NYC Personal Injury Lawyers
Top-Rated Trial Attorneys with Record-Setting Results Representing Injury Victims in New York City and NY State for Over a CenturyWhen negligence leads to serious injury or death, choosing the right attorney is critical. Led by Managing Partner Ben Rubinowitz, one of New York's most recognized trial lawyers, the personal injury law firm of Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf represents victims in the most serious and complex negligence cases across New York City and throughout New York State.
Based in Manhattan, the firm represents clients across all five boroughs, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as throughout Long Island and the greater New York metropolitan area.
The firm handles high-stakes matters involving construction accidents, MTA and public transportation accidents, car accidents as well as truck, bus, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, premises liability (including elevator accidents), medical malpractice, sexual abuse (including clergy abuse), traumatic brain injuries, and complex products liability claims.
With a reputation built over more than a century, the firm is widely recognized for delivering exceptional results in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
WHY CHOOSE OUR NEW YORK PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS? PROVEN RESULTS IN HIGH-STAKES LITIGATIONGair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf has secured over $5 billion in settlements for injury victims including:
- More than 600 settlements exceeding $1 million
- Over 60 jury verdicts above $1 million
- At least 25% of these results exceed $10 million
- Multiple recoveries surpassing $100 million.
The firm also holds the all-time record for the highest pain and suffering award in New York State history, reflecting its long-standing leadership in complex personal injury litigation.
RECENT LANDMARK VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS 2025 RESULTS- $272.5 MILLION SETTLEMENT in the Tribeca crane collapse, setting a record as New York's largest crane accident settlement and one of the biggest nationwide
- $182 MILLION SETTLEMENT for multiple victims in the Valhalla train crash, where firm attorneys served as lead trial counsel
- $120 MILLION VERDICT for a 41-year-old father who suffered brain damage requiring lifelong institutionalization after a misdiagnosis (see more to the right). This is the Number 1 Verdict in 2023 in New York State for All Practice Areas, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury
- $60 MILLION VERDICT for a 65-year-old electrical mechanic left permanently paralyzed after a routine epidural steroid injection obtained in May 2025 by Marijo C. Adimey. Believed to be the highest medical malpractice verdict ever recorded in Nassau County. (See more to the right.)
- $120 million verdict for a 41-year-old father who suffered severe brain damage following a misdiagnosis, the #1 verdict in New York across all practice areas in 2023
- $103 million verdict on behalf of a child who sustained catastrophic brain damage at birth.
- $90.9 million verdict for a child who developed cerebral palsy after a delayed diagnosis of placental abruption
- $85 million verdict for a pedestrian struck by a tour bus in Manhattan, ranked as the #1 verdict in New York in 2018 across all practice areas
- $71 million verdict for a spinal injury resulting from a motor vehicle collision
- $59.2 million verdict for a student severely burned during a school chemistry experiment, #1 school accident verdict in New York in 2019
- $41.5 million verdict for a sanitation worker killed by a street sweeper
- $27.5 million settlement in a record-setting sexual abuse case against the Catholic Church (see column to the right)
$20 million settlement for a 23-year-old tourist who fell on the train tracks and was hit twice by two different trains. As a result, the victim underwent a below-the-knee amputation of one leg and a partial amputation of her opposite foot.
The firm’s attorneys are consistently ranked among the top trial lawyers in New York and nationwide:
- Ben Rubinowitz was recognized for the third consecutive year as the #1 attorney in the New York Metro area by Super Lawyers (2024, 2025 & 2026) among all attorneys and all practice areas
- Howard Hershenhorn ranked among the Top 10 attorneys in New York all attorneys and all practice areas in 2026 for the second consecutive year
- Ben Rubinowitz and Howard Hershenhorn were both ranked among the Top 5 Personal Injury attorneys in the New York Metro area in Super Lawyers’ newly introduced practice area rankings for 2026.
