David Resnick & Associates, P.C., a New York City personal injury law firm, announced today that attorney Philip Monier secured a $1,300,000 settlement before trial on behalf of a 52-year-old Manhattan woman who suffered catastrophic injuries in a slip-and-fall accident outside an elevator in her apartment building.
The lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, after the woman slipped on water outside the elevator and sustained injuries to her right hip, both knees, ankle, and spine. She required surgery on her hip and ankle as a result of the accident.
According to Mr. Monier, the injuries have significantly limited the woman's ability to perform daily activities, including walking, bending, exercising, and sitting. She is unable to perform regular household chores or sit or stand for extended periods.
The building owner, one of the largest landlords in New York City, initially denied negligence, arguing that no complaints had been made about the condition and that they lacked notice of the slipping hazard. However, Mr. Monier countered that the owner allowed the hazardous condition to exist for an unreasonable period without taking action to eliminate it.
“Even though the building owner is one of the biggest landlords in the City of New York, they argued that they acted reasonably and were not responsible for the Plaintiff's injuries and damages — even though they allowed the condition to exist for an unreasonable period of time and did nothing to eliminate its presence,” Mr. Monier said.
The settlement, while substantial, cannot undo the physical harm caused, but it aims to provide financial support for the ongoing challenges the woman will face. “We believe that while this million-dollar settlement cannot undo the injuries and damage that she suffered, it will assist my client in living with the residual disabilities caused as a result of the defendant's negligence for the rest of her life,” Mr. Monier added.
This case underscores the legal responsibility of property owners to maintain safe premises for tenants and visitors. Slip-and-fall accidents are a leading cause of injury, and this settlement demonstrates that landlords can be held accountable when they fail to address known hazards. The outcome may encourage other victims to seek legal recourse and prompt landlords to be more vigilant in preventing such accidents.
David Resnick & Associates, P.C., based in Midtown Manhattan, has a track record of securing high-value settlements for personal injury victims. The firm handles a variety of cases, including slip-and-fall accidents, auto accidents, pedestrian injuries, and construction injuries. For more information, the firm can be reached at (212) 279-2000 or via their online contact form.
