A freight elevator carrying construction workers malfunctioned and plummeted five stories before crashing into the sub-basement of a building under renovation in New York City.
The impact caused severe back and neck injuries to our client – a 43-year-old union electrician.
Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C. obtained summary judgment on liability under Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6) – successfully establishing that the owners of the building, the building’s tenant and the general contractor for the renovation project failed to provide our client with a safe means to ascend the building.
Despite being found liable for the elevator incident, the defendants contested our client’s injuries and damages. Jim Wilkens, of counsel to the firm, took the case to trial and secured a jury verdict of $3.475 million dollars for our client.