Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Cellino & Barnes Launces New Website

New York Personal Injury law firm Cellino & Barnes has launched a new public website, focused on bringing New York residents enhanced information and tools for Personal Injury services.

The firm has placed significant emphasis on the service components of the website, which gives visitors more than just sales messaging.

“The main goal with the new website was increasing our service to New York residents,” says Ross Cellino. “We have always prided ourselves on being at the forefront of technology, and the new site truly showcases our commitment to giving New York residents the information they need, when they need it.”

The content of the website wraps around a search feature. This search feature is unique in that is provides video and text results based on an injury victims search query. The results include, not only text based information, but video as well.

Read More.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Cellino & Barnes Appear on Cover of UB's Philanthropy Magazine

Buffalo personal injury law firm Cellino & Barnes has presented the University at Buffalo School of Law with a $1 million unrestricted donation. In response, UB Law Philanthropy selected firm attorneys Ross Cellino and Steve Barnes for a cover story in the magazine's Fall 2009 issue. According to the article, the $1 million gift from Buffalo lawyers Cellino and Barnes is one of the largest cash gifts the law school has ever received.


Read more.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Truck Accident Victims Receive $3.25 Million

Cellino & Barnes – Trial Attorney Michael J. Cooper

Our clients were on the job working as City Garbage Collectors, when their vehicle was t-boned by a truck that ran a red light.

As a result of this truck accident, our clients suffered injuries to their back, knee, neck and head. Both clients underwent spinal fusion surgeries.

Attorney Michael Cooper prepared the cases for trial and hired some of the best experts in the country, including accident reconstruction experts. As a result of his thorough preparation, the insurance companies, on the eve of trial, finally agreed to his settlement demand of $1.75 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

“Michael Cooper’s thorough preparation and determination to proceed to trial was a key to the outcome of this case,” stated Ross Cellino.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Jury Awards Paxil Victim $2.5 Million

A jury found that Paxil caused heart problems and other birth defects when used by a pregnant mother. The maker has to pay $2.5 million for not warning about the side effect.

Read more.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Cellino and Barnes Community Scholarship $125,000 Milestone

Buffalo Law Firm Cellino and Barnes has announced that their Community Scholarship program has reached a milestone of awarding over $125,000 in classroom scholarships.

The program awards local elementary school classrooms a “scholarship” that can be used for school supplies, projects, and educational materials. The firm awards 10 scholarships each week to applicants that enter online through the Cellino and Barnes website.

Read more.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Buffalo law firm Cellino & Barnes Ranked #1 by Best Lawyers® in Personal Injury Litigation

Cellino & Barnes is proud to announce that 6 of its Buffalo attorneys are listed in the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America.

Attorneys Richard J. Barnes and John C. Murrett, Jr. join Stephen E. Barnes, Brian A. Goldstein, Gerald W. Schaffer, Jr. and Robert J. Schreck in what is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.

The Best Lawyers in America has ranked Cellino & Barnes #1 in Buffalo, NY in Personal Injury Litigation with 6 attorneys.

Read more.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Ross Cellino Discusses Impact of Teen Driving Legislation

Attorney, Ross Cellino, who works in both the Rochester and Buffalo offices, weighs the impact of the New York State Senate legislation that will toughen teen driving laws. Not only will it be illegal for drivers of all ages to text message while driving, but the bill further requires that a learner's permit must be held for at least 6 months before a junior license can be obtained. In addition, if there is no adult in the vehicle with a junior driver, the number of non-family members allowed in the vehicle will be reduced to one.

Rochester, NY residents may find the news timely and encouraging. Many have been affected by the recent news involving three Rochester teens killed in car accidents, as well as the five area teens killed last year as a result of texting while driving. Parents often worry about the safety of their young adults, particularly when they are driving with their friends.

Read more

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Cellino and Barnes Attorneys Selected for 2009 New York Super Lawyers

Buffalo lawyers of Cellino and Barnes have been honored with selection into the 2009 edition of New York Super Lawyers, as well as a Rochester attorney. The honored lawyers include buffalo lawyers Richard Barnes, Denis Bastible, Stephen Ciocca, and David Goodman, and Rochester attorney, Richard Amico.

Super Lawyers is comprised of outstanding lawyers recognized by their peers for professional achievements. Each lawyer must undergo a statewide nomination process, review of resumes and peer evaluation by practice area. Only 5% of lawyers in Upstate New York are named to the list. Cellino and Barnes' buffalo lawyers are available through http://www.cellinoandbarnes.com/Home/Buffalo.aspx.

