Key Takeaway
$29 million jury verdict for teen catastrophically burned in NYC school chemistry class fire - third-degree burns to 31% of body, multiple surgeries, skin grafts
This article is part of our ongoing no-fault coverage, with 271 published articles analyzing no-fault issues across New York State. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum brings 24+ years of hands-on experience to this analysis, drawing from his work on more than 1,000 appeals, over 100,000 no-fault cases, and recovery of over $100 million for clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. For personalized legal advice about how these principles apply to your specific situation, contact our Long Island office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.
Yvonne Y. v City of New York, 2021 NY Slip Op 06468 (1sr Dept. 2021) If you’re dealing with a no-fault insurance defense matter, an experienced attorney can help protect your rights.
I was at first taken aback when I saw the number. Then I saw the injuries and I almost gagged, because this cannot be a life that many would find enjoyment living. Interestingly, I have handled RSD cases n/k/a CRPS cases, and the thought of living with that disorder makes me feel ill. This is about 30x worse.
We can all debate the low impact cases and argue whether the Delta V can or cannot cause the injuries. I cannot offer an opinion because, strangely, I end up on both sides of that equation depending on whether I am doing defense or plaintiff work. But we can all agree this is just atrocious.
“Plaintiff, then 16 years old, suffered catastrophic physical injuries, with psychological and emotional sequelae, when he was set on fire during a chemistry demonstration at the New York City public high school he attended as a student. The physical injuries included, among other things, third-degree burns to 31% of plaintiff’s body — mainly on his face, ears, neck, arms, and hands — as well as degloving injuries to his hands and a corneal abrasion to his right eye. The record shows that plaintiff never lost consciousness. Within the first 24 hours of his hospital admission immediately following the accident, 38 pounds of fluid were pumped into plaintiff’s body in an attempt to provide adequate fluid replacement to his damaged tissue, and plaintiff was placed in an induced coma for three days.
After the induced coma was terminated, plaintiff’s treatment consisted of a series of major operations to remove as much of his burned skin as possible and replace it with skin grafts. Cadaver grafts were initially used as a temporary measure before permanent skin grafts could be harvested from other parts of plaintiff’s body. Plaintiff contracted a MRSA infection while in the hospital, causing loss of half of the cadaver skin grafts. The skin grafts also required thousands of staples in order to affix the new skin. Between the skin that was burned in the accident and harvested for grafting, approximately half of plaintiff’s skin was removed.
The third-degree burns that plaintiff suffered also destroyed the nerves and sweat glands underneath his skin, causing him both to lose sensation in those areas and to be unable to regulate his own body temperature. Following his two-month hospital stay, plaintiff was required to wear compression [*2]garments, which caused him to overheat. Plaintiff’s treating physician testified not only that these injuries were permanent and incurable, but that plaintiff will also suffer from “double or triple” the problems he ordinarily would have as he ages due to skin atrophy, i.e., the loss of elasticity and thickness of the skin. Options for future treatment included reconstructive surgery for plaintiff’s ears — which, plaintiff said, were “completely burned off” — and plastic surgery to even out his skin tone and scarring.
As for his psychological and emotional suffering, plaintiff testified, in detail, about the sensations he experienced being on fire. Despite stopping, dropping, and rolling in a futile attempt to extinguish the fire, plaintiff said that he “felt trapped in own body” and “completely helpless.” He described it as “the worst pain ever felt in entire life,” and that “ot a day passes by where think about it.” Plaintiff also attested to the unceasing, excruciating physical pain that he endured during his hospital stay, which was minimally alleviated, if at all, with pain medication.
Plaintiff also described the sense of losing himself that developed not only from having 31% of his skin burned away, but also from the affixation of cadaver grafts and the harvesting of another 19% of his own skin. He also recounted the horror and hopelessness he felt the first time that he saw his reflection in the hospital, and his father attested to, and recounted instances of, plaintiff’s despair during his hospital admission. Plaintiff further described how, upon being released from the hospital, his confidence and self-esteem plummeted. Plaintiff, who is nearsighted, developed a coping mechanism of removing his glasses while in public so that he could not see others’ reactions to his appearance.”
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Legal Context
Why This Matters for Your Case
New York's no-fault insurance system, established under Insurance Law Article 51, is one of the most complex insurance frameworks in the country. Every motorist must carry Personal Injury Protection coverage that pays medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault, up to $50,000 per person.
