Eleven workers are still missing after an oil rig, named the Deepwater Horizon, exploded, caught fire, and sank 36 hours later off the coast of Louisiana.  Coast Guard crews searched for the workers over a 1,940-square-mile search area by air twelve times and by boat five times.  Seventeen workers have been brought to shore, suffering from burns, broken legs and smoke inhalation, while four of them were critically injured.  About 100 others who were not hurt had made it to a supply boat after the explosion. The 400-by-250-foot rig (about twice the size of a football field) is owned by Transocean Ltd. and was under contract to BP.  A lawsuit was filed shortly after the blast, claiming the companies were negligent. Since 2001, there have been 69 offshore deaths, 1,349 injuries and 858 fires and explosions in the Gulf, according to the federal Minerals Management Service. On average, offshore oil workers earn between $40,000 to $60,000 a year.  Joe Hurt, regional vice president for the International Association of Drilling Contractors has stated that, “Working on offshore oil rigs is a dangerous job, but has become safer in recent years thanks to improved training, safety systems and maintenance”. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36683314

Tragedies such as the one occurring off the coast of Louisiana are unexpected but the security of your loved ones and the property you own can be protected by a Last Will and Testament.  According to New York Surrogate’s Courts, a valid will can transfer an interest in both personal property (e.g. bank accounts, furniture, stocks, and clothing) and real property (such as real estate).  A will also allows a person to name an individual to serve as an executor of the estate and guardian over the children.  Moreover, a will can provide protection for family members (for example, trusts for adult incompetent children).
See: http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/surrogates/faqs.shtml#q3

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC lawyers have extensive experience handling probate and estate matters.  Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC guardianship, surrogate, testate and intestate representation extends to clients throughout Long Island, the New York Metropolitan area. For more information or a free consultation, contact Leeds, Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658.

CNN Reports the lights on Broadway in New York City were dimmed Thursday, March 19, to honor the life of famed actress Natasha Richardson. Richardson’s most prominent New York appearance came over a decade ago in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of “Cabaret,” for which Richardson won a 1998 Tony award for Best Actress. Richardson died in Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City after suffering a brain injury while skiing at a resort in Quebec, Canada.

According to the Canadian ambulance service director, paramedics who were dispatched to the ski slope shortly after her fall were turned away before they could check on Richardson. Shortly thereafter, Richardson returned to her hotel accompanied by her ski instructor, but started feeling poorly about an hour after the fall. Richardson was taken to a local hospital in Canada before she was transferred to Hospital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal. Richardson died in New York City from what the medical examiner’s office ruled an accidental death caused by “epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head.” Read the rest of this entry »

Leeds Morelli  & Brown: Legal Blog

Prominent financier Bernard L. Madoff has been accused of orchestrating what may be the largest Ponzi scheme in history.  Operating under the guise of a Hedge Fund, Madoff ran a classic Ponzi scheme, which involved paying off earlier investors with money from new investors.  Due to markets declining, the scheme unraveled after many investors who lost money elsewhere sought to withdraw money from their investments with Madoff.  The scheme, which allegedly ran for over a decade, is estimated to be a $50 billion loss.  High profile clients of Madoff include Steven Spielberg, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, real estate magnate Mortimer Zuckerman, owners of the New York Mets, a former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles and the chairman of GMAC.  Read the rest of this entry »