NYC Neck and Back Injury Lawyer

Neck and back injuries can stop your life in its tracks. In New York City, the daily challenges of commuting, working, and living in a fast-paced environment make spinal cord injuries even more disruptive. If you suffered trauma to your neck, back, or spine, the consequences can be long-lasting. You may face chronic pain, expensive medical treatments, and the inability to work or enjoy your life. That’s why it’s critical to understand how neck and back injury claims work under New York law.

Common Causes of Neck and Back Injuries in NYC

Neck and back injuries often stem from sudden accidents or repetitive physical strain. Examples include:

• Motor vehicle crashes on congested streets or highways
• Slips, trips, and falls on poorly maintained sidewalks, subway platforms, or building stairwells
• Construction accidents involving falls, falling debris, or heavy equipment
• Work-related injuries from lifting, bending, or repetitive strain
• Pedestrian accidents where cars or trucks strike individuals in crosswalks
• Bicycle collisions caused by negligent drivers opening doors into bike lanes

New York City is dense and constantly moving. Accidents here often involve multiple parties, making investigations and legal claims particularly complex.

Types of Accidents That Lead to Neck and Back Injuries

At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, we handle many different accident cases that cause neck and back injuries in NYC, including:

• Car accidents: Whiplash, disc herniation, and spinal cord injuries often result from vehicle collisions.
• Truck accidents: Large commercial vehicles can cause catastrophic spine trauma in a crash.
• Slip and fall cases: Property owners who fail to address hazards can be held accountable under premises liability law.
• Construction accidents: Workers face high risks of neck and back injuries from falls, scaffolding accidents, or being struck by heavy objects.
• Workplace injuries: Office and industrial employees alike may suffer serious musculoskeletal injuries that impair their ability to function.

Long-Term Effects of Spinal, Neck, and Back Trauma

Injuries to the neck and back vary in severity, but many carry long-lasting consequences. Victims often report:

• Chronic pain and stiffness
• Reduced mobility and function
• Nerve damage causing tingling, weakness, or paralysis
• Cognitive issues and headaches linked to whiplash
• The need for extensive rehabilitation, surgery, or ongoing therapies

These injuries often impact not just your health but also your career, daily activities, and relationships. Because of these long-term effects, pursuing fair compensation becomes a critical step in reclaiming your life.

Why You Need an Experienced NYC Neck and Back Injury Lawyer

Challenges in Proving Neck and Back Injury Cases

Insurance companies often minimize neck and back injury claims, arguing that soft tissue injuries are “minor” or not related to an accident. Proving the severity of these injuries requires gathering strong medical evidence, expert testimony, and accident reconstruction. In NYC, where juries see many personal injury cases, the evidence must be thorough and compelling.

How Insurance Companies Handle Neck and Back Injury Claims

Insurance adjusters in New York focus on limiting payouts. They may:

• Deny that the accident caused your injuries
• Downplay the seriousness of your pain
• Pressure you into accepting a low settlement
• Delay communications to frustrate the claims process

Without aggressive legal advocacy, victims often receive far less compensation than they need to cover long-term care and damages.

Benefits of Hiring Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek

Our firm blends aggressive negotiation with compassionate client service. We understand the physical and emotional burdens you face, and we fight for the resources you need. Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek has recovered over $850 million for injury victims in New York, holding powerful insurance companies and negligent parties accountable.

How a New York Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Investigating the Cause of Your Injury

A strong case requires immediate, in-depth investigation. We interview witnesses, examine accident scenes, and gather video footage before evidence disappears. In construction cases, for example, we move quickly to secure records of job site safety violations.

Collecting Medical Records and Expert Testimony

Medical documentation is key in spine and neck cases. Our team works with doctors, neurologists, orthopedists, and rehabilitation specialists in New York to explain your injuries in clear, compelling terms. These experts help establish how the accident directly caused your condition and how it will affect your ability to live and work moving forward.

Negotiating Fair Settlements with Insurance Companies

We push back against tactics insurers use to undervalue your case. Our lawyers aggressively negotiate to reach a settlement that reflects both your current medical expenses and long-term costs, such as physical therapy or future surgeries. We will not recommend that you accept a settlement unless it respects the true impact of your injuries.

Taking Your Case to Court if Necessary

If insurers refuse to act fairly, we take the fight into New York courts. With extensive trial experience, our attorneys present your story directly to jurors, holding negligent parties accountable while demanding justice for your suffering.

Compensation for Neck and Back Injury Victims in New York

Medical Bills and Ongoing Treatment Costs

Neck and back injuries often require multiple diagnostic tests, surgery, medication, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. Compensation in New York personal injury cases can address both your initial hospital bills and the recurring costs of treatment.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

If you miss work, you may recover compensation for lost income. More serious injuries that prevent you from returning to your career may allow compensation for loss of future earning capacity. In NYC, where many careers depend on physical endurance, a neck injury can derail a lifetime of work.

Pain, Suffering, and Reduced Quality of Life

New York law permits recovery for the physical and emotional toll of these injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for chronic pain, mental anguish, reduced enjoyment of life, and difficulty with everyday activities.

Punitive Damages in Severe Cases

In rare cases where a defendant’s conduct goes far beyond negligence—such as reckless driving or intentional harm—New York courts may award punitive damages. These damages punish wrongful behavior and deter future misconduct.

Neck and Back Injury Laws in New York

New York’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

As of 2025, victims of neck and back injuries in New York generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit under CPLR § 214. However, if the case involves a municipal or government entity, claimants must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days and begin the lawsuit within one year and 90 days.

Comparative Negligence Laws and How They Affect Compensation

New York follows pure comparative negligence under CPLR § 1411. Even if you are partially responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages. The court reduces your recovery in proportion to your share of fault. For example, if you were 20% responsible, you could still recover 80% of your proven damages.

Filing Deadlines and Court Procedures in NYC

New York courts require strict compliance with filing procedures, including statutes of limitations, service of process, and court scheduling orders. Failure to file on time or follow procedural rules can result in dismissal of your case. This is why timely action and precise filings matter in every neck and back injury claim.

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