$2.5 Million Settlement for Bronx Teacher's Aide Injured by Unsafe Construction Barriers

At Oresky & Associates, our Bronx construction accident lawyer team is proud to announce a $2.5 million settlement* on behalf of our client, a Bronx woman who sustained serious injuries after being struck by fallen construction barriers. The accident occurred on a neighborhood sidewalk and forever changed her life — but through persistent legal work and a commitment to justice, our attorney Joshua Goldblatt was able to help her secure compensation for her injuries, losses, and ongoing medical needs.

A Routine Walk Turns into a Life-Altering Injury

In January 2020, our client — a 46-year-old teacher's aide — was walking along a public sidewalk in the Bronx when disaster struck. As she passed a construction site, a strong gust of wind caused the site's temporary barriers to collapse, toppling over directly onto her. The barriers, which were supposed to serve as protective fencing around the site, had not been properly secured by the construction company.

Our client was knocked to the ground and pinned under the weight of the materials. The impact was immediate and severe. Fortunately, a video camera captured the entire incident, offering indisputable visual evidence of the event and the hazards created by the poorly managed construction site.

Painful Injuries and a Long Road to Recovery

The plaintiff suffered multiple injuries, the most serious of which was a fractured ankle involving multiple breaks. She underwent an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure, a surgery that involved the insertion of screws and hardware to stabilize the fracture. The recovery process was long and painful. Ultimately, she required a second surgery to remove the hardware, adding to her physical and emotional ordeal.

In addition to the orthopedic injuries, the plaintiff suffered:

• Head injury leading to cognitive complications such as memory problems and difficulty concentrating.
• Cognitive therapy requirements to manage and adapt to neurological symptoms.
• Cervical sprain and strain, causing chronic neck pain and physical limitations.
• Challenges that impacted both her personal life and her capacity as an educator.

As a result of the accident and her recovery, she missed more than a month of work and experienced significant disruption to her daily life. Despite the progress she has made, she continues to require medical treatment for the lasting effects of her injuries, including pain management and rehabilitative care.

A Hard-Fought Legal Battle

From the outset of the case, the defendants refused to accept responsibility, denying liability even in the face of clear video footage and substantial evidence. Oresky & Associates launched a thorough investigation and pursued the case aggressively through discovery, depositions, and motion practice. Our legal team meticulously prepared the matter for trial in the Supreme Court, confident that the evidence would establish the construction company's negligence in failing to secure the sidewalk barriers.

It was only at the final pre-trial conference, just before jury selection was set to begin, that Joshua Goldblatt successfully resolved the case — resulting in a $2.5 million settlement that will help support our client's recovery and future needs.

Justice Secured

This settlement represents more than just financial compensation. It is a recognition of the suffering our client endured due to a preventable accident, and a validation of her courage in standing up to those who failed to keep her safe.

At Oresky & Associates, we are proud to represent hardworking New Yorkers who are injured through no fault of their own. Construction site accidents don't just happen inside the work zone — they can impact innocent pedestrians and bystanders when safety protocols are ignored.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to unsafe construction practices, contact us today for a free consultation. With decades of experience representing accident victims across New York City and beyond, we have the knowledge, dedication, and results to help you get the justice you deserve.

You can call (718) 993-9999 for a free consultation.

We're available 24/7 — because justice never sleeps.

*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits.