Fighting for Brooklyn Injury Victims
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Contingency Fee — No Recovery, No Fee
We advance all costs and collect our fee only when we win. You take on zero financial risk by hiring us. If we don't recover for you, you owe us nothing — period.
Brooklyn is one of the busiest, most densely populated urban environments in the world — and with that density comes a disproportionately high rate of accidents and injuries. Every day, Brooklynites are hurt in car accidents on the BQE, the Belt Parkway, Flatbush Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue; in slip and falls on poorly maintained sidewalks and building entrances across Park Slope, Williamsburg, and Bay Ridge; in construction accidents at the countless active job sites transforming neighborhoods from Bushwick to DUMBO; and in pedestrian and bicycle knockdowns on streets that too often prioritize vehicle traffic over human safety.
When you are injured due to someone else's negligence, the consequences can be devastating: mounting medical bills, lost wages, chronic pain, emotional trauma, and an uncertain future. At the same time, insurance companies move quickly to minimize their liability — sending adjusters to take recorded statements, making lowball settlement offers, and hoping that injured victims will accept far less than they deserve before they consult an attorney. Don't let that happen to you.
Alan Vaitzman, Esq. and the team at Estate Law New York take personal injury cases on a pure contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless and until we recover compensation on your behalf. We level the playing field between you and the insurance companies, bringing investigative resources, medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and aggressive litigation skills to bear on your case.
Brooklyn personal injury cases present unique challenges and unique opportunities. New York's no-fault insurance system provides a baseline of coverage for medical bills and lost wages after a car accident, but it also creates specific procedural requirements and thresholds that must be navigated carefully. New York City's specific rules on municipal liability — including the requirement to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days for accidents involving City property or City vehicles — are traps for the unwary. Labor Law Sections 240 and 241, which create special protections for construction workers injured at job sites, provide powerful remedies that require skilled advocacy to enforce. Our attorneys know Brooklyn's courts, Brooklyn's judges, and Brooklyn's specific legal landscape for personal injury claims.
We serve injured clients throughout Brooklyn — from Park Slope and Prospect Heights to Sunset Park and Bensonhurst, from Red Hook and Carroll Gardens to Greenpoint and Bed-Stuy. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured through no fault of your own, call us today at (646) 663-5161 for a completely free consultation. We will assess your case, explain your rights, and tell you honestly what we can do for you — with no pressure and no obligation.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle
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Car, truck, and motorcycle accident injuries — all boroughs and highways
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Slip and fall accidents — sidewalks, buildings, retail stores, restaurants
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Premises liability — negligent security, elevator accidents, stairway falls
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Construction accidents — scaffold falls, Labor Law 240/241 violations
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Wrongful death — representing estates and surviving family members
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Medical malpractice — surgical errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries
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Workers' compensation and third-party work injury claims
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Product liability — defective products and consumer goods
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Pedestrian knockdown accidents — crosswalks, intersections, sidewalks
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Bicycle accidents — Citi Bike, personal bikes, delivery cyclists
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Dog bite and animal attack injuries
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MTA bus and subway accidents — Notice of Claim filing and litigation
Our Proven Process for Brooklyn Injury Cases
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Free Case Evaluation — Same Day Response
Contact us immediately after your injury. We provide a free, no-obligation case evaluation — by phone, in person at our Cadman Plaza office, or we can come to you if you are hospitalized or unable to travel. We assess liability, identify insurance coverage, evaluate your damages, and give you an honest assessment of your case's strength and potential value. Time is critical: evidence disappears, witnesses' memories fade, and legal deadlines run relentlessly.
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Investigation and Evidence Preservation
We immediately begin preserving critical evidence: obtaining accident reports, securing surveillance camera footage before it is overwritten, photographing the accident scene, retaining accident reconstruction experts when needed, and interviewing witnesses. For construction accidents, we document the site and identify all potentially liable parties. For slip and fall cases, we gather maintenance records and prior complaint histories. Building the strongest possible evidentiary record from the beginning is the foundation of every successful case.
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Medical Treatment and Damages Documentation
We coordinate with your medical providers to ensure you receive appropriate treatment and that all treatment is thoroughly documented. We work with medical experts to establish the full extent of your injuries, including future treatment needs and long-term prognosis. Our team builds a comprehensive damages portfolio — medical records, wage loss documentation, expert opinions on future earning capacity, and evidence of pain and suffering — designed to support the maximum possible recovery.
