Woman falls to her death after apartment balcony gives way

There are hundreds of apartment buildings in New York that are safe and secure. However, some building owners don’t take the necessary measures to ensure that all aspects of their buildings are safe and up to code. Sometimes, that lack of care can lead to a serious injury or even death.

The safety of a balcony is under question after a 35-year-old New York Woman fell to her death recently when the metal railing of the balcony gave way. The incident occurred on the balcony of the woman’s apartment building, which was on the 16th floor of the complex. She was reportedly sitting on top of the rail with a male companion, when the railing suddenly made cracking sounds, according to her male companion.

The railing then bent and the woman fell backward 140 feet. She reportedly died on impact. According to a city spokeswoman the Department of Buildings is investigating the accident. It is not known if the railing had a defect or damage. A city law requires that balconies on any building higher than six floors be examined every five years. The building in question was inspected in February, but the results of that inspection were not reported.

When an incident like this occurs, family members and loved ones are forced to try to pick up the pieces. If the building owner and/or the inspector failed to ensure that the railing was safe, then this woman’s family may be entitled to receive compensation for their loss. They might want to speak with a premises liability lawyer.

Source: New York Daily News “Ad exec, 35, on first date plummets to her death when 16th-floor balcony collapses in midtown,” Barry Paddock, Edgar Sandoval, Rocco Parascandola and Tina Moore, August 2, 2013