Woman left with 'severe traumatic brain injury' after being hit by chair that fell from penthouse

A New York City resident was left with a "severe traumatic brain injury" after her head was caved in by a chair that fell from a penthouse.

Annabel Sen is now suing the property company - which is owned by Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin - after the falling piece of furniture left her with "permanent and debilitating injuries".

Per a copy of the complaint shared with PEOPLE, 24-year-old Sen was walking past the Union Street building on January 25 when she was suddenly struck by a "heavy wooden lounge chair" that fell from a 12th-floor penthouse.

More on this story in the video below:

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Sen - who worked in private equity at the time and had applied to Harvard Medical School to pursue a master's degree in this fall - required emergency surgery after the impact caused a "severe traumatic brain injury".

She has also had to undergo two additional surgeries.

Speaking to PEOPLE, her lawyer, Benedict Morelli from the Morelli Law Firm, said:

"[Sen] has undergone three brain surgeries. We are hoping that she returns to full cognitive abilities, but the future is still unclear at this point. She suffered a horrific injury.

"Frankly, she’s lucky to be alive.

The attorney added: "Annabel’s spirit and optimism are a testament to her character. She remains committed to her recovery and is making progress each day."

Annabel is now living back with her parents and is currently unable to work at her former job or attend Harvard.

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The 24-year-old is suing the penthouse owner, GR Realty Holdings, which is the holding company owned by Michael Rubin.

As well as GR Realty Holdings, Sen is also suing the condominium board, building management company, and the men leasing the 12th-floor apartment at the time of the incident.

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Part of the complaint reads: "The piece of unsecured terrace furniture was caused to fall due to the carelessness, recklessness, and negligence of the Defendants, their agents, servants and/or employees."

It adds that the defendants "permitted a foreseeable hazard to exist, and that foreseeable hazard—an unsecured lounge chair on a terrace 12 stories high in windy, rainy conditions."

According to a statement given to NBC New York by Rubin's spokesperson, the Philadelphia 76ers co-owner has not lived in the building for over a year.

Morelli states that "Mr. Rubin and the other defendants should have foreseen the potential for this to occur and taken appropriate precautions."

He added: "This doesn’t happen without negligence. It’s not an act of God. I’m going to hold them responsible."

Following the incident, the 15 Union Square West Building was issued a citation by the New York City Department of Buildings and was fined $6,250.

Related - This "influencer" was arrested after throwing a chair from a balcony to a busy street:

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