Queens is one of the most dangerous places in New York City to be on the road, on a job site, or in a hospital. When someone else’s negligence leaves you injured, dealing with the consequences alone, you have every right to fight back. Whether you were struck by a vehicle on Queens Boulevard, hurt by a negligent doctor at a Queens hospital, or suffered a fall at a construction site in Long Island City, you can pursue full compensation from those responsible.
The Stein Law Group is a Queens personal injury law firm that has fought for injured New Yorkers since 2000. We handle cases involving car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, construction accidents, and more, always on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Queens
Personal injury law covers every situation in which another party’s negligence caused you harm. Our team handles claims across the full range of injury cases in Queens County, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents: car crashes, truck collisions, rideshare incidents, and pedestrian accidents on Queens roadways
- Medical malpractice: surgical errors, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and birth injuries at Queens hospitals
- Construction accidents: scaffold collapses, falls from heights under Labor Law Section 240, and equipment failures at job sites
- Slip and fall injuries: dangerous property conditions in stores, apartment buildings, and public spaces
- Wrongful death: fatal accidents and medical errors that claimed the life of someone you relied on
- Workers’ compensation: on-the-job injuries, repetitive stress conditions, and occupational illnesses
If your situation does not appear on this list, it does not mean you lack a valid claim. Many injuries stem from unique circumstances, and our team evaluates each case individually to determine whether you may be entitled to financial recovery.
Why Queens Residents Face a Higher Risk of Accidents
Queens is the largest borough in New York City by land area, with a road network that carries millions of commuters, pedestrians, and cyclists every day. According to the New York City Department of Transportation, Queens recorded over 17,800 traffic collisions in 2024, resulting in more than 7,600 injuries. High-traffic corridors like Queens Boulevard, Northern Boulevard, and the Long Island Expressway remain among the most dangerous stretches in all of New York City.
Beyond traffic accidents, intense construction activity throughout the borough creates serious hazards for workers and pedestrians every day. New York Labor Law Section 240, which applies only in this state, holds property owners and contractors strictly liable when a worker falls from a scaffold, ladder, or elevated surface at a Queens job site. At the same time, medical errors at facilities including NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens continue to injure patients who placed their trust in their care teams. These factors make it critical for anyone injured in Queens to consult an attorney who can evaluate the full scope of available damages.
How New York Law Affects Queens Personal Injury Claims
New York’s legal rules are not the same as other states, and they shape every aspect of how your case is built and valued. Three provisions matter most for Queens injury victims.
Comparative Negligence
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR Article 14-A. Even if you were partially at fault for the incident, you can still recover compensation. Your total award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you are not barred from filing a claim entirely.
Statutes of Limitations
Missing a filing deadline permanently eliminates your right to compensation. The table below shows the key deadlines for Queens personal injury claims:
| Claim Type | Standard Deadline | Key Exception |
|---|---|---|
| General personal injury | 3 years from accident date | Claim vs. NYC/government: Notice of Claim within 90 days |
| Medical malpractice | 2.5 years from malpractice date | Continuous treatment may extend the clock; public hospital: Notice of Claim within 90 days |
| Wrongful death | 2 years from date of death | Med-mal wrongful death: 2.5 years from malpractice or 2 years from death, whichever applies |
| MTA/transit claim | Notice of Claim within 90 days, then 1 year + 90 days to file suit | Strict adherence required; courts do not grant extensions |
No-Fault Insurance and the Serious Injury Threshold
New York is a no-fault auto insurance state, meaning your own policy covers initial medical costs and lost wages after a car accident regardless of who caused the crash. To pursue a lawsuit for pain and suffering, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold under New York Insurance Law. This includes fractures, significant disfigurement, loss of a body organ, or a medically determined condition preventing you from performing normal daily activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following the accident.
Medical Malpractice Claims in Queens
Queens is served by several major hospital systems, including NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. When any of these facilities or their staff fails to meet the standard of care, patients can suffer serious harm that would not have occurred with competent treatment.
Common medical malpractice scenarios our Queens clients bring to us include surgical errors that cause unnecessary injury, delayed or missed diagnoses of cancer or cardiac events, anesthesia mistakes, birth injuries resulting from obstetrical negligence, and hospital-acquired infections caused by inadequate infection control. Under CPLR Section 214-a, most Queens medical malpractice claims must be filed within two and a half years of the malpractice date or the end of continuous treatment for the same condition. If the negligent care was provided at a public facility within the NYC Health + Hospitals system, a Notice of Claim must also be filed within 90 days.
These deadlines are shorter and more complex than those governing general personal injury claims. If you believe a healthcare provider in Queens caused you harm, speaking with an attorney promptly is critical to protecting your right to recovery.
Wrongful Death Claims in Queens
When a person dies because of another party’s negligence, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under EPTL Section 5-4.1. Queens wrongful death cases arise from fatal car accidents, construction site accidents involving falls from height, medical errors, and other incidents caused by negligence.
Recoverable losses in a Queens wrongful death claim include lost financial support the deceased would have provided, funeral and burial expenses, and the value of services the deceased performed for the household. Unlike many states, New York’s wrongful death statute is currently limited to economic losses, though reform efforts continue. A separate survival action may allow the estate to recover for the decedent’s pre-death pain and suffering and medical expenses. The Queens wrongful death lawyers at The Stein Law Group can evaluate both claims and pursue them in parallel when the facts support it.
