The family of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died after a horse-drawn carriage bolted in Central Park, has filed a $105 million claim against New York City alleging systemic failures in the city’s regulation of horse-drawn carriage operations.
The incident occurred on June 17 near Cherry Hill in Central Park when Mahajan, visiting from India with his family, was thrown from the carriage after the horse Sampson suddenly bolted. Mahajan suffered fatal head injuries during the accident. His family’s legal team, Liakas Law, P.C., filed a Notice of Claim on July 17, initiating the lawsuit process.
In a statement, Sagar Chadha of Liakas Law described the tragedy as "a preventable accident" resulting from "years of warnings, prior incidents, and failures to implement basic safeguards." The claim alleges the city and its agencies ignored repeated violations, including unsecured horses, inadequate driver training, and lack of enforcement of tethering rules.
Legal and Regulatory Context
The Mahajan family’s legal action follows a long-standing debate over horse-drawn carriage operations in New York City. Just two weeks before the accident, a proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages—scheduled to take effect in June 2026—was defeated by the City Council’s Health Committee in November 2025. The bill had aimed to phase out the industry entirely.
At a July 17 City Council hearing, Mahajan’s father, Deepak Mahajan, stated in a recorded video message: "If the city had passed the law last year, our son would still be alive today." He added, "The only measure that can prevent another death is a full and complete act." The family’s lawsuit seeks financial accountability while calling for immediate industry-wide reforms.
Industry and Advocacy Responses
The lawsuit has reignited discussions about the future of horse-drawn carriages in New York. Advocacy groups have long argued that the industry poses unnecessary risks to animals and riders, citing multiple prior incidents involving runaway horses. Supporters of the carriages, however, contend that the industry provides historical tourism value and that recent incidents reflect isolated failures rather than systemic issues.
New York City officials have not yet publicly responded to the claim. The Notice of Claim is a required first step before a lawsuit can be filed, allowing the city 90 days to respond before further legal action proceeds.
Background on the Incident
According to the family’s account, the carriage driver had stopped to take a photo of Mahajan and his family when the horse suddenly bolted. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the carriage flipping before Mahajan was ejected. The New York City Police Department and Department of Health are among the agencies named in the claim, which alleges negligence in oversight and enforcement.
The Mahajan family’s legal filing marks the latest development in a case that has drawn national attention, raising questions about public safety regulations, animal welfare, and the viability of New York’s horse-drawn carriage industry moving forward.