OATH Extends Physical Closure and Continues Telephonic Hearings [UPDATED]

April 28, 2020

OATH to continue virtual operations as COVID pandemic lingers. On April 7, 2020, Chief Administrative Law Judge, Hon Joni Kletter issued an administrative order continuing the temporary suspension and modification of laws related to the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City. The order directs that the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings’, the body responsible for adjudicating for all City agencies, remain physically closed until at least May 4, 2020. The Office of Administrative … <Read More>

Bicycle Riding and Injuries, Tort Claims and Defenses

April 1, 2020

Bike riding is enjoyable, healthy and fun. It can also be dangerous. The City is heavily invested in encouraging bike riding and bike safety. Yet, accidents happen, and when they do bike riders may opt to sue. Bike riders receive no special status as tort plaintiffs. Bike riders in court live by the same rules that govern tort claims by pedestrians and car drivers. As New York courts have repeatedly stated, a “bicyclist is required … <Read More>

Governor Andrew Cuomo Limits Activities to Essential Businesses, Small Businesses Feeling Impact

March 31, 2020

Governor Cuomo further encouraging New Yorkers to telecommute and stay home. On March 18, 2020, the Empire State Development Corporation issued guidance for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order Number 202.6, which requires that to the maximum extent possible, all businesses and not-for profit entities throughout the state utilize work from home and telecommuting procedures. This executive order comes as an update to Executive Order 202, which, on March 7, 2020, declared a state of … <Read More>

Coronavirus Puts Halt to Land Use Review Process

March 18, 2020

The executive order freezes land use applications so public meetings do not need to occur. On March 16, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Emergency Executive Order #100, which laid out several steps of the City’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. In the interest of limiting public gatherings to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Emergency Executive Order #100 freezes land use applications that have a timed review or vote requirement. This includes applications within … <Read More>

Landmarks Awards Five Grants to Repair Protected Properties

February 4, 2020

Recipients in all five boroughs received anywhere from $10,000 to $35,000 to restore, repair or rehabilitate the facades of their buildings. On January 16, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) awarded five grants to low and moderate-income homeowners and nonprofits to offset the cost of repairs to their landmarked properties as part of the Historic Preservation Grant Program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant … <Read More>

Subway Trains, Injuries, Tort Claims and Defenses

January 13, 2020

Early tort law was heavily weighted towards injuries that involved train accidents. Here in the New York City metropolitan region with its huge dependence on rail transport, the older typical nineteenth century tort claims and defenses continue for injuries caused by subways, commuter lines and train equipment.