A complete or partial severing of the spinal cord can cause permanent paralysis. Unfortunately, medical science currently cannot repair damage to the spinal cord. Depending on where the spinal cord injury occurs, a person may suffer various types of paralysis. Two of the most common forms of paralysis include paraplegia and quadriplegia. The injuries can cause partial paralysis or complete paralysis. Each type of injury comes with unique complications and challenges that injury victims must overcome or adapt to when recovering from the injury and resuming as active and independent a life as po ..read more

Almost nothing can do as much damage to the human body as circular saws. These common workplace machines can cause debilitating injuries that can prevent an individual from returning to work while decreasing their quality of life. At The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., our attorneys have over 40 years of experience handling complicated workplace accident claims – including those involving circular saws. How common are circular saw accidents in the workplace, and how can you recover the compensation you deserve? We have the answers. How Often Do Circular Saw Accidents Happen in the Workplace? Unfortun ..read more

Injuring your neck or shoulder on the job can result in lasting complications and chronic pain. Workers’ compensation settlements for neck and shoulder injuries may cover the medical care and rehabilitative therapy you need and replace part of your lost wages. Still, they won’t cover the pain and suffering you experience from the injury. In some cases, a person who suffers a workplace neck or shoulder injury could have options for pursuing additional financial compensation through a personal injury claim under New York Labor Law or a third-party claim against someone other than an employer or ..read more

As winter descends, temperatures drop. When the cold starts to bite, construction workers in New York City face unique challenges on the job site. Employers must recognize when cold becomes a significant risk factor and actively protect construction workers from frigid temperatures. What Determines When It Is Too Cold for Work Outside? When is it too cold for outside construction? Cold is relative and can vary significantly depending on the region. In areas where winter weather is uncommon, temperatures hovering near freezing could be too cold for outdoor work. However, in more temperate zones ..read more

Occupational injuries and illnesses can be devastating for workers in any job, but workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury claims can provide much-needed support. Occupational injuries are usually related to a specific incident, such as a slip-and-fall accident. In contrast, occupational illnesses occur when a worker is continuously exposed to toxic chemicals or must perform repeated motions in a harmful work environment, for example. What Is an Occupational Injury? >An occupational injury typically results from an accident on the job that can be pinpointed with an exact date, ti ..read more

Thousands of people in New York commute daily by subway, train, car, ferry, bicycle, bus, and other modes of travel. Unfortunately, commuters will occasionally sustain injuries in transit. These individuals may wonder: does workers’ compensation cover travel to and from work? Unfortunately, the answer is no in most – but not all – cases. What Is the Coming and Going Rule, and How Does It Apply in New York? A fundamental requirement of workers’ compensation law in New York is that an employee seeking benefits must have been injured on the job. The coming and going rule in New York workers’ comp ..read more

Construction sites are dangerous, primarily because of what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calls the “fatal four” hazards. The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C. is here to explore these dangers at length, how to prevent them from causing accidents, and what you can do if one injures you on the job in New York. What Are OSHA’s Fatal Four in Construction? The fatal four in construction are the following dangers that OSHA has found most commonly contribute to deadly workplace accidents: Fall Hazards Fall hazards exist anywhere a worker might slip, trip, or fall from an elevated lo ..read more

The attorneys and staff at The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., are privileged to have the opportunity to recognize the hard work, sacrifices, and bravery of construction workers in New York City and across the country during Construction Appreciation Week. Taking place September 18-22, 2023, the commemoration’s goal is to celebrate and acknowledge the “more than 11 million hardworking men and women in the industry who contribute to the development of our infrastructure, facilities, products, and services,” according to the event’s website. “As attorneys who represent injured NYC construction workers ..read more

The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C. is proud to announce that Scott Schmal is the student recipient of its 2023 Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism. Each year, the firm offers a $5,000 higher education scholarship in memory of Avonte Oquendo, a nonverbal 14-year-old boy with autism who left his Queens public school undetected in 2013 and tragically drowned in the East River. David Perecman, Founder and Lead Trial Lawyer at The Perecman Firm, had represented Avonte’s mother, Vanessa Fontaine, in a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of her son. The Perecman Firm offers the scholarship annually ..read more

In the hustle and bustle of New York, businesses operate on high-rise buildings, skyscrapers, and construction sites, each activity carrying potential risks of falls. With this, incidents and tragedies can happen due to insufficient fall protection measures. Understanding and adhering to safety regulations is not just a legal obligation but a moral one, integral to protecting the welfare of employees and safeguarding companies against substantial liabilities. The Importance of Fall Protection and Its Relevance to Personal Injury Law In New York alone, falls account for a significant percentage ..read more