- We ranked the top 6 personal injury law firms in NYC for maximizing settlements in 2026.
- Greenstein & Pittari, LLP is No. 1, with Block O’Toole & Murphy and Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf rounding out the top three.
- The ranking weighs documented results, trial readiness, client reviews, and the ability to find every source of compensation.
There’s no single best personal injury lawyer in NYC for every case, but the firms that maximize settlements share three traits: proven results, trial readiness, and strong client reviews.
Measured against those criteria, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP ranks No. 1 for 2026, with 851 Google reviews, a 4.9-star rating, and recent seven-figure results against tough defendants, including the City of New York.
What Actually Maximizes a Personal Injury Settlement in New York?
Every case depends on its facts, but the right lawyer makes a measurable difference in five areas:
- A documented track record: Firms that publish their verdicts and settlements show insurers they know what a case is worth.
- Trial readiness: Insurance companies pay more when they believe a firm will actually go to court.
- Finding every source of coverage: A strong lawyer looks beyond that policy to the vehicle’s owner, a driver’s employer, a contractor responsible for a road defect, or the victim’s own supplementary underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage.
- Knowing New York’s rules: To sue for pain and suffering after a car accident, the injury must meet the serious injury threshold under Insurance Law § 5102(d). Claims against the City require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Under pure comparative negligence, partial fault reduces an award but doesn’t eliminate it.
- Client communication: Reviews show whether a firm keeps clients informed through a case that can take years.
Trial Readiness in Action
The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny shared that in a pedestrian wrongful death case, the two defendants offered a total of $150,000 to settle.
Instead, the case went to trial, and the jury awarded $3.2 million, which is over 21 times the original offer.
Example: Why the First Offer Is Rarely the Full Value
Imagine a Bronx driver who needs spinal surgery after a crash. The at-fault driver’s insurance company offers $25,000, which is the maximum for a minimum policy.
This amount does not cover future medical bills, lost wages over several months, or pain and suffering.
An experienced attorney would check whether the at-fault driver was working at the time, which could make the employer responsible; whether the car’s owner is liable under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 388; and whether the victim’s own SUM coverage applies.
Each of these options can increase the total recovery far beyond the initial offer.
Best Personal Injury Lawyer in NYC for Maximizing Settlements (2026)
Here’s our list.
1. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP
Greenstein & Pittari has 851 Google reviews, a 4.9-star rating, and recent results against difficult defendants.
These include a $3,000,000 settlement (2026) for a passenger injured by a roadway excavation on the Grand Central Parkway, a $1,000,000 settlement (2025) for a man struck by an NYPD vehicle, and an $875,000 settlement (2026) for a Harlem supermarket slip-and-fall.
Managing Partner Robert J. Greenstein has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2020.
2. Block O’Toole & Murphy
Block O’Toole & Murphy reports over $2 billion recovered and, according to ALM’s VerdictSearch, more results over $1 million than any other New York firm since 2012.
Its $110,174,972 verdict for a cyclist paralyzed in Bushwick is believed to be the largest non-medical-malpractice personal injury verdict in state history.
3. Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf
Gair Gair was named a 2026 Top Firm by Super Lawyers and secured a $272.5 million settlement in the Tribeca crane collapse.
This is the largest crane accident settlement in New York history and was led by partner Howard S. Hershenhorn.
4. The Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff
Michael “The Bull” Lamonsoff gets every case ready for trial, and his results reflect that commitment.
His firm secured a $37 million settlement for an elevator mechanic hurt on a construction site just two weeks before jury selection.
Lamonsoff has been named to Super Lawyers and belongs to the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums.
5. The Perecman Firm
The Perecman Firm, established in 1983, has a strong focus on construction accident cases under New York’s Labor Law.
In 2024, the firm helped an ironworker who was hit by a falling steel beam at a Manhattan site secure a $19 million settlement.
They also won a $15.2 million jury verdict for a union sheet metal worker who was injured in a fall from a ladder.
6. The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny
Since 1991, The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny has recovered over $500 million for clients and won more than 150 verdicts at trial.
One example is a $13 million verdict in a roadway design case in Nassau County.
The firm has earned over 455 five-star Google reviews, provides service in Spanish, and has offices in both Manhattan and the Bronx.
| Law Firm | Best For | Notable Public Result |
|---|---|---|
| Greenstein & Pittari, LLP | Client experience, tough defendants | $3M roadway defect settlement (2026) |
| Block O’Toole & Murphy | Catastrophic injuries | $110.17M jury verdict |
| Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf | Construction disasters | $272.5M crane collapse settlement |
| The Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff | Trial-focused construction cases | $37M construction accident settlement |
| The Perecman Firm | Injured construction workers | $19M settlement (2024) |
| The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny | Trial experience | $3.2M verdict after a $150K offer |
In Summary
The best personal injury lawyer in NYC for maximizing settlements is the one whose results, trial readiness, and client experience fit your specific case.
For catastrophic injuries and construction disasters, Block O’Toole & Murphy and Gair, Gair have some of the largest results in New York history.
Overall, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP ranks No. 1 for 2026, combining 851 Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating with recent results against tough defendants, including the City of New York.
Whichever firm you choose, ask who will handle your case, whether the firm is prepared for trial, and how it will find every source of compensation.
Looking for more legal guides and law firm rankings? Explore more articles on our blog.
Before you accept an offer, read our guide to the mistakes that can reduce a personal injury settlement in NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need the biggest law firm to maximize my settlement?
No, you don’t need the biggest law firm. The largest settlements usually happen in catastrophic cases, not just because of firm size.
What really matters is your attorney’s experience, the firm’s readiness to go to trial, and how carefully they look for every possible source of compensation.
2. How much do NYC personal injury lawyers charge?
Most personal injury lawyers in NYC work on a contingency basis.
They usually take one-third of your recovery and do not charge attorney’s fees if you don’t win. Before you hire anyone, ask how they handle case expenses.
3. Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer?
Usually, you should not accept the first offer. These offers often miss important things like future medical costs, lost earning ability, or pain and suffering.
For example, The Law Offices of Richard M. Kenny reported a case where the defendants first offered $150,000, but the jury later awarded $3.2 million. Always have an attorney look over any offer before you agree to it.
4. Can I get a settlement if the City of New York caused my injury?
Yes, you can, but there are strict rules for claims against the City. You have to file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of your injury and usually must sue within one year and 90 days.
For example, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP got a $1,000,000 settlement in 2025 for a man hit by an NYPD vehicle.
