Success Stories

BRUCE BARKET, ALEXANDER KLEIN, AND JOHN LoTURCO SETTLE LABOR LAW CASE FOR $1.25 MILLION
On the doorstep of trial in New York State Supreme Court, County of Nassau, attorneys Bruce Barket, Alexander Klein, and John LoTurco settled a Labor Law case on behalf of an injured worker on a construction site for $1.25 million.

The case involved a construction accident in which the plaintiff, Peter Goldsmith, fell through an unguarded opening in the floor created for purposes of a stairwell, fell down eleven feet, and crashed into the basement in an otherwise empty construction project without cell phone service to reach friends, family, or 911 for help. As the extraordinary pain washed over him and he felt the imminence of losing consciousness, Peter did the only thing he could think of: he started the timer on his cell phone, so that once he was eventually found at least that person would know how long he had been there.

Fortunately, Peter avoided the worst possible outcomes—merely shattering his femur and suffering other lower body fractures—and he brought a lawsuit in State court against the owner of the premises, the general contractor, and other subcontractors whom he claimed were responsible for the accident.

On the eve of opening statements, with the majority of jury selection concluded, the parties reached a global settlement to resolve the action for $1.25 million.
Largest Sexual Abuse Verdict Of Its Kind In New York State History
Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco today announced that Supreme Court, Nassau County, has awarded more than $218 million to a client who was sexually abused by her stepfather over a period of several years. This case is believed to be the largest sexual abuse verdict of its kind in New York State history.

The award followed an inquest concerning the client’s claims. Based on a conservative estimate of weekly abuse occurring over the duration of the abuse, the conduct occurred approximately 250 times. In advocating for his client, Alexander Klein urged the court to recognize each incident as an individual tragedy rather than allowing the repeated nature of the abuse to reduce the significance of any single act.

