Life can change in an instant. One moment you're walking down the street. The next, you're hurt and confused. Someone else's mistake has turned your world upside down.
You need help. Not just any lawyer will do. You need advocates who understand what's at stake. You need people who will fight for you.
In New York City, accidents happen every day. Eight million people share crowded streets. Construction zones are everywhere. Dangers lurk around every corner. People get hurt. Lives get destroyed.
That's where we come in. At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we fight for injured people. We've been doing it for decades. Our results speak for themselves.
We've recovered over $5 billion for our clients. We've won more than 60 cases worth over $1 million each. In just the last ten years, we've won 400 cases worth more than $1 million each.
But we're not just about big numbers. Every case is about a real person. Someone whose life was changed forever. Someone who needs justice. Someone who deserves compensation.
We don't just handle legal paperwork. We restore hope. We fight for what's right. We help people get their lives back.
Personal injury law is simple. When someone hurts you through carelessness or bad behavior, you can get compensation. The law calls these situations "torts." But what it really means is making people pay for the damage they cause.
Here's the key point: You must be actually hurt. Just because someone was careless doesn't automatically give you a case. There has to be real damage.
Let's say you slip on a wet floor at the grocery store. You get back up and walk away fine. No case exists, even if the store was totally careless. But if you break your arm or hurt your back, then you have a case.
This confuses a lot of people. They think any careless behavior creates a lawsuit. That's not true. Running red lights is bad. Not fixing broken stairs is dangerous. Giving wrong medical treatment is terrible. But without real harm, there's no case.
New York has special rules that make things complicated. Our state has "no-fault" car insurance. This means your own insurance pays your bills up to $50,000, no matter who caused the crash. But if you're badly hurt, you can sue for more money.
We also have "comparative negligence" rules. This means you can still win money even if you partly caused your own accident. As long as you're less than 51% at fault, you can still get paid.
These rules are tricky. Understanding them can mean the difference between getting paid and getting nothing.
Not all lawyers are the same. In New York City, lots of lawyers handle injury cases. But few have our track record. Few have our experience. Few get our results.
Look at our recent victories:
We won $120 million for a father who got brain damage from bad medical treatment. This was the biggest verdict in New York State in 2023. Not just for injury cases. For all types of cases.
We won $85 million for a man hit by a tour bus in Manhattan. He suffered terrible injuries. He spent 78 days in the hospital. He had 11 surgeries. The jury understood his pain and awarded him what he deserved.
We won $59.2 million for a student burned in a chemistry class. Schools must keep students safe. When they don't, we make them pay.
We won $71 million for a student hurt in a car crash. She suffered spinal injuries that changed her life forever.
We won $60 million for a man left paralyzed after a routine medical procedure. What should have been simple turned into a nightmare.
These victories didn't happen by luck. They happened because we work harder. We prepare better. We fight smarter.
Insurance companies know our reputation. When they see our name on a case, they know they're in for a real fight. They know we won't settle for less than our clients deserve.
Good lawyers make all the difference. We have 17 attorneys on our team. Each brings special skills and knowledge.
Our managing partner is Ben Rubinowitz. He's ranked #1 among all personal injury lawyers in New York Metro. That's according to Super Lawyers, the most respected lawyer rating system.
Ben Rubinowitz and Howard Hershenhorn were named "Best Personal Injury Lawyers In New York City" by Forbes. That's recognition from one of the world's most respected business magazines.
Richard Steigman was named "Lawyer of the Year" for medical malpractice by Best Lawyers in America. This award recognizes the very best lawyers in each specialty.
What makes our team special? We have doctors on our legal team. Two of our lawyers are medical doctors. We also have an emergency medical technician. This medical knowledge helps us understand complex injury cases.
When we handle a medical malpractice case, our doctor-lawyers can spot problems other attorneys miss. When we handle construction accidents, our technical knowledge helps us build stronger cases.
