for one of the most controversial general elections in U.S. History. The 2020 election amid the COVID-19 pandemic is showing record numbers of people early voting. Early voting centers across the nation are seeing massive crowds of voters waiting to exercise their right to vote. New Yorkers are facing hours of long lines and some may think, why bother? Some people may feel that their vote doesn’t matter, or will not count. Believing that it is not worth their time. What you must understand is that the general election is not only for you to vote for the next President, but to select local and state representatives. Your vote focuses on the state and county you reside within. It is your right as aeligible voter to have your voice heard on the issues that matter to you. Here are some of the top reasons why it is important for you to take the time to vote: For the Future! America and its progress as a country is chosen by those who vote. As an eligible American voter, you have the power to decide who will represent you and make sure that they represent the policies and issues that are important to you. Because You Pay Taxes! Are you concerned how the taxes you contribute are spent? By exercising your right to vote you have a chance to support the representatives that share the same views on the best way to spend tax dollars. Because You Can! Voting is a privilege. For various reasons, there are thousands of Americans where many barriers exist that inhibit their constitutional right to vote. Whether it be for family members or friends, your vote can help their voices be heard with your vote. Have a Say in Your Community! It is an opportunity to make a change on issues within the community such as minimum wage, public transportation, and even school funding. Be Heard! Don’t give up your voice. The power is in your vote, and when you decide not to vote, you are letting others speak for you and choose for you. Now is the time to take action and have your voice be heard. Get out and vote, exercise your right to take an active roll in shaping the future of America. To find an early voting center in your location, see below: Bronx: https://www.voteearlyny.org/#!Bronx Brooklyn: https://www.voteearlyny.org/#!Brooklyn Manhattan: https://www.voteearlyny.org/#!Manhattan Nassau County: https://www.voteearlyny.org/#!Nassau Queens: https://www.voteearlyny.org/#!Queens Staten Island: https://www.voteearlyny.org/#!Staten%20Island Suffolk County: https://www.voteearlyny.org/#!Suffolk Westchester: https://www.voteearlyny.org/#!Westchester To Learn Where You Go to Vote on Election Day, November 3rd: Click on the link below and enter the county you live in, your name, date of birth and zip code. https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/?utm_medium=G1SearchSTLNK4&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=NYSBOE2020
NY Confronts it’s Worst Measles Outbreak in Decades
National news and social media is buzzing with reports of measles outbreaks across the country. According to a recent article in the New York Times, within the past few months the state of New York has seen over 180 cases of measles with 32 reported in Brooklyn. In 2018, more than half the measles cases in the country were in New York and New Jersey. Measles is a serious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes) that causes a rash and fever. It is very contagious. In rare cases, it can be deadly. Once quite common, measles can now almost always be prevented with a vaccine. The New York Times reported that within NYC, mostly all cases exclusively are in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities from travelers to Israel and Europe where measles has been spreading. They then spent time in homes, schools and shops in communities where too many people were unvaccinated. To read the article further: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/nyregion/measles-outbreak-jews-nyc.html Unvaccinated young children are at highest risk of measles and its complications, including death, according to the World Health Organization. Older children and adults, even if they’ve never been vaccinated, may have developed natural immunity through previous infections. Known as the MMR or measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, the vaccine is very effective, the CDC says. One dose is about 93% effective at preventing the contagious disease if you come into contact with the virus. Two doses are about 97% effective. It is recommended that children receive the vaccine in two doses: the first between the ages of 12 months and 15 months and the second between the ages of 4 and 6 years old. However, with controversy over the MMR vaccination being linked to autism, there is an increase of parents denying the MMR vaccination. New York allows parents to refuse vaccinations for non-medical reasons. 9 Things to know about Measles: https://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/things-know-about-measles
Liquor Licenses in NY: Which Counties Have the Most (and Why It Matters)
