Phone: (516) 487-8207
Last week, Inwood suffered a great fire, which destroyed nine businesses and flooded five others on a packed strip of stores. Luckily, no one was hurt from the overnight blaze, but the damage is extensive.
The NY Daily News reports that businesses affected include "Bread and Yoga studio; Burhan Hardware; Furry Friends; Splash Laundromat; Bank of America and Citibank, and a dentist and lawyer's office." They detailed one shop -- a pharmacy -- which ruined much of what pharmacist Manny Ramirez, 43, worked his whole life to achieve.
From the age of 13, Ramirez had worked as a stock boy at Dichter Pharmacy for his mentor, the prior owner George Liebmann. His earnings supported him through pharmacy school. Four years ago, Ramirez was able to take over the two-floor business. He would work six days a week to support his wife and baby girl and he is now desperate to have the pharmacy back.
The fire consumed the strip on Tuesday, January 3, from 11pm to 2:48am, when 138 firefighters from 33 units put the flames out. Two firefighters sustained injuries. The fire began in a Chinese restaurant on the strip, located on Broadway and 207th street. Sources believe the cause was due to "illegal nighttime welding," and an investigation is ongoing.
Local officials have pledged to work with the businesses to offer expedited insurance services and pro bono legal help.
A few years ago I represented a family whose apartment was totally destroyed by fire and water damage. The fire had started as a result of a roofing company improperly performing roofing on a large apartment building in Queens. This family had such extensive damage and no property damage insurance.
Despite bringing a lawsuit against the company that negligently started the fire on the rooftop, they fought this case tooth and nail. It was only after all depositions (question and answer sessions under oath) were completed did they begin to negotiate. I am happy to report that I was able to successfully resolve their property damage claim.
MORE INFO:
If you would like more information about how accident cases work in the state of New York, I encourage you to explore my educational website. If you have legal questions, I urge you to pick up the phone and call me at 516-487-8207 or by e-mail at lawmed10@yahoo.com to answer your questions. That's what I do every day. I welcome your call.
Read More About Fire Consumes Nine Businesses in NY...
