Founding Partner

Our legal team understands the challenges injury victims face, from mounting medical bills to lost wages and ongoing pain and suffering. Our experienced attorneys and personal injury lawyers represent clients throughout Queens. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Contact our Queens personal injury attorneys today at (718) 469-6900 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options. Our Queens injury attorneys handle a diverse range of negligence-based claims, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall injuries, construction site accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and wrongful death.
stands out among Queens personal injury law firms for several reasons. As a personal injury law firm with experienced attorneys who handle challenging legal matters, our track record speaks for itself – we have recovered over $2 billion for clients in personal injury and mass tort cases over our 30+ years of practice. This substantial recovery amount reflects our history of handling significant cases and pursuing full compensation for our clients.
Our Queens office, located at 118-35 Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, allows us to serve local residents with the personal attention they seek while leveraging the resources of a national law firm. This combination of local presence and national experience allows us to handle personal injury cases effectively for our clients.
We offer free consultations to all potential clients, allowing you to learn about your legal rights without any financial commitment. Our “no fees unless you win” policy makes legal representation accessible to many people, regardless of their financial situation. Additionally, this contingency fee structure aligns our interests with yours – we only collect attorney fees if we obtain a recovery for you.
Our legal team includes attorneys with notable credentials and recognition. Our personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of personal injury matters in Queens and New York, providing guidance through many types of legal challenges. Founding partner Jerrold S. Parker holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Mass Tort Litigation and Class Actions from 2010-2026. Furthermore, partner Melanie H. Muhlstock has been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers List annually since 2014.
New York personal injury law contains several important provisions that affect your case. Understanding these laws is important for protecting your rights and maximizing your potential recovery.
The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in New York is three years from the date of the accident. However, certain cases have shorter deadlines. Medical malpractice cases must generally be filed within two and a half years, and claims against government entities often have much shorter notice requirements. Failing to file your personal injury lawsuit within the required time frame can result in losing your right to pursue damages.
New York follows a comparative negligence system, specifically the pure comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident, but you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. In New York, you may pursue damages in a personal injury lawsuit regardless of your degree of fault, although any award will be reduced proportionally to your share of responsibility.
New York’s no-fault insurance system requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage pays for medical expenses and lost wages up to policy limits, regardless of who caused the accident. However, victims with serious injuries can step outside the no-fault system to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party.
Pain and suffering damages are available in New York personal injury cases when injuries meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in the Insurance Law. These non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, and can represent a significant portion of a recovery.
A personal injury attorney can help estimate the potential value of your personal injury lawsuit by evaluating both economic and non-economic damages.
If you are involved in an accident, you should take the following immediate steps: check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt, move to a safe place if possible, report the accident to the police (a police report can be important for your personal injury claim), gather contact and insurance information from the other party, document the accident scene with photos (including injuries and relevant conditions), collect contact information from witnesses, and seek medical attention even if you don’t feel injured, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Our Queens personal injury attorneys guide clients through each step of the legal process, from initial consultation to final resolution. Understanding this process helps you know what to expect as your case progresses.
The process begins with a consultation where we evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and discuss potential outcomes. We review medical records, accident reports, and other relevant documentation to assess the strength of your claim.
During the investigation phase, our legal team gathers evidence to support your case. This may include obtaining surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, consulting with professionals, and working with accident reconstruction professionals. Additionally, we work to help you seek medical attention promptly and document all injuries and damages. Seeking medical attention is important, even if injuries are not immediately obvious, to help with diagnosis and documentation.
Most personal injury cases are resolved through negotiation with the insurance company. Our attorneys have experience dealing with insurance adjusters and understand common tactics for minimizing payouts. It is generally advisable not to accept any settlement offers from insurance companies without consulting with an attorney first. We negotiate to pursue settlements that fairly reflect our clients’ injuries and losses.
Managing insurance claims can be complex, and our firm assists clients with these insurance claims so you can focus on your recovery and the claims process.
When insurance companies refuse to offer reasonable settlements, we are prepared to take cases to trial. Our trial attorneys have obtained favorable verdicts for clients, including an $8,000,000 general negligence verdict and a $4,500,000 trip and fall verdict.
Parker Waichman LLP
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or have been injured by another party in some other way, we are here to stand up for your rights. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing injury victims and their families in Long Island and throughout the nation since the early 1980s.
