Tag Archives: nyc personal injury attorney

Ceiling with large hole.

Ceiling Collapse Accidents and Hiring a Ceiling Collapse Lawyer


Posted on October 29, 2021 by

Ceiling Collapse Lawyer NYC: What Victims Should Know

In many New York City apartments, especially in older buildings, ceiling failures occur due to prolonged maintenance issues, structural deterioration, and ignored warning signs. Falling plaster, drywall, and debris can severely injure people living inside and necessitate calling a ceiling collapse lawyer in NYC. 

The Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum represents people injured by collapsed ceilings. We are here to help you understand why these accidents happen, who could be to blame, and how much compensation you may be entitled to.  

Understanding Ceiling Collapse Accidents

Under New York law, ceiling collapse accidents are often considered to be premises liability cases. Landlords and property owners have a legal duty to repair hazardous buildings and maintain safe living conditions. Ceilings often collapse because of issues that developed over time but were ignored and never fixed. Common causes include long-term water leaks, faulty renovations, rotting structural materials, and excessive weight on upper floors.  

However, many ceiling collapses are preceded by obvious warning signs, such as water stains, peeling paint, bulging plaster, and cracks. When landlords ignore tenant complaints and fail to investigate and repair these issues, they can be held liable for injuries that result.   

Why Ceiling Collapses Are So Dangerous

Ceilings are extremely heavy and can weigh hundreds of pounds, containing concrete, plaster, drywall, wood beams, and insulation. Ceilings typically collapse quickly and without warning, giving victims no time to react and escape.  

Ceiling collapse accidents can result in many serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury and injuries to a person’s spinal cord, back, and bones. Lacerations, respiratory damage from dust and debris, and psychological trauma are also common. 

Who Might Be Liable for a Ceiling Collapse?

A ceiling collapse lawyer like Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum can help prove liability against your landlord or another responsible party. For example, a property owner who failed to maintain safe premises could be to blame for your injuries, or the building management company responsible for maintenance. Liability may also fall on contractors or construction companies that performed faulty repairs or a manufacturer that produced defective building materials. 

When you hire us as your Brooklyn ceiling collapse accident lawyer, we’ll investigate everything from maintenance records to building violations, repair history, tenant complaints, and witness statements to determine who should be held accountable for the incident.  

What to Do After a Ceiling Collapse  

If your home’s ceiling falls on you, immediately seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Document the collapsed ceiling and debris with photos, and notify your landlord or building management. If possible, save any evidence you can collect, such as tenant complaint documentation and pieces of debris. Then contact a ceiling collapse lawyer in NYC to begin the investigation as soon as possible. 

Proving Negligence in Your Ceiling Collapse Case

As your ceiling collapse lawyer, we’ll establish who had a duty of care to maintain safe living conditions and who should have known that a hazardous ceiling condition existed.  

To prove negligence, we’ll need to collect evidence that the owner knew or should have known about the issue, that they failed to address it, and that the failure caused the collapse that resulted in your injuries. Maintenance records, inspection reports, expert testimony, and witness statements can all help us establish a strong case.  

Ceiling collapse accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation for damages, including medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, emotional distress, and temporary housing if your home becomes unsafe to live in.  

Contact Us If You Need a Brooklyn Ceiling Collapse Accident Lawyer

Having experienced legal representation on your side is crucial after a ceiling collapse in NYC. Without it, unfortunately, it’s far too common for landlords, property managers, and insurance companies to shift the blame and avoid responsibility.  

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a collapsed ceiling, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. The experienced team at the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum is here to help you protect your legal rights and take the essential steps toward recovery and rebuilding your life. Call 718-237-5586 today to learn more about your options.

Chipolte’s Recent Food Safety Issues


Posted on January 18, 2016 by

Chipotle – best known for providing high-quality, fresh ingredients in its nation-wide burrito chain stores – was linked to several food-borne illness cases in 2015. According to a BuzzFeed news report, the problems occurred in its California and Minnesota stores in addition to those located in Washington and Oregon. Chipotle has experienced as many as three outbreaks over the course of a few months.

Chipotle is not alone in experiencing food-borne illness problems. Indeed, the strain of e. coli affecting its Pacific Northwest stores is the same one that affected Jimmy John’s restaurants in 2012. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the number of foodborne outbreaks has been steadily increasing since 2011.

If you or someone you know believes he or she has been contaminated with a food-borne illness as a result of the wrongdoing of another, contact a seasoned Brooklyn personal injury attorney right away.

Top Food-borne Illnesses

There are several types of food-borne illnesses, commonly referred to as “food poisoning,” which can make a person sick. The most common, however, are E.coli, norovirus, salmonella, shigella, and hepatitis A. The first three are the top food-borne illnesses, according to research.

  • E.coli – this is a bacterium that produces a deadly toxin and is found in undercooked or raw meat (particularly hamburger meat) produce, and raw milk. E.coli is responsible for about 73,000 cases of foodborne illnesses annually in the U.S. Symptoms include cramping, dehydration and severe diarrhea.
  • Norovirus – the leading cause of diarrhea in the nation, this highly infectious virus transfers to any type of food if it is handled by someone who has norovirus. Symptoms include nausea, fever, vomiting and cramps.
  • Salmonella – the most common cause of foodborne deaths, salmonella causes millions of cases of foodborne illnesses and can be found in raw or undercooked eggs, seafood, dairy products, undercooked meat or poultry, as well as fruits and vegetables. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps and fever.
  • Shigella – poor hygiene allows shigella to be easily passed from person to person, and accounts for approximately 300,000 cases of diarrhea. Sources of shigella consist of unclean water, milk and dairy products as well as salads. Symptoms beyond diarrhea include fever, chills and dehydration.
  • Hepatitis A – a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, which can affect anyone and can consist of isolated cases or a widespread epidemic. Symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, cramps, diarrhea, fever and fatigue.

Personal Injury Attorneys & Help in New York

Foodborne illnesses are a costly, yet preventable, public health risk. The CDC estimates that each year 1 in 6 Americans get sick from food poisoning. As many as 250 different foodborne illnesses have been recognized. If you or someone you know is experiencing any or all of the symptoms listed above and resides in New York, food poisoning may be the cause. Accordingly, an experienced Brooklyn personal injury attorney should be contacted immediately. The legal professionals at the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum serves all of New York, including Brooklyn and the Bronx. Call (718) 237-5586 or click here today for your initial case evaluation.

New York Construction Sites Pose Dangers From Above


Posted on April 23, 2015 by

Construction sites can Building with construction being done to it. pose significant dangers for construction workers, especially when adequate safety precautions are not taken. There is, however, another group that also faces dangers from construction sites: pedestrians. A recent online article in the Wall Street Journal looked into the dangers that pedestrians throughout New York City face from construction sites.

According to the article, at least once a month, a pedestrian walking the streets of New York City is injured by something at a construction site. The culprit? New York City pedestrians are injured by a variety of different objects that fall from a construction site or that are improperly maintained. Examples include falling bricks or tools, windblown fences, and collapsing sidewalks. Continue reading →