Verdicts, Settlements and Decisions
Civil
- A jury awarded an Orange County woman $1.7 million dollars as compensation for her pain and suffering and lost wages as a result of injuries she sustained while attempting to board a Metro-North commuter train. The plaintiff sustained injuries to her neck and back, as well as a severe injury to her right leg which necessitated a total knee replacement. View article here.
- A Dutchess County woman received a $481,250 settlement for injuries she sustained in an automobile accident. The plaintiff, who was a passenger in a van, sustained a fractured hip, as well as a fractured right femur which had to be surgically repaired.
- An Ulster County woman received a $400,000 settlement for injuries she sustained in an automobile accident. The plaintiff sustained a severe wrist fracture which had to be surgically repaired, as well as an injury to her shoulder which required arthroscopic surgery. The plaintiff was injured when the defendant failed to yield the right of way at a busy intersection resulting in the collision.
- An Ulster County woman received an award of $300,000 following an arbitration hearing for injuries she sustained in an automobile accident. The plaintiff sustained soft tissue injuries to her neck and back, as well as an injury to her shoulder which required arthroscopic surgery. The plaintiff was injured when an oncoming vehicle attempted to make an improper left-turn and crossed into the path of the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff's husband was awarded an additional $25,000 for his "loss of services" claim.
- A jury awarded an Ulster County woman $160,000 for injuries she sustained in an automobile accident. The plaintiff sustained soft tissue injuries to her head, neck and back, as well as a fracture to her right ankle. The plaintiff was injured when an oncoming vehicle crossed over the center line of the roadway and stuck her vehicle head-on.
- An Ulster County woman received a $125,000 settlement for injuries she sustained in an automobile accident. The plaintiff, whose car was struck from behind, sustained traumatic injuries to two discs in her lumbar spine which required extensive therapy and treatment.
- A Westchester County man received a $125,000 settlement for injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. The plaintiff, whose vehicle was struck from behind, sustained soft tissue injuries to his neck and back, as well as a severe laceration to his right hand which required multiple sutures and resulted in permanent scarring.
- An Ulster County woman received a $125,000 settlement for injuries she sustained in an automobile accident. The plaintiff, who was a front seat passenger, sustained herniated discs in her neck and back. The plaintiff was injured when an oncoming vehicle attempted to make an improper left-turn and crossed into the path of her vehicle. This settlement was comprised of the full amount of the defendant's insurance policy ($100,000), as well as an additional award ($25,000) from the plaintiff's own "underinsured motorist" insurance policy.
- A jury awarded an Ulster County woman $96,000 as compensation for her pain and suffering following an automobile accident. The plaintiff sustained a fractured sternum and broken ribs. The plaintiff, who was a front seat passenger, was injured when an oncoming vehicle attempted to make an improper left-turn and crossed into the path of her vehicle.
- An Ulster County woman received a $75,000 settlement for injuries she sustained in an automobile accident. The plaintiff sustained soft tissue injuries to her neck and back, as well as an injury to her right shoulder which required arthroscopic surgery. The plaintiff was injured when an on-coming vehicle failed to yield the right of way in an intersection and struck the plaintiff's vehicle.
- An Ulster County woman received a $42,750 settlement for injuries she sustained when she was caused to slip and fall in a CVS drug store. The plaintiff sustained soft tissue injuries to her neck and back which required extensive therapy and treatment.
- A jury awarded a Sullivan County woman $42,500 as compensation for her pain and suffering following an automobile accident. The plaintiff, whose vehicle was struck on the side, sustained soft tissue injuries to her neck and back, as well as an injury to her left shoulder which required extensive therapy and treatment.
- A jury awarded an Orange County man $35,000 as compensation for his pain and suffering following an automobile accident. The plaintiff, whose vehicle was struck from behind, sustained soft tissue injuries to his neck and back. The defendant's insurance company refused to make any settlement offer before trial. In the end, the insurance company wound up paying more than the full amount of the defendant's insurance policy because the jury's verdict exceeded the defendant's policy limits.
- An Ulster County man received a $28,500 settlement for injuries he sustained when he was struck by merchandise which fell from a shelf at a Home Depot store. The plaintiff sustained a laceration which required multiple sutures. The plaintiff was injured when boxes, which had not been properly secured, fell and struck him as he was walking through the store.
- An Ulster County woman received an award of $25,000 following an arbitration hearing for injuries she sustained as a result of a dog bite. The plaintiff sustained two puncture wounds on her left leg. The arbitrator determined that the defendants were aware that their dog had exhibited "vicious propensities" in the past.
Criminal
- After 4 days of trial, a twelve member jury took only 20 minutes to report their collective verdict of acquittal of defendant charged with 3 counts of felony assault.
- Judge dismissed 24 misdemeanor counts of unlawfully solemnizing marriages against New Paltz Mayor Jason West in a landmark constitutional decision declaring State should not prohibit same sex marriages. View article here.
- Evidence failed to establish proof beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant sexually abused "victim" who admitted voluntary intoxication.
- Evidence failed to establish proof beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant sexually abused "victim" who admitted voluntary consumption of "Special K" (Ketamine).
- DWI charges dismissed after suppression hearing. Court found arresting officer's testimony as to traffic violations constituting probable cause for initial stop of client's vehicle not credible.
- DWI charges dismissed after suppression hearing. Court determined alleged reason for initial stop of client's vehicle, loud muffler, not supported by the evidence.
- DWI charges dismissed after suppression hearing in which Court determined alleged reason for initial night-time stop, "unlawfully tinted windows," not supported by credible evidence.
- DWI charges unable to be sustained after Mr. Kossover provided Court with certified repair records of subject breathalyzer equipment showing machine needed significant repairs 10 days after defendant's arrest.