Our Queens personal injury attorneys handle a comprehensive range of personal injury matters throughout Queens County, including bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, traumatic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, product liability, dog bites, workers’ compensation, electric scooter accidents, and wrongful death claims. We have the experience and resources to take on complex cases against large corporations, insurance companies, and government entities.
Product liability cases involve injuries caused by defective vehicles, dangerous pharmaceuticals, or faulty household appliances. Dog bite claims are typically brought against dog owners, who may be held strictly liable for certain medical costs and otherwise responsible for injuries caused by their pets under New York law. Workers’ compensation cases involve injuries sustained in the workplace and are a significant area of personal injury law in Queens. Bicycle accidents in Queens can result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection for cyclists. Electric scooter accidents are becoming more common in Queens and can present unique legal questions.
We also handle slip and fall injuries and other cases involving someone else’s alleged negligence on someone else’s property, applying our knowledge of premises liability law to help establish fault and seek compensation for our clients. Our firm is experienced in managing car accident claims, guiding clients through the legal process, and advocating for those injured in motor vehicle accidents.
Car accidents remain one significant cause of personal injury in Queens. Our attorneys have experience handling car accident claims, including dealing with insurance companies, working to prove fault, and seeking compensation for clients involved in car crashes, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and rideshare incidents. We understand New York’s no-fault insurance system and how to address serious injury cases that exceed the no-fault threshold.
Queens’ busy roadways, including the Long Island Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, and local streets, see many accidents each year. Our legal team investigates each accident, working with accident reconstruction professionals and medical professionals to build cases for our clients.
Property owners throughout Queens have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they fail in this responsibility, serious slip and fall accidents can occur on someone else’s property. We handle premises liability cases involving conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, and poorly maintained sidewalks.
New York’s comparative negligence laws can be complex in slip and fall cases, which are governed by premises liability law. Our attorneys understand how to present evidence that seeks to minimize any potential fault attributed to our clients while emphasizing the property owner’s responsibility.
Queens is home to numerous hospitals and medical facilities, including NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. When medical professionals do not meet the applicable standard of care, patients can suffer serious injuries or worsening conditions. Medical malpractice can result in traumatic injury cases, including outcomes such as spinal cord injuries. Our medical malpractice attorneys handle cases involving surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors, and birth injuries.
Medical malpractice cases often require substantial medical knowledge and resources. Our firm works with qualified medical professionals to review cases and provide testimony when necessary to help establish negligence and causation.
Construction sites are a common sight throughout Queens, NY, and while they are important for the city’s growth, they also pose risks to workers and bystanders. Construction accidents can result in severe injuries, long-term disabilities, or even loss of life. If you or a loved one has suffered harm on a construction site, it can be important to have Queens personal injury lawyers on your side to help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you seek.
Our law firm has a track record of representing clients in complex construction accident cases. We understand the challenges these personal injury cases present, from New York’s labor laws to coordinating among multiple parties and insurance companies. Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping injury victims in Queens pursue fair compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and the physical and emotional harm associated with someone else’s alleged negligence.
Personal injury victims in Queens may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the circumstances of their case and the extent of their damages.
Economic damages include medical expenses, both past and future. This can cover hospital bills, surgery costs, rehabilitation expenses, prescription medications, and ongoing medical care. We work with medical professionals to project future medical needs and to include these costs in your claim.
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity represent another component of economic damages. If your injuries prevent you from working or limit your ability to earn income in the future, you may be entitled to seek compensation for these losses. This can include current lost wages and reduced earning potential over time.
Pain and suffering damages compensate victims for more than just physical pain—they also address emotional distress, financial stress, and reduced quality of life resulting from their injuries. Non-economic damages compensate you for the non-monetary effects of your injury, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. These non-economic damages can be significant in cases involving catastrophic injuries with long-term consequences.
Property damage recovery is available when personal property is damaged in an accident. This most commonly applies to vehicle damage in car accidents but can include other personal items damaged in various incidents.
When you pursue compensation, it is important to seek a settlement that reflects the extent of your damages. Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts, and an initial offer may not fully cover your losses. Having a lawyer with courtroom experience can be important, as insurance companies may be more inclined to offer reasonable settlements when a case is being prepared for trial. While many personal injury cases in Queens are resolved through settlement, having an attorney prepared to go to trial can be beneficial if necessary.
has achieved significant results for personal injury clients throughout Queens and New York. Our personal injury lawyers are recognized as trusted Queens personal injury attorneys, known for their experience and commitment to seeking compensation for injury victims. Our notable settlements and verdicts demonstrate our experience handling substantial recoveries for injury victims.
