June 20, 2019

$2,000,000 – Premises Liability – Back and Neck injuries from Temporary Staircase Collapsing

Plaintiff, a 65-year-old retired man was entering a building in Brooklyn through a temporary staircase at the loading dock. As he reached the top step, the wooden staircase collapsed, causing him to fall to the sidewalk. HKD filed suit against the building owner and management company. The defendants claimed that they had no prior knowledge of the defective temporary staircase which would have allowed them to repair it prior to the accident.

HKD was able to locate numerous witnesses who were able to demonstrate that stairway was dangerous for a long period of time. The plaintiff suffered injuries to his back and neck which both required surgery. At the time of his accident, the plaintiff was suffering from terminal lung cancer so there was no claim for future medical expenses or lost earnings. HKD partner, Jonathan Damashek was able to secure a settlement in the amount of $2,000,000.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.