N.Y. Speaker’s Law Firm Seeks People Injured in State Parks

The personal injury law firm where New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver practices is pitching its services to people injured at state parks.

A section of the Weitz & Luxenberg firm’s Web site devoted to “on premises” injury lawsuits tells potential clients they could sue the state for injuries suffered while boating, hiking, swimming or engaged in other activities at state parks.

“If you have been injured while visiting a New York state park, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and get compensation for your pain and suffering,” the firm says on the site.

As one of the most powerful politicians in New York, Silver has a say over how state parks are run and financed.

“The lack of clear ethics standards and an independent ethics czar creates all sorts of problems in New York and here’s one example of it,” said Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group, a government watchdog group. “As long as New York state allows lawmakers to be part time with virtually no limitations on outside income you’ll have issues raised.”

Charles Carrier, a spokesman for Silver, said the Manhattan Democrat “didn’t know anything about it and had nothing to do with” the Web site’s solicitation.

When asked how Silver felt about the situation after finding out about it, Carrier said: “I haven’t talked to him about it.”

A spokesman for Weitz & Luxenberg did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

The Web site information was first reported in the New York Post’s Monday editions.