$2.75M Settlement to Man Seriously Injured by Falling Streetlight Pole
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on February 2nd, 2018
A man who suffered serious head injuries when he was struck by a falling streetlight as he walked through Philadelphia's Chinatown neighborhood in 2015 has reached a $2.75 million settlement with two defendants in the case. The victim, Xue Ping Gao, was hurt on April 23, 2015, as he walked at 10th and Apple streets in Chinatown just as a tractor-trailer was backing up to drop off musical equipment to the nearby Trocadero Theater, according...
Keeping Older Drivers Safe on the Road: A MyPhillyLawyer Guide
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on January 23rd, 2018
As drivers get older, their reaction times, eyesight and driving skills can deteriorate, making them less safe on the roads. For families which have older drivers, including grandparents and elderly parents, this can be a difficult and sensitive subject to raise, but it is important that such discussions be considered and taken on. We all remember the freedom, the thrill and the excitement of getting our driver's license when we were teenagers. With that piece...
What to Do if You are in a Car Crash: A Guide from MyPhillyLawyer
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on January 12th, 2018
Vehicle crashes can happen anytime, especially when winter weather turns slippery and nasty. That's why it’s a good idea to periodically review the correct steps to take to protect you and your passengers if you are ever involved in a vehicle crash with another motorist who is drunk, distracted or making bad choices on our roadways. These kinds of crashes happen when innocent drivers least expect them. Here's what you can do if you are...
Winter’s Back: Here’s Your MyPhillyLawyer Winter Driving Safety Guide
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on January 5th, 2018
Since winter began officially on Dec. 21, the Philadelphia metropolitan area has already endured several powerful winter storms, with measurable snow, ice, sub-freezing temperatures and the slippery and snarled roads that come with it all. Of course, this is only the beginning of the winter storm season. So with that in mind, we at MyPhillyLawyer again bring you some of our best winter driving safety tips from a range of experts to help reacquaint our...
In 2018, MyPhillyLawyer is Here to Help You with Your Legal Needs
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on December 29th, 2017
As 2017 ends, we here at MyPhillyLawyer want to thank all our clients and partners for their friendship, trust and confidence this past year and to let you know how much we value all of you. As 2018 arrives next week, we will be here as always to assist you and represent you in a myriad of legal situations, including personal injury cases, birth injuries, vehicle accidents, medical malpractice cases, workplace injuries, criminal defense, estate...
Be Safe and Drive Sober This Holiday Season
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on December 22nd, 2017
The December holidays are here, with Christmas just around the corner and New Year's Eve coming up fast, so it's a good time to reflect on the dangers of drinking and driving amid all the holiday parties and family festivities we will all likely enjoy. In Pennsylvania, the State Police are participating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" impaired driving enforcement campaign through Dec. 31, joining more...
As 2017 Closes, Get Your Legal Life Organized for 2018
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on December 15th, 2017
The end of the year and the approach of the December holidays is a perfect time to review your personal legal matters, so you can start the new year right. It's a great time to look things over with your attorney, from making any needed changes to your will and estate, to reviewing insurance coverages, considering additional charitable gifts for tax purposes and double-checking your credit reports for accuracy. In this blog post, Saul Langsam,...
Holiday Parties, Drinking, Driving and Your Legal Responsibilities
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on November 30th, 2017
With the December holidays here, from Hanukkah to Kwanzaa to Christmas and more, it’s a good time to talk about holiday parties, social drinking and potential legal liabilities affecting party hosts when enjoying the season and serving alcoholic beverages to friends, family and colleagues. In Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth doesn't recognize the legal concept of social host liability, which is when a host serves a visibly intoxicated person and that person subsequently injures himself or someone...
$7.5M Settlement to Bicyclist Left Paralyzed by Faulty Sidewalk
By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on October 25th, 2017
A California bicyclist has been awarded a $7.5 million settlement after he was left a quadriplegic in 2014 when his bicycle crashed and overturned on a displaced sidewalk joint that was raised four inches by a tree root on a public street. The victim, William Yao, was riding his bike south on Reseda Boulevard in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles when the crash occurred three years ago, throwing him to the ground and...