A senior architecture major who sued Syracuse University after a 50-pound, 6-by-3-foot window pane fell on her head in Lyman Hall claims she is now permanently disabled due to the incident.

Meishi Zhang, a New Jersey resident, filed a lawsuit against SU, Upstate Insulated Glass Inc. and the Hayner Hoyt Corporation in April. Both central New York-based companies were hired to replace windows in Lyman, according to the lawsuit.

The companies requested medical bills owed from the incident, as well as further information about how the window fell onto Zhang. The lawsuit is still in the discovery phase, wherein both parties can request documents or conduct depositions to be used as testimony.

According to documents filed last week in Onondaga County Supreme Court, Zhang visited more than a dozen doctors to seek medical treatment — including Upstate University and Crouse hospitals.

Zhang now suffers from post-concussion syndrome, short-term memory loss and vision impairment, among other injuries, the lawsuit states. She is currently on medical leave from SU.

Clifford Zelen, her attorney, was unable to comment on the lawsuit.

On Jan. 13, 2014, at about 1 p.m., Zhang was in Lyman talking to her FST 203: “Fine Pastries and Desserts” professor, when a window pane fell on her head. According to the lawsuit, the window was being cleaned before it fell.

The lawsuit accuses Hayner Hoyt and Upstate Glass of failing to properly install, secure, inspect and create a barrier around the area of the glass panel to keep Zhang “out of the zone of danger.” Both companies have denied wrongdoing.

Michelle Davoli, Hayner Hoyt’s attorney, was unable to comment. Nicole Holland, the attorney for Upstate Glass, was also unable to comment.

Zhang spent $10,000 on medical treatment for her injuries and continues to incur charges, according to the lawsuit. She also claims to have paid $8,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

Zhang is seeking $5 million in damages from SU, Hayner Hoyt and Upstate Glass.

Published on October 21, 2015 at 10:44 pm

Contact Annie: apalme05@syr.edu