Pole-Dancing Injury Prompts Lawsuit against New York Gym

Manhattan resident, Sue Ann Wee, was eager to try out aerobic striptease, a hot new form of exercise that is sweeping the nation's trendy gyms and fitness centers. However, her first experience in a pole-dancing class left the would-be dancer seriously injured. While learning a routine at a class in a New York-area Crunch fitness center, Wee slid off a pole and seriously injured her upper torso and shoulders. In the personal injury lawsuit she subsequently filed against the gym, Wee levels a number of charges against the owners and operators of the facility, including a lack of proper safety equipment and inadequate supervision and instruction.

If you or a loved one has sustained injury due to another's negligence or lack of supervision, we're here to help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us directly at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us within 24 hours.

New York City Faces Lawsuit over Kite-Wire Injury

Long popular in South Asia, the sport of “kite fighting” has gained a growing following in the United States as immigrants from the region have taken up the traditional pastime in their adopted country. The sport was also featured in the bestselling novel The Kite Runner.

However, brewing concerns about the safety of kite fighting have been highlighted after a 12-year-old boy was injured by a glass-coated wire that broke free from a kite being used in a public match held in a New York City park. Jared Kopeloff of Flushing, NY was skateboarding when he collided with a floating kite wire that had drifted to the area from a nearby park. The extremely sharp wire slashed the boy’s throat, causing injuries that required nearly 500 stitches to repair. Kopeloff also lost two of his lymph nodes as a result of the incident. The boy’s family has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that allowing the sport to be carried out in public poses a grave danger to the safety of NYC residents.

Have you or a loved one suffered due to insufficient oversight on the part of a government authority? Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Lawsuit Blames Toyota Defect for Deaths

A lawsuit has been filed against automaker Toyota, claiming that defects in the acceleration systems of the company’s Toyota and Lexus automobiles have been responsible for a number of injuries and deaths.

Plaintiffs Chris Chan Park and Seong Bae Choi claim that thousands of the automaker’s Lexus and Toyota vehicles have defects that may result in unintended rapid acceleration under certain driving conditions. It is thought that the problem was a contributing factor in an August crash in San Diego that resulted in the deaths of a family of four, including an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer.

Toyota has asked car owners to remove the floor mat from the driver’s side of their vehicles, but has continued to deny that an underlying system defect may be to blame.

The current suit will determine whether class-action status will be granted in the case.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, we can help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Oklahoma Helicopter Crash Prompts Wrongful Death Suit

When 20-year-old Darci Scraper accompanied newly licensed helicopter pilot Mark Mahaney on an early-morning aerial tour of the Oklahoma countryside, she was excited about the prospect of getting a bird’s-eye view of her hometown. Sadly, the trip ended in tragedy when the helicopter crashed for unknown reasons, killing both passenger and pilot. The wreckage of the aircraft was found on the banks of a rural creek two days later.

The wrongful death claim brought by Scraper’s parents argued that Mahaney’s family had acted negligently by entrusting the newly minted pilot with access to the aircraft. In support of this claim of negligent entrustment, the Scrapers’ lawyers pointed out that Mark Mahaney had a criminal record that included past charges of public intoxication and driving while intoxicated.

Has someone else’s recklessness caused harm to you or a family member? We can help you understand your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Lawsuit Filed Over Fatal Wyoming Rafting Trip Ends in Settlement

A June 2006 river rafting adventure ended in tragedy for three visitors to the Grand Teton National Park. Married couple John and Elizabeth Rizas, and another visitor, Linda Clark, were thrown from the raft they were riding in and drowned. The expedition was led and arranged by the Grand Teton Lodging Company, a privately owned venture that offers lodging and tours in the park.

In the wrongful death claim brought against the company by surviving relatives of those who died, it was alleged that the company routinely downplayed the inherent dangers of the white water rafting tours it led. After several weeks of jury deliberation in the case, it was announced that the parties had arrived at a mutually amenable settlement, although no specific dollar amount was announced.

Have you or a loved one suffered as the result of a company’s negligence or malfeasance? If so, you need the advice of a team of experienced personal injury attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. We will be sure to talk to you the same day you call, or within 24 hours.

Lawsuit Filed in Boy’s Gun Show Death

One Connecticut family’s visit to an area gun show ended in tragedy when their 8-year-old son inadvertently fired an Uzi submachine at himself and subsequently died from the resulting wounds. Christopher Bizilj had picked up the displayed weapon to examine it more closely. After the Uzi jammed, it was cleared by a 15-year-old booth worker and handed back to the boy, who then lost control of the gun and fired several shots that struck his own head. The Bizilj family has filed a lawsuit in the case, naming the booth employee, event organizers, and the owner of the weapon as negligent.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, you need the assistance of a qualified team of attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Woman Widowed in Hudson River Helicopter Crash Files Lawsuit

In August 2009, a collision between a small airplane and a helicopter over the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey resulted in nine deaths. Among the fatalities was 43-year-old pilot Steven Altman.

