Andrea M. Alonso

Andrea M. Alonso

December 02, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Spoliation Sanctions

Andrea M. Alonso and Kevin G. Faley use case law to discuss the issue of spoliation—“an issue that courts have long struggled with.”

By Andrea M. Alonso and Kevin G. Faley

11 minute read

November 21, 2024 | New York Law Journal

The Definition of Special Employment

The author states "An employee’s right to compensation under New York’s Workers’ Compensation law is the sole remedy available against their employer for work-related injuries. An employee may have more than one employer for purposes of workers' compensation – a general employer and a special employer. The general employer is the employee’s primary employer and is responsible for hiring and providing wages and benefits."

By Kevin G. Faley and Andrea M. Alonso

10 minute read

September 30, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Serious Injuries Update

Using case law, the authors discuss the requirements bringing a lawsuit under Insurance Law §5102(d).

By Kenneth E. Pitcoff and Andrea M. Alonso

19 minute read

September 16, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Labor Law §240(1): What is a Permanent Staircase?

When an injury occurs on or as a result of a permanent staircase, there is a marked split in the case law of the First and Second Appellate Departments, who have reached starkly different conclusions on the issue of whether a permanent stairway is an elevated work platform or safety device protected under §240(1).

By Kevin G. Faley and Andrea M. Alonso

7 minute read

August 16, 2024 | New York Law Journal

Dram Shop Liability Involving Intentional and Criminal Acts

While often involving negligent actors, liability under the Dram Shop Act can extend to intentional, and even criminal, acts. The most critical factor in establishing Dram Shop liability in these instances is establishing a reasonable or practical causal connection between the act and the intoxication.

By Robert S. Whitbeck and Andrea M. Alonso

5 minute read

September 14, 2023 | New York Law Journal

The Espinal Doctrine

The Espinal doctrine is a useful tool for defendants to limit their liability to third parties. Here, Kevin Faley and Andrea Alonso discuss cases that demonstrate the Espinal exceptions and how the courts interpret this doctrine.

By Kevin G. Faley and Andrea M. Alonso

9 minute read

August 30, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Governmental Liability for Maintenance of Parks

This article addresses how recent cases have shown that the courts may be eroding the strict interpretation of governmental liability in government-owned parks.

By Kenneth E. Pitcoff and Andrea M. Alonso

9 minute read

August 21, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Video Evidence and the Emergency Doctrine

This article discusses the courts' increasing reliance on video surveillance for deciding motions, especially for those where the emergency doctrine was raised, and details several cases where video surveillance was used as key evidence.

By Andrea M. Alonso and Kevin G. Faley

8 minute read

August 07, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Collateral Estoppel and Its Effect on Workers' Compensation Decisions

A discussion of Section 118-A of the Worker's Compensation law which went into effect on Dec. 30, 2022 and eliminates the collateral estoppel effect of a Workers' Compensation board decision in any other action involving the same subject matter that has a prior determination from an administrative board.

By Kevin G. Faley and Andrea M. Alonso

8 minute read

July 18, 2023 | New York Law Journal

The Expansion of Prior Written Notice Protection

The protection afforded to municipalities by prior written notice statutes continues to grow. It is clear from recent court rulings, discussed in this article, that expansion of this governmental immunity is the judicial trend.

By Kenneth E. Pitcoff and Andrea M. Alonso

9 minute read