- Jeffrey Bloom ranked among the Top 100 attorneys all attorneys and all practice areas
Additional recognition includes:
• Featured by Forbes as among the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in New York City (Ben Rubinowitz and Howard Hershenhorn)
• Richard Steigman: Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice (Best Lawyers)
• Howard Hershenhorn: Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation (Best Lawyers)
• Ben Rubinowitz: 6 times Lawyer of the Year recipient across personal injury and product liability
Our national reputation as "counsel to the profession" makes us the top choice for fellow members of the Bar who seek the best representation possible for those they refer. Notable cases include:
• Representation of the family of Amadou Diallo, resulting in a then-record wrongful death recovery against New York City• Representation of the family of Joan Rivers in a medical malpractice case
• Landmark appellate victory expanding New York’s “zone of danger” doctrine to include grandparents
• $4.6 million verdict against the federal government for the death of a retired Manhattan Supreme Court official in a bicycle accident

In order to maintain the highest standards of quality and service, the firm takes on a maximum of 100 cases a year. This concentrated focus allows for the meticulous trial preparation such substantial cases require and ensures that tort victims receive reasonable and just compensation for the full measure of their damages.
STRENGTH, STRUCTURE AND TRIAL PREPARATIONOur New York injury lawyers carefully screen each case before assigning it to a team selected for its relevant expertise. The diverse backgrounds of the firm's 16 attorneys, including top-rated trial attorneys, renowned appellate court attorneys and a medical doctor, gives each team a unique perspective for evaluating, preparing and trying its case, aided by state-of-the-art support services and courtroom technology.
A POWERHOUSE TEAM OF TOP-RATED TRIAL LAWYERS- 8 of our lawyers have been listed in the 2026 Best Lawyers in America: Marijo Adimey, Diana Carnemolla, Ben Rubinowitz, Jeffrey Bloom, Christopher Donadio, Peter Saghir, Richard Steigman and Howard Hershenhorn. Each of these attorneys has achieved multi-million dollar recoveries on behalf of their clients. Additionally, 1 of our young lawyers was included in the 2026 "Ones to Watch" list: Richard Soldano.
- For the twenty-first consecutive year, our attorneys have been recognized as New York Super Lawyers. In 2026, 13 of our top New York personal injury attorneys were selected. Ben B. Rubinowitz, Howard S. Hershenhorn, Jeffrey B. Bloom, Richard M. Steigman, Marijo C. Adimey, Diana M.A. Carnemolla, Christopher Donadio and Peter J. Saghir were named Super Lawyers. Richard Soldano, Aaron Ser, Jacob Green, Nicole Hanna and Adam Tynan were named Rising Stars. Ben and Howard have each been recognized as Super Lawyers for 21 consecutive years, an achievement that sets the firm apart as one of the most consistently recognized in New York.
- How Do I Know if I Have a Personal Injury Case?
- How Soon Should I Contact a Lawyer After an Injury?
- What Should I Bring to a Personal Injury Consultation?
- What happens after the consultation?
- What Damages are Subject to Compensation in a NY Personal Injury Case?
- How is the Pain and Suffering Compensated in a Personal Injury Claim in New York?
- How Do Pre‑Existing Conditions Affect My Case?
- Do I Still Recover If I'm Partly at Fault?
- Will My Case Go to Trial or Settle?
- How Much Does a Consultation With a NYC Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
- How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
- What is the Speaking Agent Act in NY State and how does it influence my personal injury lawsuit?
- How Can Social Media Affect Your Personal Injury Case?
If you have been injured as the result of the negligence of another person or entity, liability and the damages are the two main bases to establish if you have a case. In order to file a personal injury claim in New York, the plaintiff must be able to prove that the defendant is liable for the injuries and if so what are the nature and the extent of the damages. If these two elements can be proven you may have a case and we recommend you contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss it.
It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a serious injury. Acting quickly can help protect your claim because:
- Evidence may disappear or be repaired
- Witnesses may become harder to locate
- Surveillance or dash-camera video may be erased
- Insurance companies may request statements early in the process
- Important legal deadlines may apply
In New York, many negligence-based personal injury claims must be filed within three years under CPLR § 214. However, some cases have much shorter deadlines. For example:
Claims against a city, municipality, or other public corporation may require a Notice of Claim within 90 days under New York General Municipal Law § 50-e.
Medical malpractice claims are generally subject to a two-year-and-six-month deadline under CPLR § 214-a.