The filing deadline is two years from the date of death in most cases. If the death resulted from medical malpractice, separate timing rules under CPLR Section 214-a may also apply. Acting quickly allows us to preserve evidence and protect your right to bring a claim.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
The financial impact of a serious injury extends far beyond your initial hospital visit. When you file a personal injury claim in Queens, you may be able to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages can include current and future medical bills, lost income and diminished earning capacity, rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses, assistive medical equipment, and in-home care services.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages may cover physical pain and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of daily activities, scarring or permanent disfigurement, and the impact on personal relationships. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may also pursue compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
How The Stein Law Group Approaches Your Queens Injury Case
Our approach to personal injury cases starts with listening. We want to understand exactly what happened, how your injuries have affected your life, and what financial burdens you are facing. From there, we build a case strategy designed to pursue the maximum recovery available to you.
We investigate accident scenes, gather medical records, consult with relevant professionals, and handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf. Our goal is to allow you to focus on healing while we manage the legal process.
No Upfront Fees
We represent injured Queens residents on a contingency fee basis. You owe us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation in your case. This removes the financial barrier that prevents many people from seeking the legal help they need.
Meet Adam J. Stein, Esq.
Every case at The Stein Law Group is guided by the standards set by founder Adam J. Stein, Esq. A graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law and a member of the New York State Bar, Adam founded the firm in 2000 and has spent more than two decades representing injured people across Queens and the greater New York City area.
His practice covers the full range of personal injury matters, including motor vehicle collisions, construction site accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, and wrongful death, always handled on a contingency-fee basis so clients pay nothing unless the firm recovers for them. That client-first approach is reflected in the firm’s 5.0-star rating across 34 client reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims in Queens
Below are answers to some of the most common questions our clients have when they contact us after an accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New York?
For most personal injury claims, you have three years from the date of the accident. Medical malpractice claims carry a shorter deadline of two and a half years from the date of malpractice or the end of continuous treatment. Wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. Claims against New York City or a government agency require a Notice of Claim within 90 days, with additional suit deadlines that vary by case type. Acting quickly protects your right to recovery.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for My Accident?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence standard, which means you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident. Your compensation is reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault, but you are not disqualified from seeking recovery at any fault level.
How Much Is My Queens Personal Injury Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, the impact on your income and daily life, and the strength of the evidence establishing the other party’s negligence. Cases involving permanent injuries, lost earning capacity, or wrongful death typically carry higher damages. We evaluate each claim individually and can give you a clearer picture after reviewing your records and the facts of your accident.
What is the difference between a general personal injury claim and a medical malpractice claim in Queens?
A general personal injury claim arises from accidents caused by negligence, such as car crashes or slip and falls. A medical malpractice claim arises from a healthcare provider’s failure to meet the accepted standard of care. In New York, medical malpractice claims carry a shorter statute of limitations (2.5 years versus 3 years), require a certificate of merit signed by a medical expert before a lawsuit can proceed, and are governed by a distinct body of law. If you are unsure which category your case falls into, our team can evaluate the facts and advise you on the right path forward.
Can I file a wrongful death claim if a family member was killed in a Queens construction accident?
Yes. When a worker dies in a construction accident in Queens, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the property owner, general contractor, and other liable parties. New York Labor Law Section 240 provides strong protections for workers injured or killed in falls from height, and these protections extend to wrongful death claims brought by the worker’s estate and family. The deadline to file a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of death. Given the complexity of construction accident wrongful death cases, consulting an attorney as early as possible is important.
Can I file a personal injury claim if I was injured on the New York City subway or bus in Queens?
Yes, but claims against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority follow special procedural rules. You must file a Notice of Claim with the MTA within 90 days of the incident before you can pursue a lawsuit. Failure to meet this deadline can bar your claim entirely. MTA liability cases also involve specific legal standards for establishing negligence, making it important to consult with an attorney promptly if you were injured on public transit.
What if I was hurt in a rideshare accident or e-scooter crash in Queens?
Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft and injuries involving e-scooters or e-bikes are growing categories of Queens personal injury claims. Rideshare companies carry commercial insurance policies that may provide coverage depending on whether the driver was actively transporting a passenger. E-scooter and e-bike crashes raise questions about vehicle maintenance, road conditions, and the conduct of other drivers. These cases involve the same three-year statute of limitations that applies to general motor vehicle accidents, though the insurance and liability analysis differs. Our team can evaluate who may be responsible and what insurance coverage applies.
How is fault determined in a Queens personal injury case involving multiple parties?
New York uses a pure comparative fault system, meaning liability can be divided among multiple parties, including the plaintiff. Each defendant is generally responsible for their proportionate share of the damages. In some cases involving serious injuries, plaintiffs may seek full compensation from any one defendant under joint and several liability rules, though New York has modified these rules in recent years. An attorney can investigate the facts, identify all responsible parties, and work to maximize your recovery.
Talk to The Stein Law Group About Your Queens Injury Case
When you are dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical expenses, and the stress of missing work, you need a legal team that can take the weight off your shoulders. The Stein Law Group has represented injured clients throughout Queens County for more than two decades, handling everything from car accident claims to complex medical malpractice and wrongful death matters.
Every case begins with a free evaluation where we review the details of your accident and outline the legal options available to you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward the financial recovery you deserve.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO FIGHTING FOR YOU!
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