Georgaklis & Mallas is proud to announce another successful verdict. Congratulations to Kostantinos “Gus” Mallas and the entire Georgaklis & Mallas team on obtaining a verdict for our client in the amount of $4,670,000.
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Georgaklis & Mallas, PLLC is pleased to announce a settlement in the amount of $800,000. This settlement was achieved by Managing Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Kostantinos “Gus” Mallas, after resting plaintiff’s case on this Wrongful Death case.
This settlement was achieved by associate, Leslie Knight, for a client on a motorized scooter who struck a dangerous, elevated metal construction plate in the roadway. The roadway plate was not flush with the surrounding roadway creating a hazard to the public.
New York, June 30th, 2023
This settlement was achieved by partner, Gregory S. Lombardi, for a construction worker injured at a #construction #jobsite when he #fell from an I beam while carrying lumber. The #injuredworker was not provided the requisite #safetyharnesses, #ladders, and/or #hoists to complete this work. As a result of this #accident, the #injuredworker suffered a #tornmeniscus which required #surgery and an injury to his back.
Georgaklis & Mallas is proud to announce for the 12th consecutive year, senior partner Kostantinos “Gus” Mallas has been selected to the prestigious Metro New York Super Lawyers list.
This list signifies the honor of being chosen of one of the top five percent of practicing attorneys in NY. Georgaklis & Mallas is humbled by this indication of our hard work in the representation of our clients and being recognized by our peers.
Georgaklis and Mallas is happy to announce that as of April 1, 2023, Gregory S. Lombardi has been named partner to the firm. Since joining the firm Mr. Lombardi has been an Associate in the firm’s Personal Injury division. He has handled litigation involving construction accidents, premises liability, medical malpractice, municipal liability, and automobile cases on behalf of the firm. He has distinguished himself by successfully obtaining millions of dollars in recovery for the firm’s clients.
The Grieving Families Act was meant to correct a longstanding injustice that has been enshrined in New York's constitution for 176 years. However, the bill suffered a setback in Albany, which led to its failure. The good news is that the Grieving Families Act can and should be given another chance, without changes that would seriously undermine its intent.
According to recent studies, taking Tylenol or Acetaminophen while pregnant can increase the risk of neurological conditions that affect the development of the baby's brain. These conditions include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
The holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year to be driving on the road. In addition to the dangers caused by the cold winter weather, drivers are often more reckless as well, endangering themselves and everyone else on the road. Here are five road dangers you should watch out for during the holidays:
Slippery roads: The biggest danger that every driver must deal with during the winter is the weather, or more specifically, what the weather does to the road. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain can all make the ground incredibly icy, making it difficult to maintain traction and increasing the likelihood that a driver will lose control of their vehicle. It can also make it much harder to stop or maneuver out of the way of other vehicles or pedestrians, making accidents much more likely.
Low visibility: The holidays are also the time of year when more people are driving when it is dark outside, thanks to the diminished hours of daylight. This means that drivers will have a harder time seeing pedestrians and other vehicles, and may not notice them in time to stop them. This can be compounded by snowstorms, fog, and other issues that impair visibility and increase the risks of an accident.
Poorly maintained vehicle: When motor vehicles are well-maintained, they have a much better chance of being able to handle the winter than they otherwise would. Worn-down tires can be problematic at the best of times, much less when they hit an icy patch on the road, and a poorly maintained engine is more likely to stall from the cold. In addition, cold weather can cause tires to become underinflated and drain a car battery more quickly than most people realize, increasing the risk of sudden mechanical failures.
Exhausted drivers: People are also more likely to drive while sleep-deprived during the winter, thanks in part to the change from Daylight Savings Time. This shift in people’s schedules, combined with the pressures many people feel during the holidays, means they are often more exhausted behind the wheel than they would normally be. When people drive tired, they are slower to react than normal and more likely to drive recklessly, increasing the risk of an accident
When most people think about slipping and falling, they think about silly accidents that can be easily laughed off, or pratfalls in comedies. At worst, they may get concerned about the elderly or people with certain medical conditions falling. However, slipping and falling can cause severe injuries to people of any age or health, and if you are inj...
