Wrongful death settlement raises structural integrity concerns at Palisades Mall

A family has settled a $1.6 million wrongful death lawsuit against the owners of the Palisades Mall, but they still have serious concerns about the underground parking lot where their family member fell and died a week later.

Blaise Gomez

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Apr 14, 2023, 9:57 PM

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Updated 621 days ago

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A family has settled a $1.6 million wrongful death lawsuit against the owners of the Palisades Mall, but they still have serious concerns about the underground parking lot where their family member fell and died a week later.

News 12 toured the area on Friday and found severely raised or sunken pavement around most of the concrete pillars.

Some areas are so uneven that entire sections are closed off.

"That area is really dark, and I could see how people fall," said Jonathan Masongsong, from Spring Valley.

Masongsong’s 66-year-old father, Edwin Masongsong, fell in the underground parking lot of the Palisades Mall and broke his hip in 2018. He died from complications a week later.

Edwin Masongsong

His family's wrongful death lawsuit against Eklecco Newco LLC and Pyramid Management was settled this month

The suit alleges “grossly negligent and reckless” conditions that violate “common sense safety rules.”

Michael Feldman, with Jacoby & Meyers, LLP represents Masongsong and says other people have fallen on the same structural defects.

“The mall is not a good neighbor," said Feldman. "They knew that there is a dangerous condition underground in their parking lot.”

News 12 reached out to Pyramid Management for comment but didn’t hear back.

"This mall needs to close that parking lot. It’s as simple as that. It’s not safe," said Feldman.

News 12 called the Clarkstown Building Department about the conditions and concerns and is waiting for a response.

The Palisades Mall is facing foreclosure after their lender announced in February that the owners defaulted on a $419 million loan.

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