Every case gets a team approach. We pick the right lawyers for each case. Cases involving brain injuries get lawyers who understand brain science. Construction cases get lawyers who know safety rules. Medical cases get lawyers who understand medicine.
This attention to detail makes the difference between winning and losing.
Personal injury law covers many different situations. We handle all types of accident cases. From simple falls to complex disasters.
Construction Accidents
Construction work is dangerous. New York has special laws to protect construction workers. The "scaffold law" makes property owners responsible when workers fall from heights.
If you fall from a ladder, scaffold, or other high place, the property owner must pay. It doesn't matter if they were directly careless or not. The law makes them responsible.
Construction sites often have many companies working together. Property owners, general contractors, and subcontractors all share responsibility. Each has insurance. Each has lawyers. Sorting out who pays what can be complicated.
We've won big money for workers hurt in falls. We've helped people struck by falling objects. We've represented workers caught in cave-ins. We've handled cases involving bad equipment.
Every construction case requires careful investigation. We look at safety rules, training records, and what went wrong. We build cases that win.
Medical Malpractice
Few things are worse than being hurt by doctors you trusted. Medical malpractice happens when doctors, nurses, or hospitals make mistakes. These mistakes must fall below the standard of good medical care.
Our $60 million verdict shows how serious these cases can be. A man went in for a simple shot in his back. He came out paralyzed for life. One mistake destroyed his future.
Medical cases are hard to win. We need medical experts to explain what went wrong. We need doctors to say the treatment was bad. We need proof that the mistake caused the injury.
Having doctors on our legal team helps. They understand medical records. They know what questions to ask. They can spot problems other lawyers miss.
Car Accidents
New York's no-fault insurance system makes car accident cases complicated. Your own insurance pays your bills up to $50,000. But to get more money, your injuries must be "serious" under state law.
What counts as serious? Permanent injuries. Injuries that keep you from working for at least 90 days. Injuries that cause significant disfigurement.
Our $71 million car accident verdict shows what's possible with serious injuries. The student suffered spinal damage that changed her life forever. She couldn't work. She couldn't enjoy life the same way. The jury understood and paid accordingly.
Slip and Fall Cases
Property owners must keep their property safe. When they don't, people get hurt. Wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, and other hazards cause accidents.
To win these cases, we must prove the owner knew about the danger. Or should have known. We must show they didn't fix it properly.
Maybe they ignored a leaky pipe that made floors wet. Maybe they knew stairs were broken but didn't repair them. Maybe they didn't provide enough security in dangerous areas.
These cases require quick action. Evidence disappears fast. Wet floors get mopped. Broken items get replaced. We move quickly to preserve proof.
Product Defects
Sometimes products hurt people even when used correctly. Defective cars, bad medical devices, dangerous medicines, and faulty tools can all cause serious injuries.
Companies that make, design, and sell products must keep them safe. When they don't, they must pay for injuries.
Product cases can be based on:
These cases often require expensive experts and testing. We have the resources to fight big companies.
Assault and Battery
Most injury cases involve accidents. But assault and battery cases involve someone trying to hurt another person.
Assault happens when someone makes you fear they're about to hurt you. Battery is when they actually touch you harmfully. Bar fights, domestic violence, and criminal attacks often lead to these cases.
Even if the attacker goes to jail, victims can still sue for money damages. They can get paid for medical bills, lost work, and pain and suffering.
Sexual Abuse
We've handled many sexual abuse cases, especially involving institutions like churches and schools. These cases require special sensitivity and understanding.
Our $27.5 million settlement against the Catholic Church helped four boys who were abused by a church worker. These cases hold institutions responsible for failing to protect vulnerable people.
Understanding the legal process helps reduce worry. Most cases follow similar steps from start to finish.
Case Evaluation
Everything starts with evaluating your case. We review medical records, accident reports, and witness statements. We figure out who's at fault. We estimate what your case might be worth.
We're picky about cases we take. We limit ourselves to about 100 cases per year. This lets us give each case the attention it deserves.