Recently, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed on Altman’s behalf by his widow, Pamela Altman. Parties named in the case, which seeks over $1 million in damages, include the manufacturers of both crafts and the tour company that was involved in planning flights in the area. The suit alleges that American Eurocopter failed to install adequate safety devices in its aircraft, and that the tour company Liberty Helicopters had a poor safety record and failed to adhere to best practices in air traffic control and oversight. Altman also has plans to file suit against the FAA and its air traffic control employees, several of whom were engaged in personal phone calls and off-site errands at the time the crash occurred.

Has your family suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence? Our team of qualified personal injury attorneys can help you sort out your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Atlanta Area Man Receives $9 Million Award After Being Scarred by Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

53-year-old John Henry Howard of Ellenwood, Georgia received a jury award of more than $9 million in a suit filed against medical care provider Boston Men’s Health Center. Howard’s suit claimed that the clinic, which specializes in the treatment of male sexual dysfunction, supplied him with a proprietary drug that caused scarring and other complications in his genital area. After injecting the drug as he had been instructed to by clinic personnel, Howard began experiencing pain, lesions, and other symptoms. However, he did not immediately seek medical care, as he claimed to have been confused by the instructions provided by the clinic.

A DeKalb County jury agreed with Howard’s claims and awarded punitive and health care damages in excess of $9 million.

If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of improper medical treatment, we can walk you through your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Illinois Woman Awarded $7 Million in Target Fall

80-year-old Illinois resident Claire Putman was entering a Des Plaines area Target store when she was knocked to the ground by the store’s automatic doors, which were malfunctioning. Putman suffered a number of injuries in the incident, including neurological damage that led to cognitive deficits. As a result of her injuries, Putman is no longer deemed capable of taking care of herself or her 59-year-old daughter with special needs and has had to be placed in a long-term care facility. Putman’s attorneys claimed that the doors did not have a safety switch that would allow the device to be deactivated in the event of a malfunction. Putman was ultimately awarded more than $7 million in the case.

Have you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a defective device? If so, we’re here to help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

New York Woman Wins $43 Million in Birth Injury Case

A 25-year-old patient suffering from cerebral palsy as the result of a birth injury received a favorable settlement in a lawsuit that had originally been filed against Bellevue Women’s Hospital in Niskayuna, New York nearly two decades ago.

The medical malpractice suit claimed that the hospital made several key errors at the time of Tiffany Busone’s delivery, including improper resuscitation and intubation. These errors resulted in a lack of oxygen, which in turn caused brain damage that led to cerebral palsy. Confined to a wheelchair and in need of round-the-clock health care, Busone was deemed by the court to have suffered severe economic and health problems as a result of the hospital’s medical mistakes. The $43 million verdict included $15 million for future pain and suffering, $6 million for past pain and suffering, and $20 for home health care costs.

Has your family been forced to cope with the tragedy of a birth injury? You need the advice of a qualified team of personal injury attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Oregon Police Car Crash Yields $500,000 Settlement

Late one night in February 2007, Beaverton, Oregon resident Jean Marie Howell was trying to cross a busy highway intersection on foot when she was struck by a city police car that experts estimate was traveling at a speed in excess of 40 MPH. Upon impact, Howell was thrown onto the hood of the police car, striking the windshield and finally landing on the pavement. She suffered numerous injuries as a result of the crash, including a head injury, internal bleeding, and multiple fractures.

Although there was some controversy over Howell’s culpability in the accident, the judge in the case ultimately determined that the police officer had been negligent and had borne 50% of the responsibility for the crash. The original settlement figure was reduced to $507,500 to reflect Howell’s shared responsibility for the accident.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a pedestrian or vehicular crash? If so, we can help you understand your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Slip in Chicago Airport Yields Victim $800,000 Settlement

Diana Sarkar was en route to attend a medical conference when she slipped and fell in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The incident caused Sarkar to sustain a fractured kneecap and torn cartilage, injuries that severely impeded her mobility and limited her ability to work at a normal pace. The suit brought against the city of Chicago, which oversees O’Hare Airport, claimed that the incident was caused by airport employees’ failure to properly clean spilled food in the area, resulting in a residual oily patch that prompted Sarkar’s fall.



Have you or a family member sustained an injury in a public place that was caused by another’s negligence? You need the advice of an experienced team of personal injury attorneys. Contact the slip and fall attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

New York Nun’s Death Results in Pointed Fingers, Lawsuit

Sster Mary Murray, a 90-year-old resident of St. Zita’s Villa in Monsey, New York, was killed after being struck by a 200-pound freestanding closet that toppled to the ground in her living quarters. Murray’s nephew has filed a lawsuit against the company that supplied and installed the closets, claiming that their practices were negligent and unsafe. The company made a counter-claim stating that Murray’s own recklessness was responsible for the incident, according to court documents. Several other parties are also named in the wrongful death suit, which notes that previous incidents of injury and damage resulting from the closets falling down had been documented at the facility.



