Brief Factual Summary: This case involved a 2021 ceiling collapse in which plaintiff alleged injuries to her lumbar and cervical spines. A Summary Judgement motion was granted to plaintiff on liability, and the case proceeded to trial on damages. At trial, we argued that the only injury causally related to the incident was a temporary corneal abrasion to the plaintiff’s eyes, which had fully resolved. Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award plaintiff over $10 million in damages. We asked the jury to award a minimal amount for past pain & suffering solely for the corneal abrasions to her eyes. The jury agreed with our closing argument and awarded plaintiff only past pain & suffering damages of $250,000 in a 5-1 verdict. The verdict was rendered on July 17, 2025.
Michelle Barnes v. NYCHA – Index 156789/2021- New York County Supreme