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Back on August 1, 2005, NYPD officer Maureen Cerati, was horribly injured by a hit-and-run driver. Just before 3 a.m. Cerati was working on a crash scene on the Belt Parkway, where the DWI, Oscar Berrios, had flipped his car, killing one of his passengers. While working on this incident, ex-con Deirk Keitt drove by, slamming into Cerati, and dragging her over 100 feet along the parkway. She suffered multiple injuries, some very serious.
A precedent was set when the state Appellate Division ruled that Cerati can sue both Berrios and Keitt. The NYPD officer was thrilled with the decision saying, “Officers are often told, ‘It’s all in a day’s work.’ It’s very gratifying to see that if officers are hurt in the life of duty they will be taken care of by the authorities.”
The civil suit against Keitt was settled, but Berrios did not believe that he was responsible because his car never touched the cop. Under the existing law, Cerati’s law suit against Berrios would have been tossed, but this appeals decision means that it won’t likely happen. Cerati’s lawyer, Joseph Decolator says that anyone whose negligent or criminal acts bring a police officer to the scene is equally liable with the person who directly caused the inuries. This landmark court ruling gives cops more leeway over who they can sue for on-the-job injuries.
Stephen Bilkis & Associates with its injury lawyers, has convenient locations throughout the New York Metropolitan area including New Dorp, NY. Our Personal Injury attorneys can provide you with advice to guide you in situations where an injury resulted because of anothers negligence. Without a New York injury attorney you may not preserve your precious rights that may cost you dearly in the future. At Stephen Bilkis and Associates we are happy to provide a Criminal Lawyer in your Injury Law Case if that is something that is appropriate.
Stephen Bilkis & Associates with its NY Injury Lawyers, has convenient locations throughout the NY Metropolitan area including Whitestone, NY. Our Personal Injury Attorneys can provide you with advice to guide you through situations where an injury resulted because of another’s negligence. Without a New York Injury Attorney you may lose your rights which may cost you a great deal of money.
In addition to Injury Law Stephen Bilkis and Associates has access to many fine Criminal Lawyers who will be glad to help you.