If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or negligent installation practices, we’re here to help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Family of Idaho Trucker Sues Farm in Fatal Crushing Incident

Truck driver Chad Thompson was carrying out his daily rounds in the farmlands of Idaho when a routine stop turned tragic. The 30-year-old was buried under a 40-foot-tall pile of silage and killed instantly. Silage is fermented fodder that is fed to farm animals like sheep and cattle, and is frequently stored in the tall metal silos that dot farms and pastures. The lawsuit filed against silo owners 4-Bros Dairy claims that they were negligent in their construction of the pile and care of the material. A dollar amount for the damages claimed has not yet been released in the impending suit.


Have you or a loved one been harmed by negligent business practices? If so, we can help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Lawsuit Filed in Aftermath of Indiana Car Crash

42-year-old Carl Walker of Knox, Indiana caused a widespread damage and multiple injuries in a recent series of car crashes on Indiana’s U.S. 30. Driving a company vehicle from his business, Walker and Walker's Specialized Logistics, Walker collided with five vehicles in an incident that was said to have stemmed from a known health condition from which Walker has long suffered.




The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 46-year-old Darla Kirn, whose right arm and hand were severely injured in the crash, resulting in partial amputation. Several other members of the Kirn family sustained injuries in the incident, as well. The lawsuit asks for $10 million in combined damages.



If you or a family member has suffered as the result of a car crash, we can help you understand your legal options. Contact the car accident attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Arkansas Surgeon Hit with Multiple Malpractice Claims

A second medical malpractice lawsuit has been filed against John Weiss, a Fayetteville surgeon specializing in heart problems. The latest suit, brought on behalf of patient John Walters, claims that Weiss negligently failed to remove a surgical tool known as a blue surgical tunneler from Walters’ left leg after performing heart surgery on him in December 2004. The tool was discovered in July 2008, when another physician ordered an x-ray image of Weiss’ hip in the course of diagnosing another ailment. A subsequent diagnosis of leukemia has been attributed to the impeded blood flow caused by the foreign body. The malpractice suit filed against Walters seeks monetary damages for pain, suffering, and medical expenses.


Have you or a loved one suffered as a result of poor medical care? If so, we’re here to help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Scaffolding Manufacturer Targeted in Suit after Construction Site DeathsIt

It has long been known that construction jobs rank among the most deadly in terms of workplace fatalities, but defects in the manufacture of a workplace safety device may have contributed to the risky environment in at least one Texas fatality. Several construction workers were killed on an Austin worksite when scaffolding attached to a large condominium development collapsed, causing three laborers to plunge to their deaths. A lawsuit that has been filed in the incident claims that scaffolding manufacturer American Mast Climbers created a defective product and did not attach sufficient safety warnings to the equipment. Several contractors and subcontractors that were involved in the project have also been named in the suit.

If you or a loved one has been placed in harm’s way by a defective or substandard product, we can help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Indiana Bridge Collapse Prompts Lawsuits

A small-town Fourth of July celebration took a catastrophic turn when a pedestrian bridge collapsed, plunging over 50 townspeople who had gathered to watch a fireworks display into a lake. Multiple lawsuits have now been filed in the case, many of which have claimed that municipal officials acted negligently by allowing too many people to mount the small bridge. Plaintiff Treneice Campbell suffered some of the most severe injuries, including a spinal fracture that has required her to use a wheelchair.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s poor judgment or negligence, we can walk you through your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

West Virginia Big Rig Crash Yields Family $16 Million Settlement

What started out at as a typical drive in the West Virginia countryside ended in tragedy for Rhonda Henson of Cleburne. Henson and her husband were traveling south on a local byway when a large piece of equipment was dislodged from a big rig tractor trailer that was driving in the opposite direction. The gas drilling equipment smashed into the Hensons’ vehicle, causing injuries that would later result in Rhonda’s demise. Investigators found multiple safety infractions that contributed to the accident. In a recent settlement, Pioneer Drilling, the company that employed the driver involved in the crash, paid $16 million to the Henson family.

Have you or a family member been injured in a big rig crash? We can help you understand your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Popular Summer Sandals at Center of Tennessee Injury Lawsuit

Long at the center of a heated fashion debate and more recently reported to be on the verge of financial collapse, the company behind the Crocs brand of sandals is now under fire from a different direction. The parents of a Johnson City, Tennessee girl have filed a personal injury suit against the company, claiming that the shoes contributed to an accident in which the preschooler’s foot was pulled into an escalator, resulting in extensive wounds and fractures. The suit is the latest in a series of safety claims against the company, many of which have resulted from incidents in which children were injured.

If you or a loved one has been injured by an unsafe product, you need the advice of an experienced team of personal injury attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.