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Punitive Damages for DWI Causing Injury

Personal Injury Actions Involving DWI’s May Lead to Punitive Damages Individuals who are injured by a person driving while intoxicated may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to the compensatory damages that awarded.  The New York Appellate Division, Second Department ruled in Chiara v. Dernago, 12 A.D.3d 999; 11 N.Y.S. App. Div. Lexis 4367; […]


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Hit and Run

Hit and Run We tend to not think of hit and run car accidents as a major issue in New York.  Unfortunately in a large city such as New York, there are many selfish people living amongst us as we go about our daily lives. We often take our own safety for granted when we […]


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Pedestrian Knockdown

A pedestrian knockdown is one type of personal injury case that is growing in number on Long Island.  A pedestrian knockdown is when an individual is struck by a motor vehicle and suffers injuries.  A pedestrian knockdown does not necessarily imply criminal conduct such as that in a hit and run, texting while driving or DWI […]


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Assumption of Risk in Personal Injury

In the world of Personal Injury and General Tort Litigation, there is a concept referred to as “Assumption of Risk.”  This concept is a defense to the plaintiff’s claim that can defeat the entire claim.  Certain activities have inherent risks.  These risks are well known or should be known to the possible claimant.  In some […]


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The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Extended

Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Extended Through 2013 Congress has voted to extend The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. This act allows taxpayers to exclude income earned from a discharged debt on their principal residence, etc. Without this act, debt that has been forgiven under short sales […]


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CitiMortgage Workshop on Long Island

CitiMortgage Workshop on Long Island From Citibridgetrack.com: CitiMortgage invites you to meet in person to review your homeowner assistance options at the Citi® Road to Recovery event. Meet one-on-one to discuss possible mortgage solutions available for your specific situation. Tuesday, July 31, 2012 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Islandia Marriott Long Island 3635 Express Drive […]


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No New Foreclosure Cases for Steven J. Baum, P.C.

No New Foreclosure Cases for Steven J. Baum, P.C. From the  Freddie Mac Website: After November 10, 2011, Servicers may not refer any new Freddie Mac foreclosure or bankruptcy cases in New York to Steven J. Baum, P.C., whether referred within or outside of our Designated Counsel Program. Until further notice, Steven J. Baum, P.C. […]


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Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) changes

Home Affordable Refinance Program The Federal Housing Finance Agency has announced a series of changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). This is an effort to help some borrowers refinance their underwater home mortgage. Borrower Eligibility: The existing mortgage must have been sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac on or before May 31, […]


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News: Man Gets Free house

We figured this would start happening sooner or later. So far this year we have been made aware of three (3) cases where the lenders actually “walked away.” The homeowners appear to have been left with a home without a mortgage on it (a free house). The following is from Jacksonville.com: Bank gives man foreclosed […]


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News: NY Unions Want Chase to Modify Mortgages

The following is from The New York Times: Unions to Press Chase on Modifying Additional Mortgages By CARA BUCKLEY Published: February 9, 2011 Leaders of two large New York City unions said Wednesday that they would push for their pension funds to sell their stocks and bonds in JPMorgan Chase if the bank did not […]


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