Every year, millions of Americans are sent to the hospital after slipping and falling, whether in their home, at work, out shopping, or elsewhere. While often seen as comical in TV shows and movies, slipping and falling is no laughing matter. It can result in serious injuries, especially for the elderly or people with certain medical conditions. It...
Falling injuries have always been one of the greatest dangers that construction workers face on the job. Statistically speaking, falls account for more construction injuries than any other, with only a handful of other causes even coming close. Unfortunately, this year has proven to be worse than last year, as the number of fall injuries has alread...
In construction, a contractor typically refers to a company that is hired to build, remodel, repair, restore, or demolish a building. Along with the people who own the construction site, they are the ones primarily responsible for ensuring that it is safe to go forward with construction. Thus, they are also often one of the primary culprits when so...
When you seek medical treatment for some ailment or injury, you expect to be treated with utmost care by your doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. However, sometimes those medical professionals fail to perform their duties as they are intended to, resulting in harm to the patients they are treating, and possible medical malpracti...
A car accident can happen at nearly any time, and for a variety of unpredictable reasons. You may get hit by a distracted or fatigued driver who simply loses focus for a moment or be unfortunate enough to come across an intoxicated driver who lacks the faculties to control their vehicle. You might collide with another vehicle on an icy or slippery ...
A construction worker was killed, and three others were injured, in an accident at a construction site in New York City over the weekend. The accident occurred on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at a building on E 36th Street near Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. The building was being renovated by the workers at the time of their unfortunate accident. The a...
A medical professional is not supposed to perform any medical procedure, prescribe any medication, or administer any other treatment without the informed consent of a patient or their legal representative. Doing otherwise may not only be unethical, but also illegal, and can risk major harm to the patient. But what is informed consent and why is it ...
When people think of New York City, a few images come to mind: skyscrapers, hot dog carts, and sidewalks crowded with pedestrians. In recent years, scaffolding has also become synonymous with the Big Apple. Scaffolds, also known as "sidewalk sheds," are temporary structures on the outside of buildings, usually made of wood or metal poles, that are ...
According AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-run collisions are increasing over the last couple of years. The current statistics show that a hit-and-run crash happens somewhere in the U.S. just about every 43 seconds. Unfortunately, when dealing with a hit-and-run collision, it may be more difficult to recover through the use of legal rem...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) contributes to 50,000 deaths each year and 282,000 hospitalizations. According to the Mayo Clinic, a TBI happens when the skull is penetrated from a blow to the head. According to the CDCP, one of the leading causes of TBIs is being stuck in the head...
Rescue workers recovered the body of a construction worker who died after being trapped in a trench when a retaining wall collapsed at a worksite. The New York Times reported that the accident happened on September 12 at approximately 1:30 p.m. A group of construction workers was digging a trench 30 feet below street level at the site, located at 3...
Under certain circumstances, an auto mechanic and repair shop may be held liable for a crash when an improper repair causes an accident. Auto mechanic negligence can lead to a serious accident that results in life-threatening injuries. In New York State, a person may file a claim against an auto mechanic under the theory of negligence. Under a negl...
A pathologist is a medical professional responsible for examining bodily fluids and tissue in order to assist in diagnosing a patient that is experiencing certain signs and symptoms of a medical condition. A pathologist will use laboratory tests and equipment to assist with the process of diagnosing serious or sometimes life-threatening illnesses. ...
QNS.com reported that residents of an apartment complex in Glendale, Queens have complained of odors emanating from the unoccupied units as a result of their landlord's extreme hoarding.An empty first-floor apartment was covered in waste and the basement has been packed with garbage and debris "from floor to ceiling," a resident told QNS.com, addin...
Head-on collisions result in some of the most serious and deadly accidents. A head-on collision occurs when one vehicle directly impacts the front of another vehicle. Oftentimes, these accidents result in death or serious injuries to the vehicle occupants, as well as significant damage to the vehicles. Most often, these accidents happen due to one ...