Recent significant results include an $11,000,000 settlement for an 18-wheeler catastrophic injury case and a $10,000,000 auto accident settlement. We also secured an $8,000,000 general negligence verdict, a $5,000,000 nursing home abuse settlement, and a $4,500,000 trip and fall verdict. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.
Our clients consistently praise our dedication, communication, and results. Many testimonials highlight our attorneys’ compassion and commitment to advocating for meaningful compensation. These success stories reflect our firm’s strong reputation in personal injury representation among past clients.
The legal community has recognized our achievements through various awards and honors. Our attorneys have received recognition from Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and The National Trial Lawyers. Furthermore, we maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.
Our Queens personal injury lawyers serve clients throughout all Queens neighborhoods and communities. As Queens injury attorneys, we provide comprehensive legal services to clients across the borough. Whether you live in Forest Hills near our office or anywhere else in Queens County, we are available to help with your personal injury case.
We regularly serve clients in Forest Hills, Astoria, Flushing, and Jamaica – some of Queens’ most populous neighborhoods. Our attorneys are also familiar with the characteristics and challenges of areas like Long Island City, Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights.
Additional Queens communities we serve include Corona, Woodside, Bayside, Fresh Meadows, Kew Gardens, Rego Park, and Middle Village. No matter where your accident occurred in Queens, our legal team has local knowledge and experience that can be helpful in handling your case.
Our Queens office location in Forest Hills provides convenient access for clients throughout central Queens, while our other New York offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Melville, and Port Washington provide coverage for the broader metropolitan area.
Most personal injury cases in New York must be filed within three years of the accident date. However, medical malpractice cases generally have a two-and-a-half-year deadline, and claims against government entities often have much shorter notice requirements. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to help avoid missing critical deadlines.
New York follows the pure comparative negligence rule, which means you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Under this rule, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can pursue a claim regardless of your level of fault—even if you were more than 50% at fault.
At Parker Waichman LLP, we work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. This means you pay no attorney fees unless we obtain a recovery for you. We also provide free consultations, so you can learn about your legal options without any upfront financial commitment.
Depending on your case, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses. In addition to these economic damages, you may also be eligible for non-economic damages, which compensate for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving serious injuries, future medical expenses and diminished earning capacity may also be recoverable. A personal injury attorney can help assess the potential value of your claim by evaluating both economic and non-economic damages.
The timeline for personal injury cases varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and the willingness of insurance companies to negotiate. Some cases settle within months, while others may take longer if a trial becomes necessary. Our attorneys work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while keeping your best interests in mind.
If you or a loved one has been injured in Queens due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to seek legal representation. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call our Queens office at (718) 469-6900 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case and answer your questions. Remember, you pay no attorney fees unless our team wins your case.
Parker Waichman LLP – Your trusted Queens personal injury lawyers with over $2 billion recovered for clients nationwide.
Parker Waichman LLP
Our law firm is ready to represent you in your injury case. We’ve helped many New York residents as well as those needing help nationwide. Contact our team for a free case consultation today.
I had a great experience with them , everyone was very helpful and sweet.
Michelle Murphy
4 months ago
Zarahi was very professional and very Quick and very knowledgeable i realy appreciated her patience and perseverance she Deserves 100 stars 🌟 but since i can only send 5 i Guess i will just have to send that truly yours Rashine Downs
Kush Three
6 months ago
VERY NICE WORK PLACE THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD TO MY MOM
Whitney Brinson
5 years ago
They treated me with tender love and care
Terrell Weaver
2 months ago
Wonderful people. They made the whole process if dealing with a gov’t agency so easy. Special compliments to Gina Viti
Michael Ross
2 months ago
I’m a 9/11 first responder, and I can honestly say that Parker Waichman made me feel like they had my best interest in my VCF case. Ms Candalino & Ms Viti are top notch in my book. I was constantly informed on the status of my case. I would definitely recommend Parker Waichman LLP to family and friends.
D D
6 years ago
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
We handle mass torts cases nationwide. Please contact our office to learn more.