Do You Live in One of New York’s Liquor-Loving Zip Codes? Have you ever wondered which cities and counties in New York have the highest number of liquor licenses? Or just how many establishments in the state are serving liquor daily? Maybe you’re wondering why you would want to know that in the first place. We think there are a few reasons. First, it’s interesting. New York and liquor have a long and storied history together. Tracing its presence across the state and throughout time tells us something about New Yorkers’ relationship with “the hard stuff.” More importantly, as New York personal injury attorneys, we’re interested in the relationship between liquor consumption and auto accidents (as well as other types of injuries). But first, let us be clear: it isn’t our mission to “liquor shame” anyone’s zip code. Alcohol is perfectly legal, and most adults are able to enjoy it safely, relying on moderation and designated drivers to avoid the risk of harm. Still, it stands to reason that where there is a higher concentration of liquor licenses, there might also be a higher concentration of alcohol abuse. And to the extent that other people’s abuse of alcohol can interfere with your own safe use of the same substance — and the health and wellness of those around you — it’s worth noting. Indeed, as we will show below, there is some statistical overlap between the New York counties with the most liquor licenses and the counties with the highest number of DUI fatalities. We’ve gone straight to the source — the New York State Liquor Authority — to get the following data for ourselves. The insights that follow are our own. We encourage you to browse the raw data we uncovered for yourself if you’re interested. Top 10 Counties in New York with the Most Liquor Licenses Let’s begin with a straightforward inquiry: which counties in New York have the highest total number of active liquor licenses? Adjusted for Population: NY Counties with the Most Liquor Licenses Per Capita Interestingly, that list looks a lot different when we adjust it for population. As you’ll see below, only one of the above-listed counties (New York County) still makes the list. NY Zip Codes with the Highest Number of Liquor Licenses Another way to look at the data? By zip code. Why? Because cities and counties often include multiple zip codes, by limiting our search to a single zip code at a time, we can get a better sense of just how locally concentrated liquor licenses are within a specific location. The Top 10 New York zip codes with the largest number of liquor licenses are listed below. Do you live in one (or nearby)? What We Mean by “Liquor License” Not all liquor licenses are the same. The New York Liquor Authority (NYLA) issues different licenses for different purposes, with different regulations and restrictions applying to each. To get a better understanding of the liquor licenses in your area, we encourage you to contact the NYLA about the types of license most prevalent in your city, county, or zip code. Below, we present the ten most common types of liquor license statewide: How Long Has Your County Been in “High Spirits”? Now for a little bit of trivia (because we came across this information during our research and found it fascinating… and we think you might too). Find your county below, along with the date of its oldest active liquor license. Some counties have establishments that have been serving spirits for nearly 85 years. Others didn’t get started until the 1970s (or, at least, none of the earlier-established bars are still in business there). You’ll notice that a lot of these liquor licenses date back to December 5, 1933 (or another date that same week), but no earlier. It’s no coincidence. It was on December 5th of 1933 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Congress’s repeal of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, effectively ending the national Prohibition. The latest date on the list? October 1, 1978 — Columbia County. County Oldest License Date ALBANY December 5, 1933 ALLEGANY December 7, 1933 BRONX November 10, 1936 BROOME February 6, 1946 CATTARAUGUS October 1, 1934 CAYUGA October 1, 1934 CHAUTAUQUA December 8, 1933 CHEMUNG December 5, 1933 CHENANGO October 1, 1976 CLINTON June 3, 1944 COLUMBIA October 1, 1978 CORTLAND July 18, 1945 DELAWARE July 8, 1966 DUTCHESS July 16, 1934 ERIE December 5, 1933 ESSEX August 7, 1946 FRANKLIN September 20, 1945 FULTON April 1, 1934 GENESEE July 13, 1937 GREENE January 17, 1947 HAMILTON October 1, 1977 HERKIMER October 1, 1935 JEFFERSON October 1, 1940 KINGS September 25, 1934 LEWIS November 23, 1966 LIVINGSTON June 26, 1947 MADISON October 1, 1934 MONROE August 1, 1933 MONTGOMERY June 15, 1935 NASSAU December 16, 1940 NEW YORK December 5, 1933 NIAGARA December 3, 1933 ONEIDA March 31, 1935 ONONDAGA December 5, 1933 ONTARIO March 16, 1946 ORANGE October 10, 1934 ORLEANS April 1, 1935 OSWEGO July 23, 1934 OTSEGO August 10, 1950 PUTNAM April 28, 1950 QUEENS