A woman has suffered severe brain damage after a chair fell from a twelfth floor penthouse and struck her.
Annabel Sen is suing the property company owned by Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin over the incident. The condominium board, building management company and the men renting the apartment at the time are also listed as defendants in the lawsuit.
According to reports, Ms Sen was walking along Union Square on 25 January when 'a heavy wooden lounge chair' fell from a penthouse above and landed on her.
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Documents seen by People state that the 24-year-old suffered 'severe traumatic brain injury' which meant she had to undergo emergency surgery.
The site says that Ms Sen had worked for a private equity firm and had recently applied for a masters degree at Harvard Medical School, however, as a result of the incident, she has been left with 'permanent and debilitating injuries'.
Speaking to the publication, Ms Sen's lawyer Benedict Morelli said she was very lucky to still be alive.
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He said: "She has undergone three brain surgeries. We are hoping that she returns to full cognitive abilities, but the future is still unclear at this point. She suffered a horrific injury. Frankly, she's lucky to be alive."
Adding: "Annabel's spirit and optimism are a testament to her character. She remains committed to her recovery and is making progress each day."
The complaint seen by People goes on to state: "The piece of unsecured terrace furniture was caused to fall due to the carelessness, recklessness, and negligence of the Defendants, their agents, servants and/or employees."
Shortly after the tragic incident, the building was cited by the New York City Department of Buildings and fined $6,250 (£4,904).
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The documents then claims the defendants 'permitted a foreseeable hazard to exist, and that foreseeable hazard - an unsecured lounge chair on a terrace 12 stories high in windy, rainy conditions'.
Mr Morelli said: "Mr. Rubin and the other defendants should have foreseen the potential for this to occur and taken appropriate precautions.
"This doesn't happen without negligence. It's not an act of God. I'm going to hold them responsible."
According to NBC New York, a spokesperson for Rubin, who is the boss of the holding company - GR Realty Holding - that owns the penthouse, says the businessman has not lived in the building for well over a year and that the apartment was rented out at the time.
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The news site also stated that the men who rented the penthouse had no comment when approached.
Featured Image Credit: Morelli Law Firm