Lyudmila Braun, 76, was struck and killed by a solar panel that became detached from a nearby building and was carried by the wind during last week’s storm. According to a CBS New York report, video obtained by the outlet showed the wind lifting the massive solar panel away from a parking lot structure and falling onto Braun’s head. Officials said the panel traveled about 20 feet through the air before striking the victim. She was rushed to the hospital, but succumbed to her injuries. The Gothamist reported that Braun was transported to Maimonides Medical Center, but died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
New York City Department of Buildings officials said the parking structure belongs to a complex located at 3000 Ocean Parkway and that the solar panels were recently added by a solar panel equipment company. Stop work orders and orders to vacate the parking lot were placed on the complex’s front door, CBS reported. The cause of the solar panel’s detachment is not known, but forensic engineers are looking into why it came loose, officials said. We offer our deepest condolences to the family members to the family members of Lyudmila Braun for their tragic loss. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Accidents involving Falling Debris and Objects
When a large object such as solar panel separates from its base or anchor and comes loose, it presents an immediate hazard with a risk of serious injuries. Solar panel systems are required to be designed and installed according to strict building and safety standards to ensure they remain securely attached, even in severe weather. When incidents do occur, they are usually the result of poor installation, lack of maintenance, or negligence (carelessness) involving roof deterioration.
If panels are not properly anchored or installed, there is a risk of being dislodged and falling, potentially causing serious injury or as it happened in this tragic case, death. Regular inspection and maintenance by qualified professionals greatly reduce this risk of such incidents.
Potentially Liable Parties
When an object such as a solar panel falls and hits a pedestrian or passerby, the liable parties can include the owner of the panels, the company responsible for installing and/or maintaining the panels and others. The property owner and manager typically bears primary responsibility under premises liability law, as they have a duty to ensure that their property is safe for visitors and the public.
Also, if the panels were installed improperly, the installer or contractor may be liable for negligence (carelessness) or breach of contract. In such cases, the company that performed the installation, especially if faulty workmanship or failure to follow building codes caused the detachment, can be held responsible. Manufacturers might also be liable under product liability law if a defect in the design or materials caused the panels to fail. Additionally, if the panels are part of a leased system, the leasing company could share responsibility depending on the terms of the lease and maintenance obligations.
In such cases, injured bystanders or passersby can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injury, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as lost future income, funeral costs, medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. If you have been injured, it is in your best interest in such cases to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before contacting the people responsible for your injuries, and definitely before contacting or communicating with any insurance company.
For over 54 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. We also recovered $1,500,000 for a lady who was hurt by a bus. One of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases. Also, we got a $1,400,000 verdict in a motorcycle accident.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-woman-killed-by-solar-panel-noreaster/
https://gothamist.com/news/woman-76-killed-by-solar-panel-in-brooklyn-was-out-on-grocery-run-her-husband-says