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. In the United States, there are more than 3 million people diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Skin cancer is the mutation of cells beneath the skin that is often highly aggressive. These highly aggressive mutations grow out of control and form cancerous cells. If left untreated, skin ca...
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the odds of getting into a collision are two times more likely when a person takes his or her eyes off of the road for just two seconds. Recently, the University of Utah conducted a study which found that a motor vehicle's navigation system is extremely distracting to a driver. Accord...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries contribute to 50,000 deaths each year and 282,000 hospitalizations. According to the Mayo Clinic, a traumatic brain injury happens when the skull is penetrated from a blow to the head. According to the CDC, the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries are ...
The holiday season is approaching. It is time to be extra cautious as holiday traffic, hazardous road conditions, and drunk drivers leaving holiday parties will begin to increase. In addition, pay extra attention when pulling in and out of a parking garage or parking lot, because failing to do so may result in death or serious injuries to those aro...
Recently, a worker who was repairing a three-family home was injured when plywood fell onto him. The man was cutting sheets of plywood and handing them off to a co-worker, who hoisted the plywood approximately 20 feet onto the roof. The material fell onto the worker, resulting in an injury. He sued, alleging that the property owner was liable under...
According to a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, rural roads are deadlier than city streets, however, rural drivers remain less likely to wear seatbelts.The study found that fatal injuries in car crashes were higher in suburban areas in the northeast than in urban centers. In addition, rural c...
When an individual is involved in a car accident, a rush of adrenaline is sent throughout his or her body. An adrenaline rush assists in masking any pain a person may be experiencing. This can last from a few hours to an entire evening. While an adrenaline rush may be beneficial in certain circumstances, it has negative risks for those involved in ...
Recently, there has been a surge in the number of recalls in the automobile industry. The largest industry recall has been the Takata airbag devices. Takata airbag devices are commonly found in Honda and Acura vehicles. According to reports, there has been a 12th confirmed fatality due to a defect in the airbag. It is important to remember to monit...
Any time there is a motor vehicle accident, there is a possibility that the fuel tank may explode or a cracked fuel tank will leak, resulting in a fire. A car accident fire is often started due to a hot engine, spark, or exhaust pipe igniting gas that has leaked from the fuel tank. Many automobile accidents occur as a result of a reckless, careless...
It was recently announced that Uber's services will now extend across New York State, including Upstate New York and Long Island. Uber is a rideshare service that allows individuals to order a ride through his or her smartphone. An Uber driver will then pick up an individual at a determined location with his or her private vehicle and bring the rid...
Work-related burns are a leading cause of occupational injuries in the United States. As many as 20 to 30 percent of all burn-related hospitalizations are due to workplace injuries, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Those who suffer from on-the-job burn injuries can be subjected to serious, debilitating effects. ...
Pain and suffering is an essential part of many personal injury cases. Pain and suffering is a legal term that refers to a variety of injuries that may occur as a result of an accident. Not only does pain and suffering cover the physical pain of an injury, but also the emotional and mental injuries, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and...
On May 10, several bills were signed into law which increases safety conditions for New York City's construction workers. The approved bills include increases in injury reporting requirements, crane-related safety measures, and the requirement of a construction superintendent and onsite safety plan for any building project that is three stories or ...
One look at the New York City skyline can tell you that the city is currently undergoing a building boom. With more and more construction projects beginning each month, construction worker injuries and deaths are on the rise. The growing number of deaths and injuries were brought to the attention of New Yorkers on January 31st, when thousands of Ne...
With the official start of Winter arriving, New Yorkers know the inevitable northeast snowfall is right around the corner. When visiting retail locations in the inclement weather, shoppers should be aware of the property owner's liability for snow removal in case of a slip and fall. The responsibility of a property owner in New York City to r...
A trip to the supermarket should not end in a trip to the hospital. But, sometimes, that is what happens. When a bottle of olive oil is knocked over or a punctured container leaks out milk, fruit juice or orange juice onto the floor, those automatically become hazards to unsuspecting customers, who slip, fall and become seriously injured. It ...
