$3,200,000 Settlement for Brooklyn Worker in a Stairway Injury Case
A demolition worker from Brooklyn was descending a wooden staircase when a step broke underneath the weight of his foot. His foot fell through the step, causing injuries to his ankle, lower back, and shoulders. The worker sued the building owner and general contractor, arguing that they should been aware of the stairway’s condition based on its history of rotting steps. Represented by Block O’Toole & Murphy, he received a $3.2 million settlement.
Summary of Accident
Plaintiff, a demolition laborer from Brooklyn, was injured on a construction site at an NYC apartment building when a step on the staircase he used to access the building’s basement broke underneath the weight of his foot. At the time, he was descending the staircase while carrying a metal piece of equipment on his shoulder weighing about thirty pounds. The step that broke was the second or third step from the bottom of the staircase.
Plaintiff’s left foot fell through the step and down a distance of approximately two feet to the ground below, causing him to injure his left ankle, lower back and both shoulders. Plaintiff sued the building owner and project general contractor for negligence and violations of the New York State Labor Law, arguing that the Defendants should have been aware that this exterior, wooden staircase was weak and deteriorated based on its history of rotting steps.
Since 2012, the Law Firm of Block O’Toole & Murphy attained more results exceeding $1,000,000 than any other law firm in New York State. Our attorneys offer free legal advice to injury victims harmed as a result of another party’s negligence. Simply call 212-736-5300 to speak with a Block O’Toole & Murphy lawyer today.
Injuries/Damages
Plaintiff continued working for a portion of the day following the incident, but went home that night feeling pain to his left ankle and lower back. He went to the hospital the next day and then began a long course of medical treatment. After physical therapy and injections failed to relieve his lower back pain, he underwent a two-level lumbar fusion surgery. Plaintiff also underwent arthroscopic surgeries to his left ankle and both shoulders following the accident.
The defense argued that Plaintiff’s injuries existed before the accident, pointing to multiple prior accidents and MRI studies that revealed damage to some of the same body parts. The defense also contested Plaintiff’s claim that he was disabled by these injuries. We argued on Plaintiff’s behalf that, despite any prior damage he may have had, this accident caused further injury and pain, necessitated multiple surgeries and prevented Plaintiff from performing any future physical labor.
Settlement Amount
The parties negotiated a $3.2 million settlement well before trial, and in fact while the Plaintiff’s lawsuit was still in its discovery phase.
Attorneys
Firm Partners Stephen J. Murphy and David L. Scher handled the case.
Legal Representation for Staircase Injury Victims in NYC
Whether you are a worker, tenant, or shopper hurt as a result of a stairway accident, you have the right to legal representation. The Law Firm of Block O’Toole & Murphy has successfully litigated a number of stairway injury cases, including:
- $3,125,000 recovery for a hotel employee who slipped on debris and fell down a flight of stairs
- $2,650,000 settlement for an electrician who tripped and fell after stepping into a depression on the stairway
- $2,250,000 settlement for a tenant who fell down wet stairs in her apartment building
- $2,250,000 verdict for a delivery worker who slipped on stairs while making a delivery at a restaurant
- $2,000,000 recovery for a worker who stepped on air and fell when a portable staircase moved backwards
To speak to a qualified lawyer today, please call 212-736-5300 or fill out our Contact Form, and one of our lawyers will get back to you shortly.