David Perecman, Lawyer for Family of Avonte Oquendo, Mentioned in “New York” Magazine
New York, New York (PRWEB) April 09, 2014 -- Attorney at Law David Perecman, the lawyer for the family of Avonte Oquendo, was mentioned and quoted in a “New York” magazine article entitled “The Boy Who Ran: The Life and Death of Avonte Oquendo.” The March 30, 2014 article was made available online on the magazine’s website. New York magazine described some of the investigation work attorney Perecman had done on behalf of the family. It also recapped the story of Avonte’s life and final days as the investigation into the events surrounding his death continued.
The article detailed the events surrounding the teen’s life and death. It described the 14-year old, his family, his autism, his schooling, school security and the community effort to find Oquendo.
Avonte Oquendo was a 14-year-old boy with autism from Queens who wandered away from his Long Island City school on October 4, 2013. Video showed he ran out of the front door of the school while the security guard was looking the other way. He was supposed to be with a group of other children, but a teacher and two paraprofessionals did not notice he was gone for 18 minutes. By the time police were notified it was nearly an hour after Oquendo ran away. Three months later Avonte’s body was found in the East River in Queens, said New York magazine (3.31.14).
More than 80 police detectives, 200 workers and hundreds of other volunteers were looking for Avonte for the three months he was missing. The mayor and police commissioner voiced resignation about Avonte before his body was found. When David Perecman called Alan Blumberg, the director of the Davidson Laboratory and one of the foremost authorities on the waters of New York, an explanation of what happened became clearer. Blumberg advised on which way the tide might have taken Avonte if he had fallen into the river near the school.
When the boy’s body was found by a photography student on the shore of the East River approximately 11 miles from the school, no foul play was suspected. The investigation could focus more on the school’s security efforts.
Answers are still being sought by Perecman who said “the story morphs,” and promised he would continue to seek the truth for the family.
“The death of a child is one of the most devastating and life-defining events a parent can experience,” said Perecman, a personal injury lawyer for more than 30 years.
The New York article was “The Boy Who Ran: The Life and Death of Avonte Oquendo.”
About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, PLLC:
For the past 30 years, the New York City lawyers at The Perecman Firm, PLLC have handled all types of New York accident cases. David Perecman, founder of the Firm, has been recognized for his achievements as an Honoree in the National Law Journal's Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine's "The Best Lawyers in America" and The New York Times Magazine "New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition" for the years 2007-2010. The prestigious U.S. News & World Report ranks The Perecman Firm among the top 20 personal injury firms in New York City for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
The Firm has recovered millions of dollars for its clients. Among the more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict** for a construction accident (Index 112370/03) Supreme Court, New York County, a $5.35 million dollar verdict*** for an automobile accident (Index 2749/04) Supreme Court, Kings County, and a $40 million dollar structured settlement for medical malpractice (Index 2146/03)****Supreme Court, Kings County.
The Perecman Firm serves Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Upstate NY, Morris County, and Rockland County.
**later settled while on appeal for $7.940 million
*** later settled for $3.5 million
**** total potential payout
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"Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome."
Penni Horwich, The Perecman Firm, +1 305-864-1539, [email protected]
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