Man Awarded Nearly $23 Million After He Lost 5 Toes When He Tripped on Subway Platform and Got Hit by Train

A New York City man who suffered devastating injuries — including the loss of all five toes on his left foot — after falling from a subway platform in 2017 has been awarded $22.75 million by a Bronx jury.

Maruf Hossain, now in his early 30s, filed a lawsuit after the June 5, 2017, incident at the Parkchester Avenue station in the Bronx. In his complaint, Hossain claimed that he tripped on a broken, uneven section of the platform and fell onto the tracks, where he was struck by an oncoming train.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Hossain named the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), New York City Transit Authority, the City of New York, and a train operator as defendants, alleging that their negligence in maintaining the platform led to the accident.

“A Mangled Foot, Dislocated Hip, and More”

Emergency medicine expert Dr. Kashaul Shah testified that Hossain’s injuries were severe and life-altering. His left foot was described as “mangled,” and he underwent multiple surgeries, resulting in the amputation of all five toes and part of his metatarsal bones. Hossain also suffered a dislocated hip and injuries to his neck, back, arms, legs, and head.

An EMS report initially suggested Hossain had jumped in front of the train in a suicide attempt, but during a psychiatric evaluation, Hossain denied any intention of self-harm.

Jury Rejects MTA’s $100K Offer

Hossain, who worked as a bicycle delivery worker at the time, was reportedly offered a $100,000 settlement by the MTA — an offer his lawyer, Nick Liakas, called “insulting.” On June 30, after a lengthy legal battle, a jury awarded Hossain $22.75 million.

“For far too long, the New York City Transit Authority has gambled with the well-being of innocent New Yorkers,” Liakas said in a statement to PEOPLE. “But this time, the jury delivered a powerful message: accountability matters, and New Yorkers deserve better.”

He continued, “This verdict isn’t just a win for Mr. Hossain. It’s a warning to powerful institutions: the era of delay, deny, and defend is over.”

Hossain Speaks Out

Following the decision, Hossain said he felt vindicated after years of pressure from the transit authority. “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 said.

Photos shared by Hossain’s legal team show him recovering in a hospital bed, his injuries still visibly fresh.

When asked about the jury’s verdict, an MTA spokesperson told PEOPLE they are “reviewing the verdict while assessing all legal options.”

The case has reignited public scrutiny over infrastructure safety and transit accountability in one of the busiest subway systems in the world.