Articles Posted in Premises Liability
Harlem Legionnaires’ Outbreak: What Victims and Families Need to Know About Their Legal Rights
Insights from our New York Personal Injury Lawyers
A troubling outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Harlem has left one person dead and at least 22 others ill, according to recent announcements from the New York City Department of Health. As personal injury attorneys in New York, we have seen firsthand how preventable public health failures—particularly those involving building maintenance and water safety—can have devastating consequences.
The outbreak, which began around July 25, has affected residents in five Harlem ZIP codes—10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039—along with surrounding neighborhoods. Investigators believe the source may be cooling towers that were not properly maintained, allowing Legionella bacteria to grow and spread via contaminated water vapor.
Three Injured in Queens Facade Collapse: Building Owner Cited for Failure to Maintain Property
Three people, including two young girls, were injured last week, when a large section of a building facade collapsed onto the sidewalk and parked cars outside a furniture store in the Bellerose section of Queens. The parapet wall—approximately 175 linear feet—suddenly gave way, prompting emergency response teams and an investigation by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB).
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our Queens personal injury lawyers are closely monitoring developments in this case. When building owners fail to maintain their properties, the consequences can be catastrophic. Tragically, this is not the first time innocent pedestrians have been harmed due to neglected structural hazards.
DOB inspectors issued an OATH/ECB violation to the building owner for “failure to maintain the building.” While the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation, a prior complaint filed in June alleged the building was not up to code and had holes in the ceiling and floor. A contractor familiar with the structure noted that the parapet had rusted metal beams and may have required more extensive repairs than had been performed.
Sexual Assault in Jamaica Apartment Raises Serious Questions About Building Security
Our NYC Premises Liability Lawyers Examine Legal Options for Victims of Inadequate Security
A 23-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in her own apartment in Jamaica, Queens early Saturday morning, according to the NYPD. The disturbing incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. in a building on 94th Avenue—leaving residents shaken and wondering how an intruder was able to gain access despite the building reportedly having security in place.
Police say the suspect entered the woman’s apartment and raped her before fleeing with her bed sheets. She was transported to Queens Hospital and is in stable condition. As of now, the suspect remains at large.
What New York Parents Can Learn from the Texas Camp Tragedy: How to Protect Your Child at Summer Camp
As New York personal injury attorneys who have seen firsthand how preventable negligence can change lives, we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life at Camp Mystic in Texas, where a catastrophic flash flood claimed the lives of dozens of children and counselors over the July 4th weekend.
While the floodwaters surged in Texas, the ripple effects are being felt across the country — especially by parents preparing to send their children to summer camp in New York. The question on every parent’s mind: Could this happen here?
The heartbreaking reality is that camps — whether in upstate New York, the Catskills, or Long Island — are not immune from natural disasters, inadequate emergency preparedness, or lapses in supervision. But there are important steps parents can take to better protect their children and avoid preventable harm.
Most Common Personal Injury Claims in New York in June: Insights from Top NYC Trial Attorneys
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our New York personal injury attorneys have represented victims of negligence in New York for more than 100 years. Each June, we see a seasonal rise in serious personal injury claims across the five boroughs. Below are the most common types of cases we handle this time of year—and what you should know if you or a loved one has been injured.
1. Car Accident Claims
Traffic congestion increases significantly in the summer, and with it, so do accidents. Many of the cases we handle involve serious injuries caused by speeding, distracted driving, or failure to yield. We have obtained some of the highest verdicts and settlements in New York for motor vehicle accident victims, including an $85 million jury verdict for a pedestrian struck by a sightseeing bus in Manhattan.
When Natural Forces Collide With Infrastructure: Yonkers Building Collapse Highlights Risks for Businesses Near Rock Outcroppings
Last night in Yonkers, New York, a massive boulder dislodged from a hillside and crashed into a two-story commercial building on Saw Mill River Road, causing a structural collapse and fuel spill. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the damage underscores the real and often overlooked dangers of placing buildings in close proximity to unstable terrain. As New York building collapse attorneys, we’re paying close attention to the implications.
The Collapse: What Happened?
The building, owned by Peterson Tool Rental—a trusted local business since 1953—was used to store heavy construction equipment such as Bobcats. Around 7 a.m. on Monday, first responders discovered that the southern portion of the building had completely collapsed after a boulder tore through the rear wall overnight. Officials suspect recent rainstorms loosened the hillside, dislodging the boulder embedded in the slope above the property.
Chelsea Sidewalk Shed Collapse Caused by Truck Strike: One Pedestrian Critically Injured, Two Seriously Hurt: Legal Insights on Liability
The sidewalk shed collapse on 29th Street in Chelsea yesterday morning tragically underscores the dangers pedestrians face in New York City. According to recent updates from the Department of Buildings (DOB), the shed was struck by a box truck, causing the structure to collapse. The incident resulted in three injuries—one person critically injured with severe TBI and two others seriously hurt.
How Did This Accident Happen?
The DOB has now confirmed that a box truck collided with the sidewalk shed’s support beams, leading to its collapse. This revelation highlights the risks posed by vehicles operating in close proximity to construction sites and temporary structures. The crash occurred around 8:20 a.m., a time when many pedestrians were using the sidewalk. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying sound of the collapse, with nearby residents rushing to assist those trapped under the debris.
The Hidden Dangers of Window Air Conditioners: A Premises Liability Perspective
A 4-year-old boy was seriously injured in Brooklyn after he fell from a fifth-story window after an air conditioning unit’s side panel was pushed open. The child survived with serious injuries, and the story has raised important questions about premises liability, particularly in apartment complexes.
According to reports, the boy was playing near the bedroom window when he fell through the gap left by the air conditioner’s side panel. His mother, upon discovering him missing, found the panel ajar and immediately called emergency services. The child was hospitalized with multiple broken bones but is expected to recover. Thankfully, there were no injuries to his brain.
The incident underscores the vital need for proper installation and maintenance of window air conditioning units, especially in homes with young children.
Proactive Inspections for Aging Buildings: A New Dawn for NYC’s Safety
In a monumental move to safeguard New York City’s residents, the City Council has passed a bill mandating proactive inspections for residential buildings based on their structural risks. As building collapse attorneys in New York City, this development is not only welcome but long overdue. The city’s new initiative promises to prevent tragedies by identifying potential hazards before they become catastrophic failures.
A Shift from Reactive to Proactive
Historically, New York City’s approach to building safety has been largely reactive, relying on complaints and reports of visible damage before taking action. This method has proven insufficient, as evidenced by recent incidents of structural collapses that have caused significant disruption and loss.
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