May 5, 1944 RENSSELAER November 6, 1948 RICHMOND May 11, 1956 ROCKLAND March 30, 1962 SARATOGA December 27, 1950 SCHENECTADY January 20, 1956 SCHOHARIE August 29, 1962 SCHUYLER October 1, 1934 SENECA October 1, 1938 ST LAWRENCE July 29, 1946 STEUBEN December 5, 1933 SUFFOLK July 1, 1947 SULLIVAN March 8, 1962 TIOGA October 1, 1935 TOMPKINS December 5, 1933 ULSTER April 5, 1949 WARREN January 2, 1963 WASHINGTON June 1, 1965 WAYNE December 22, 1939 WESTCHESTER December 3, 1933 WYOMING April 22, 1944 YATES November 17, 1939 Key Takeaways So what are we supposed to take away from all this data? Why does it really matter? First, two observations immediately stand out to us: The Bronx has the lowest number of liquor licenses per 100,000 residents in all of New York. 12 of the 15 zip codes with the most liquor licenses are in Manhattan. Beyond that, though, we were
Siler & Ingber Participating in 11th Annual Cops Who Care Food Drive
For the second year in a row, our team and partners of Siler & Ingber, LLP will be present at the Cops Who Care Food Drive. Similar to last year, we want to donate more than just money. We want to go all-hands-in and provide food and clothing for those who need it most. Therefore, we will be handing out hams and turkeys, and meeting and greeting people in the community. Last year’s food drive was a huge success. Not only were we able to spread the message of how important giving back to our community is, but we spread awareness about hunger issues that are present right in our backyards. The food drive also demonstrated how dedicated our local police force is to bettering our Long Island communities. This year, we’ll be giving away winter clothing items. Currently, our team is running a drive to collect new scarves, gloves, hats, and socks to hand out at Cops Who Care. We are honored and grateful that we can give back to our community for the second year in a row. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily motions and not realize that there are people who need the help and support of others,” said Partner, Ronald Ingber. “Supporting this event means being able to connect with those around us and letting them know that we’re there for them when it matters most. The least we could do was spend a few hours providing food and warm clothes for our fellow neighbors in the community. These winter months are full of holidays about celebration, family, friends, and togetherness. We want to let them know that we haven’t forgotten about them and that we’re all connected,” he continued. For more information about the Cops Who Care Food Drive, please read below: Date: Thursday, December 20th Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Address: Iglesia Roca De Salvación Church, 368 American Boulevard, Brentwood NY Free turkeys and hams will be distributed to families in need (limited supply, one item per family) We are very hopeful that this year will have an amazing turnout like last year. Serving food and giving warm clothes to struggling families within our community humbles us greatly. Feel free to stop by the food drive and say hello!
Siler & Ingber, LLP Thanksgiving Pie Giveaway Event
November is the month of giving. As we think back on how quickly 2018 has gone by, we realize we have to take a moment and “smell the roses.” Specifically, we want to thank our community for trusting us and coming to us when they need help the most. Here’s why we want to give back to the community that gave so much to us: It just feels good. Knowing that we’ve helped someone in their most vulnerable state is a reward in its own right. Knowing that our past clients chose us when they didn’t have to makes it even better. By helping others, we’re able to strengthen our community. There’s more than enough news stories out there that talks about danger, poverty, violence, and crime in New York. Sometimes we need just a little bit of good news to get us through the day. We love meeting new people, which helps us stretch further into our community. We wouldn’t be here without you. Building a business is no easy task. It takes hard work, determination, focus, the right resources, and people believing in your services enough to take that leap of faith to trust you with their problems. The more people we serve, the more connected we feel to people all around New York. Free Pies for Your Thanksgiving Gathering Because we’re in the giving spirit, the team at Siler & Ingber, LLP are hosting a giveaway! On Wednesday, November 21, we’ll be giving away free pies! Only one pie per person. Pie pickup will be between 10 am and 12 pm at our office, located at: 301 Mineola Blvd. Mineola, New York 11501 Interested in a Free Pie? We Thought So! Follow These Steps: Like our Facebook page. Private message us to receive a link to place your order (choose between apple, pumpkin, blueberry, and cherry). Visit us on Wednesday, November 21 to pick up your pie! It’s that easy. Thanks again for all you have done for us. Now it’s our turn to give back to you.
