New York, New York (May 7, 2025) — In the wake of a city investigation deeming the collapse “reckless,” Morelli Law Firm demands accountability for fatal failures in safety and oversight.
Morelli Law Firm is representing the family of Willis Moore, the long-serving garage manager tragically killed in the 2023 parking garage collapse in Lower Manhattan. Moore, who worked at the garage for more than 20 years, lost his life when the building suddenly gave way—an incident that injured several others and caused widespread property damage.
A new report released by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) highlights a disturbing series of failures that led to the collapse. The findings, described by the DOB as “reckless,” pinpoint poor maintenance, ignored structural issues, and unsafe repair work as the direct causes of the building’s failure. As reported by ABC7 New York and detailed in a New York Times investigation, the garage’s attempts to shore up the structure not only failed to stabilize it but may have hastened its collapse.
“The DOB report confirms what we’ve alleged from the beginning—this was not an accident; it was a preventable tragedy caused by years of neglect,” said Benedict Morelli, founding partner of Morelli Law Firm. “This building was a ticking time bomb, and no one acted to defuse it.”
According to the DOB, the collapse was the result of corroded support beams and columns that had not been properly inspected or repaired. In fact, the garage’s attempts to reinforce the structure—including pouring new concrete, only added stress and made the building less stable. Investigators also found that multiple cars were being stored on elevated lifts beyond the structure’s capacity, a practice that exacerbated the structural strain.
“This garage’s operators ignored basic safety protocols,” added Morelli. “They failed to follow engineering best practices, failed to address known deterioration, and failed to ensure the safety of the very people working in and around the building every day.”
The report’s release has sparked renewed calls for better oversight of aging infrastructure throughout New York City. In the wake of the collapse, city inspectors increased the pace of building checks—but for Morelli, that response came far too late.
“It shouldn’t take someone dying to prompt action,” said Morelli. “There are hundreds of aging structures across the city, and unless serious reforms are made, we will see tragedies like this again.”
The case, filed by the Morelli Law Firm, seeks accountability for the wrongful death of Willis Moore and justice for a family who lost a loved one due to what the city has now confirmed was preventable negligence.
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