Porch catastrophic injury: New York says it's up to you

"It was just a real old porch," said Ames, 56, who suffered torn leg ligaments and is suing his landlord for medical expenses and lost wages after being forced out of work for a month. "This has affected my ability to support my kids."

The landlord, Jeff Bravo, said he didn't realize the structure was in such bad shape, said John Q. Kelly, a New York catastrophic injury lawyer.

"I want to keep the place up to code," said Bravo, who has placed a larger wood plank over the damage while waiting for repair estimates to arrive. A sign warns tenants to stay off the structure.
In West Rogers Park, Kashif Khundmiri has for several months feared that a rotting porch system in an abandoned apartment building next to his family's house could present an open invitation to neighborhood children playing nearby.