Investigation
Once we take your case, serious investigation begins. We might hire accident experts. We get surveillance videos. We interview witnesses. We consult medical experts.
We also use the "discovery" process. This lets both sides get information from each other. We request documents. We take depositions. We build evidence to support your case.
Settlement Talks
Many cases settle without going to trial. Our reputation for being prepared and willing to try cases often motivates the other side to offer fair settlements.
But we never recommend settling for less than full value. If they won't pay what your case is worth, we'll take it to trial.
Trial
When cases can't be settled, we go to court. We prepare every case like it's going to trial. This includes preparing witnesses, organizing evidence, and developing strategies to win.
Our courtroom success comes from telling your story effectively. Juries need to understand how your injuries affected your life. We help them see the real impact.
Personal injury cases can be worth different amounts. Several factors determine value.
Economic Damages
These are the costs you can measure in dollars:
Medical bills are obvious. But we look beyond current bills to future needs. Will you need more surgery? Ongoing therapy? Special equipment? We calculate lifetime medical costs.
Lost wages include money you've already lost and future earning capacity. If your injuries affect your ability to work or advance in your career, that counts too.
Property damage might include car repairs, damaged clothes, or broken personal items.
Non-Economic Damages
These cover impacts that don't have clear dollar values:
Pain and suffering compensates for physical pain and emotional distress. New York allows substantial awards for serious injuries.
Loss of enjoyment covers activities you can no longer do. Sports, hobbies, travel, or simple daily tasks that became difficult or impossible.
For catastrophic injuries, these non-economic damages often make up the biggest part of the recovery.
Punitive Damages
These are less common. They punish especially bad behavior and discourage others from acting the same way. Drunk driving cases might qualify for punitive damages.
New York has unique laws that affect injury cases.
Time Limits
You have limited time to file lawsuits. Generally, you have three years from the accident date. Medical malpractice cases must be filed within two and a half years. Cases against government require special notice within 90 days.
Missing these deadlines can destroy your case, no matter how strong it is.
Comparative Negligence
Even if you partly caused your accident, you might still get money. New York uses "pure" comparative negligence. Your recovery gets reduced by your percentage of fault.
If you're 20% at fault and your case is worth $100,000, you'd get $80,000. But if you're more than 50% at fault, you get nothing in some situations.
No-Fault Insurance
Car accident cases work differently because of no-fault insurance. Your own insurance pays up to $50,000 regardless of fault. But to get more, your injuries must meet the "serious injury" threshold.
This system creates unique challenges that require experienced handling.
Time is not your friend after an accident. Several factors make quick action important.
Evidence Disappears
Accident scenes get cleaned up. Surveillance videos get erased. Physical evidence gets thrown away. The sooner we start, the more evidence we can preserve.
We might need to send legal notices to prevent destruction of important documents. We photograph scenes and arrange expert examinations.
Witness Memories Fade
People forget details quickly. They move away or become hard to find. Getting statements while memories are fresh provides crucial support.
Medical Documentation
Getting medical treatment right away serves two purposes. It protects your health and documents your injuries. Insurance companies will question delays in treatment.
We help connect you with proper medical providers and ensure treatment gets documented correctly.
Many law firms handle thousands of cases like an assembly line. We chose a different path.
We limit ourselves to about 100 cases per year. This lets us give each case the careful attention it deserves.
This approach lets us invest the resources needed to maximize your recovery. Each case gets a team picked for its expertise. We use the latest technology and comprehensive expert testimony.
The result is consistently better outcomes. While other firms settle quickly to move on, we prepare every case for trial. This ensures insurance companies know they'll face strong opposition if they don't offer fair compensation.
Our reputation extends beyond New York. Lawyers across the country refer their hardest cases to us. This shows both our legal skills and our ethical standards.
We've handled high-profile cases that made national news. We represented Amadou Diallo's family in their police brutality case. We got a substantial settlement for comedian Joan Rivers' family after her death from medical malpractice.
We've also helped expand legal protections for injury victims. Our successful challenge of New York's "zone of danger" rule now lets grandparents get compensation when they witness grandchildren being hurt.
