Each of our core practice areas offer specific challenges for our clients.
Practice Areas
- Premises Liability: From the garden variety "slip and fall" accident to issues involving elevators and security our premises liability practice has handled every manner of litigation in the defense of property owners. Our clients have ranged from well-known commercial establishments to the owners of multiple dwellings. Our extensive knowledge of building codes and construction standards and our work with experts has aided us in our defense of matters involving significant injuries and those requiring technical expertise. In matters involving independent contractors, we have aggressively pursued indemnification issues and declarations as to the additional/named insured status of our clients with other carriers.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: The defense of automobile accident litigation is not simply the determination of "red light-green light' or "left turn-right turn". While the manner in which accidents occur can be somewhat repetitive, issues of causation, alcohol involvement, roadway conditions and maintenance, etc. all serve to make this area of practice of great importance to our clients and to our firm. We maintain an up-to-date database with respect to case law involving the definition of a "serious injury" under the Insurance Law of the State of New York and we have used dispositive motions in that regard, not only as a means to the dismissal of actions, but as a salient bargaining tool in our efforts to achieve equitable settlements. We also have a specific area of expertise with respect to Rental and Paratransit vehicles.
- Construction Site Accidents: It is with great pride that we have built an extensive practice in the defense of owners, construction managers, general contractors, and subcontractors who are subject to the purview of New York State Labor Law §§200, 240 & 241(6). This ever evolving area of practice requires both vigilance as to changes in the law along with the requirement that the core issues be identified in the early stages of the litigation so that the proper entities are parties to a suit, and so that the contractual relationships of those parties is clear at the outset. Our attorneys have a familiarity with construction site protocols and with the Industrial Code. We have obtained both voluntary and judicial enforcement of contractual indemnification clauses while generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in the reimbursement of defense costs for our clients over the years.
- Municipal Liability/School Districts: The defense of municipalities, public authorities and school districts poses unique challenges. Our practice has been involved in the identification of claims though the conduct of statutory hearings and our cases have involved a wide range of accident scenarios involving public locales. In our defense of school districts, we have been involved in a number of matters dealing with student safety issues. Our long standing representation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has yielded significant results in the defense of the New York City Transit Authority and the Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority.
- Insurance Coverage Issues: Insurance coverage matters represent some of the most complex issues our clients face. We assist clients with policy interpretation, and with the following issues including disclaimer of coverage, coverage disputes, co-insurance issues, late notice, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, and third and first party benefits.
The Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Shein & Associates, P.C.
575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 112
Syosset, NY 11791
Phone: (516) 922-6626
Fax: (516) 922-2797
e-mail