About the Firm
We Are Elite New York Personal Injury Attorneys
The personal injury lawyer you choose to represent you after an accident can make a huge difference in the amount of money you receive. We don’t back down from big insurance companies and we will fight for what you deserve. Our Manhattan injury attorneys have a proven record of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in cases ranging from serious car accidents to construction site injuries, and more. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your case and review your legal options with a personal injury attorney near you. 212-490-5700.
The U.S. News – Best Lawyers
‘Best Law Firms’
Meet Our Personal Injury Attorneys:
Some of our results include:
$9,000,050
NYC Construction Workers Injured on an Exterior Scaffold
Labor Law
$8,000,000
Child Burned by Scalding Water in the Shower
Premises Liability
$7,900,000
NYC Construction Workers Injured When a Scaffold Collapsed
Premises Liability
A personal injury claim offers you a path towards putting your life back together.
When you work with Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. you can move through the personal injury claims process with confidence, knowing that everything possible is being done on your behalf.
We'll Investigate What Happened
Many times, you will know what and who caused your accident. In other cases, things may not be so clear. Our injury lawyers are not interested in quick settlements where we shuffle some papers and get you a check. Instead, we begin every injury case with an exhaustive review.
We will locate key witnesses, obtain statements, take photographs and examine other evidence. We will determine if a driver was distracted by their phone, or whether a contractor ignored safety measures to rush a job. Once we know exactly what happened, we’ll identify the liable parties and pursue claims against any insurance policy that may apply.
We'll Deal with the Insurance Company
When you’re injured, insurance companies and their representatives will rush to contact you. They will appear friendly and dedicated to getting you compensation quickly. However, these companies’ only goal is to pay out as little as possible and the impact of your injuries may take time to fully appreciate.
You have the right to postpone speaking with an insurance company until you have consulted a lawyer or to have an attorney present. Our injury lawyers handle these communications so you are protected from anything that could limit what you recover.
We'll Document Everything
People often think they are fine, but injuries from an accident can appear days or weeks later. Medical care is almost always necessary. We will request documentation from your medical providers and make sure we have evidence of all of your losses.
We'll File Your Claim & Negotiate for What's Right
After we compile your various damages, the next step in your personal injury claim is to notify the liable parties and their insurers. This may involve making an initial demand for compensation and entering into a process of “back and forth” with offers and counter-offers until an agreement is reached or a lawsuit is filed.
Our ability to find evidence and insurance policies that others may overlook makes our lawyers the ideal candidates to negotiate for the highest possible result.
At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., our NYC injury attorneys have earned recognition across the city.
New York Magazine & New York Law Journal listed our personal injury law firm’s Top Verdicts and Settlements for 2011 and 2012. We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, and we are proud that our partners serve as officers and sit on the Board of Directors of New York State Trial Lawyers. We even carry the prestigious honors of being listed as SuperLawyers® and Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report. Our injury attorneys have won hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients because we are passionate about taking a stand and don’t accept anything except the best possible outcome.
Our Doors Are Always Open
Our partners came from the largest, most profitable personal injury law firms in New York, and founded Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. to provide clients with more personal attention. At HKD, you will always have access to your injury attorney, your questions will be answered, and we will support you through any challenge that may arise.
We're Veteran Trial Lawyers
Our injury attorneys' reputation and track record in and out of court make us formidable adversaries for insurance companies and their lawyers. Our NYC personal injury lawyers get involved early, advocate for what’s right, and while most personal injury cases settle, we prepare every case as if a trial is inevitable.
We Remove the Financial Risk
Our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to making sure victims have top-tier legal representation without the financial strain. We have the resources and experience to try any case and win, but there are no up-front fees or hidden costs. And, if you don’t recover compensation, you won’t owe us anything.
We Maximize Your Recovery
We realize that you’re facing mounting medical bills and financial uncertainty. We also know that insurance companies notoriously offer low-ball settlements to make cases go away. We are well aware of this tactic, and do whatever it takes to secure the highest possible award.
Watch a short video on what makes our firm unique.
Learn More About the Firm
Cases We Handle
A New York Lawyer for Construction Accidents & Serious Injuries
Notable Result
$9,000,050
NYC Construction Workers Injured on an Exterior Scaffold
ATTORNEY ON THE CASE
Jonathan Damashek
Injury Attorneys for Construction Accidents in NYC
Construction-related accidents, injuries and fatalities in New York City have increased drastically over the years. You could have done everything right, but if you or a loved one were seriously injured on a construction site, it is essential to work with a highly skilled construction accident attorney who understands New York labor laws and the inner working of the construction industry.
Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. has extensive experience fighting for injury victims and knows what it takes to get maximum compensation. Let our Manhattan personal injury lawyers get what you are rightfully owed.
Our injury attorneys have experience in all types of construction accidents including:
Call us today at 212-490-5700 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Or fill out our online form below.
