Bathroom Ceiling Leak Causes Client to Slip & Fall, $5M Settlement
The Perecman Firm, has successfully obtained a $5 million settlement for a premises liability client whose case originated from a 2011 slip and fall accident in his Manhattan apartment. The accident resulted in extensive and lingering back, leg, and nerve injuries that cause him pain and hardship to this day. The settlement was reached after a jury trial determined the defendants were 100% liable for his injuries.
Details of the Manhattan Slip & Fall Case
Our client slipped on a puddle of water in his bathroom on June 13th, 2011. The puddle was caused by a leak from the ceiling, which had been a problem in his apartment for months. Initially, after the fall, our client was sore and injured, but he did not think emergency medical attention was necessary. Four hours later, though, he began to experience numbness in his feet, which alarmed him enough to be taken to the emergency room by ambulance.
It would be determined by doctors in both New York and San Diego, where he moved in 2013, that he suffered injuries and herniations to his spinal discs. Treatments began with physical therapy and epidural injections, but the symptoms of his injuries worsened and he developed foot drop, which causes weakness in the foot that makes walking difficult and painful. Spinal fusion surgery was eventually conducted in 2018 to alleviate some of the symptoms. However, our client still experiences chronic pains from the accident, as well as an abnormal, uncomfortable gait.
Documentary evidence showed that he had complained about the leak in his bathroom at least once to property management company. In fact, only hours after he slipped, the ceiling in his bathroom collapsed. An investigation into NYC Housing Preservation and Development records uncovered that the building had multiple plumbing and sewer line code violations that were apparently left unaddressed by the defendants.
Although the defense had lined up a number of expert witnesses to discuss our client’s injuries at trial – including an orthopedic spine surgeon and neurologist – they backed down after the jury’s liability verdict and after Plaintiff and his doctors and experts testified. Our attorneys from The Perecman Firm, were then able to negotiate a settlement totaling $5 million, with one insurance carrier paying their policy limit of $1 million and the excess carrier paying $4 million.
For more information about The Perecman Firm, and the legal services we offer to the wrongfully injured throughout New York, please call (212) 577-9325. You can also fill out an online contact form if you would like to request a free consultation about a claim of your own.