New York City's Housing Authority Pays Out Millions for Defense against Personal Injury Lawsuits

An investigative report by the New York Daily News shows that the New York City Housing Authority spends $9 million a year on private law firms that do the same work as in-house attorneys. These attorneys help defend the agency against personal injury, property damage and real estate claims. The agency, which claims it is $60 million in the red this year, is retaining these high-priced defense attorneys in addition to having 98 in-house lawyers who cost $8 million a year, the Daily News reports.
Delaying Injury Cases
The report gives the example of Tyrae White, a 22-year-old man with cerebral palsy who was severely scalded by hot pipes. A private law firm hired by the NYCHA is delaying trial for people like White. His trial has been delayed until April 2014. White accidentally bumped into a heating pipe that did not have insulation. As a result he is left with burn marks on his hand and back. White’s family sued on his behalf because, according to his mother, the agency did not fix the pipes even when she had repeatedly asked them to do so.
The agency’s board has also accelerated payments to the 17 private law firms it retains to handle personal injury lawsuits. While the agency used to pay these attorneys after the cases were settled, it now pays the firms as they incur expenses. In White’s case, NYCHA defense lawyers claimed that NYCHA did not have a legal duty to insulate the pipes because the building was constructed in 1961 when such insulation was not required. In addition, they argued that White’s seizure was “an unforeseeable accident.” Experts tell the Daily News that NYCHA’s reluctance to settle claims with injured clients like White actually hurts them in the long run because they incur more in attorney’s fees.
The Value of an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
It is a landlord’s legal obligation to ensure that a building is safe and secure for its tenants. When there is a dangerous condition in the dwelling, it is the landlord’s responsibility to have the hazards promptly removed or repaired. When a landlord fails to take the required action causing a tenant or visitor to be injured, the victim can file a premises liability claim against the property owner and/or manager seeking compensation for injuries and damages. Much like the New York City Housing Authority, defendants in such cases tend to fight hard to protect their interests and their bottom line.
In this case, the NYCHA spent more money on a high-priced defense team – much more than what they may have had to pay the victim for medical expenses and other damages. This is why it is crucial for personal injury victims to have a knowledgeable, skilled and experienced lawyer fighting for their rights. They need a tenacious advocate on their side who will vigorously protect their best interests.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, 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. Our skilled personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of helping victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm has recovered many many millions of dollars for personal injury victims over the last 42 plus years.
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 cases in 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.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: New York Daily News