A single apartment building in the Bronx linked to 30 construction injury lawsuits
WABC-TV Eyewitness News exposes a pattern of suspicious injury claims in New York City construction sites, sparking concerns of widespread insurance fraud and rising costs for New Yorkers.
Investigative reporter Kristin Thorne visited a building in Corona where two residents from the same apartment filed separate construction injury lawsuits within just one month of each other. (PHOTO: WABC-TV Eyewitness News)
A recent WABC-TV Eyewitness News investigation, led by investigative reporter Kristin Thorne, has revealed a shocking trend in New York City's construction industry—an alarming number of injury lawsuits filed by individuals living in the same apartment buildings. The findings, based on the analysis of hundreds of public court records, expose a pattern that many in the industry believe points to widespread insurance fraud.
The investigation focused on several residential buildings in the Bronx and Queens, where dozens of residents claimed to have been injured on construction sites. For example, a single apartment building on Ellis Avenue in the Bronx was linked to 30 construction injury lawsuits, while another home across the street was tied to 21 claims. Several other nearby residences also had multiple lawsuits filed by their occupants.
"A very big red flag"
Thorne and her team shared these findings with Michelle Rafeld, executive director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, who raised concerns about potential organized crime behind these claims. Rafeld commented, "When you are seeing large numbers of individuals living in the same area all having a claim, that sends up a very big red flag."
Members of the construction and insurance sectors echoed these concerns. At a recent meeting on Long Island, industry professionals discussed the financial impact of fraudulent lawsuits on both the construction industry and the public. Brian Sampson, president of the Empire State Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors, noted that the prevalence of fraudulent claims is driving up insurance premiums, which in turn leads to higher costs for construction, home prices, and even everyday items like groceries.
Claimants living in the same apartment
In one striking example from the investigation, two residents from the same apartment in Corona filed separate construction injury lawsuits within just one month of each other. While visiting the building, Thorne encountered one of the plaintiffs, who was using a cane and back brace. Although he admitted to filing the lawsuit, he seemed unaware of the other claimants living in the same building, a detail that raised further suspicions about potential fraud.
In addition to identifying suspicious patterns in the lawsuits, the investigation found that 30 out of 62 of these cases were handled by just two law firms. When asked for a comment, one of the firms declined to respond, and the other failed to get back to Eyewitness News.
To further understand the legitimacy of these claims, Thorne reached out to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, which awarded compensation to 12 of the claimants after confirming their work-related injuries. However, the question of whether some of these injuries were staged remains open.
Thorne’s investigation also revealed that the New York State Inspector General’s Office, which oversees workers' compensation fraud, is reviewing the situation. Though they declined to provide specific details, they emphasized their commitment to thorough investigations.
The findings of this investigation highlight the urgent need for reform in New York's construction industry. Fraudulent injury claims not only put pressure on legitimate businesses but also contribute to rising insurance costs, which ultimately burden New York residents.
As the issue gains attention, stakeholders in construction, insurance, and law enforcement will need to collaborate on effective solutions to prevent fraud, protect workers, and ensure fair practices across the industry.🀰
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