New York Personal Injury Attorneys BlogBronx Personal Injury Lawyers: Holding Negligent Landlords Accountable for Elevator Accidents
Elevator accidents are rare but can have catastrophic consequences, especially in a densely populated borough like the Bronx. A recent incident at 1025 Boynton Ave highlights the dangers of negligent building maintenance. Luis Pavon, a 78-year-old resident, suffered severe injuries after falling down an elevator shaft, raising serious concerns about landlord accountability and tenant safety.
A Preventable Tragedy
On February 4, 2025, Mr. Pavon attempted to use the elevator on the sixth floor of his building. When he opened the door, he discovered the elevator car was still on the first floor. In a desperate attempt to avoid falling, he grabbed onto the elevator cables, sustaining severe lacerations to his hands, a broken rib, and a fractured back. His wife, Elmira Hernandez, described his injuries as life-altering and emphasized how easily this could have been a fatal accident.
Negligence and Lack of Maintenance
Despite the Department of Buildings reporting no open violations at the time, tenants have long raised concerns about the elevator’s reliability. One resident noted, “There’s always issues with the elevator, guys fixing the elevator and stuff like that.” Chronic maintenance issues like these point to ongoing neglect.
Adding to these concerns, the building’s owner, Moshe Piller, was listed on the 2023 New York City Worst Landlord Watchlist by the Public Advocate’s Office—a designation that reflects a history of failing to maintain safe living conditions. When landlords fail to perform proper inspections and repairs, residents’ lives are put at risk.
Your Rights as a Tenant After an NYC Elevator Accident
Under New York law, property owners are legally responsible for ensuring that elevators are safe and properly maintained. When they fail in this duty, tenants injured due to negligence have the right to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Long-term rehabilitation and care
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an elevator accident, you do not have to face this alone. Our Bronx personal injury lawyers have decades of experience holding negligent landlords accountable and securing significant compensation for victims.
Preventing Future Elevator Accidents
This incident is a stark reminder that safety violations and poor maintenance can have life-altering consequences. Tenants should report any elevator malfunctions immediately, document complaints, and demand timely repairs. Landlords, in turn, must prioritize tenant safety by conducting routine inspections and ensuring all elevators meet safety regulations.
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our Bronx personal injury attorneys fight for victims of preventable accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in an elevator accident, contact us today for a free consultation at 212-943-1090. You deserve justice, and we are here to help.
