Steven Bournazos Esq., and his firm, Bournazos Matarangas Law PLLC, with their team of attorneys made history in obtaining an $18.7 million judgment in favor of their client, a man who was severely burned in a Bronx apartment fire. The jury award has survived Appellate review when on May 13, 2014 the New York State Court of Appeals denied a motion for leave to appeal by the defendants in Peat v. Fordham Hill Owners Corporation. The decision upheld the June 2011 jury award that found that Fordham Hill Owners Corp. was responsible for the July 1, 2003 fire that badly injured Christopher Peat. The May 13, 2014 New York State Court of Appeals decision makes the $16 million pain and suffering award the highest ever sustained in the history of New York State. With interest the judgment has a current value of over $24.5 million.
The accident occurred while Mr. Peat was refinishing a floor in the Fordham Hill building complex in the Bronx when the lacquer he was applying ignited as a result of a stove pilot light. The gas in the apartment was not shut off by the management company before Mr. Peat began refinishing the floor. Mr. Peat was engulfed in flames for over 6 minutes. He ran down 17 flights of stairs while on fire until fireman put out the flames. He suffered second and third degree burns to over half his body. He has undergone 15 surgeries as a result of his injuries. He spent over six months in the hospital and rehabilitation facilities. Mr. Peat suffers from depression, post traumatic stress disorder, severe scarring and limitation of range of motion.
Amicus curiae briefs were filed with the Court of Appeals on behalf of The Voice of the Defense Bar, The Defense Association of New York and Law Reform Alliance of New York.
The case has been litigated for over 10 years.
Click the link to view the decisions:
http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2013/2013_07128.htm
http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/motions/2014/2014_71979.htm
Steven Bournazos
Bournazos & Matarangas Law PLLC
(212) 967-3322
Steven Bournazos 