Ranking the Worst NY Counties for Drunk Driving
Counties Where New Yorkers Have the Highest Risk of Being Killed by a Drunk Driver Click on a county to see it’s ranking and statistics How many drunk drivers were on the road with you last night? The answer might depend on which county you were in. While DUI accidents happen all across the state of New York, and while there are unquestionably drunk driving deaths in nearly every county, some parts of our state have a bigger problem than others — even when adjusted for population. Below, we examine state-specific data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to identify the New York counties where drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are at greatest risk of being killed by a drunk driver. Total Number of Fatal DUI Accidents by County in New York In 2015, the New York Times began to investigate a “Tide of D.W.I. crashes on Long Island.” The paper reported, accurately, that “every year since at least 2001 [Suffolk County] has recorded more crashes involving alcohol than any other county in New York. Also: More people have died in alcohol-related crashes in Suffolk during that time than anywhere else in the state.” The Times further reported that nearby Nassau County took second place in both categories most years, “helping to give Long Island a reputation as the drunken-driving capital of New York.” Unsurprisingly, our own review of the NHTSA data shows the same thing… at least in terms of the total number of DUI deaths, unadjusted for the population from 2012-2016. By that metric, the ten NY counties with the highest raw total of fatal DUI accidents are as follows: The counties with the most DUI fatalities 2012-2016 is similar to the counties with the most accident fatalities overall. Suffolk, Nassau, and Queens appear as the top three and in the same rank for both. Fatal DUI Accidents Per Capita, by County, in New York The rankings change considerably, however, when we look at the death totals per capita. After all, one might naturally expect a county like Suffolk, which has a very large population, to also see a large total number of DUI accidents and fatalities. Only Oswego County appears in the Top Ten for both Counties with Most Fatal DUI Accidents and Fatal DUI Accidents Per 10k Residents. Neither Suffolk nor Nassau county rank among the ten NY counties with the highest percentage of fatal DUI accidents (though, undoubtedly, the risk in Long Island remains substantial). How Often Is Alcohol Involved in Each County’s Traffic Fatalities? Another way to look at the NHTSA DUI data for New York is to look at the total number of fatal auto accidents in each county and then ask how many of those fatal crashes involved alcohol. In that analysis, Lewis County still earns the worst score in the state. Jefferson, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Seneca, and Yates Counties also turn up again: Interesting NY Fatal DUI Accident Statistics Oswego County is the only county in New York to appear in the top ten for the total number of fatal DUIs, % of fatal DUI accidents, and the number of fatal DUI accidents per 10k residents. Orleans County had zero fatal DUI accidents from 2012-2016 After Orleans (0.00), New York(.017), Kings(.031), and Bronx(0.036) counties had the smallest number of fatal DUI accidents per 10k residents. In total, New York had 5,226 fatal accidents from 2012-2016. 1,121 of the fatal accidents were alcohol-related or 21.45% 38 of 62 NY counties had a higher fatal DUI % than the state average. Lewis County had more Fatal DUI accidents (13) than Non-DUI Fatal Accidents (10) Talk to a New York DUI Accident Lawyer at Siler & Ingber, LLP These statistics only tell a part of the story — a story that is far more tragic than it ought to be, in light of the fact that every drunk driving fatality represents a preventable death. Far too many people have lost their lives at the hands of drunk drivers in Long Island and throughout the state of New York. If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in a DUI accident, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. Please contact an experienced Long Island DUI Accident lawyer at Siler & Ingber, LLP right away. Call 516-294-2666 or contact us online to get started with a free consultation.
New York’s New Sexual Harassment Laws
The deadline has arrived! New York Legislators have passed a number of initiatives in the wake of the #MeToo movement. New York State officially joined the fight against reforming sexual harassment policies in the workplace by issuing the final guidance on the strictest prevention laws the state has seen to date. Effective as of October 9, 2018, employers in New York will be expected to adapt to the new anti-sexual harassment laws under Section 201-G of the New York State Labor Laws focused on providing new policies and training to help further protect our employees and independent contractors on the job. New York’s New Sexual Harassment Laws In April, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new law requiring a massive change in the New York workplace regarding how employers educate and train their employees on reducing harmful acts of sexual harassment. Utilizing public commenting periods over the past few months to gain insight into the struggles workers and employers are facing on this matter, state officials issued the finalized materials on October 1, 2018, that employers must adopt to remain compliant with the new laws in order to continue business operations in New York. The new sexual harassment law applies to: all employers, regardless of company size, who employ individuals in the State of New York, even if they are located outside of the state; all contractors who bid on New York State contracts; all employees, not just supervisors; and all training programs, with required annual training on the subject matter. Major Policy Changes To Notice Employers can use the state modeled sexual harassment policy or create their own, but certain information must be included regardless of which direction they choose. According to an article published by the The National Law Review, workplace sexual harassment policies going forward must include working pertaining to: prohibiting sexual harassment in accordance to the New York State Department of Labor and Division of Human Rights laws and policies; the inclusion of information explaining the local, state, and federal provisions regarding laws and consequences of sexual harassment; the inclusion of a standard complaint form for victims; inclusion investigations procedures to be taken; information for employees on their full rights regarding sexual harassment reporting; clearly stating that sexual harassment is a form of employee misconduct and the consequences for participating; and clearly stating that retaliation against individuals who complain is unlawful. For more information on the full policy changes required, employers can visit the page https://www.ny.gov/programs/combating-sexual-harassment-workplace explaining the new Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace program. What New York Employers Must Know Employers in New York must begin complying with the new sexual harassment laws starting today to meet the future deadlines set by state officials. The pertinent deadlines for New York State and New York City are as follows: New York State: October 9, 2018: Employers begin implementing new policy and training requirements. October 9, 2019: All employees must be trained on new policies created. New York City: April 1, 2019: Employers begin implementing new policy and training requirements. April 1, 2020: All employees must be trained on new policies created. More details on how employers can comply with the policy and training deadlines can be found here. For employers who need guidance on where to begin with reforming their sexual harassment policies, The National Law Reviews suggests: Reviewing current policies in the workplace and revise based on the new requirements for sexual harassment laws. Create a complaint form, or use the state model, if not already used in the policy. Translate all new policies into multiple languages used in the workplace. Provide the new policy and complaint form to all current employees immediately. Provide the new policy and complaint form to all new employees before they begin. Stop Sexual Harassment in New York Sexual harassment on the job is inappropriate and unacceptable. Every New York worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace. If you or a loved one has suffered as a victim of unwanted sexual advances while at work, the law firm of Siler & Ingber is here to fight back for you in this sensitive time. Our winning attorneys will provide a free case evaluation to review your options for seeking justice against inappropriate co-workers or management. Contact us at 1-877-529-4343 for a free consultation.
Are OSHA’s Increase in Fines Enough to Keep Employee’s Safe?
In 2015, OSHA floated an idea concerning its intention to increase its penalties by as much as 80 percent. For advocates who always lamented that the rates then charged by OSHA were too low, this was welcome news. Fast forward to 2018, the current rates makes one realize that OSHA made good of its intention. Previously, willful violation attracted an average penalty of $70,000, the figure goes as high as $127,000 today. The same applies to repeat violations. On the other hand, serious violations attracted a penalty of $7000 on average, the figure today goes as high as $12,000. The pertinent question remains whether these increments actually serve the intended purpose, that of encouraging accident watchfulness by organizations. A Gap in Current Laws Judging from the prevalent cases of high OSHA fines imposed, it appears that the organization has failed to achieve the intended goal, that of prompting companies to enhance and ensure the safety of their workers. Partly, this is due to systemic deficiencies in the law, among them being challenges in successfully prosecuting violators, such as those who use ‘ignorance’ defense to negotiate a resolution. However, serious strides have been made in relation to