A no-fault provision in your auto policy literally means you get benefits regardless of who was at fault in an accident. New York is a “no-fault state,” which means that all auto insurance policies sold in the state must include basic no-fault benefits. You may assume that if you were…
At the start of every new year, there’s a mad rush for anything having to do with new beginnings and organizing your life, but it’s important to organize your legal and financial matters as well. This is something that most people should consider yearly. In the areas of practice that…
They are hailed as independent medical examinations, hence the acronym, IME; our firm refers to them as DMEs or defense medical examinations. They are also referred to as insurance company medical examinations. Generally speaking, the examinations are far from independent; they are designed to gather information so the insurance company…
Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic brain injuries can arise from any type of accident, and they can range from a simple concussion with short-term effects to a much more serious injury with long-lasting effects. Concussions usually result in injuries of shorter duration. For example, we see cases where people have an…
There are a handful of common misconceptions regarding real estate. Unfortunately, the result of these misconceptions is hardly ever benign — it is important to have the facts in order to avoid problems. Real Estate Same-Day Sale & Purchase People are often under the impression that the sale and purchase…
Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Injuries Those who suffer injuries of this nature need to have a lawyer representing them who understands the long-term consequences and costs involved in their future care. These complex cases have significant value because there are significant future consequences for the patient. Catastrophic injury cases are very…
During a typical real estate transaction, a real estate attorney guides their clients from negotiating the contract to securing a mortgage, arranging inspections and then going through closing, perhaps even supporting them through any post-closing issues. This process generally takes several months. For this reason, it’s important to have a…
Many times we’re asked why we do what we do, how we got interested in it, and what a prospective law student can do to get to know the profession. What I usually tell people is: If you have a natural, inquisitive nature about the law, you can begin to…
New York State Real Property Law Section 227-a permits a senior citizen to terminate a residential lease if they are moving to either the residence of a family member or if they are: entering certain healthcare, adult care facilities or housing projects. The highlights of the statute include: Individuals must…
It is common at an initial client meeting to be asked how much the client’s case is worth. Generally, I advise them that, although I know some information about their case, I don’t have enough information at the first meeting to determine case value. I think it’s important for people…
Everyone over the age of 18 should have basic estate planning in place. This includes the following four different documents: Last Will and Testament; Power of Attorney; Healthcare Proxy; and Living Will. Last Will and Testament This document describes what will happen to your property upon your death and appoints…
A picture is worth a thousand words. If this old adage is true, then a video is worth a thousand times more. Video footage can be accessed from a variety of different sources and shed light on the true circumstances of an accident. Footage can be obtained from a dash-cam…
Dash-Cams Dash-cams are a double-edged sword. They can help, but they also can hurt. If you happen to be the person who has caused the accident, by having a dash-cam, you’ve created evidence for someone else to use against you. You may be forced to turn over your footage to…
At the start of every new year, there’s a mad rush for anything having to do with new beginnings and organizing your life, but it’s important to organize your legal and financial matters as well. This is something that most people should consider yearly. In the areas of practice that…
When it comes to long-term care expenses, there are three different ways to pay for it. Paying for long-term care is a challenge for most families. In this post, I would like to talk about three different ways to accomplish just that. Out of Pocket The first would be a payment…
Title insurance is a policy of insurance, just like a car insurance or homeowners insurance policy, that ensures against clouds on title. Judgments, liens, and prior issues that could severely undermine title to a property. Here at Leonick Law, we’re often asked, Why do I have to pay for title…
Why is long-term care important? As we age, certain tasks — like opening child-proof bottles — get more difficult. When disability becomes so great that we can no longer perform the basic activities of daily living (ADL), long-term care is needed. ADLs include: Getting dressed in the morning; Cooking meals; Getting…
When an accident occurs, it is important to understand how each party should respond in order to ensure safety and preserve crucial pieces of evidence. Protocol can vary depending on the type of accident. Choosing the right personal injury attorney can make the process easier. Automobile Accidents There are some…
Purchasing any type of residence — a single family home, co-op, condo, or a townhome within a homeowner’s association — requires knowledge and expertise. From a legal standpoint, the person or entity responsible for the maintenance and repairs is dependent on the type of the property. Recently, I addressed the Metropolitan…
There was a recent ruling by the highest court in New York State, the Court of Appeals, regarding the impact of social media and the ability of parties in a lawsuit to obtain access to the social media accounts and content of the other parties involved. The case that was…
