Floral Park Board Authorizes $200K Settlement for Injury Claim

Village to pay $179K to law firm and $20K to settle Medicare lien after contractor's unsafe work led to resident's fall.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Floral Park village board voted to authorize $200,000 in payments to settle a claim filed by a Nassau County woman, Elizabeth Leonardo, for injuries sustained from a fall caused by unsafe work done by a village contractor on Covert Avenue. The settlement includes $179,062.44 to the law firm Simon and Gilman, LLP, which represented Leonardo, and $20,937.56 to settle a Medicare lien.

Why it matters

This settlement highlights the potential liability municipalities face when contractors perform unsafe work that leads to injuries. It also underscores the importance of proper oversight and safety protocols for village-funded projects to protect both residents and the village's finances.

The details

According to Village Clerk Joseph O'Grady, a judge ordered the village to pay the settlement after a contractor working for the village on Covert Avenue did unsafe work, leading to Leonardo's fall. The board voted to authorize the $200,000 payout at its March 3 meeting.

  • The Floral Park board voted to authorize the $200,000 settlement at its meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
  • The village elections will be held on March 18, 2026.

The players

Elizabeth Leonardo

A Nassau County woman who filed a claim against the village for injuries sustained from a fall caused by unsafe work done by a village contractor.

Simon and Gilman, LLP

The law firm that represented Elizabeth Leonardo and will receive $179,062.44 as part of the settlement.

Joseph O'Grady

The Floral Park village clerk who stated that a judge ordered the village to pay the settlement.

Kevin Fitzgerald

The mayor of Floral Park who discussed the village's process for examining department requests and formulating a budget.

Anthony Kelly

The owner of Tulip Bagels, who applied for a special use permit to expand his business and add a juice bar.

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What they’re saying

“This does not mean that we are or we are not overriding the tax cap. This just gives us the ability to do so.”

— Kevin Fitzgerald, Mayor (longislandpress.com)

“For people coming home from school or work, they can grab something on their way home or to the gym.”

— Anthony Kelly, Bagel shop owner (longislandpress.com)

What’s next

The village board did not approve the special use permit for the Tulip Bagels expansion and will reconsider it after the applicant's second presentation at a future board meeting.

The takeaway

This settlement serves as a cautionary tale for municipalities to ensure proper oversight and safety protocols for village-funded projects to protect both residents and the village's finances. The case highlights the potential liability villages face when contractors perform unsafe work that leads to injuries.