Long Island

Published on: June 19, 2011

26-year-old Mother a Victim of Hit-and-Run

by Stephen Bilkis

A 26-year-old listed the toll her body has paid at the hands of a drunk driver: impaired memory, multiple pelvis fractures, knee fracture, knee replacement, deep head and facial gashes, broken and missing teeth, spinal injury, seven facial surgeries, three of which were oral, constant pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

The young hospital nursing assistant was walking across Atwells Avenue on Federal Hill one and a half years ago after a celebratory night out with her father when she was run down.

“One careless mistake … changed my life forever,” the girl laments.

Published on: June 15, 2011

Settlement Reached between Gymnast and Gym

by Stephen Bilkis

December 2006 saw a settlement reached between a 17-year-old gymnast and the gym she practiced gymnastics at. She was injured at the facility and suffered paralysis in 2005.

Details of the case were sealed to the public. “This is a natural occurrence when one or more of the parties involved are a minor,” a New York Spinal Injury Attorneyreported. Also attributed to the closed files, the parents and the girl’s attorney decided not to comment to the press at the time of the arraignment.

The Circuit Judge presiding over the case put his stamp of approval on the agreement.

Published on: June 7, 2011

Police Officer Injured by Drunk Driver Recovering

by Stephen Bilkis

A police officer from Springfield, Ohio, had reason to be upbeat earlier this month when his doctors reported that he now has movement in both of his legs. Earlier it was feared he might never walk again.

The officer was hit by a pickup truck while on duty at the end of March. He had been in the middle of evidence collection for the Summit County Sheriff’s Office along Arlington Road. A New York Spinal Injury Lawyer said the 34-year-old driver was drunk and subsequently charged with his fourth DUI.

Speaking to reporters from Summa Akron City Hospital, the injured officer said his faith has helped him hold no grudge against the driver, who is still in custody. He called the incident “terrible,” but added that “we all make mistakes. What he did was a criminal offense. He’ll be dealt with through the justice system, through the courts, and I’m sure he wouldn’t do it again.” Many car accident are the cause of spinal injuries in Long Island and Manhattan.