NY Personal Injury Claims | HKD

The time after a serious, injury-causing accident is frustrating and frightening. You may be tempted to make things go away as quickly as possible, and settle for the first amount presented. But, doing so would be a mistake. Insurance companies offer the lowest amount of compensation that they think you will say yes to and will not be forthcoming about what led to your injury. By choosing to go through the process alone, you may be losing money that you will need later on the table, and those responsible may never be held accountable.

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Whether it happened on the job or on a busy city street, someone else’s negligence should not limit your earning potential or ability to live a productive life. A New York personal injury claim offers you a path towards putting your life back together, but the value of your settlement or award will depend on the decisions you make now.

Get the Most Out of Your Claim

When you work with Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. you can move through the claims process with confidence, knowing that everything possible is being done on your behalf.

We’ll Investigate What Happened

Many times, you will know precisely what caused your accident and who is to blame. In other cases, things may not be so clear. Our personal injury lawyers are not interested in quick, cookie-cutter injury settlements where we shuffle some papers and get you a check. Instead, we begin every personal injury case with an exhaustive review.

We will immediately locate key witnesses, obtain statements, take photographs and preserve other evidence before it disappears. This is how we determine if a driver was distracted by their phone, driving under the influence, 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. Let us handle these communications so you are protected from anything that could limit what you recover, and any offer is sufficient to meet your needs – now and down the line.

We’ll Document Everything

People often feel they are fine after an accident, but injuries 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 New York 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.

Because of our ability to find evidence and insurance policies that others may overlook, our lawyers are the ideal candidates to negotiate for the highest possible result.

New York Personal Injury Lawsuits

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.

Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. prepares 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.

How Long Do Personal Injury Claims Take?

The duration of a personal injury claim varies depending on specific circumstances, legal issues, and other factors, making it impossible to predict an exact timeline. Initially, the claim involves filing with the responsible party’s insurer. If a fair settlement isn’t reached, litigation in civil court is the next step, starting with filing a lawsuit and drafting a detailed complaint.

This is followed by pre-trial and discovery processes, where both parties gather further information, and may include depositions and court hearings. Finally, the case culminates in a trial, where evidence is presented and a judge or jury issues a verdict. The entire process involves various stages and legal tasks, each adding to the overall timeframe of the claim.

Shared Fault & Comparative Negligence

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 NY 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 knowledgeable 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.

CLIENT REVIEWS

Google Reviews

09/09/2021

When I spoke to Mr.Noah Reiss he gave me valuable legal advice. Connected the dots who and why. He is a great asset to this firm. Will call him again as a friend. Thank you so much.

5 Stars Review 5
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08/11/2021

Ross Raggio, did an amazing job on my case. The office staff was responsive and very helpful to my questions and concerns. I had a very good experience. I highly recommend this firm.

5 Stars Review 5
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06/22/2021

I had a great lawyer with a great Paralegal that made everything easy to understand.

5 Stars Review 5
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04/01/2021

I am extremely satisfied and pleased most of all grateful for the services of Jonathan and his team! It is such a relief to have a strong team supporting you through a process that’s stressful. Thank you again for everything.

5 Stars Review 5
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03/01/2021

Hetch,Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., is the law office I highly recommend. My attorney Judd Kleeger, accomplished to represent me, support my needs & secure my future after suffering a traumatic accident. Other lawyers couldn’t guarantee this to me but Judd…

5 Stars Review 5
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02/25/2021

I can say without hesitation that if you are injured due to someone else’s fault, that no one will fight harder and more passionately for you than Jordan Hecht and Judd Kleeger. I have worked side by side with them…

5 Stars Review 5
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02/23/2021

Amazing job, settled my case in 90 days.

5 Stars Review 5
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02/23/2021

I highly recommend the law firm of Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek – as well as my attorney, Jordan Hecht. Jordan was able to answer all of my questions and put me at ease. He was always responsive and patient. He…

5 Stars Review 5
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02/23/2021

I have referred numerous cases to Judd Kleeger and the team at HKD. I feel very confident when i refer a client that they will be treated with the highest regard. Each of my referrals has had very positive experiences…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/29/2021

I was always able to reach my attorney Judd Kleeger with any concern I had about my case. He responded timely and with the utmost courtesy to my sometimes desperate phone calls and email. He knew exactly what to do…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/19/2021

The attorneys at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek are smart, professional, responsive and dedicated to achieving the best results for their clients. Most importantly, they are trustworthy and genuinely good people who you can depend upon.