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Negotiation, Litigation, and Resolution
We engage in aggressive but strategic negotiation with insurance companies, armed with a fully documented case and the credible threat of trial. Most cases resolve through negotiated settlement, often for significantly more than the insurance company's initial offer. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair value, we file suit in Kings County Supreme Court or federal court and take the case to trial. Our clients' decisions to settle or proceed to trial are always theirs to make — we provide experienced counsel and honest advice, but the final decision is always yours.
Representing Injury Victims Across All of Brooklyn
From construction accidents in rapidly developing Williamsburg to pedestrian knockdowns in busy Flatbush, we fight for Brooklyn residents everywhere:
Park Slope
Brooklyn Heights
Williamsburg
Bay Ridge
Flatbush
DUMBO
Crown Heights
Cobble Hill
Carroll Gardens
Bushwick
Bensonhurst
Greenpoint
Sunset Park
Bed-Stuy
Red Hook
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Brooklyn?
At Estate Law New York, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay absolutely nothing upfront, and our legal fees are only collected if and when we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. There is no risk to you. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing. Our contingency fee is a percentage of the settlement or jury verdict, agreed upon in writing before we begin representation. This arrangement ensures that our interests are fully aligned with yours: we are motivated to recover the maximum possible compensation because our fee depends on it. The contingency fee model also ensures that every Brooklyn resident — regardless of financial resources — has access to high-quality legal representation after suffering an injury. We also typically advance all litigation costs including filing fees, expert witness fees, and medical record costs, which are reimbursed from settlement proceeds. We explain the full fee arrangement during your free consultation so you know exactly what to expect.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York?
In New York State, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of injury. However, there are critically important exceptions. Claims against New York City or any government entity require a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the injury — missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim. Medical malpractice claims have a two-and-a-half year statute of limitations with special rules. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. Claims on behalf of minors are generally tolled until the child turns 18. Given these complex deadlines, consulting a Brooklyn personal injury attorney immediately after your injury is essential. Evidence is freshest, witnesses most available, and your legal options broadest when you act quickly. Contact Estate Law New York at (646) 663-5161 right away — the consultation is free and there is no obligation.
What types of damages can I recover in a Brooklyn personal injury case?
In a successful Brooklyn personal injury case, you may recover economic damages — past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs — and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement. In cases involving egregious conduct such as drunk driving or intentional harm, punitive damages may also be available. New York is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you can still recover even if you were partially responsible. Our Brooklyn attorneys work with medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and economic experts to build the strongest possible case for maximum compensation across all available categories of damages.
What should I do immediately after an accident in Brooklyn?
First, seek immediate medical attention — even if you feel your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can mask pain, and many serious injuries may not present obvious symptoms for hours or days. A prompt medical evaluation creates an official record linking your injuries to the accident. Second, document the scene: photograph the location, hazardous conditions, your injuries, vehicles involved, and any relevant signage. Collect witness contact information. For car accidents, exchange insurance information and get the police report number. For slip and fall accidents, report the incident and request a written incident report. Third, do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company without first consulting an attorney — adjusters are trained to ask questions that minimize your claim. Finally, contact a Brooklyn personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. At Estate Law New York, we begin investigating your case immediately, preserving critical evidence before it disappears.
Can I file a personal injury claim if I was partially at fault?
Yes. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident — as long as you were not 100% responsible. Your recovery is reduced in proportion to your share of fault. For example, if the jury determines you were 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you recover $80,000. Insurance companies and defense attorneys aggressively argue that you share a high percentage of fault specifically to reduce what they pay. This is exactly why having an experienced Brooklyn personal injury attorney is so important. We gather evidence, retain experts, and present your case to maximize your recovery and minimize any attribution of fault to you. Do not assume that because you may have contributed in some small way to an accident that you have no claim — contact us for a free consultation.
What is a wrongful death claim and who can file one in Brooklyn?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of a person who died due to another party's negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. Under New York's EPTL, a wrongful death action is brought by the personal representative of the estate on behalf of distributees — typically the surviving spouse, children, and parents. Recoverable damages include lost financial support the deceased would have provided, the value of household services, funeral expenses, and conscious pain and suffering between injury and death. New York's wrongful death statute allows recovery for economic losses but not for grief or loss of companionship. Brooklyn wrongful death cases arise from fatal car accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, and pedestrian knockdowns. At Estate Law New York, we handle wrongful death and estate matters jointly, streamlining the process for grieving families. The statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years from the date of death — do not wait to call us.