The Law Offices of Lawrence B. Saftler 646.248.5032
New York's Personal Injury Attorney

To view this, you need to install the Flash Player 5. Please go to here and download it.

Legal Blog of Attorney Lawrence B. Saftler

Falling From Balconies – How One Tragedy Makes Everyone Look Up – NYC Balcony Liability

By lsaftler on July 7, 2010

330 East 39th Street
330 East 39th Street

 In March, 2009, 24-year-old Connor Donohue fell from a balcony to his death at 330 East 39th Street in the Murray Hill section of Mnahattan.  The Department of Buildings has since ordered an engineering report, saying that he may have fallen due to damaged fencing around the unit’s balcony.  Following the accident, the fencing and post of the railing appeared loose and may have been damaged prior to the incident.  Pan Am Equities, the building’s management company, had not filed inspection reports with the Department of Buildings in ten years.  They are required to do so every five years and were thus fined $11,000. Department of Buildings inspectors have found about 800 building owners, in addition to Pan Am Equities, that have failed to file reports on the safety of their balconies. 

But how do you stay safe on your own balcony?  A proper inspection involves pulling out bricks and even some drilling.  As an individual tenant, you can’t exactly order scaffolding put outside your apartment, and an engineering report from your management company.  You can ask if the proper inspections have been conducted, though.  And be vigilent, as well.  Don’t lean on a balcony railing you’re unsure of.  Of course, if a tragedy of this nature occurs, the family should obtain the appropriate legal advice to go after those responsible.

Posted in Accidents, Construction, Falling Objects/Ceiling, Landlord, Negligence, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death |

New York Construction Accidents – New York Favors Workers

By lsaftler on May 28, 2010

In New York, workers are protected and benefit from laws surrounding accidents at worksites, more so than many other states. While a worker is protected from losses, medically or by lost wages through workers compensation, it is not an exclusive remedy if there is a third party a worker at a construction site can sue, such as a general contractor, owner or other third party.
In serious accident cases, the sums acquired through a third party lawsuit can be enriching to the injured worker, even though reimbursement must be made to the workers compensation carrier when resolving the underlying third party claim. Further, the worker has the strong worker protection laws that is in place in New York to see that the worker does get the necessary compensation he is entitled to as a result of his accident. It is important for workers and attorneys from out of state to know the importance of seeking the proper legal counsel to see if there is a remedy for the case someone has.
The Saftler Law Firm is a firm that prides itself on the knowledge and capabilities it has with reference to construction accident cases. Mr. Saftler has been a past speaker to the New York State Bar Association relating to construction accidents and the protections afforded workers from falls, height related accidents where equipment falls on an employee or a worker falls from a height and other accidents at worksites. The firm has resolved numerous cases and have tried many such cases to successful conclusion, all to the satisfaction of our many clients. Call and schedule an appointment without charge or obligation to see if you have a case we can help you with. Attorneys should freely call for advice for cases for their clients which The Saftler law Firm can assist with as it does with numerous attorneys in the New York metropolitan area.

Posted in Accidents, Construction, Falling Objects/Ceiling, Personal Injury |

Search Blog







Do not hesitate to contact personal injury lawyer Lawrence Saftler if you have suffered from a personal injury in the Manhattan or greater New York City area.

Personal Injury New York
275 Madison Ave.,
Suite 1605
New York, New York 10016