Wrongful death claims are generally subject to a two-year deadline under EPTL § 5-4.1.
Please bring any materials that may assist in explaining how the incident occurred, who may be responsible, and how your injuries have affected you.
Relevant documents may include:
- Accident, police, or incident reports
- Photographs or videos of the scene, hazardous condition, vehicle damage, or injuries
- Medical records, hospital discharge paperwork, prescriptions, and medical bills
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
- Insurance information and claim numbers
- Correspondence from insurance companies, including letters, emails, or text messages
- Pay stubs, tax records, or employer documentation if you missed work
- Prior medical records relating to the injured body part, if available
If you do not have all of these materials, you should still proceed with the consultation. The purpose of the consultation is to discuss what happened, answer your questions, evaluate the available information, and identify any additional documentation that may be needed.
After the consultation, the attorney will evaluate whether the firm can help with the case. This may involve reviewing records, investigating the facts, identifying possible defendants, checking deadlines, and determining whether there is evidence of negligence and damages.
If the firm accepts the case, the next steps may include signing a retainer agreement, gathering medical records, notifying insurance companies, investigating the accident, speaking with witnesses, consulting experts when needed, and preparing the case for negotiation or litigation.
A strong personal injury case is built carefully. The goal is not only to start a claim, but to understand the full extent of the injury, preserve evidence, and pursue the best possible result.
While every case is different, the most common damages claimed in a New York personal injury lawsuit are the pain and suffering endured as a result of the injury, the loss of wages related to the injury and medical expenses (current and future).
Pain and suffering are non-economic damages sustained by the negligence of the defendant. Under New York Law the amount that can be recovered for pain and suffering varies greatly from case to case. If your case is settled out of court, your attorney will negotiate with the defendant the amount of the compensation for pain and suffering. The value of your case depends on many factors including the liability of the negligent defendant, the severity and permanency of your injury and the loss of income as a result of the injury. In evaluating your case your attorney will compare monetary awards in similar cases. If your case goes to trial, the jury will decide what amount will be awarded for pain and suffering. Your attorney will present expert testimony by among others, physicians, economists and life care planners. Each case is of course different and the experts retained by your attorney will depend on the facts of the particular case.
Insurance companies may try to blame injuries on past health issues. But under New York law:
- You can still recover damages if the accident worsened a condition.
- Your lawyer must show "aggravation of a pre-existing injury" using medical testimony.
- Be honest about your medical history, it strengthens your credibility.
Yes. New York follows pure comparative negligence:
- You can recover even if you're 99% at fault.
- Your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage.
- E.g., if awarded $100,000 and 30% at fault, you'd receive $70,000.
A skilled lawyer minimizes the fault share assigned to you by insurers or juries.
Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement, often during pre-trial negotiations. However, whether a case settles or proceeds to trial depends on several important factors, including:
- The strength of the evidence
- Whether liability is disputed
- The seriousness of the injuries
- The amount of damages involved
- Whether the insurance company or opposing party is willing to make a fair offer
In some cases, going to trial may be necessary, particularly when:
- The opposing party denies responsibility
- The insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation
- The injuries are severe or life-changing
- The case involves significant damages or complex legal issues
Although trials can take longer and involve some uncertainty, they may be necessary to pursue full and fair compensation.
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our attorneys prepare every case as though it may ultimately go to trial. Our history of courtroom success and thorough trial preparation often encourages insurers and defendants to negotiate more seriously and work toward a favorable resolution.
A consultation with a personal injury lawyer to discuss a potential case is usually free as personal injury lawyers often handle cases on a contingent fee basis. It means that a personal injury lawyer doesn’t charge for the consultation but will take a percentage on the amount recovered, usually 33.33%.
Throughout the years, our personal injury attorneys have successfully represented individuals and families in New York who suffered injury because of negligence or recklessness of others and we understand how devastating and overwhelming it can be to deal with mounting costs and suffering caused by serious personal injury. We retain the very best experts including accident reconstructionists, biomechanical engineers, medical doctors, forensic pathologists, economists and other experts from the various disciplines involved in the case because every personal injury case requires the plaintiff to prove both liability and damages. Each case has its own set of associated costs, including pain and suffering, lost wages, the cost of care and many other monetary costs and these must be clearly demonstrated. Our trial lawyers will document and preserve any evidence necessary to prove your case and meticulously prepare your case for trial.
