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24/7/365 Emergency Hotline: 631-348-1702

If you have been arrested, or in case of an emergency, our attorneys can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 631-348-1702.

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Tenant’s Rights Under the Warranty of Habitability

Every tenant has the right to live in a safe, sanitary and habitable dwelling.  It is the landlord’s responsibility to provide suitable conditions for habitation. The warranty of habitability is a law that makes the landlord or owner responsible for keeping your apartment and the building safe and livable at all times. If a landlord does not take care of the property, or make repairs when necessary, these failures may constitute a breach of the warranty of habitability.

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School District Slammed with $12 Million Lawsuit for Staph Infection to Wrestling Team

Recently, a Long Island High School was slammed with a $12 million lawsuit due to an outbreak of a staph infection that affected five students on the district’s wrestling team last January. The suit alleges negligence on the grounds that the wrestling mats used by the team had not been replaced in seven years, and were not disinfected properly to protect the students from illness.

Additionally, the suit alleges that parents of the wrestlers were not given proper notice regarding the infections. Although generally curable with antibiotics, staph infections can be fatal if not properly treated, depending on the strain. In this case, the bacterial strain was MRSA- an infection leading to 11,285 deaths a year, according to the Center for Disease Control.

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Are Landlords Required to Allow Service Animals?

Under federal law, landlords are required to provide “reasonable accommodations” based on an individual’s disability.  Disabilities can be mental, emotional, or physical in nature.  Landlords must comply with the Fair Housing Act, and regardless of a pet policy, a landlord may be required to permit a tenant to keep a service animal to accommodate an individual’s disability.

Service animals may assist with mental, emotional, or physical needs.  Additionally, a service animal could include any type of animal that qualifies.  Traditionally people consider service animals to be dogs, but they can also include cats, birds, rabbits, and any other animal that may assist with the person’s disability.  These animals are not considered pets, but working animals.

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Arts and Crafts Safety

Now that the school year is in full swing, many children will be participating in various arts and crafts projects both during and after school hours.  These projects are fun and educational for children, but it is important that parents stay vigilant about safety.

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Anchor It! Campaign Raises Awareness of Furniture Tip-Over Deaths and Injuries

According to national statistics, a person is injured by furniture that has tipped over every 15 minutes.  38,000 Americans visit the emergency room each year due to furniture or TVs that have fallen on them.  Children are especially at risk as they are likely to climb on furniture and use the home as a playground.  In fact, most of the injuries sustained by furniture tip-overs involve children, and can even result in death.  Sadly, every two weeks a child dies due to a furniture tip-over.  These accidents are entirely preventable by anchoring furniture in place. Continue reading “Anchor It! Campaign Raises Awareness of Furniture Tip-Over Deaths and Injuries”

Common Pre-Trial Hearings in a Criminal Case

On the way to trial, many pre-trial motions and hearings may be scheduled. Usually the defense will make an “Omnibus Motion” that will include all the legal motions they will be filing. A date will then be set for the prosecution to answer the motion, as well as a court date. The motions consist of arguments concerning whether certain evidence should be included or excluded at trial. Such evidence may relate to physical evidence, statements, or identification procedures.

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Trampoline Park Injuries Increase as More Trampoline Parks Are Built

Nationwide, trampoline parks are becoming more popular.  While these facilities are a fun way for children and adults to get exercise, millions have been injured.

While trampoline parks are a new novelty, they are an unregulated but quickly growing industry.  Many of the injuries that occur on trampolines result from collisions, landing the wrong way, or landing on the frame.  Many of these injuries are preventable by following basic safety precautions.

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Understanding the Difference Between DWI and DWAI in New York

Driving While Impaired (DWAI – in lay terms “buzzed driving”) means your ability to operate a motor vehicle has been affected to any extent by the consumption of alcohol. DWAI is a violation, not a crime. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI – in lay terms “drunk driving”) means you are physically and mentally incapable of driving as a reasonable and prudent person due to the consumption of alcohol. Driving While Intoxicated is a crime.

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Bill Would Provide New Procedures for Veterans in the Criminal Justice System

As Americans, we owe a tremendous debt to our veterans for our liberty and safety. We need to keep in mind that many veterans returning home from combat relive the devastating effects of war each day, and many suffer major psychological illnesses.

One in four veterans returns from the warfront with mental illness such as PTSD, addiction, and depression. Half of these vets are left untreated and often find themselves in conflict with the law. In New York State alone, it is estimated that there are at least 27,000 veterans who suffer from mental illness.

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“Raise the Age” Bill Would Stop Treatment of 16 and 17 Year Olds as Adults in the Justice System

New York remains one of only two states that have not yet increased the age of criminal responsibility to 18. However, a new bill backed by Mayor DeBlasio and New York City top law enforcement officials could change that. The proposed “Raise the Age” legislation, if passed, would cease treating 16 and 17 year olds as adults in the criminal justice system.

Opponents to the bill have expressed that they are concerned that the bill sends the wrong message and the crime will increase. They point out that “some of the most heinous crimes are committed by 16 and 17 year olds.” In New York in 2014, out of 30,286 crimes committed by 16 and 17 year olds, 22,200 were misdemeanors and 4,160 were non-violent felonies.

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Sindy Lizama
Great experience always. They are so kind and helpful. Thanks for everything.
Response from the owner:Thank you Sindy!
Amilcar Benitez
Response from the owner:Thank you Amilcar. Glad we could help you!
Ariel Rodriguez
This is a great firm of lawyers. Brett Bennett handled my case professionally. It took only one meeting to give me a clear explanation and guidance about my traffic tickets and after a month it was all resolved! I avoid getting points on my license thanks to the great work they do I highly recommend it. Using their service. They absolutely the best you..
Response from the owner:Thank you Ariel. We are glad to have gotten you such a great result.
Ana Milena Hurtado Velasco
Excelente servicio, desestimaron los múltiples cargos por infracción de tránsito a mi hijo, te brindan tranquilidad, seguridad, despejan tus dudas. Profesionales en todo el sentido de la palabra. Súper recomendados. Gracias de corazón por su valiosisima ayuda.
Justin Hicks
Hands down the hardest working and most professional attorney I have ever had on retainer. Mary Pelaez is incredible and is worth every penny she charges. Do yourself a favor and only hire the best!
Response from the owner:Thank you Mr. Hicks for taking the time to let us know you were happy. It was our pleasure to represent you.
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