Residents of 1 West Street have filed a class action lawsuit against the Moinian Group and Douglas Elliman Property Management over the 500-unit rental building’s response to Hurricane Sandy, Curbed reported. The suit seeks damages over allegations that the defendants did not sufficiently secure, protect or care for the Financial District building before, during or after the storm. This is not the first residential property to lawyer up and seek damages from the storm. Residents of 88 Greenwich Street filed suit against the condominium board and property manager over allegations that they took no precautions against flooding, which left the building uninhabitable, as previously reported.
In addition, 2 Gold Street residents sued TF Cornerstone, the rental property owner, manager and developer over accusations of negligence leading up to the October storm.
The 1 West Street suit alleges that the defendants did not properly secure the oil and boiler tank, which gave way to an oily-water mix entering the building and causing damage. There are also allegations over inaccurate and conflicting information about when tenants could return home.
The residents are seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial. [Curbed] —Zachary Kussin