But insurers routinely deny valid claims using peer reviews, EUO scheduling tactics, fee schedule reductions, and coverage defenses. The Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum has handled over 100,000 no-fault cases since 2002 — from initial claim submissions through arbitration before the American Arbitration Association, trials in Civil Court and Supreme Court, and appeals to the Appellate Term and Appellate Division. Jason Tenenbaum is one of the few attorneys in the state who both writes his own appellate briefs and tries his own cases.
His 2,353+ published legal articles on no-fault practice are cited by attorneys throughout New York. Whether you are dealing with a medical necessity denial, an EUO no-show defense, a fee schedule dispute, or a coverage question, this article provides the kind of detailed case-law analysis that helps practitioners and claimants understand exactly where the law stands.
About This Topic
New York No-Fault Insurance Law
New York's no-fault insurance system requires every driver to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that pays medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. But insurers routinely deny, delay, and underpay valid claims — using peer reviews, IME no-shows, and fee schedule defenses to avoid paying providers and injured claimants. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum has litigated thousands of no-fault arbitrations and court cases since 2002.
271 published articles in No-Fault
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is New York's no-fault insurance system?
New York's no-fault insurance system, codified in Insurance Law Article 51, requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This pays for medical expenses, lost wages (up to $2,000/month), and other basic economic loss regardless of who caused the accident, up to $50,000 per person. However, to sue for pain and suffering, you must meet the 'serious injury' threshold under Insurance Law §5102(d).
How do I fight a no-fault insurance claim denial?
When a no-fault claim is denied, you can challenge it through mandatory arbitration under the American Arbitration Association's no-fault rules, or by filing a lawsuit in court. Common defenses to denials include challenging the timeliness of the denial, the adequacy of the peer review report, or the insurer's compliance with regulatory requirements. An experienced no-fault attorney can evaluate which strategy gives you the best chance of overturning the denial.
What is the deadline to file a no-fault claim in New York?
Under 11 NYCRR §65-1.1, you must submit a no-fault application (NF-2 form) within 30 days of the accident. Medical providers must submit claims within 45 days of treatment. Missing these deadlines can result in claim denial, though there are limited exceptions for late notice if the claimant can demonstrate a reasonable justification.
What no-fault benefits am I entitled to after a car accident in New York?
Under Insurance Law §5102(b), no-fault PIP covers necessary medical expenses, 80% of lost earnings up to $2,000/month, up to $25/day for other reasonable expenses, and a $2,000 death benefit. These benefits are available regardless of fault, up to the $50,000 policy limit. Claims are paid by your own insurer — not the at-fault driver's.
Can I choose my own doctor for no-fault treatment in New York?
Yes. Under New York's no-fault regulations, you have the right to choose your own physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, or other licensed healthcare provider. The insurer cannot dictate which providers you see. However, the insurer can request an IME with their chosen doctor and may challenge the medical necessity of your treatment through peer review.
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About the Author
Jason Tenenbaum, Esq.
Jason Tenenbaum is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C., headquartered at 326 Walt Whitman Road, Suite C, Huntington Station, New York 11746. With over 24 years of experience since founding the firm in 2002, Jason has written more than 1,000 appeals, handled over 100,000 no-fault insurance cases, and recovered over $100 million for clients across Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. He is one of the few attorneys in the state who both writes his own appellate briefs and tries his own cases.
Jason is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan state courts, as well as multiple federal courts. His 2,353+ published legal articles analyzing New York case law, procedural developments, and litigation strategy make him one of the most prolific legal commentators in the state. He earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
Disclaimer: This article is published by the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. The legal principles discussed may not apply to your specific situation, and the law may have changed since this article was last updated.
New York law varies by jurisdiction — court decisions in one Appellate Division department may not be followed in another, and local court rules in Nassau County Supreme Court differ from those in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Kings County Civil Court, or Queens County Supreme Court. The Appellate Division, Second Department (which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and the Appellate Term (which hears appeals from lower courts) each have distinct procedural requirements and precedents that affect litigation strategy.
If you need legal help with a no-fault matter, contact our office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Long Island (Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton), Nassau County (Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola, Great Neck, Manhasset, Freeport, Long Beach, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Westbury, Hicksville, Massapequa), Suffolk County (Hauppauge, Deer Park, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Patchogue, Brentwood), Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
