A New York City Police Officer assigned to Recruitment sustained injuries to both his knees when he tripped on garbage bags which were improperly placed in the middle of a defective circular staircase in a Housing Authority building. The Officer required arthroscopic surgery on both knees. The procedure on one of the knee did not show any damage. The procedure on the other knee revealed a tear which was subsequently repaired. The Officer received a ¾ disability pension, however the Medical Board ruled the disabling event occurred during a 1999 line-of-duty accident. This fact gave the City of New York leverage in determining the damages aspect of the case. The matter settled for $475,000 during a pre-trial conference.