Behind every case is a human story of suffering and courage. Our clients aren't just dealing with legal issues. They face medical challenges, money problems, and emotional trauma.
Our client service reflects this understanding. We communicate regularly. We provide updates on case progress. We make sure clients understand their options.
One client's husband said it best: "It is a pleasure dealing with a law firm where, from the managing partner to the support staff every member and employee of the firm was courteous and attentive."
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can be devastating and permanent. They might not show up immediately. Someone might seem fine after an accident but develop serious problems later.
Our $120 million brain injury verdict shows how serious these cases can be. The father seemed okay at first. But medical mistakes led to brain damage requiring lifetime care.
Spinal Injuries
Spinal cord injuries often cause paralysis. These are life-changing injuries that affect everything. The person might never walk again. They might need help with basic daily activities.
Our $60 million verdict for the paralyzed electrician shows the lifetime impact. One mistake during a routine procedure destroyed his independence forever.
Burn Injuries
Burns can cause terrible pain and permanent scarring. Our $59.2 million school chemistry verdict involved a student burned during class. These injuries often require multiple surgeries and cause lifelong disfigurement.
Wrongful Death
The worst cases involve death. When someone dies because of another's negligence, families can seek compensation. This includes funeral costs, lost financial support, and emotional suffering.
Only court-appointed representatives can file wrongful death cases. They must prove negligence directly caused the death and that survivors suffered financial losses.
How much will my case cost?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency. We only get paid if we win. We advance all costs for investigation, experts, and trial.
How long will my case take?
It depends. Simple cases might settle in months. Complex cases can take years. We keep you informed throughout the process.
Do I need to go to trial?
Most cases settle. But we prepare every case for trial. This preparation often leads to better settlements.
What if I was partly at fault?
You might still get money. New York's comparative negligence rule allows recovery even if you share some blame.
If you've been hurt by someone else's negligence, you're facing tough times. Medical bills pile up. Insurance companies pressure you to settle quickly. You're trying to heal physically and emotionally.
You don't have to face this alone. Our team has the experience and resources to get you the compensation you deserve. We've recovered billions for injured New Yorkers.
Your consultation is free. We'll review your case and give you honest advice about your options. You're under no obligation to hire us.
If we take your case, you can trust that you're getting representation from one of New York's most respected injury firms. Our track record proves our commitment to clients.
Time limits for injury claims can be short. Important evidence might be disappearing right now. Don't give insurance companies and opponents an advantage by waiting.
Contact us today to protect your rights and secure your future. Your journey toward justice starts with one phone call.
Let us put our decades of experience to work for you. Together, we can turn this difficult time into a story of recovery, justice, and hope.
The consultation is free. The commitment is total. The results speak for themselves.
Call us today. Your future depends on it.
Pedestrian Accidents
New York City streets are busy. Millions of people walk everywhere. Cars, buses, trucks, and bikes share the same space. Accidents happen often.
Pedestrian accidents are usually serious. People have no protection against vehicles. Even low-speed crashes can cause broken bones, head injuries, and internal damage.
Drivers must watch for pedestrians. They must stop at crosswalks. They must look before turning. When they don't, people get hurt badly.
We've won millions for pedestrian accident victims. We know how to prove drivers were at fault. We understand the serious injuries that result.
Bicycle Accidents
More people bike in New York City now. The city has added bike lanes. But cars and bikes still collide regularly.
Cyclists face the same dangers as pedestrians. They have little protection. Car doors opening suddenly cause many crashes. So do drivers who don't check blind spots.
We represented the family of a retired judge killed while biking. A postal truck hit and killed her. We won $4.6 million for her family.
Bike accident cases require understanding traffic laws. We know the rules for both cars and bikes. We build strong cases for injured cyclists.
Truck Accidents
Large trucks cause some of the worst accidents. Their size and weight make crashes devastating. Delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and tractor-trailers all pose dangers.
