$900,000 Premises Liability Settlement in Queens

Raphaelson & Levine secured a $900,000 settlement for a Queens worker who struck their head on a cross bar in a building sub-level.

A Head Injury in a Queens Building Sub-Level

Our client was working in the sub-level of a commercial building in Queens when they walked into a low-hanging cross bar that protruded into the pathway. The bar struck our client directly in the head with enough force to cause a concussion, cervical spine injuries, and persistent neurological symptoms.

The head trauma left our client struggling with chronic headaches, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties that made it impossible to return to work. What should have been a routine workday turned into months of medical treatment and uncertainty about long-term recovery.

Proving the Property Owner's Negligence in Queens

The building owner claimed the cross bar was visible and that our client should have ducked. Our Queens premises liability lawyers inspected the sub-level and documented that the overhead hazard was unmarked — no warning signs, no high-visibility paint, and no protective padding. Building code required adequate clearance or, at minimum, hazard markings in areas where workers regularly pass through.

We obtained maintenance records showing the building owner had been aware of the low clearance for years and had received prior complaints from other workers, yet took no corrective action.

Accountability for an Unsafe Property

The $900,000 settlement provides comprehensive compensation for our client's emergency care, neurological treatment, cognitive therapy, lost earnings, and the lasting impact of a traumatic brain injury on daily functioning.

"A low-hanging beam in a workspace isn't a minor annoyance — it's a head injury waiting to happen. When the building owner knew about the hazard and did nothing, they accepted responsibility for every injury that resulted. Our client paid the price for their neglect."

— Howard Raphaelson, Founding Partner at Raphaelson & Levine

If you've been injured due to a hazardous condition in a Queens building or workplace, our premises liability attorneys have decades of experience proving property owner negligence, and are ready to review your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.