The award is intended to compensate the survivor for the extensive harm resulting from the abuse, including the physical, emotional, and psychological injuries she endured, as well as to award punitive damages against the defendant. To protect her privacy, the survivor’s name and identifying information have not been disclosed.
Alexander Klien and the Civil Rights Group Represented A Military Veteran in Successful Result
We represent a military veteran and local attorney in a false arrest case against Nassau County, who had arrested him for conduct related to marital proceedings that we alleged did not constitute a crime. We settled the matter for $220,000.
Alexander Klien and the Civil Rights Group Secure Settlement for Incarcerated Individual
We represent an incarcerated individual who had engaged in a sexual relationship with a chaplain inside a state prison. Because prisoners are deemed to lack the capacity to consent to sexual activity under those circumstances, the chaplain was indicted and we brought a claim on R.A.'s behalf for sexual abuse against the State. The State vigorously defended the case, claiming, among other things, a lack of notice of the chaplain's propensity for engaging in such conduct. After engaging in extensive discovery and deposing the chaplain, we settled the matter for $270,000.
Alexander Klien and the Civil Rights Group Secure Settlement in Police Brutality Case
We represent a man who crashed his car after engaging in a high-speed chase away from the Suffolk County Police. After the chase ended and he relented, the responding officers engaged in what we alleged was a vindictive and brutal assault by the side of the road that left his face in a pool of his own blood. Subject to approval by the Suffolk County Legislature, the parties have settled the matter for $457,500.
John LoTurco Secures Dismissal of Charges; Client Never Appears in Court
Our partner, John LoTurco, secured a dismissal of Burglary charges without our client, “Steven,” ever having to appear in court.
Steven, a teacher in New York, was detained at Newark Airport in March 2026 pursuant to a Suffolk County arrest warrant related to a 2024 charge of Burglary in the Third Degree. His family contacted Mr. LoTurco on Sunday, March 29th at approximately 10:00 p.m., and he immediately recognized the urgency of the situation.
At the time of his detention, Steven was en route to Italy with his girlfriend, intending to propose. Instead, he was taken into custody and transported to the Essex County Jail, where he faced imminent extradition to New York on the outstanding warrant. The extradition hearing was scheduled just two days after his detention.
In the interim, Mr. LoTurco obtained compelling documentation from Steven’s family establishing that Steven was the victim of identity theft and had not been in Suffolk County for over a decade. He promptly provided this information to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, which agreed to vacate the arrest warrant, thereby terminating the extradition proceedings in New Jersey.
Remarkably, within four days of Steven’s detention, Mr. LoTurco further persuaded the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office to dismiss all charges in Suffolk County Court. Steven’s appearance was fully waived by both the Court and the District Attorney’s Office.
Although Steven endured three days in custody in New Jersey, he was deeply grateful that the matter was resolved so swiftly, sparing him a prolonged incarceration pending extradition. Steven is now actively pursuing civil remedies arising from his wrongful arrest and detention, including claims for damages related to his incarceration, legal expenses, and the significant mental anguish he suffered as a result of this incident.
John LoTurco Secures Dismissal for Client, Assisted by Gina Zamora
On January 13, 2026, the day trial was scheduled to commence at the Suffolk County First District Court, firm partner John LoTurco secured a dismissal on behalf of our client, who had been charged with Harassment in the Second Degree and Stalking. The complainants were our client’s former fiancé and his current fiancée.
Mr. LoTurco demonstrated to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office that the matter was not trial-worthy, as the allegations arose from a long-standing and highly contentious history between the parties, marked by repeated and reciprocal police reports. On the eve of trial, Mr. LoTurco conducted an exhaustive review of the evidence with the two assigned prosecutors and their supervisor, establishing that the complainants had engaged in a prolonged campaign of abusive emails and text messages directed at our client. These communications reflected numerous instances of intentional emotional distress.
One particularly egregious example involved the desecration of our client’s mother’s headstone. The complainants left a card addressed to our client on the grave, mocking her inability to have children, along with baby bottles and toys deliberately placed to further antagonize and emotionally harm her.
Complicating the case was the fact that our client’s former fiancé is a retired NYPD officer who leveraged his status and influence to have our client arrested while preventing charges from being pursued against himself and his current fiancée. Through a comprehensive investigation, Mr. LoTurco was able to demonstrate to the District Attorney’s Office that the retired officer was himself engaged in ongoing criminal conduct, including working off the books while collecting disability benefits.
Although the District Attorney’s Office initially offered a violation plea, and later an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal before trial, Mr. LoTurco and the client stood firm on proceeding to trial. As a result, the District Attorney’s Office dismissed the case in its entirety, and the Order of Protection issued against our client was vacated.
Our client was elated with the outcome and is now exploring potential civil remedies against the complainants.
Mr. LoTurco was assisted throughout the matter by his longtime paralegal, Gina Zamora, who played an integral role in trial preparation and provided professional, attentive client support.
Client Avoids Jail Time in Vehicular Homicide Accident
Head of our DWI and Vehicular Crimes Unit, Steven Epstein, describes a recent case:
"This client's story will not get any media attention. It did not result from a jury trial. It will largely go unnoticed to the world, but it exemplifies so much of the successes we have and what we do to help our clients and change their lives.
"Our client was charged in Brooklyn with Vehicular Homicide in an accident that resulted in the death of one person and serious injury to another. He faced up to 25 years in prison. He did cocaine but that was much earlier in time but he was not impaired by it at the time of the accident. The prosecution disagreed but they got it wrong. It would take a miracle to prevent an indictment.
"Though the case had been presented to a grand jury we convinced the DA to withdraw it because our client was innocent of the charges. To their credit, the DA withdrew the case from the grand jury and worked with our office and our amazing experts as we worked together with the prosecution and investigated what transpired.
"Ultimately, the client pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident only. He will not do any jail time. He will keep his licenses to do his job and keep his career.
"Wins like these are often unnoticed to all but the most important people and that was the client and his parents who just left court with me believing in miracles. This was due to the amazing work of his entire defense team."
Alexander Klein Defeats Summary Judgment in Tortious Interference Litigation, Paving Way for Trial
The firm represents a local Nassau County resident who had been involved in an emotional separation from his girlfriend, after which his employer received an anonymous email attacking him and attaching videos of his text messages with other romantic interests. Shortly after this email, he was removed from his white collar job responsibilities for his local municipality, was given remedial tasks instead at its Parks and Recreations department, and was passed over for promotions and raises that he was otherwise well qualified to obtain.
Arising from this setting, he sued his ex-girlfriend—alleging, among other things, that she had written the anonymous email and tortiously interfered with his business. After the close of discovery, she moved for summary judgment—claiming that he lacked sufficient evidence of her authorship, and denying that his experience at work formed a cognizable basis for damages in light of the fact that he was not technically fired.
Led by Alexander Klein, BEKAL opposed the motion—coming forward with comprehensive evidence surrounding the circumstances of the email as well as subpoenaed records showing the extent to which he had been passed over for promotions and raises given to less qualified colleagues. And on July 10, 2025, the Court agreed—denying the summary judgment motion in its entirety, and paving the way for trial in this action.
“The Court recognized our fundamental view of this case,” said Klein. “Our adversary can deny having written this damaging email, but the body to evaluate that denial is not a judge on motion practice but a jury after trial. We look forward to giving a jury that opportunity.”
Read the decision and motion papers, here:
Decision
Motion

1 / 6