New York City, NY – Experienced New York City premises liability lawyer, Jonathan C. Reiter, reports that fifteen people sustained injuries when the ceiling of a glass atrium at a Manhattan high-rise shattered due to falling ice and snow midnight Saturday, February 27, 2010, according to the New York Times.
Authorities reported to the scene of the Sony Building located at 550 Madison Avenue between 55th Street and 56th Street in Midtown Manhattan. New York police department officials (NYPD) and emergency medical services responded to the serious incident. It was reported that ice had fallen from the 32nd floor of the 37 story high-rise sending two three by five foot long panels of glass crashing down on the people gathered below in the Atrium. There were eight people taken to the hospital in ambulances to be treated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Fire Department officials (FDNY) reported that the seven other victims who sustained injuries refused medical treatment. The owners of the building were cited by the New York City Buildings Department for failure to adequately maintain the property. The building owners had reportedly been given a warning on Friday prior to the incident, to clear away the snow or ice that may pose a threat after the storm. The City may fine the building owners up to $25,000 for failing to address the hazardous situation sooner.
When a New York City building owner does not adequately maintain their property or fails to use due care to prevent accidents or injury to visitors, they may be held liable for injuries that occur as a result. Visitors, or guests should not have to fear for their safety in any public or privately owned building due to dangerous or unsafe property conditions. It is a New York City property owner’s legal responsibility to sustain a secure and safe premise for all. If someone becomes injured or tragically dies on an owner’s property, the owner may be held responsible under New York’s premises liability laws.
If you have been the victim of a premises liability accident, an experienced New York City premises liability attorney can help you exercise your legal right to seek compensation for pain and suffering, financial hardship, and medical bills.
Premises liability news by New York City premises liability lawyer Jonathan C. Reiter handling all premises liability cases. Contact New York City premises liability attorney Jonathan C. Reiter at (212) 736-0979.
