We hope everyone is safe and healthy. As everyone knows, the spread of coronavirus in New York and Long Island has created challenges for all New Yorkers, and New York businesses. As Long Island begins to reopen, the NYS Court system is also slowly reopening. Our office continues to be operational with staff either working in the office or at home. If you need to get in touch with any attorney, paralegal or clerk in the office, please contact us via phone or e-mail as you normally would.
We continue to ask that no clients stop in without an appointment in order to minimize the risk of any virus spread to our staff or our clients. Further, please do not come in to the office if you are experiencing any viral symptoms, recently traveled to an area where coronavirus is present, recently returned from abroad or a state on the quarantine list or if you have been advised to quarantine or isolate.
For all matters where a personal appearance would normally be necessary, please follow these instructions:
1. Depositions & Hearings
If you have a hearing or deposition scheduled it will likely proceed via video conference. We will do our best to promptly reschedule any deposition or hearing in the event it is adjourned. Please call our office two days before your scheduled date to check if your matter has been adjourned.
2. Physical Examinations (IME)
No-Fault Physical Examinations: If you are scheduled to appear for a No-Fault examination, the examining doctor’s office should be contacted the day before to confirm the appointment. The contact information is found in the letter notifying you of the examination. Please also call the doctor’s office on the day of the examination before you leave your home to re-confirm the appointment.
Defense Physical Examination: If you have a physical examination with a defense doctor, sometimes referred to as a defense physical/independent examination, please call our office to ensure the exam will be taking place. Call the day before, as well as the day of the scheduled exam, to ensure your appearance is necessary.
3. Court Appearances
In-person court appearances have been put on hold for the majority of cases, with proceedings being held via video conference. Additionally, court calendar conferences are limited, with the Courts selecting only a handful of cases to hear each day. If you do not hear from our office before any scheduled Court date, please contact us the day before for further instructions.
4. Mediations & Arbitrations
If you have a mediation or arbitration scheduled at a private mediation company, it is likely this mediation will proceed as scheduled, either in-person or via teleconference capabilities. Please contact our office two days before to confirm any scheduled arbitration or mediation.
