A sidewalk cellar door accident in New York City last month left a man seriously injured. Video of the incident shows the victim walking down the sidewalk looking at something in his hand when the sidewalk cellar door he steps on simply folds up and collapses under his feet. The man tumbled down the gaping hole, striking the edge of the doorway as he fell. He landed a dozen feet or so below street level in the basement of the unoccupied building.
Emergency responders were able to extricate the victim from the hole and took him to a nearby hospital where he was treated for several injuries to his shoulder, back, and legs. With doctor bills mounting, the man is seeking damages from the building’s owner.
Documentation from the city shows that the property has multiple standing violations and several fines have been levied against the landlord.
While the violations and fines cannot be used to prove the property owner at fault for this accident, the video evidence will show that the victim played no part in the happening of this accident and that the building’s owners should be found at fault for improperly maintaining the cellar door. The victim can claim that such doors should be reasonably inspected and maintained on a regular basis so they don’t become hazards to pedestrians simply who are walking down the sidewalk. In this particular case, the victim can seek monetary damages for pain and suffering, lost wages and unpaid medical bills.
If you or a loved one has experienced such a fall and cannot work due to your injuries, speak with an experienced sidewalk cellar door accident attorney in New York City as soon as possible to see if you may be able to collect compensation from the responsible parties. Contact Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel to get the legal help you need. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation today.