New York Man Awarded Nearly $23 Million After Losing Toes in Subway Accident

A New York City man who suffered life-altering injuries after falling from a subway platform and being struck by a train has been awarded $22.75 million in damages by a jury, following years of legal battles. The incident, which occurred at the Parkchester Avenue subway station in the Bronx on June 5, 2017, left Maruf Hossain with catastrophic injuries, including the loss of all five toes on his left foot.

According to court documents filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Hossain, then 24, fell from the platform due to what he described as a “broken” and “uneven” surface. In his lawsuit, filed later that year in November 2017, he alleged that the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), along with the City of New York, the New York City Transit Authority, and the train controller listed as John Doe, failed to properly maintain the subway platform, resulting in the dangerous conditions that caused his fall.

Hossain’s injuries were extensive. The train struck him with such force that not only were all five toes on his left foot amputated, but his hip was also dislocated. A medical evaluation submitted by Dr. Kashaul Shah, an expert in emergency medicine, detailed the gruesome extent of Hossain’s trauma. His foot was described as “mangled,” and multiple follow-up surgeries were required, removing parts of his metatarsal bones as well.

The EMS report from the incident noted that Hossain may have “jumped in front of the train,” raising suspicions of a possible suicide attempt. However, when evaluated by a psychiatrist, Hossain clearly denied any intent to harm himself. This clarification played a significant role in refuting assumptions and building the case around negligence and unsafe infrastructure rather than self-inflicted harm.

During the years that followed, Hossain’s legal team claimed the MTA pressured him into accepting a low settlement offer of $100,000 — a figure his attorney, Nick Liakas, described as an attempt to avoid responsibility. “For far too long, the New York City Transit Authority has gambled with the well-being of innocent New Yorkers,” said Liakas. “Their strategy has been to delay, deny, and defend — no matter the human cost.”

On June 30, 2025, a jury delivered a powerful verdict, awarding Hossain $22.75 million. Liakas hailed the decision not only as justice for his client but as a clear message that corporate accountability must not be evaded. “This verdict isn’t just a win for Mr. Hossain,” he said, “it’s a warning to powerful corporations: the days of dodging responsibility through legal gamesmanship are over.”

Hossain, who worked as a bicycle delivery worker at the time of the accident, expressed relief and gratitude for the outcome. “After years of the Transit Authority trying to bully me into an unfair settlement, the jury saw through their lies and gave me a second chance at living a normal life,” he shared in a public statement.

An MTA spokesperson later confirmed that the agency is reviewing the verdict and is currently considering its legal options. The decision marks one of the most significant personal injury awards in recent transit history and has sparked broader discussions about public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and how city agencies respond to serious injury claims.

The outcome of this case serves as a sobering reminder of the risks posed by neglected public infrastructure and the enduring consequences it can have on everyday lives.