Premises Liability Verdicts/Settlements
$2,175,000.00 - Elderly Woman Burned By Hot Water Explosion-Premises Liability
Plaintiff, a 76 year old widow, was home alone when she was burned by scalding water in her apartment. The accident was caused by a faulty pipe buried within the walls of her apartment that exploded causing the water to leak. Plaintiff suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns as a result of the accident. HKD discovered seven year old documents which indicated that the landlord should have known about the defective pipes. HKD partner, Jonathan Damashek secured a $2,175,000.00 settlement for the plaintiff.
$2,000,000.00 - Elderly Woman Burned By Scalding Water-Premises Liability
Plaintiff, an 84 year old disabled woman,was bathing in her shower, when without warning, scalding hot water blasted from the pipes onto her legs. When she attempted to turn off the shower, the hot water knob came loose in her hand. The plaintiff suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns on her lower extremities. She required extensive hospitalization and developed gangrene on her foot. HKD was able to uncover prior written complaints to the landlord about the loose knob. HKD partner, Jonathan Damashek recovered $2,000,000.00 during a mediation just prior to trial.
$1,250,000.00 - Injured New York City Fireman – Premises Liability - Neck Surgery
Plaintiff, a Lieutenant in the New York City Fire Department, was injured while responding to a call when his mask got caught on a metal protrusion. Plaintiff sustained a neck injury that ultimately required a cervical discectomy and spinal fusion at C5-6 and C6-7. Plaintiff sued the building owner and managing agent pursuant to General Municipal Law 205-a for
negligence, violations of the New York City Building Code, pain and suffering and lost wages. The case settled for $1,250,000.00 before trial.
$1,180,000.00 - Injured Building Maintenance Worker – Premises Liability – Burns
Plaintiff, a maintenance worker, was badly burned while refinishing a wooden floor with polyurethane. Plaintiff was operating a sander when a spark ignited the pilot light of a stove causing an explosion. Plaintiff sued the manufacturer of the polyurethane for product liability and defective warnings; and the building owner for negligence. The case was tried by HKD partner, Jordan Hecht, who was able to establish that the gas had not been disconnected thus causing the explosion. The case settled for $1,180,000.00 while the jury was deliberating.
$1,050,000.00 - Injured Child – Premises Liability - Lead Poisoning
Plaintiff was exposed to hazardous lead paint, dust and chips while residing at a premises owned by the City of New York. Plaintiff had an elevated blood level of 47, requiring hospitalization and chelation therapy. Plaintiff sued the City of New York for negligence, pain and suffering and lost earning capacity. Case settled before jury selection for $1,050,000.00.
$750,000.00 - Financial Officer – Roadway Construction – Traumatic Amputation
Plaintiff, the CEO of a large financial services institution, was walking on West 32nd Street, when a New York Transit Bus drove over and unsecured roadway plate, that became dislodged crushing the plaintiff’s foot. Plaintiff sustained a partial amputation of the great toe. The plaintiff missed one month from work and made an excellent recovery. The defendants refused to settle and the case went to trial. The case was tried by HKD partner, Jordan Hecht. After a five day trial, the jury awarded a verdict in the amount of $750,000.00.
$715,000.00 - Infant Plaintiffs - Lead Poisoning
HKD represented two Bronx plaintiffs, who had been exposed to hazardous lead paint, lead dust and lead chips. The plaintiffs' blood lead levels were 22 and 21 mc/dl. HKD was able to show that the landlord was aware of the lead paint and established that each plaintiff had sustained neurological injuries. The case settled for a total of $715,000.00 before trial.
$600,000.00 - Injured Homemaker – Falling Ice – Nerve Injury
Plaintiff, a homemaker, was injured when a sheet of ice fell from the roof of a Sam’s Club owned by Wal-Mart. Plaintiff sustained an injury to her ulnar nerve requiring surgery. Wal-Mart refused all reasonable settlement demands. The case was tried by HKD partner, Jordan Hecht, and the jury returned a verdict of $600,000.00.
$475,000.00 - Infant plaintiff - Lead Poisoning
Plaintiff, a Brooklyn resident, was exposed to hazardous lead paint, lead dust and lead chips in his apartment. Plaintiffs blood lead level was 25 mc/dl. HKD was able to show that the landlord was aware of the peeling and chipping paint and established plaintiff had suffered developmental delays and Attention Deficit Disorder. The case settled for a total of $475,000.00 prior to jury selection.
$450,000.00 - Injured Cleaner – Premises Liability – Clavicle Fracture
Plaintiff, a hotel housekeeper, was injured when she tripped and fell walking down stairs in her apartment building. Plaintiff sustained a fractured clavicle and several fractured ribs. Plaintiff commenced an action against the building owner for negligence, failing to provide adequate lighting and violations of the building code. The case settled at a mediation for $475,000.00.
Contact a New York premises liability lawyer
for advise as to your options if you have been injured on another's property.