Cabbie Roughs You Up When Pregnant? Call a Bronx Birth Injury Attorney

It’s the duty of every driver to ensure the safety of his or her passengers through safe driving and common courtesy. One New York cabbie, however, dismissed common courtesy altogether.

CBS New York reported last February of an incident involving a woman, more than eight months pregnant, who had been forcibly pulled from a cab because she didn’t have cash; however, she offered to pay by credit card but she was told the cabbie’s credit card reader was broken. Despite her offer to stop for cash at a Brooklyn ATM, the cabbie pulled over, pulled the would-be mother out of the cab, and drove away. Surveillance cameras nearby caught the entire scene.

Despite filing a case, the New York Police Department said they couldn’t help her because she had no visible injuries, even with surveillance footage capturing every second of the violent act. However, upon detailing the cabbie’s identification, the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) agreed to investigate the matter.

Regardless of the outcome of this incident, there was clearly a victim of this unlawful act; in this case, there are two: the woman and the child. Though she had suffered no serious injuries, the woman gave birth prematurely to her child, mere days after the incident.

According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), babies born prior to the 37th week of gestation are at extremely high risk of premature birth complications. Some include:

• Respiratory issues – lungs aren’t given enough time to form, resulting in various forms of breathing difficulties.
• Not enough fat – fat supplies are lower than normal due to premature birth, which can affect a baby’s ability to stay warm.
• Anemia – red blood cell formation fails to reach the required amount of 15 grams or higher for newborns.
• Necrotizing enterocolitis – improper blood flow affects the ability to carry waste products out of the intestines, leading to infection of the bowel wall.

Yet, even when the incident is long past, Bronx birth injury attorney Joseph M. Lichtenstein says such unacceptable actions can still put newborns at risk. Under TLC regulations, the cabbie can be slapped with a fine between $350 and $1,000, suspension for 30 days, and revocation of his taxi license. Sadly, many New York cabbies, according to prior reports, are known to be rude.

If a similar case happens to you while carrying your future offspring, let it be known that a Bronx birth injury lawyer has your back. His extensive knowledge of many possible types of birth injuries can help your case against anyone who has violated your rights. After this untoward incident, it is hoped some regulations are set in place to get New York cabbies to handle their passengers with great care.

(Source: “CBS2 Exclusive: Woman Blames Premature Birth On Being Roughed Up By Cabbie,” CBS New York, February 23, 2015)