Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.

Articles Posted in Personal Injury

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Richard Steigman named New York Personal Injury Lawyer of the year 2027Recognition follows Steigman’s role as lead trial counsel in the landmark Metro-North Valhalla train crash litigation, which resulted in settlements exceeding $182 million

Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is proud to announce that partner Richard M. Steigman has been named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in New York City.

This is the second time Steigman has received a Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” distinction in New York City. He was previously named the 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs.

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10 personal injury lawyers at the firm named Best LawyersRichard M. Steigman Named 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in New York City

Ten attorneys at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, including eight attorneys selected for The Best Lawyers in America® and two named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

Partner Richard M. Steigman received an additional distinction, being named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in New York City. This is Steigman’s second “Lawyer of the Year” honor. He was previously named the 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in New York City.

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e-bike accidents can be devastatingNew York City lawmakers are undertaking a sweeping review of e-bike and e-scooter safety as collisions involving e-bikes continue to rise across the five boroughs

On August 4, 2026, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced that the Council will hold a comprehensive hearing on September 30 to examine e-bike and e-scooter safety, enforcement of existing laws, and at least 17 legislative proposals intended to address the growing risks associated with electric bicycles, scooters and other forms of micromobility.

According to the City Council, more than 500 e-bike collisions have already occurred in New York City in 2026, representing a 31.7% increase compared with the same period last year.

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CLIENT TESTIMONIAL Outstanding personal injury representation is about more than obtaining exceptional verdicts and settlements. It is about guiding people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives with skill, integrity, and compassion.

For individuals and families facing catastrophic injuries or the loss of a loved one, the legal process can feel overwhelming. Clients need experienced trial attorneys who will fight tirelessly for justice while providing the guidance and reassurance needed during an incredibly challenging time.

The client review featured here speaks to those values.

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A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) on behalf of the family of Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old woman who suffered fatal injuries after falling into an uncovered manhole in Midtown Manhattan.A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) on behalf of the family of Donike Gocaj, a 56-year-old woman who suffered fatal injuries after falling into an uncovered manhole in Midtown Manhattan. The lawsuit alleges that the tragedy was not an isolated accident, but the foreseeable result of years of unsafe infrastructure practices and Con Edison’s failure to implement widely available safety measures.

The complaint was filed in New York Supreme Court by Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, one of New York’s leading personal injury law firms, on behalf of Ms. Gocaj’s estate, her children, and her longtime domestic partner, Jashar Kameraj.

A Preventable Tragedy in the Heart of Manhattan

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Personal Injury Lawyer Ben Rubinowitz will be a Faculty Member at the Trial School Symposium in September 2026Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is proud to announce that Managing Partner Ben B. Rubinowitz will serve on the distinguished faculty for the 2026 Trial School Symposium, taking place November 6–7, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.

The two-day symposium brings together many of the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers for an intensive educational program focused on courtroom advocacy, jury selection, case strategy, and trial presentation. Designed for attorneys who want practical skills they can immediately apply in the courtroom, the program emphasizes hands-on learning rather than traditional lecture-style presentations.

A National Faculty of Leading Trial Lawyers

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Serious-Injury-to-the-Elderly-IG-and-Blog-1Ben B. Rubinowitz, Managing Partner of Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, and Evan Torgan, Senior Partner at Torgan Cooper & Aaron, have co-authored a new article published in the New York Law Journal titled, “The Last Chapter of Life: Part 1—Persuading the Jury in Cases Involving Serious Injury to the Elderly.”

The article examines one of the most difficult challenges facing trial lawyers: ensuring that elderly injury victims receive full and fair compensation despite the common misconception that advancing age somehow diminishes the value of their losses.

Challenging Age Bias in the Courtroom

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Espinosa-Visual-with-Flag-2The family of Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Nassau County Supreme Court against multiple Long Island businesses, a social host, and the underage drunk driver responsible for the fatal Long Island car accident that claimed her life.

The lawsuit alleges that several bars, restaurants, and a liquor store illegally sold or served alcohol to Matthew Smith, who was only 20 years old, before the January 31, 2026 crash. In addition to pursuing claims against Smith, the lawsuit seeks to hold every party accountable whose alleged unlawful conduct contributed to this preventable tragedy.

The case serves as a reminder that under New York law, liability for a serious drunk driving accident may extend beyond the impaired driver. Businesses and individuals who illegally provide alcohol to underage persons may also be held legally responsible when their actions contribute to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

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A MTA B3 Bus collided with a truck resulting in 15 injuriesA recent MTA bus accident in Brooklyn serves as an important reminder that injured victims have far less time to protect their legal rights than they may realize.

On July 6, 2026, an MTA bus collided with a truck in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn, reportedly injuring 15 people. While investigators continue to determine what caused the collision, the accident highlights an important legal issue that many New Yorkers are unaware of: if you are injured in an accident involving an MTA bus, you generally have only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim.

Unlike a typical car accident claim, cases involving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and its operating agencies are subject to special legal rules and strict deadlines. Failing to comply with these requirements can result in losing your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how serious your injuries may be.

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Medical malpractice Lawyer Ben Rubinowitz is teaching jusdgesThis summer, our managing partner Ben B. Rubinowitz will join Hon. Lewis Lubell (Moderator), Olympia Rubino, Esq., and Jason Hoffman, M.D., in presenting a program to judges of the New York State court system on the evaluation of medical evidence in personal injury and medical malpractice litigation.

The program, titled “Medical Evidence in Personal Injury and Malpractice Litigation,” is designed to provide judges with practical tools for analyzing the complex medical issues that frequently arise in these cases.

Medical records, diagnostic imaging studies, and expert testimony often form the foundation of personal injury and medical malpractice lawsuits. The volume and complexity of this evidence can present significant challenges for trial judges. Through real-world examples and demonstrations involving medical specialists, the faculty will explore practical approaches to evaluating medical proof and managing these cases from pretrial motions through trial.