Another construction tragedy recently occurred in New York City. At a Bed-Stuy construction site, a cinder block wall collapsed killing a 19-year-old construction worker and injuring two others. At the site, a one-story commercial building was being converted into a five-story structure that would also include residential units. The cinder wall was...
It has been widely publicized in the media that the rate of death and injury at construction sites has risen dramatically over the last two years. A recent New York Times expose has shed light on the matter after two years of investigations. According to the Times, although the rate of building has increased throughout the city by 11% in the last f...
It is devastating to have a medical condition that is made worse at the hands of an incompetent doctor. If such a case arises, a patient can bring a suit against the doctor for malpractice for the injuries they caused. However, patients must be aware that New York imposes strict time limits on medical malpractice cases called statutes of limitation...
Burn injuries are a serious matter that can cause devastating effects such as long-term health issues, disfigurement and even death. According to the American Burn Association, each year 3,400 individuals die due to burn injuries. The majority of these deaths occur due to residential fires. Other causes included motor vehicle accidents, flames, smo...
A 52-year-old construction worker, who specialized in ironworking, was killed on, February 24, 2015, when steel beams intended for the new environmentally-friendly roof at Brooklyn's Barclays Center fell off and stuck him. According to reports, the worker was part of a team installing the vegetative green roofing near the Atlantic Avenue side of th...
Boxing is commonly known as an extremely dangerous and sport that involves prolonged periods of physical contact. As a result, boxer are frequently treated for injuries sustained during their matches. However, do the athletes assume the risk of injury when playing a high-impact sport? Does this mean no one can be responsible for their injuries but ...
Two construction workers were injured Wednesday, August 6th, 2014, in Greenwich Village when elevator cables snapped, causing the elevator to drop half a floor. The workers were part of a 12-apartment renovation at the 56 West 11th St. apartment building. According to reports, the workers had opened up the elevator car's ceiling hatch and had pushe...
Each year, an estimated 5 percent of Americans are misdiagnosed by their physicians. The seemingly trivial 5 percent mark translates into over 12 million misdiagnosed individuals annually. Misdiagnosis can lead to serious prolonged medical problems, financial hardship or even death. Generally, medical malpractice focuses on treatment errors and med...
The owner or possessor of a property may be held legally responsible, and victims may sue for their injuries, when individuals can prove that the owner or manager of the property was negligent in their duties to maintain the space. Dangerous conditions such as torn carpeting, changes in flooring, poor lighting, narrow stairs, or a wet floor can cau...
There are risks associated with every operation, but competent surgical care can alleviate many of these risks. Surgical errors may occur during operations, pre-operative care, or post-operative care. These errors often take the form of hemorrhage, infections, surgery on the wrong side of the body, surgery performed on the wrong organ, organ perfor...
An increase in construction around New York City and its surrounding boroughs is generally viewed as a sign of an economic rebound. In recent years, New York has seen a dramatic increase in residential high-rise construction, hotel redevelopment, the initiation of large transportation projects, as well as an increase in construction projects in gen...
It is likely that anyone who has traveled through New York City in the last year has noticed an increase in cyclists throughout one of the busiest cities in the world. This increase is the direct result of New York City's public bike-sharing program named Citi Bike. The program, which sparked controversy in 2013 for its potential dangers and hazard...
With the sheer number of New Yorkers that use public transportation every day, it should come as no shock that the majority of individuals believe public transportation is one of the safest modes there is. Countless deadly car crashes and truck accidents are reported each day, but rarely are there any bus or train accidents right? Wrong, and distur...
It is a well-known fact that drivers should be on alert when driving, since the road is a dangerous place, but now the same may be true when individuals simply walk down a side walk. Police are investigating after a 22-year-old driver lost control of his car and crashed into a phone booth, lamp post and parked cars before jumping the curb and...
As the holiday season approaches, the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping will also commence, leaving many stores, malls, shopping centers, and outlets in a state of organized chaos. But have you ever wondered what responsibilities the store owners have to protect its store patrons from harm? Well, you should. Unfortunately, the family of 10-year...
