Flatbush Brooklyn Building Collapse Lawyer with Proven Record in Major Construction Disasters

The devastating building collapse in Flatbush, Brooklyn, on November 11, 2026, has caused multiple fatalities and serious injuries. The tragedy occurred at 1321 Flatbush Avenue, a three-story building adjacent to an active construction site at 2625 Bedford Avenue, where excavation was underway for a planned nine-story development.

Photograph of the damaged building at the Flatbush, Brooklyn collapse site, taken November 13, 2026.

As investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse, serious questions remain about construction safety, excavation practices, structural stability, and the responsibilities of property owners, developers, and contractors.

For more than a century, Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf has represented victims and families affected by some of New York's most devastating accidents.

When major catastrophes occur, the firm's attorneys have repeatedly been entrusted with complex, high-stakes litigation involving multiple victims, powerful defendants, and difficult questions of liability. The firm has secured some of New York's largest and most significant verdicts and settlements in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, reflecting its longstanding record of success in complex litigation.

The firm's record includes the $272.5 million Tribeca crane collapse settlement, the largest known construction accident settlement in New York State history, as well as leadership in the litigation arising from the Metro-North Valhalla train disaster, which resulted in settlements exceeding $182 million.

Major construction accidents and structural collapses demand far more than a routine personal injury investigation. They often involve multiple contractors, engineering experts, government agencies, insurance carriers, and extensive technical evidence.

Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf has extensive experience handling precisely this type of litigation.

The firm's attorneys secured a historic $272.5 million settlement arising from the catastrophic Tribeca crane collapse.

This landmark recovery stands as the largest known construction accident settlement in New York State history and demonstrates the firm's ability to handle extraordinarily complex construction accident litigation involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.

The case required the resources, preparation, and litigation experience necessary to pursue accountability following a major construction disaster.

The firm's experience extends beyond construction accidents to some of the most consequential transportation disasters in New York.

Following the deadly 2015 Metro-North train collision in Valhalla, Westchester County, attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf were selected by the plaintiffs' counsel to serve as lead trial counsel during the liability phase of the litigation.

After a six-week trial, the jury found Metro-North 71% responsible for the collision.

That verdict was a critical development in litigation that ultimately resulted in settlements exceeding $182 million for victims and their families.

The case illustrates the firm's ability to investigate catastrophic events, challenge powerful institutions, and establish liability in exceptionally complex litigation.

The firm also has direct experience representing victims of structural collapses.

In litigation arising from a catastrophic building collapse on West 35th Street in Manhattan, the firm served as lead counsel in a complex case involving multiple parties and injured victims.

Despite available insurance coverage of only $2 million, the litigation resulted in a $3 million settlement.

The firm also secured a $3.5 million settlement for the family of a federal DEA agent who died following a cesspool collapse at his home.

The firm's experience extends to other catastrophic events involving multiple victims and complex questions of liability, including:

• $100 million recovered for victims of the September 11 attacks and their families.
• $18 million recovered for victims of a gas explosion on Ann Street in New York City.
• $14 million recovered for tenants injured in a steam pipe explosion.

These significant recoveries demonstrate the firm's experience handling complex litigation arising from structural failures, explosions, and large-scale disasters, where identifying responsible parties, investigating technical evidence, and pursuing accountability often require substantial legal and investigative resources.

The precise cause of the November 11 collapse remains under investigation. No final determination of negligence or legal responsibility should be made before the evidence has been thoroughly examined.

Depending on the investigation's findings, potentially responsible parties could include property owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, excavation contractors, engineers, or other parties whose actions or omissions contributed to the collapse.

Among the critical questions investigators may examine are whether excavation operations adequately protected neighboring buildings, whether required structural support and underpinning were properly designed and installed, and whether applicable construction safety requirements were followed.

Determining responsibility in a catastrophic building collapse often requires an independent investigation, expert engineering analysis, examination of construction records, and careful review of applicable New York laws.

The consequences of a building collapse can be devastating for construction workers, residents, pedestrians, and families who lose loved ones.

Depending on their circumstances, injured victims may have claims for medical expenses, lost income, future care, pain and suffering, and other legally recoverable damages.

Families who have lost loved ones may be entitled to pursue wrongful death and other applicable claims.

Construction workers may also have rights under New York's Labor Law, depending on the circumstances of their injuries, while residents and bystanders may have claims under applicable negligence and premises liability principles.

Because multiple parties and insurance policies may be involved, it is important to preserve evidence and investigate potential claims promptly.

For more than 100 years, Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf has built its reputation on representing people who have suffered life-changing injuries and families devastated by wrongful death.

The firm is a selective New York trial practice that devotes substantial attorney attention and resources to serious, complex litigation.

Cases are handled by teams of attorneys rather than a single lawyer working alone. Particularly complex and high-stakes matters, such as litigation that may arise from the Flatbush building collapse, can involve multiple senior trial attorneys working alongside younger attorneys and other members of the firm's legal team. This collaborative approach brings extensive trial experience, dedicated resources, and multiple legal perspectives to the investigation and preparation of catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.

The firm's history demonstrates a consistent commitment to pursuing accountability when major disasters cause devastating harm.

Following a catastrophic building collapse, time is critical to preserving evidence and protecting the legal rights of victims and their families. Debris may be removed, damaged structures demolished, construction sites altered, and important physical evidence lost as emergency response and cleanup operations proceed.

An experienced building collapse attorney can act quickly to preserve critical evidence, obtain construction records, inspection reports, permits, and surveillance footage, and take appropriate legal steps to prevent the destruction of relevant materials. Equally important, the attorney can assemble a team of independent structural engineers, construction safety specialists, and other qualified experts to investigate the collapse, examine the available evidence, and help determine what caused the disaster and who may be legally responsible.

In complex cases involving multiple contractors, property owners, developers, and insurance companies, early legal intervention can make a significant difference in the ability to establish liability and pursue full compensation. Victims and families should seek experienced legal representation as soon as possible, before crucial evidence disappears or becomes more difficult to obtain

Victims of the Flatbush building collapse and families who have lost loved ones deserve answers, accountability, and experienced legal representation.

The attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf have extensive experience handling serious personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Brooklyn. The firm's team of Brooklyn personal injury lawyers has extensive experience handling serious personal injury and wrongful death litigation throughout Brooklyn. Having represented numerous clients in the borough, the attorneys are familiar with the procedures and practices of Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, where many of Brooklyn's most significant civil injury cases are litigated.

The firm offers free, confidential consultations to individuals and families seeking to understand their legal rights following catastrophic accidents.

Call 212-943-1090 for a free consultation or fill out the online contact form.

There is no attorney's fee unless the firm obtains a recovery.

The cause of the November 11, 2026, Flatbush building collapse remains under investigation. The discussion of potential legal responsibility does not constitute a finding that any individual or entity acted negligently. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.