5 Stars Review 5
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01/18/2021

Judd Kleeger and his team are extremely competent, super professional and have achieved consistently better results than I or my clients had anticipated. He is my “go to” PI team. This was my experience over a decade and not just…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/15/2021

I have known Judd Kleeger for over a decade now. By far the smartest hardest working attorney I have ever dealt with. His advice has been spot on time and time again. Highly recommend him.

5 Stars Review 5
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01/15/2021

I retained Judd Kleeger for a personal injury case. I would, without hesitation, recommend Judd, and his firm, for anyone who finds themselves in a situation that demands a tenacious advocate who will not stop fighting until he gets results.

5 Stars Review 5
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01/15/2021

I can’t recommend Judd Kleeger enough. He is without a doubt the most professional lawyer I’ve encountered. Judd Kleeger is diligent and quick in his responses, always making sure his clients are in the right hands. I’ve never had to…

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01/14/2021

Judd Kleeger is an exceptional attorney who makes sure to get the best possible outcome for his client. He is always available, and is knowledgeable, prepared and dedicated to his clients. He is not afraid to go to trial and…

5 Stars Review 5
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01/14/2021

Mr. Judd Kleeger and his team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek are great! They always provide very thoughtful and caring advice. Mr. Kleeger is extremely professional and very easy to work with.

5 Stars Review 5
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01/06/2021

We quickly had to get legal counsel and we contacted Jordan Hecht. The rapport and guidance was outstanding at all times, prompt, timely and open for calls and updates. I can’t thank Jordan enough for his care, work and expertise….

5 Stars Review 5
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12/29/2020

Had a great experience with attorney Ross Raggio. He was professional and attentive every step of the way – would highly recommend.

5 Stars Review 5
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12/28/2020

Mr. Ross Raggio and his team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., provided excellent legal services. His team and him were absolutely great, always returning calls or emails when we had questions about the case. Always very cordial, caring and…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/11/2020

My wife and i are very grateful to Mr. Jordan Hecht for his sincere compassion and legal assistance during one of the most challenging time in our lives. He was extremely professional and answered all of our concerns. Mr. Hecht…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/10/2020

Very professional and very responsive. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of an attorney. The attorney Ross Raggio, who was personally assigned to my case consistently followed through and was able to bring the case to…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/08/2020

Mr. Ross Raggio went above and beyond to settle my case during the height of the pandemic, a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed slim. He was responsive and professional, and was…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/07/2020

I was a sole practitioner specializing in personal injury law in NYC for more than 36 years. When I decided to retire, I had to make several critical decisions before terminating my practice. To whom should I refer my clients…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/07/2020

Ross was always available and working with my best interests, also very thorough with any questions I had along the case. Will recommend to others!

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12/04/2020

Jordan Hecht of Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek is the best lawyer I’ve ever worked with.  He is smart, tough, and very professional. I highly recommend the firm and could not have asked for a better outcome.

5 Stars Review 5
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12/03/2020

The HKD law firm is highly professional, responsive and caring. They were willing to handle my case when other firms declined. Not only did we win our case, but received a huge settlement.

5 Stars Review 5
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12/03/2020

My representation by Jordan Hecht and the whole staff at Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek was top notch professional and very productive

5 Stars Review 5
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12/02/2020

I have had the pleasure to work alongside Ross Raggio on several matters. He is an extremely talented attorney with an exceptional understanding of the law. I would recommend him and HK&D to anyone looking for a personal injury attorney.

5 Stars Review 5
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12/02/2020

I came to know the firm through my relationship with one of the partners, Jordan Hecht. Jordan and I became close friends in law school. I have since referred several cases to Jordan and his firm ranging from a mesothelioma…

5 Stars Review 5
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12/02/2020

From the moment that I contacted this Law firm and got assigned Mr. Ross. They have been nothing but helpful, Especially Mr. Ross. In the time that Mr. Ross took my case, it took him 3 months to a get…

5 Stars Review 5
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10/27/2020

The best

5 Stars Review 5
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01/21/2020

I cannot speak highly enough about this firm. The situation that necessitated my need for legal representation was very stressful on me and my family and the lawyers here were with me every step of the way. I could always…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

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 needs.

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

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. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

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 Jon Damashek and…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

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 & Damashek.

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

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 back down…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

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 importantly his ability…

5 Stars Review 5
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07/05/2015

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 way. He was very…

5 Stars Review 5
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06/05/2019

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 meant business and…

5 Stars Review 5
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05/01/2015

“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 more importantly – his ability…

5 Stars Review 5
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05/01/2015

“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 was very…

5 Stars Review 5
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Average 5 out of 5 rating based on 43 Reviews