6-Year-Old Girl Struck by Falling Bricks in Queens: Building Owner Cited for Failure to Maintain Property

A 6-year-old girl was injured Thursday evening, October 22, 2026, when a large section of brickwork fell from a building and struck her in the head while she was playing outside in Maspeth, Queens.

According to CBS New York, the accident occurred around 7:35 p.m. on 59th Street, between Maspeth Avenue and 56th Drive. The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) reported that a section of brick veneer measuring approximately four feet by three feet detached from the side of a garage and fell onto the sidewalk.

The child was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition.

DOB inspectors investigated the accident and issued a violation to the property owner for failing to maintain the garage building, according to CBS New York.

The incident raises serious questions about building maintenance and the responsibility of New York City property owners to protect pedestrians and others from falling bricks, masonry, and other dangerous debris.

A Similar Tragedy Led to a Landmark New York Court Decision

Attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf have firsthand experience representing families devastated by falling building debris.

In 2015, 2-year-old Greta Devere Green was fatally struck by falling debris while walking along a Manhattan sidewalk with her grandmother, Susan Frierson.

The tragedy resulted in significant litigation involving the legal rights of family members who witness a loved one suffer catastrophic injuries or death.

The firm’s attorneys represented the family and successfully argued before New York’s highest court in a case involving the application of the zone of danger doctrine.

The New York Court of Appeals unanimously ruled in favor of allowing the grandmother’s emotional distress claim to proceed, recognizing that a grandparent may qualify as an immediate family member under the doctrine.

This landmark decision expanded the legal protections available to certain family members who witness traumatic accidents involving their loved ones.

The case illustrates how an accident involving falling debris can have devastating consequences that extend well beyond the person directly struck.

Who Is Responsible When Bricks Fall From a Building in New York City?

Under New York law, property owners have a responsibility to maintain their buildings in a reasonably safe condition.

This obligation extends to exterior building components, including brickwork, masonry, façades, and other structural elements that could endanger pedestrians and people on neighboring property.

When bricks or other materials fall from a building, determining liability may require an investigation into:

• Whether the building’s exterior had deteriorated or was improperly maintained.
• Whether the property owner knew or should have known about dangerous conditions.
• Whether previous inspections identified structural problems.
• Whether necessary maintenance or repairs were delayed.
• Whether contractors or building management companies contributed to the hazardous condition.

In the Queens incident, the DOB’s reported violation for failure to maintain the garage building is particularly significant. However, determining whether the property owner is legally responsible for the child’s injuries would require further investigation.

Falling Debris Can Cause Serious Head Injuries

Even relatively small pieces of brick, concrete, or masonry can cause devastating injuries when they fall from a building.

Children are particularly vulnerable to head injuries from falling objects, which can result in skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, neurological damage, and other serious complications.

Although the 6-year-old girl injured in Queens was reported to be in stable condition, the incident demonstrates how unexpectedly these accidents can occur.

Experienced New York Falling Debris Accident Attorneys

For more than a century, the attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf have represented victims of serious accidents throughout New York City.

The firm’s experience includes the landmark Greta Devere Green falling-debris litigation and a separate case involving a young professional who suffered catastrophic injuries when a section of roof fencing fell onto his head. The firm obtained a substantial confidential settlement in that case.

Our attorneys work with qualified engineering experts, investigate building maintenance records, and identify the parties potentially responsible for dangerous property conditions.

If you or a family member has suffered serious injuries from falling bricks, masonry, or other building debris, contact our team of Queens personal injury lawyers to discuss your legal options.

Call 212-943-1090 or contact us online for a free consultation.