New York’s most distinguished personal injury attorneys are featured in this professional directory. These lawyers have achieved extraordinary results for clients throughout the Empire State, earning recognition as leaders in personal injury litigation.
Personal Injury Law in New York
New York follows a pure comparative negligence system, allowing injured parties to recover damages regardless of their percentage of fault. Your compensation is reduced proportionally to your degree of responsibility. This plaintiff-friendly approach ensures fair apportionment of liability based on actual fault.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in New York is three years from the date of injury. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years and six months of the negligent act. Wrongful death actions have a two-year limitation period from the date of death.
New York operates under a no-fault auto insurance system requiring Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, though serious injuries exceeding statutory thresholds allow victims to step outside the no-fault system and pursue full compensation. New York doesn’t impose caps on damages in personal injury cases, and the state is known for substantial jury verdicts in appropriate cases. New York City’s density creates unique injury scenarios, including construction accidents, pedestrian injuries, subway and bus accidents, and premises liability cases. The state maintains specific statutes governing scaffolding law (Labor Law §240), which provides absolute liability for certain construction site injuries.
