Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick's Blog

Victims of Boy Scout abuse will soon have a voice

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

Its image as a safe and wholesome refuge for boys now shattered, the Boy Scouts of America may soon be held accountable for sexual abuse within its ranks. Shocking numbers have come to light concerning the extent of the abuse.

The organization has long been plagued by accusations of sexual abuse against troop leaders and other adults. Previous investigations have revealed tens of thousands of pages in internal documents, dubbed the “perversion files,” that evidence a widespread pattern of abuse going back decades. And now it appears that the abuse took place on a much larger scale than previously thought.

Child Victims Act will shed light on abuse by NY Catholic priests

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Monday, April 1, 2019.

As discussed in a previous blog post, New York survivors of childhood sexual abuse will have an extended deadline - changed from age 23 to age 55 - to bring civil lawsuits against both the perpetrator and the organizations that harbored them. The law also opens a one-time, one-year window for those whose claims would otherwise be time-barred.

While the new act applies to all organizations, not just the Catholic Church, those familiar with the church sex scandal believe that this new act – along with a confluence of events listed below - could mean that the bulk of cases taking advantage of the one-year window will be focused on the Catholic Church.

One-year window for victims of sexual abuse in NY to seek justice

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.

With the Child Victims Act now signed into law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse will have an opportunity to seek justice against their abusers and the organizations that harbored them. It’s a victory that’s nonetheless bittersweet, as it means that more light will be shed on horrific instances of abuse across New York.

Previously, child victims only had until age 23 to sue perpetrators of sexual abuse. Yet for survivors of childhood sexual abuse—many of whom don’t come forward until adulthood, if at all—there is no statute of limitations on the suffering. It lasts a lifetime.

3 factors increasing bicyclist safety in New York City

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Friday, January 25, 2019.

Many people assume that New York City is an unsafe place for bicyclists. While it is true that the city does have some challenges for people on bicycles, it is safer than most people realize. One thing that has increased the safety for cyclists is that the city has made great strides toward providing a good environment for them. This includes dedicated bike lanes that are gaining more miles each year.

New York City is known for aggressive drivers, but with the number of cyclists sharing the roads, these drivers have become conditioned to watch for bicycles. There are around a half million cyclists in the city each month. This is one of the biggest factors for why NYC is considered one of the safest cities for cyclists.

NYC’s first cycling fatality of 2019 renews safety push

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Friday, January 11, 2019.

With the largest bike network in the nation, Citi Bike share availability and abundance of bicycle messengers, New York could be considered a cyclist’s paradise. However, the city’s high traffic and unpredictable drivers mean it is often a highly dangerous place for those on two wheels.

This was proven again last when the city experienced its first cycling fatality of the new year. According to a January 2 piece in Metro Media, a 26-year-old cyclist was killed in traffic on Third Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist, who was riding in a painted bike lane, was doored by a parked car, causing him to fall off his bike into traffic.

Focus on visibility for safely biking in the colder months

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

Maybe you're a cycling enthusiast who enjoys participating in races. That can lead you to want to train for cycling in every season to maintain your peak fitness level and performance ability. Perhaps you work as a bike messenger or delivery person. You will still need to generate income regardless of how bad the weather becomes.

No matter what your reason is for biking during the colder months, there is no question that there are more safety concerns to address. Winter roads are often slick and slippery, which can lead to an increased risk for collisions. Beyond that, the lower levels of sunlight and shorter days during the winter months can also contribute to visibility issues and increased collision risk.

Bicycling tips for winter rides

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Monday, November 26, 2018.

While most people don't associate the winter months with bicycling, there are many people who opt to continue riding all year long. Whether you are an enthusiast or a bicycle messenger, you need to ensure that you are remaining safe throughout these cold rides.

There are several hazards that you will face during the winter in New York City that aren't present during the summer. You must do your best to adjust while continuing to use the normal precautions that are appropriate for nicer riding days.

Why New York needs a safe passing law

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

While the streets of New York are busy with various commuters, cyclists navigating the roads still have an expectation that they can ride to their destination safely. Unfortunately, New York's laws could do a much better job protecting them.

Road sharing in New York is governed by a general "safe distance" passing requirement. Any vehicle hoping to overtake a bicycle is directed to pass to the left "at a safe distance until safely thereof."

12 most dangerous places for NYC cyclists

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Friday, September 7, 2018.

Cycling in New York City is far from a walk in the park. Nearly every bike route is fraught with hazards: traffic, pedestrians, construction, congestion, to name a few. Some places, however, are more dangerous than others.

Localize Labs recently published a report on the 12 most dangerous areas in New York City for cyclists and pedestrians. On the whole, cyclists are three times more likely than average to get struck by cars in these areas.

Cyclists should take care when riding in New York City

On behalf of Christopher Seleski of Tolmage, Peskin, Harris, Falick on Monday, July 30, 2018.

Bicycling is a popular sight in New York City. Not only will you see bicycle messengers on the roads, you will also see recreational riders. Staying safe on these journeys through the city isn't easy. Not only do they have to ride in a safe manner, they also have to foresee the actions of others.

There are some things that riders can do to say safe in the Big Apple. Whether you've lived here all of your life or are just in town on vacation, make sure you remember these before you pedal away.