Injury Attorneys for Car Accidents in NYC
Injured in a car crash? Don’t accept a low-ball settlement before knowing what your case is worth.
Injury Attorneys for Truck Accidents in NYC
Large trucking companies will do everything possible to limit or deny liability. Let us get what you deserve.
Injury Attorneys for Pedestrian Accidents in NYC
People are injured and killed every day on New York’s streets. We can help hold negligent drivers accountable.
Injury Attorneys for Premises Liability Claims
From slip and falls to negligent security, if you’re injured we can take action against negligent property owners.
Other Personal Injury Cases We Can Help With:
We also handle a wide variety of other personal injury matters around Manhattan and across New York. We know the tactics insurance companies use, and when they learn HKD is on a case, insurers know to treat our clients fairly.
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- E-scooter Accidents
- Civil Rights
- Boat Accidents
- MTA Accidents
- Dog Bites
- Train Accidents
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Wrongful Death
- Uber & Lyft Accidents
Common Injuries in NYC Personal Injury Claims
Hear it from our clients:
05/01/2015
Highly Recommend “I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome of my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He…
5
Mike
05/01/2015
A Lawyer That Can Deliver “I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise, knowledge of the law, and…
5
Steven
06/05/2019
Highly Recommend HKD I had the opportunity of having this amazing team of lawyers work on my case. When I first met with Jordan Hecht and Michael Kusz, I really liked their energy and the spunk that they had, it…
5
Anonymous
07/05/2015
Personal Injury Victory I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome to my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the…
5
Mike W.
07/05/2015
Expertise & Knowledge I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise and knowledge of the law and more…
5
Steven B.
07/05/2015
Vigorous Advocates I have worked with countless attorneys over the years and Jon Damashek stands out among them. I have seen first hand him advocate for his clients vigorously. He fights for the rights of the seriously injured, does not…
5
Wendy B.
07/05/2015
Tireless Advocates I know all three named partners at this firm and highly recommend them. They are very professional and tireless advocates for their clients. If you need a personal injury attorney, you cannot do better than Hecht, Kleeger &…
5
Eric G.
07/05/2015
The Right Attorneys After meeting with Jon Damashek I knew immediately he was the right attorney for me. I had met with other attorneys in the past, but Jon’s experience, knowledge, and track record were most impressive. I highly recommend…
5
Ryan G.
07/05/2015
Look No Further For a Great Lawyer After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further….
5
Michael R.
07/05/2015
Settlement Obtained I retained Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek for a serious personal injury case. They were very professional and managed to obtain a settlement for me that far exceeded my expectations. I would strongly recommend this firm for anyone’s legal…
5
Peter M.
HKD Client
Our Awards
Super
Lawyers
Super lawyers identifies outstanding attorneys in various practice areas based on independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.
New York County Bar Association
One of the largest, most influential bar associations in the country with NYCLA members pioneering some of the most far-reaching legal reforms in America.
New York City Bar Association
The best lawyers in NYC, the City Bar’s mission is to equip and mobilize legal professionals to practice with excellence, promote reform, and uphold the rule of law.
New York State Bar Association
The largest voluntary state bar organization in America with the goals of facilitating access to justice and elevating professional standards.
Center for Justice Democracy
The CJ&D is a non-profit, non-partisan consumer rights organization dedicated to educating the public about the U.S. civil justice system and fighting tort reform.
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Reserved for the top trial lawyers, membership is limited to those with multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Fewer than 1% of lawyers are members.
American Association for Justice
The AAJ is a nonprofit advocacy and lobbying organization for plaintiff's lawyers in the U.S. with the mission to "promote a fair and effective justice system."
Our Process
Our process is designed to get you the highest possible payout for your injuries.
Every accident is different. The details of your accident, your injuries, and how those injuries impact your life all play a role in the amount of compensation you can recover. If we take a case, you can rest assured that we’re following a proven process to get you the money and justice that you deserve.
Investigate the Accident
We’re interested in a fair settlement – not a quick pay out. And we know that it takes putting our nose to the grindstone to get you what your case is worth down to the penny.
Our injury attorneys work without rest until all the evidence has been uncovered and all witnesses have been interviewed. Once we’ve exhausted every detail of the accident to determine where the fault lies, we go after the claims against any insurance policy that applies.
Deal with the Insurance Company
The insurance company’s goal is to pay you the least amount of money possible, and they work very hard to convince you it’s all you’re going to get – but we work harder. We’ve done this long enough and can see right through their friendly, and often times convincing methods.
They don’t have all the facts about your case so why should they be the ones telling you how much your case is worth? Our NYC injury attorneys will take it from here and make it clear to them that we’re not going down without a fight.