this, more so in the wake of a recent case in Athens, GA, where the Eleventh Circuit court rejected the contractor’s argument against ‘willful’ safety violation, citing that such would preclude classification of a violation as willful, and which might perversely allow contractors to cite ineffective training as defense against serious charges. New OSHA Fines Significantly Higher Take, for example, the case of Rynone Manufacturing Corp, that OSHA recently fined a total of $70,078 based on 9 cases of serious violations. While some of these violations attracted fines of $4800 or thereabouts, others attracted fines of up to $11,408, a new high compared to penalties exacted on similar cases over the previous years. The violations cited varied extensively, ranging from hazards created by improper stacking or storing of instruments that could easily tumble, thereby causing physical harm to employees, failure to ensure employee protection from machine injuries, failure to institute a program for regular equipment inspection, as well as failure to accord the necessary safe machine operation training. Is OSHA a Law Enforcement Agency? More interesting, however, is the fact that despite OSHA being effectively a law enforcement agency, following the increase in penalty amount, its commitment to fast-track complaints and ensure adherence to set safety rules and guidelines, it still finds it difficult making public the hefty penalties it exacts on different companies across the country. In fact, of the cases currently in the public domain, no more than 20 percent have been through OSHA press releases. Does OSHA perceive such releases as hurtful to the companies or is it just a systemic practice designed to keep information out of the public domain? As a law enforcement agency, it needs to be accountable to the public. Reports on its actions, or inaction, would not be too much for the public to ask. Use (or Non-Use) of Press Releases If press releases were an embarrassment to the implicated employers, then logic dictates that such is a good thing since it discourages others against reckless disregard for employee safety. Who pays the price for non-disclosure of information pertaining to activities for which OSHA fines companies massive amounts? Despite OSHA’s reticence concerning the essence of publicizing its enforcement activities, select members of the press have taken it upon themselves to make public what OSHA intends to keep a secret. Cases exist where media briefings would have gone a long way in educating the masses on some of the ills associated with certain organizational practices. For instance, the case of Aspire of Western New York, recently fined $65,186 by OSHA for safety violations. The firm, which caters to people with disabilities, would have highlighted the level of negligence for which the company was fined. Instead, OSHA chose to keep the details under wraps, thus denying the public vital information. In a similar breadth, Ream Roofing Associates Inc., NY, which was recently fined $145,382 on two counts of serious violations and one count of willful violation, would have formed a perfect case study on the effectiveness of public engagement and awareness of safety standards under which employees operate. In this case, the company had allegedly failed to secure a temporary wood decking in certain areas of the roof, an accident followed that resulted in the death, from head trauma and bone fracture, of an employee. If OSHA could take the initiative of making these cases public, and subsequently educating the public on proactive, rather than reactionary measures, then such accidents would reduce drastically across states. But OSHA’s disdain for press releases remains charming, even as evidence mounts that it has transformed itself into a law enforcement agency.
Siler & Ingber Announce 2018 Opioid Awareness Scholarship Winner
Siler & Ingber Opioid Awareness Scholarship Kevin Drucker, a 2018 graduate of Bethpage Senior High School, is the winner of the $5,000 Opioid Awareness Scholarship sponsored by Siler & Ingber, LLP in partnership with Rabinowitz Charitable Foundation (RCF). Opioid deaths have been rising at epidemic proportions for the last two decades. More people died from an opioid overdose in Nassau and Suffolk counties in 2017 than ever before with Suffolk County leading the state death toll with 600 fatalities last year. Hundreds of Long Island high school students opened their hearts for a chance to win this scholarship, sharing tragic and triumphant stories of how opioid abuse has affected their lives, as well as their determined plans on how they can use the scholarship funds to make a difference. In his essay, Drucker shares personal examples of how opioid abuse impacted his family. “Kevin’s ability to overcome the challenges of family opioid abuse is inspiring,” says Ronald Ingber, partner at Siler & Ingber, LLP. “His strength and drive to push through childhood adversity makes him a deserving candidate for the Opioid Awareness Scholarship and we look forward to seeing what amazing work he does in the future.” Drucker plans to use his scholarship to attend SUNY Buffalo State, with interest in business management, marketing, economics, and investments. “The Rabinowitz Charitable Foundation is proud to have aligned with Siler & Ingber, LLP to support Kevin Drucker in furthering his education and shedding light on this serious epidemic,” says Michelle-Lee Rabinowitz, president of The Rabinowitz Charitable Foundation (RCF). As one of the leading personal injury firms on Long Island and community safety advocates, Siler & Ingber, LLP has a 98 percent success rate when it comes to fighting for the rights of their clients. With over 20 years of experience in personal injury litigation, Siler & Ingber LLP has a winning record of seeking justice for unnecessary and preventable injuries on Long Island and in New York City.
