David Resnick & Associates, P.C., a New York City personal injury law firm, announced it has secured a $1.3 million settlement for a 52-year-old Manhattan woman who suffered catastrophic injuries in a slip-and-fall accident outside an elevator in her residential building. The settlement, obtained by attorney Philip Monier before trial, compensates the woman for injuries to her right hip, both knees, ankle, and spine, which required surgeries on her hip and ankle.
The lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, alleged that the building owner failed to address a hazardous water condition outside the elevator, leading to the woman's fall. According to Monier, the injuries have severely limited the woman's ability to perform daily activities such as walking, bending, exercising, and sitting. She is also unable to do regular house chores or sit and stand for extended periods.
The building owner, described as one of the largest landlords in New York City, denied negligence, arguing that no complaints had been made about the condition and that they lacked notice of the slipping hazard. However, Monier argued that the condition existed for an unreasonable period without action. “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,” Monier said.
The settlement is intended to help the client manage the long-term consequences of the accident. “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,” Monier added.
This case highlights the responsibilities of property owners to maintain safe premises for residents and visitors. For business and technology leaders, the outcome underscores the importance of proactive building maintenance and hazard reporting systems to mitigate liability risks. The legal precedent reinforces that even large landlords can be held accountable for negligence, potentially influencing how property management companies allocate resources for safety inspections and repairs.
David Resnick & Associates, P.C., based in Midtown Manhattan, represents clients throughout New York City in personal injury matters, including slip-and-fall accidents, auto accidents, pedestrian injuries, and construction injuries. The firm, founded in 1998, focuses on maximizing compensation for clients injured due to others' negligence. For more information, contact the firm at (212) 279-2000 or submit the online contact form.
