Fatal Accident at Tortilleria Chinantla-Tortilla Factory
Jan 01, 2012
OUTCOME: Settlements with OSHA, Attorney General, Worker's Compensation, Department of Labor
The Portela Law Firm, P.C. and Manuel Portela sucessfully represented Tortilleria Chinantla before various administrative agencies including Worker's Compensation, Department of Labor, Occupation, Safe...ty and Health Administration as well as the King's County Criminal Court regarding Worker's Compensation charges brought by the Attorney General's Office.
Civil rights
Angelic Grau v. City of New York, New York City Police Department and Hector Ariza
Nov 04, 2008
OUTCOME: Dismissal of Criminal Case & Settlement $200,000
This incident occurred on June 5, 1996, at approximately 10:40 a.m. on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn, New York after Angelica Grau drove her husband to a bank. While he exited the car, an ambulance parked... next to Ms. Grau, preventing her from pulling out. Police Officer Hector Ariza was ticketing cars in the area. Ms. Grau said that he banged on her car and ordered her to move the vehicle and an argument ensued when she tried to explain that she was blocked by the ambulence. When Ms. Grau's husband approached, Officer Ariza pushed him causing him to fall back. As Ms. Grau tried to get out of her car, her door came into contact with the officer's leg and bicycle. She claimed that Officer Ariza then slammed the door on her left hand and pulled her from the car by her hair and body, threw her up against the rear of the car and handcuffed her. When a patrol car arrived at the scene, Officer Ariza pushed her toward it, causing her to land partially on the ground and partially in the patrol car. She was arrested on assault charges. She suffered an angina attack while in the holding cell and was transported to the hospital. She remained in custody until June 13, 1996 when she was released on her own recognizance. Angelica Grau was represented by Manuel Portela. The criminal charges were dismissed after two court appearances.
Angelica Grau by her attorney Manuel Portela sued the City of New York, The New York CIty Police Department and Police Officer Hector Ariza. During the Civil litigation it came to light that Officer Ariza had 24 cases filed against him, 14 involved force. In addition, he had probations and suspensions. He had a negative evvaluationf for low performance and had been in the Performance Monitoring Program from 1992 until this incident. Officer Ariza was discharged from the New York CIty Police force.
Injuries: Angina attack. The defendants argued that Ms. Grau's injuries were not permanent.
Personal injury
Luis Rosas v. Calvin Jerome Brown
N/A
OUTCOME: Settlement of policy limit, 25k
Defendant Calvin Jerome Brown drove a 1991 Nissan Pathfinder struck a 1991 Nissan after losing control of his vehicle. Brown was arrested for DWI. The defendant was charged with driving with no insur...ance and Driving while intoxicated.
Commercial real estate
The Portela Law Firm, P.C. Stops restaurant in Woodside, Queens from eviction.
N/A
OUTCOME: CEASE EVICTION OF CLIENT, A COMMERCIAL TENANT
Press Release, PR Department, New York, August 28, 2013. The Portela Law Firm, P.C. successfully negotiated an affordable rent repayment plan for a Queens based restaurant stopping the eviction of the ...client. In addition, the attorneys entered into a stipulation wherein the landlord agreed to contribute toward the costs involved in securing a liquor license for the restaurant.
The restaurant owner (A.L.) signed a commercial lease with the intention of using the premises as a restaurant with a full bar. Prior to signing the lease, the Landlord (LL) failed to notify A.L. that the property had a certificate of occupancy for retail/wholesale that would keep a liquor license from being granted by the New York State Liquor Authority.
A.L., unaware of the type of certificate of occupancy the property had, applied for a liquor license and was denied. A.L. was at a loss for words when she received her denial letter. She invested her life savings into this restaurant, and she was about to lose it all.
A.L. tried to make ends meet without selling alcoholic beverages at the restaurant, but quickly fell behind on the rent. Before she realized the potential consequences of not securing a liquor license, she was 6 months behind and was holding a non-payment petition for $18,000 from the landlord.
A.L. decided to seek legal advice and came to The Portela Law Firm, P.C. for assistance. The Portela Law Firm, P.C. advised her of the seriousness of her matter and that swift action needed to be taken in order to protect her interests.
She retained the services of The Portela Law Firm, P.C., and the firm filed an answer the very next day denying all of the allegations. The Portela Law Firm, P.C. also began intense negotiations with the LL’s attorney that same day.
After days of negotiations and a day in court, The Portela Law Firm, P.C. was able to come to a favorable agreement with the LL. A.L. was not evicted from the premises and was able to continue running her restaurant. The Portela Law Firm, P.C. was able to persuade the LL to allow A.L. to pay her arrears in installments instead of a lump sum and also convinced the LL to split the costs ($20,000) of obtaining the proper certificate of occupancy for a bar on the premises.
A.L. was very satisfied with the work of The Portela Law Firm, P.C. and is currently making the necessary adjustments to the premises to obtain a liquor license.
Criminal defense
Cargos por Delitos Graves en Contra del Dueño de Tortilla Factory Reducidos a un Delito Menor
N/A
OUTCOME: Reducion de cargos felonias a delito menor
El bufete de abogados Portela Law Firm, P.C. convence a la Oficina del Fiscal General del Estado de Nueva York a desestimar todos los cargos por delitos graves en contra del prominente multimillonario ...dueño de Tortilla Factory.