Get You Compensation for Your Injuries
In order to get the most money out of your personal injury case, we’ll need evidence. And in our experience, more evidence means more money for you. We’ll get in touch with your doctors, dentist, your boss – anyone who has documentation that supports you in your accident and the damage it’s caused in your life.
We’ll then put a dollar amount on each of the damages, add up the total, and fight for every penny until the end.
File the Personal Injury Claim & Negotiate
Good negotiation can mean the difference between a 6 and 7-figure payout, and our negotiation skills are what define us as personal injury lawyers. We have the rare ability to uncover certain details that others often overlook, and are willing to go back and forth at the negotiating table for as long as it takes to get you what your case is worth.
At this point in the personal injury process, we know your case and we know it well. We didn’t come this far to throw in the towel – and we have the results to prove it.
What if My Personal Injury Case Goes to Trial?
Most injury cases in NYC settle before going to trial, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t willing to go to battle in the courtroom.
New York City Personal Injury Claims Process
While most injury claims settle out of court, sometimes the parties do not agree or the circumstances require a lawsuit from the beginning. This is usually to preserve critical evidence or to seek justice for the harm done to you.
Regardless of your injury or situation, by understanding the New York personal injury trial process you can make well-informed decisions and increase your chances of success in a personal injury lawsuit.
Step One: Filing the Complaint
Lawsuits are initiated by filing a Summons and Complaint for damages. This is a carefully written document that articulates your legal claims as the plaintiff, identifies the alleged at-fault parties as the defendants, and details different types of compensation we are seeking to recover.
Step Two: The Discovery Phase
After the complaint is filed with the court and the other party has a chance to respond, the matter will enter the fact-finding stage. This accounts for the majority of the personal injury lawsuit timeline.
During discovery, both sides will exchange pertinent information, documents, and reports to gather any evidence that solidifies their position regarding liability. This also often requires the taking of depositions, which involves testifying under oath regarding the facts of the case.
Step Three: Motions & Pre-Litigation
This is where procedural issues and matters of personal injury law will be established prior to trial. Both sides will set the parameters of what evidence will be admitted and which witnesses will testify.
Step Four: Litigation & Trial
If a resolution is not reached, both the plaintiff and defendants’ respective legal counsel will present their arguments to the court. This means putting the contested issues of fact and liability to be decided by a judge or jury.
Step Five: Verdict
Once both sides present their cases, the judge or jury in your lawsuit will make a determination about liability and how much compensation to award.
Our injury attorneys prepare every case as if it will proceed to trial. This strengthens our position to negotiate and puts insurers on notice that they cannot simply make your case go away.
Shared Fault & Comparative Negligence in New York Injury Cases
In some personal injury cases, the alleged at-fault parties may claim that you share all or a portion of the blame for the incident that caused your injuries. This is a common approach to reduce what large insurance companies pay out as compensation. If they can establish that you share some level of responsibility, it can affect the total amount you can receive.
New York follows a “pure comparative negligence" rule, which means the compensation you are entitled to will be reduced by your degree of fault. If you suffered $1,000,000 in damages, but the court determines you were 10% at fault, you can still recover compensation, but only up to $900,000 or 90 % of the total.
Contact HKD About Your NYC Injury Claim
At HKD, we know that your degree of fault is open to interpretation, what tactics insurance companies use to reduce or deny liability, and what it will take to ensure you get fair and full compensation. If an insurance adjuster is pressuring you to accept their first offer or you have questions about how to properly handle an injury claim, do not agree to anything before speaking to a personal injury attorney.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, call 212-490-5700 today. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our New York City personal injury lawyers are commonly asked:
Q. When Should I Contact an NYC Injury Lawyer?
ANSWER
Everyone deserves to know their rights, and the chance to make informed decisions about pursuing compensation. If you were in an accident and suffered injuries as a result, it is best to consult a knowledgeable local personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our law firm offers free initial consultations.
Q. How Much is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?
ANSWER
Personal injury claims are as unique as the people involved. However, there are certain key elements to consider when determining the value of a personal injury case. An experienced injury attorney can help evaluate how an accident impacted you, calculate all the losses you incurred, and how to recover maximum compensation.
Q. How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New York?
ANSWER
The New York statute of limitations provides victims three years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are some exceptions. While three years may seem sufficient, you should contact an injury attorney for legal advice. Cases against municipalities and the State have much shorter statutes of limitations. You also must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident
Q. What Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Cost?
ANSWER
Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means we receive a standard percentage of what we recover on your behalf. You are not responsible for any up-front costs, and we assume all the risk. If you do not recover compensation, you won’t owe us anything.
Personal Injury Lawyers Near You – Areas We Serve
Our personal injury law office is conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan on 44th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue, just a few blocks north of the New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Our injury attorneys also provide legal representation to accident victims in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland.
To make things as easy on you as possible, we can meet wherever you are most comfortable – at our Manhattan law office, at your home, or at the hospital.