Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. Succeeds in Brokering a Favorable Buyout for Residential Tenants Whose Apartment Was Substantially Damaged by a Fire
In this matter, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C.’s client, famous American singer, songwriter and composer Lesley Gore (“It’s My Party” & “You Don’t Own Me”) and her longtime partner, were lessees of a residential unit, which was substantially destroyed as a result of a fire. The New York City Fire Department investigated the loss and opined that the fire was caused by a candle at the foot of the clients’ bed that lit the bedsheets on fire and spread to the remaining areas of the unit, which the clients allegedly failed to put out before they went to sleep.
Subsequently, the insurance company for the owner of the unit, as subrogee, sued the clients individually for damages totaling over $100,000, resulting from the fire. Adam Leitman Baliey, P.C. then tendered to the clients’ insurance carrier demanding a complete defense and indemnity for the alleged loss under the provisions of the clients’ renters insurance policy.
Consequently, the clients’ insurance carrier accepted the clients’ tender.
While simultaneously defending the clients in connection with the subrogation action against the unit owner’s insurance company, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. filed an HP proceeding against the unit owner seeking, among other things, to force the owner to immediately remediate the subject premises and restore the clients to possession.
Working on parallel tracks, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. successfully defended the clients in the insurance action by forcing the clients’ insurance company to cover all of the damages caused by the fire, while negotiating an extremely favorable buyout for the apartment for the clients.
Colin E. Kaufman handled the defense of the insurance action and Jamie Schare Rager prepared the complaint in the HP proceeding.
Adam Leitman Bailey and Christopher E. Halligan brokered the buyout on behalf of the clients.