The Speaking Agents Act (S.7093/A.8040), which became law on December 31, 2021 amends the rules of evidence to allow the admission of an opposing party's statement if made by an employee or party's agent as long as it relates to a matter occurring during and within the scope of that relationship.
Before this amendment, employees' statements could only be accepted as evidence if they were made by a "speaking agent" who was a high-level management person.
This outdated rule led to very unfair rulings over the years. In a case that occurred before the new law was enacted, the Appellate Division, Second Department ruled that a nurse statement about how long a plaintiff waited in an emergency room before being treated was admissible against her but not against the hospital. (Read More about the Speaking Agents Act)
Social media can have a devastating effect on the outcome of your case. Anything that you post on social media while your case is ongoing can be used against you by the defense attorney. We always ask our clients not to discuss their case on social media and avoid posting pictures of their activities while their cases are ongoing. You should also be mindful of what your family and friends are saying or posting about you on social media.
- Do I Have a Personal Injury Case? Understanding Your Legal Rights After an Accident in New York
- Why Choosing the Right New York Personal Injury Lawyer Matters?
- New York Choice of Law Analysis - Tort Liability
- Does Facebook Make Your Life An Open Book In New York Personal Injury Cases?
- The Superseding Cause Defense In New York Personal Injury Cases
- In New York Personal Injury Case Defendant’s Discovery Demand For Access To Plaintiff’s Facebook Account Denied
- The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer
- Court Holds Plaintiff Cannot be Compelled to Disclose Confidential Psychological or Psychiatric Records in Personal Injury Action
- Plaintiff Teacher Assaulted By Student Failed To Show Special Duty In New York Personal Injury Action
- New York Personal Injury Actions: The Importance of Expert Witnesses
- New York Personal Injury Actions - Unified Trial
- Presentation of Damages in a Personal Injury Case
- In $182M Settlement By Metro-North Railroad, Plaintiffs' Counsel Focuses Arguments on Train Operator's Failure to Slow, Unique Third Rail
- Metro-North primarily responsible for fiery 2015 Valhalla crash that killed 6, jury finds
- MTA found mostly responsible for Metro-North wreck that killed 6 after SUV drove onto tracks: lawyer
- Wrongful death lawsuit filed over mislabeled Stew Leonard's cookie
- Grocer, Baker Face Lawsuit over Dancer's Fatal Allergic Reaction
- $120M Medical Malpractice Verdict Said To Be Westchester's Largest
- Jury awards $120M to Elmsford man in medical malpractice suit against Westchester Medical Center
- Stroke treatment delay leads to biggest ever malpractice verdict in Westchester
- First Department Appeals Court Halves Jury's 60M Pain and Suffering Award - But It's Still a Record
- Travis Scott Astroworld tragedy: Man paralyzed at 2017 show feels 'tremendous sadness,' attorney says
- Comments on Travis Scott concerts, 1010WINS radio
- A fan at a 2017 Travis Scott concert said he was partly paralyzed
- Man Paralyzed at 2017 Travis Scott Show 'Devastated' for Astroworld Victims
- Peloton's clash with agency over treadmill safety threatens to tarnish brand
- Jury's $60M Verdict in 'Agonizing' High School Student Burn Case Upheld
- NYC Loses Bid to Reduce $60M Payout to Burned Beacon High School Student
- Teen Violinist Severely Burned When Bronx Class Lab Experiment Goes Horribly Wrong
- $60 Million Awarded to N.Y. Student Engulfed in Flames in Chemistry Accident
- Beacon HS student burned in botched chemistry experiment awarded nearly $60M
- Jury awards nearly $60 million to ex-student burned in class
- Jury Delivers $85M Verdict to Former New York Times Columnist Hit by Tour Bus
- New York Times columnist hit by sightseeing bus awarded $85M
- Hedge funder smack
Serious injury cases require experienced trial attorneys who are prepared to take a case all the way to verdict when necessary.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to negligence, contact Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf to discuss your case.
Call 212-943-1090 or contact us online for a free consultation.
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