"Cellino & Barnes is comprised of many outstanding lawyers," stated Ross Cellino. "We are proud that several of our attorneys have been highly recognized."

Read More

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Long Island Accident Claims 3 Lives

Via WCBSTV.com

Aug. 3, 2009. Three people died in a Long Island car crash overnight on Wantagh State Parkway.

A car traveling on relatively quiet stretch of highway veered off the roadway and struck a tree. Three people in the car were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth passenger was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in critical but stable condition.

State police are still investigating the fatal accident but believe speed was a factor.

Niagara Falls Teen Killed in Car Crash

Via NiagaraFallsView.ca

Aug. 3, 2009. A Niagara Falls teen was killed and three others were injured after the vehicle they were traveling in veered off the road and collided with a concrete water intake.

Police said the car accident happened when the driver of the car lost control of his vehicle, became airborne and hit the water intake, before becoming partially submerged in the Niagara River.

The driver was charged with dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

New York State - New Teen Driving Laws

The New York State Senate recently passed legislation that will toughen teen driving laws.

Not only will it be illegal for drivers of all ages to text message while driving, but the bill further requires that a learner’s permit be held for at least 6 months before a junior license can be obtained. In addition, if there is no adult in the vehicle with a junior driver, the number of non-family members allowed in the vehicle is reduced to one.

Many of us have been affected by the recent news involving three area teens killed in car accidents, as well as the five area teens killed last year as a result of texting while driving. As parents, we often worry about the safety of our young adults, particularly when they are driving with their friends.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute, in 2007, New York State reported 236 fatalities involving teen drivers. They also found that two-thirds of fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers were in cars with teen passengers.

“It is encouraging that New York State is doing something to try to prevent teenage driver fatalities,” states attorney Ross Cellino.

If Governor Paterson signs this bill, the text messaging ban will take effect on November 1, 2009 and will ban both text messaging and transmission of e-mails while driving. Drivers are still permitted to use hands-free devices to talk while driving.

Rochester Man Airlifted After Collision

Via NewYorkInjuryNews.com

July 31, 2009 - A Rochester man, while driving his pickup truck, jumped the median and collided with a minivan on Macedon Center Road in the Town of Perinton.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 32-year-old Rochester man, suffered serious injuries to his chest and arms. He was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital.

The driver of the minivan, a 47-year-old woman from Macedon, suffered minor injuries in the auto accident and was transported via ambulance to Strong Hospital.

Police continue to investigate the accident.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Lockport Woman in Serious Condition – Texting While Driving Accident

Via NewYorkInjuryNews.com

Aug 3, 2009 - This auto accident involved three people who were injured when the driver of a tow truck struck a car at an intersection. The tow truck driver hit the back of the vehicle causing it to swerve out of control and crash through a resident’s backyard fence.

The car and motorcycle on the back of the tow truck flew off, damaging a residential home, destroying the air conditioning unit and house’s gas lines, ultimately landing in a swimming pool.

The woman driving the car was transported to ECMC via helicopter for her serious injuries. An 8-year-old passenger was taken to Women and Children’s Hospital for her injuries. Their car was totaled.

Truck driver has been charged with talking on a mobile phone [while driving], following too closely, and reckless driving. He was talking and texting while driving on two separate mobile phones at the same time.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Motorcycle Season is Here

Many bikers take precautions to avoid accidents, but even when all safety precautions have been made, other driver's make mistakes that cause serious injuries.

At Cellino & Barnes, we understand there is no way to completely eliminate the risk, even for the most skilled bikers. Please stay alert and ride defensively. Read more.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Dangerous of Texting While Driving.

In 2007, five New York high school cheerleaders were killed, when the driver was texting and crossed the center line crashing into an oncoming vehicle. The problem continues to grow. In fact, reports indicate that nearly 50 percent of teenagers admit to texting while driving. Read more.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Ellen Sturm Joins Cellino & Barnes

Ellen B. Sturm has joined the personal injury law firm of Cellino & Barnes. She will focus her practice on personal injury litigation and appellate matters.

Ms. Sturm graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University at Buffalo Law School in 2001, where she received the John N. Bennett Achievement Award, which honors the senior with the highest academic standing in the graduating class.

Ms. Sturm was most recently associated with the firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP in Wilmington, Delaware. From 2003 to 2006, she served as Confidential Law Clerk to the Hon. Eugene F. Pigott, Jr. who was then the Presiding Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department.

Ms. Sturm is admitted to practice law in the states of New York, Delaware and Florida. She will be located in our Buffalo, New York office and can be reached at 716-854-2020.