Middletown, New York

The City of Middletown is located in Orange County and has a population of about 30,345 as of the last US Census in 2020. The city was settled in 1744. In the early 20th century, there were a substantial number of factories in Middletown, including furniture, shoe, and lawnmower blade companies. However, most of those factories were closed by the 1960s.

Middletown is known for the Orange County Fair each summer, and there are two large shopping malls, including the Galleria at Crystal Run. Another attraction is the historic Paramount Theater, host to concerts, lectures, films and exhibits, built in the Art Deco style in the 1930s. The Paramount is a twin to the Paramount Theater in Peekskill, New York, and in 2002 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Many NYC firefighters and police officers have moved to Middletown over the years to buy cheaper homes and live a more suburban lifestyle.

Just like any community, Middletown sees triumphs as well as tragedies such as car accidents and criminal actions. If you have been injured or are being accused of a crime, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney who can help protect you from harsh penalties or who can secure the compensation you deserve. If you need a criminal defense or personal injury lawyer, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel for a free consultation.

How Much Could My Personal Injury Claim in Middletown Be Worth?

If you were injured and your injuries were caused by the intentional actions or recklessness of a business, organization, or person, you may have a personal injury claim and may be able to seek compensation for your losses. One of the most common questions we get at The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel is “how much is my case worth?” Potential clients want to know whether it is worth it to pursue a claim. Every case is different, but how much you can secure will depend on several factors, including:

• The severity of your injuries. Injuries that require extensive medical treatment, surgery, or long-term care tend to lead to higher compensation amounts. For example, if you suffer a soft tissue injury after a car accident, your claim might be worth less than if you had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or amputation, which typically requires more treatment and has a longer-lasting impact on your life.
• The pain and suffering you endure because of your injuries. This compensation refers to the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury and the subsequent recovery process. In New York, pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages, which means they are not easily quantified like medical bills or lost wages. Your lawyer will accurately determine how much you should be able to secure for pain and suffering. In general, courts and insurance companies will often consider the severity of the injury, how long it will take to recover, and whether the injury leads to long-term or permanent disability. For instance, someone who suffers from PTSD or chronic pain following a car accident might receive significantly more in pain and suffering damages than someone who makes a full recovery within a few months.

• Your medical expenses. The total cost of your medical bills, including hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and future medical care, plays a significant role in determining the worth of your claim. In New York, personal injury victims can seek compensation for both current and future medical expenses.
• How much you have lost in wages and loss of earning capacity. If your injury limits your ability to earn a living, you can seek compensation for lost wages. In New York, you can also seek compensation for future loss of earnings if your injuries will continue to impact your ability to work or your earnings capacity. How much you can secure in wage loss will depend on how much time you have had to lose because of your injury and how much you were earning before the injury. A person who cannot return to their high-paying job after a serious accident will have a higher claim value than someone who can resume their regular work without issue.
• How much you contributed to your injuries (if at all).  New York follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that the compensation you are awarded can be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you were in a car accident and it is determined that you were speeding at the time of the crash, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of fault you hold.
• Your insurance. In some situations, such as in a traffic accident or an injury on a property, insurance policies such as car accident coverage or homeowners’ insurance policies can be one way you can secure compensation. However, if the at-fault party has a limited insurance policy, you may be unable to recover more than the policy’s maximum limit, regardless of the severity of your injuries. If your injuries exceed the at-fault party’s insurance limits, you might need to pursue additional avenues—such as seeking an underinsured motorist claim through your own insurance policy after a car accident—to recover more damages.
• Any pre-existing conditions you may have. The defendant may argue that your injuries were caused by a pre-existing condition or were not as severe as you claim. However, even if you have a pre-existing condition, you can still be compensated for the aggravation of that condition. An experienced attorney can make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
• The specifics of your case. After a serious injury, you may need help around the house, and the costs of this can be significant if you have a large family. If you were in a car accident, you may need to replace your car if it was damaged.

If you would like to know how much you may be able to secure after an injury or want to know whether you even have a claim, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel for a free consultation. Our team can answer your questions and review what you may be able to do to secure fair compensation.

Mistakes to Avoid in Both Criminal and Injury Cases

Whether you’ve been accused of a crime or injured in an accident, it’s important to start protecting your rights immediately. Some small mistakes you make can severely impact your case and can make it more challenging to get the outcome you want. Here are the most common mistakes you’ll want to avoid:

• Waiting too long to act. In criminal cases, waiting too long to contact a defense attorney could lead to missed opportunities for defense, while in personal injury cases, statutes of limitations may bar you from seeking compensation if you wait too long to file a claim. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your situation and learn about your options. Early intervention allows for better preparation and increases your chances of a favorable outcome.
• Not being transparent with your attorney. It can be difficult to talk about a traumatic injury or a serious incident where you were charged with a crime, but be honest and open, sharing every detail of your situation. Answer your attorney’s questions as fully as you can. If you hide details or fail to provide all relevant information, your lawyer might not be able to defend you properly or build the best case possible. Keep in mind that what you say is protected and your lawyer is always there to help you.
• Talking to others about your case. Avoid posting to social media or talking to friends and family about your case, since anything you share could be used against you. Always only discuss your situation with your attorney.

Contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel

The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel specializes in personal injury and criminal law, and we pride ourselves on providing personalized, hands-on attention to each of our clients. From the moment the client enters our White Plains, New York offices, through the conclusion of their case by trial, mediation, arbitration or other resolution, our clients are fully apprised of the status of their cases at all times. We offer a free initial consultation to all clients, and are accessible through our two websites, injurylawny.com and dwilawnewyork.com, three blogs, and by fax, e-mail.

Contact our office at (914) 428-7386 to schedule an appointment for your free consultation or visit our websites at www.injurylawny.com or www.dwilawnewyork.com. Directions can be accessed by clicking here.