Truck drivers must follow special rules. They have limits on driving hours. They need special licenses. Their employers must maintain vehicles properly.
When trucks cause accidents, multiple parties might be responsible. The driver, trucking company, and maintenance providers all share liability.
We've won major verdicts in truck cases. Our $41.5 million verdict for a sanitation worker shows what's possible. These cases require understanding complex regulations and industry standards.
Bus Accidents
City buses, tour buses, and school buses all cause accidents. Our $85 million tour bus verdict made headlines. The pedestrian suffered multiple injuries and had 11 surgeries.
Bus companies must train drivers properly. They must maintain vehicles safely. They must follow route restrictions and speed limits.
Bus accident cases often involve government agencies or large corporations. These defendants have teams of lawyers and unlimited resources. We know how to fight them effectively.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders face special dangers. Other drivers often don't see them. When crashes happen, riders usually get hurt badly.
Motorcycle accident cases require understanding rider rights. Many people blame motorcyclists automatically. We fight these unfair assumptions.
We investigate every aspect of motorcycle crashes. Road conditions, vehicle defects, and driver behavior all matter. We build cases that show the truth.
Emergency Room Errors
Emergency rooms are stressful places. Doctors work fast under pressure. But speed doesn't excuse medical mistakes.
Common ER errors include:
These mistakes can be deadly. Heart attacks get missed. Strokes go undiagnosed. Infections spread unchecked.
We've handled many ER malpractice cases. We know the standards doctors must meet. We hold hospitals accountable for poor care.
Surgical Errors
Surgery always carries risks. But some complications result from preventable mistakes. Wrong-site surgery, retained instruments, and anesthesia errors all constitute malpractice.
Our cases have involved:
These mistakes often cause permanent disability or death. Families suffer emotionally and financially. We fight for full compensation.
Nursing Home Abuse
Elderly residents deserve proper care. Unfortunately, nursing homes sometimes provide inadequate or abusive treatment.
Warning signs include:
Nursing home cases require immediate action. Evidence gets destroyed quickly. We move fast to protect residents and gather proof.
Birth Injury Cases
Nothing is more heartbreaking than preventable birth injuries. Medical mistakes during pregnancy and delivery can harm both mothers and babies.
Common birth injuries include:
These cases affect entire families. Children may need lifetime care. Parents face enormous medical expenses and emotional stress.
We work with top medical experts in birth injury cases. We understand the complex medicine involved. We fight for families facing uncertain futures.
Construction Site Safety
New York construction sites must follow strict safety rules. OSHA regulations protect workers from common hazards.
Required safety measures include:
When employers ignore these rules, workers get hurt. Falls from heights cause the most serious injuries. But workers also suffer from:
New York's scaffold law provides special protection. Workers injured in falls can sue property owners and general contractors directly.
Factory and Warehouse Accidents
Industrial workplaces have many dangers. Heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, and repetitive motions all cause injuries.
Common workplace accidents include:
Workers' compensation covers most workplace injuries. But third-party claims might also be possible. If defective equipment caused your injury, you can sue the manufacturer.
Office Building Accidents
Even offices can be dangerous. Slip and fall accidents happen regularly. Elevator malfunctions cause serious injuries. Poor building maintenance creates hazards.
Office workers suffer from:
These cases require proving building owners were negligent. We investigate maintenance records and safety procedures.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are not your friends. They want to pay as little as possible. They have teams of lawyers and adjusters working against you.
Common insurance company tactics include:
Never give recorded statements without a lawyer present. Don't sign anything until we review it. Insurance companies will use your words against you later.
No-Fault Insurance Rules
New York's no-fault system is complicated. It covers basic medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000. But rules limit who gets benefits.
No-fault benefits include:
To get benefits beyond no-fault limits, your injuries must be "serious" under state law. This includes:
These definitions are complex. Insurance companies dispute them regularly. Having experienced lawyers makes the difference.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Many drivers carry only minimum insurance. These limits are often too low for serious accidents. That's where your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps.
