$23 Million for Five Toes: The NYC Subway Case That’s Making PI Lawyers Sit Up
On a humid June morning in 2017, a 24-year-old named Maruf Hossain stood on a subway platform in the Bronx, waiting for his train. The platform was narrow, uneven, and crowded something New Yorkers had gotten used to.
But one wrong step changed his life forever.
Hossain slipped, fell onto the tracks, and before anyone could react, an oncoming train struck him. He miraculously survived, but the accident cost him all five toes on his left foot and left him with lifelong injuries to his head, back, and limbs.
For most victims, that would be the end of the story. But Hossain and his legal team, weren’t willing to let negligence hide under the steel tracks of bureaucracy.
Eight Years Later, Justice Arrived
After eight long years of filings, depositions, expert testimony, and procedural delays, a New York jury in July 2025 delivered a stunning verdict:
$23 million in damages against the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and others.
The MTA argued that Hossain was negligent and responsible for his own fall. But his attorneys successfully demonstrated that the platform’s unsafe design and lack of maintenance directly contributed to the accident and that millions of commuters faced the same hidden danger daily.
The verdict didn’t just compensate Hossain, it sent a powerful message to public agencies nationwide: unsafe infrastructure is not an excuse, it’s negligence.
Why This Case Matters to PI Attorneys
- Premises Liability Has Expanded
Public entities can no longer hide behind immunity or bureaucracy. If a hazard exists, they can and should be held accountable.
- Evidence is Everything
The verdict hinged on technical details, platform design, maintenance logs, and expert reconstruction. This case is a masterclass in how thorough documentation builds credibility.
- Storytelling Still Wins
Facts persuade, but emotion seals the deal. A young man losing his toes due to systemic negligence created an undeniable human connection with jurors.
- Patience Pays Off
The case took nearly eight years, a reminder that strong preparation and persistence often turn into record-breaking outcomes.
Draft n Craft Insight
Behind every verdict like this one lies a mountain of medical records, depositions, and evidence that must be meticulously analyzed, summarized, and presented.
That’s where Draft n Craft supports U.S. personal injury law firms.
Our Personal Injury Support Solutions streamline case preparation by delivering:
- Comprehensive medical record summaries and chronologies
- Powerful demand letters and discovery support
- Detailed deposition summaries and trial prep assistance
We help PI attorneys turn raw information into courtroom-ready insight, saving time, improving accuracy, and giving your firm the strategic edge it deserves.
Because when your evidence is airtight, your argument becomes unstoppable.
Final Thought
The Maruf Hossain case (2017–2025) reminds us that negligence can exist in plain sight, on a subway platform, in a workplace, or on a construction site. But justice only arrives when the story is told with precision and persistence.
For personal injury attorneys, that story starts with how well your case is built.
Explore how Draft n Craft helps PI firms build winning cases: