Our firm provides aggressive representation on behalf of injured clients. Recently, we were able to obtain a major settlement on behalf of our client whose daughter had suffered lead poisoning from the paint in her apartment. Attorney Thomas P. Giuffra, named partner of our firm, represented the plaintiff. With thorough preparation and efficient legal strategies, he helped her win a tremendous victory against the New York City Housing Authority.
What You Need to Know About the Situation
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides housing opportunities for low to moderate-income families in the 5 boroughs. The older apartment buildings are supposedly inspected for lead paint on an annual basis in order to protect the tenants from toxic exposure. However, the NYCHA failed to conduct its required inspections, and one family has suffered severe consequences as a result.
Tiesha Jones, resident of the NYCHA public housing apartment, found out that her daughter Dakota had extremely high levels of lead in her blood. She was diagnosed with lead poisoning at 4 years old. Since then, she had to be put into special education courses and was given an individual education plan (IEP) because of the effects of the lead in her system. While the NYCHA claimed it had completed the proper inspections and found no traces of lead, an investigation showed that they had actually not done the required inspections, and that the apartment did in fact have harmful lead in the paint.
Additional research revealed that the NYCHA had relied on uncertified and unqualified technicians to conduct inspections of the apartment homes. Since it failed to follow the mandated protocols and keep tenants safe, the organization was held liable by a jury. Although the NYCHA tried to dismiss the lawsuit, Attorney Giuffra was able to take the case to trial. The jury found the NYCHA guilty of failing to provide necessary lead inspections, and ordered a settlement of $58 million on behalf of Jones.
Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyers Serving New York
At Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, we are passionate about helping clients receive justice from negligent or reckless individuals. Our team has handled hundreds of cases involving complex legal matters, and we are proud when our hard work pays off to benefit our clients. If you or a loved one have suffered harm from the actions of someone else, our New York personal injury attorneys can investigate your case and pursue justice in court.
Contact us today to receive a free case evaluation. We offer services in Spanish for your convenience.
Thomas P. Giuffra, Partner
Thomas specializes in the litigation and trial of significant civil sexual assault, medical malpractice, personal injury, mass tort, and product liability actions. His innovative approach has led to 20 verdicts and numerous settlements in excess of one million dollars on behalf of his clients, including a recent landmark verdict for $58 Million. He has been recognized as "outstanding in the field of advocacy" nationally and internationally.