This coverage pays when:
We help clients maximize these benefits. Sometimes your own insurance company fights paying. We know how to handle these disputes.
Investigation Techniques
Winning cases requires thorough investigation. We use many tools to gather evidence:
Accident reconstruction experts analyze crash scenes. They measure skid marks, examine vehicle damage, and calculate speeds. Computer simulations show how accidents happened.
Medical experts review treatment records. They explain injuries and connect them to accidents. Independent medical examinations provide objective opinions.
Economic experts calculate financial losses. They project future medical costs and lost earning capacity. Vocational experts assess work limitations.
Witness Testimony
Eyewitness accounts can make or break cases. We interview witnesses carefully and take detailed statements.
Types of witnesses include:
Witness preparation is crucial for trial success. We help people tell their stories clearly and convincingly.
Physical Evidence
Physical evidence provides powerful proof. We preserve and analyze:
Evidence disappears quickly. We act fast to preserve crucial proof before it's lost or destroyed.
Building Strong Cases
Every case tells a story. Our job is making that story compelling and believable. We organize evidence to show:
Visual presentations help juries understand complex issues. We use charts, diagrams, and computer animations to illustrate key points.
Jury Selection
Picking the right jury is crucial. We look for people who:
Jury selection requires understanding psychology and human nature. We've developed techniques that improve our chances of success.
Courtroom Presentation
Trials are performances. We must convince judges and juries that our clients deserve compensation.
Effective trial lawyers:
Our courtroom success comes from years of trial experience. We know what works and what doesn't.
Changes in New York Law
Personal injury law evolves constantly. Recent changes affect how we handle cases:
The Child Victims Act expanded time limits for sexual abuse cases. Adult survivors now have more time to seek justice.
New scaffold law interpretations strengthen worker protections. Courts continue expanding liability for property owners.
Medical malpractice laws saw updates regarding expert witness requirements. These changes affect how we prove cases.
Technology in Legal Practice
New technology improves how we serve clients:
Electronic medical records make case analysis faster and more thorough. We can spot patterns and inconsistencies more easily.
Video depositions allow remote testimony. This saves time and money while preserving important evidence.
Computer simulations help juries understand complex accidents. Visual presentations make abstract concepts concrete.
Digital case management keeps clients informed. Real-time updates show case progress and important developments.
Medical Referrals
Finding good doctors after accidents can be difficult. We maintain relationships with excellent medical providers throughout New York.
Our referral network includes:
Many doctors will see our clients without upfront payment. Medical liens allow treatment while cases are pending.
Financial Assistance
Accident victims often face immediate financial needs. Medical bills pile up. Lost wages create hardship. We help clients find resources to bridge these gaps.
Options might include:
We don't provide financial services directly. But we help clients understand their options and make informed decisions.
Family Support
Serious accidents affect entire families. Spouses become caregivers. Children worry about injured parents. Everyone's life changes.
We provide resources for families dealing with:
Recovery involves more than legal victories. We care about our clients' overall well-being.
Personal injury law will continue evolving. New technologies create new dangers. Changing social attitudes affect jury verdicts. Legal rules adapt to modern realities.
But some things remain constant. People will continue getting hurt through others' negligence. They'll need skilled advocates to fight for their rights. They'll deserve full compensation for their losses.
We're committed to staying at the forefront of personal injury law. We invest in the best technology, training, and resources. We adapt our strategies to changing conditions.
Most importantly, we never forget that behind every case is a human being who deserves justice. That principle guides everything we do.
Don't wait to get help. Every day you delay gives insurance companies and opponents more advantages. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. Time limits approach.
Your free consultation starts the process. We'll evaluate your case honestly. We'll explain your options clearly. We'll answer all your questions.
If we take your case, you'll have one of New York's most respected injury firms fighting for you. Our track record proves our commitment to clients.
The consultation costs nothing. You have no obligation to hire us. But you owe it to yourself to understand your rights.
Call now. Your recovery starts today.