$2.25 Million Premises Settlement in Manhattan

Raphaelson & Levine secured a $2.25 million settlement for a worker who fell approximately 15 feet through a defective metal grating into an air shaft in a Manhattan building.

A Dangerous Fall in a Manhattan Building

Our client was working inside a Manhattan commercial building when the metal grating covering an air shaft gave way beneath him. He plunged roughly 15 to 20 feet into the shaft below, striking structural surfaces on the way down. The grating, which was supposed to support foot traffic and protect anyone walking over the opening, had deteriorated to the point where it could no longer bear a person's weight.

The fall left him with painful injuries that required emergency medical treatment, followed by an extended course of rehabilitation. He was unable to work for a significant period, and the physical and financial toll on his family mounted quickly.

Holding the Property Owner Accountable

The building's ownership group denied responsibility, claiming the grating was adequate and that our client had been negligent. Our premises liability attorneys retained engineering experts who inspected the grating and documented significant corrosion and structural weakening that predated the incident. Maintenance logs revealed the property owner had skipped required inspections of the air shaft covering for years — a clear violation of building safety codes.

Armed with this evidence, our team demonstrated that the building owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to act. The case was resolved through negotiation before trial.

$2.25 Million for an Injured Worker

The $2.25 million settlement provides compensation for our client's medical bills, lost income during his recovery, and the lasting pain and limitations he continues to face.

"Property owners in New York have a non-negotiable duty to maintain safe conditions — especially structural elements like air shaft coverings that people walk over every day. When an owner cuts corners on inspections and a worker pays the price, we make sure they are held fully accountable."

— Andrew Levine, Founding Partner at Raphaelson & Levine

If you have been injured due to unsafe conditions in a New York building, our premises liability attorneys have decades of experience handling complex property owner negligence claims and are ready to review your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.