Bronx Ceiling Collapse Accident Lawyers

During the last five years, numerous Bronx residents have been forced to cope with dangerous ceiling collapse accidents. In fact, during one March 2018 event, family members said that part of a bedroom ceiling fell on a five-month-old baby boy and a seven-year-old girl. Both children had to be taken to a nearby hospital for tests and evaluation.

The children’s grandmother says that she had reported the apartment’s leaky ceiling problem to the NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) weeks earlier. After speaking with that family, a local reporter knocked on the door of a neighbor. She then learned that Vilma Guevara’s apartment ceiling had also partially collapsed just a few hours earlier. Clearly, NYC officials need to conduct thorough inspections of all Bronx public housing units to prevent similar accidents.

Ceiling Collapse FAQs

Here are some answers to questions that clients often ask our New York City personal injury law firm about filing a Bronx ceiling collapse lawsuit.

Do tenants have the right to sue after a ceiling collapse — based on apartment repair issues?

Yes, in many instances, a tenant can bring a lawsuit after suffering serious injuries due to a ceiling collapse. The state of New York imposes a duty of care on building owners to properly maintain safe premises for all lawful residents and their visitors. Furthermore, landlords are expected to periodically visit their residential properties so they can discover dangerous conditions and make timely repairs.

What types of physical injuries are often suffered by ceiling collapse victims?

• Traumatic brain and head injuries. When part of a room ceiling falls upon an adult or child’s head, grave injuries may be suffered. The person’s brain may immediately start swelling from the impact – and internal bleeding may also occur. An immediate visit to a nearby emergency room can prove critical under such circumstances. Keep in mind that many significant brain injuries (like concussions) may not always be readily visible;
• Fractured and broken bones. All too often, ceiling accidents occur suddenly during the night – allowing heavy plaster, wood and other substances to fall on a person who is sound asleep. Fractured bones are common injuries when that happens;
• Serious breathing problems may develop. Frequently, older residential buildings still have asbestos and other toxic substances mixed in with ceiling materials. Residents already suffering from special lung conditions may experience a sudden worsening of their symptoms;
• Cuts and Bruises. Ceiling plaster is often heavy. When it falls, tenants are likely to incur serious bruises and cuts if sharp corners of debris hit them;
• Spinal cord injuries. Perhaps the worst ceiling collapse injuries (other than head trauma) are those that occur when extremely heavy materials crash down and bruise or crush a person’s neck, shoulders or parts of their spinal column. When that happens, the afflicted person made no longer be able to move their arms and legs.

What types of damages can I win in a ceiling collapse lawsuit?

You can be compensated for your pain and suffering, lost earnings for time off work during treatment and rehabilitation, medical treatment expenses, reimbursement for personal property damage and other direct losses based on your special circumstances.

While waiting for an ambulance to go to the hospital, what should I do?

If you are home alone and seriously injured, you may need to simply lie down to preserve your energy. However, if your injuries are not too serious — or if family members can help you — take the following types of photographs while waiting for your ride.

• Take pictures showing how the room and the ceiling both look like right after the collapse – before anyone tries to clean up the mess. Turn on bright lights if you have them so all water damage and other problems will be clearly captured;
• Take photos of the injured parties and their injuries – however, do not ask them to move in any way that could worsen their pain or condition;
• Take pictures of all seriously damaged personal property if items like your furniture, computers or television equipment were seriously damaged or destroyed;
• Locate medication bottles for the injured parties so you can take them to the hospital with you. However, do not give anyone who’s just been hurt any type of drug before you reach the hospital;
• Capture images of all conditions after the collapse that indicate that it’s no longer a safe place for you and your family to live;
• If pipes are broken and water is flowing out, you should try to contact your landlord before leaving the premises.

We hope you’ll contact our New York City personal injury law firm. We’ve been handling ceiling collapse cases for many years and know how to fight hard to obtain the maximum amount of compensation available for clients like you.