To some individuals, the idea of buying a home in distress is a turn-off of sorts; however, the truth is, there are some real hidden treasures marked with the signs of "Foreclosure" or "Short sale," and many buyers do themselves a disservice by writing off these opportunities before giving them any thoughtful consideration. Yet some have caught on ...
During the recession, construction in New York State slowed down tremendously and there was no known end in sight. However, finally, signs of light are starting to shine through on the construction loan market and are breathing new life into the industry. Not only has lending for multifamily rental buildings, with its steady income flow, been popul...
Going to the doctor can be a nerve-wracking experience for many people. No matter how complicated or minor a procedure may be, there are no guarantees that a surgery or medical treatment will go exactly according to plan. However, doctors and nurses are expected to provide a standard level of care so that patients are not needlessly and recklessly ...
Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are two of the most common forms of medical malpractice. Some reports suggest that as many as 40% of medical malpractice cases involve a misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis. These issues are a clear patient safety problem. Misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor diagnoses the patient with the wrong illness. For example, ...
At the heart of investment real estate is often times the lease. Well-crafted lease agreements can create value for both landlords and tenants, and poorly designed agreements can do just the opposite. Be as careful and thorough as possible when negotiating this real estate contract, because it is exactly that, a contract. Those who fall into bad ti...
The practice of medicine is known to be complicated and intensive. We know that doctors go through years or even decades of training and spend countless hours treating patients and helping them feel better. However, a new report suggests that amid all the complex demands of their job, doctors in New York and nationwide are failing to complete one o...
The word medicine goes hand in hand with feeling better, or better yet, a cure. But what if the precise thing that is meant to improve your health is actually affecting it in a bad way? Events such as prescription errors may be viewed as the exception not the rule, but research has shown that they are all too common. A study by the Institute of Med...
Property owners and managers have a responsibility to make sure they maintain a safe environment. In New York, many people rely on building and property owners to keep rental properties free from hazards as there are many people who rent work spaces and apartments. Renters should be able to expect that the property owners will address and remedy un...
In a personal injury lawsuit, several matters will be considered so as to determine the amount that you should be compensated. One of the factors that will be considered is pain and suffering. There is no actual way to place a number on the pain and/or trauma you have experienced due to an injury or life event. No amount of money can erase the past...
While medical issues can sometimes be complex, it is the doctor's job to explain things in a way that patients understand. Therefore, the requirement of being able to dispel a patient's confusion is at the heart of informed consent laws. What is informed consent? In order to meet the requirements of the law, informed consent mandates that pat...
No matter the circumstance, losing a loved one is one of the hardest situations to go through in life and can be traumatic to say the least. However, if the death was caused by the negligence of another party, the grief can be exceptionally harder. Wrongful deaths in New York often involve fatal car accidents, but may involve many other types of de...
If you have ever been to a hospital, you know that there are many noises associated with the institution. The beeps of a monitor, the buzzing of a machine, and the other sounds of the instruments are all just a part of a busy hospital unit. However, as nurses and doctors become accustomed to hearing the every-day sounds of their workplace, a very s...
Although, every construction worker goes to work fully aware of these possible dangers, this type of career choice holds certain occupational hazards which often lead to workplace accidents. These accidents may result in personal injuries. This was the environment for a construction worker, this past June, in Queens New York. A construction worker ...
You've fallen on another person's property and injured yourself. It could be slipping on something in a store, tripping on a crumbling staircase or falling on an icy sidewalk. Now what do you do? Try to remain calm. This may be easier said than done, but it is important to remember as much as you can about the accident. Here are some common s...
Sometimes your personal injury may be caused by the negligence of the State of New York or a municipality. But suing the government is not is not the same as suing other defendants. Because there are strict notice requirements, time is of the essence. Here are some things you need to know about suing the government in New York. • If you are suing t...
Imagine you are given the horrific news that you have cancer, or any other life threatening disease or diagnosis. Your world as you know it is coming tumbling down and you're looking for help and a way to make it better. Now imagine that that diagnosis could have come sooner and action could have been taken earlier but for the negligence of a docto...