Advocated on Behalf of a Large Residential Apartment Building Against Allegations of Negligence in a Sexual Assault Matter

Litigator Margaret Firnstein handled a matter that involved the brutal sexual assault of a female who was a resident of a large apartment building. The building employed a front desk attendant who was charged with reviewing video surveillance and ensuring that guests signed in upon entry to the building. On the date of the occurrence, the plaintiff entered the building with her key followed by an unknown male that came in before the door closed. The male grabbed the plaintiff from behind holding his hand around her body and her mouth. He walked the plaintiff past the front desk and into a hallway that led to the back alley where she was sexually assaulted for several minutes. The front desk attendant did not stop them and require the male to sign in. The front desk attendant believed the male and the plaintiff were boyfriend and girlfriend and decided not to stop them. Surveillance camera in the alley was not operational. A verdict of $1 million was awarded to the plaintiff after the plaintiff’s counsel demands of $5.8 million.