Burn injury litigation is technically demanding.
It often requires reconstructing how a fire or chemical exposure occurred, retaining medical experts to document the severity of tissue damage, and navigating New York's comparative negligence framework under CPLR § 1411, which allows recovery even when the plaintiff bears partial fault.
The attorneys on this list were evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Verified case results in burn injury or related catastrophic injury matters
- Trial experience in New York State and federal courts
- Academic credentials and professional recognition (Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers)
- Jurisdictional depth in New York personal injury law
- Transparency and verifiability of professional profiles
Each attorney below is a licensed New York litigator. This is a list of individual attorneys, not law firms, though firm affiliations are noted where relevant.
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1. Michael S. Porter
Firm: Porter Law Group, Syracuse, New York
Education: Harvard University (undergraduate)
Bar Admission: New York State Bar; former U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, Captain
Michael S. Porter is one of the most accomplished personal injury attorneys in upstate New York, with a career defined by high-stakes trials and consistent seven-figure results. Between 2011 and 2014, Porter secured five consecutive trial verdicts exceeding $1 million, totaling more than $9 million across those cases alone.
His profile is verifiable through Super Lawyers, where he has been ranked at the top of the New York list for multiple years.
What distinguishes Porter in a competitive New York market is his willingness to take cases to trial rather than settle for less than a case is worth. That track record is verifiable.
For burn injury victims in the Syracuse, Northern District, or broader upstate New York region, Porter represents a rare combination of elite academic preparation, military discipline, and documented courtroom success.
Contact:porterprotects.com
2. Ben B. Rubinowitz
Firm: Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman and Mackauf, New York City
Ben B. Rubinowitz secured a $59.2 million verdict for a high school student who suffered devastating burns during a botched chemistry experiment, which remains the largest pain and suffering award ever affirmed by a New York Appellate Court.
That single result establishes Rubinowitz as the attorney with the most verified, publicly affirmed burn injury verdict in New York State history.
Rubinowitz has obtained 29 verdicts and more than 180 settlements exceeding $1 million. H.
For burn injury victims in New York City or the surrounding metropolitan area, Rubinowitz is among the first names to consider.
3. Jeffrey B. Bloom
Firm: Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman and Mackauf, New York City Experience: Over four decades of trial experience; joined his firm in 1979
Jeffrey B. Bloom has handled burn injury cases directly, including a confidential settlement on behalf of a high school student burned when a science teacher left a classroom unattended during an experiment.
He has also successfully litigated cases against Chrysler involving a negligently designed gas tank that caused a fire resulting in deaths, which required both products liability and wrongful death expertise.
With more than 40 years of trial experience, Bloom brings institutional knowledge of how New York courts evaluate catastrophic injury claims, including the economic and non-economic damages available to burn survivors.
4. Thomas A. Moore
Firm: Kramer, Dillof, Livingston and Moore, New York City
Bar Admission: New York, licensed since 1973
Education: Fordham University School of Law
Thomas A. Moore has achieved 92 verdicts in excess of $1 million, the majority exceeding $10 million, with 4 verdicts surpassing $100 million. That record places Moore among the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States, not just New York.
His firm handles burn cases as part of a broader catastrophic injury practice, and Moore's courtroom record across five decades reflects a level of sustained excellence that few attorneys in any state can match.
Moore's depth in medical malpractice and complex personal injury makes him particularly well-suited for burn cases that involve a medical dimension, such as delayed treatment, surgical complications following a burn, or infection arising from inadequate hospital care.
5. Jordan D. Hecht
Firm: Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek, P.C., New York City
Education: Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Jordan D. Hecht is a founding partner of Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek, P.C. His results span multiple categories of catastrophic injury, including a $35 million and a $25 million product liability verdict, and $20 million and $11 million results in construction accident cases.
That breadth is directly relevant to burn injury litigation, which frequently arises from defective products or unsafe job site conditions.
Hecht's experience across product liability and construction accident litigation makes him well-positioned to pursue burn injury claims under multiple theories of recovery simultaneously.
6. Peter J. Saghir
Firm: Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman and Mackauf, New York City
Peter J. Saghir focuses on the pre-trial preparation of catastrophic personal injury and complex medical malpractice cases, as well as products liability. His role encompasses all phases of litigation, from pre-trial investigation through trial, including depositions, motion practice, and court appearances.
As a member of the firm that obtained the $59.2 million burn injury verdict in New York, Saghir has direct institutional knowledge of how large-scale burn injury cases are built and tried.
His recognition by Best Lawyers in both medical malpractice and personal injury litigation signals a breadth of competency that applies directly to burn cases with a medical component, such as those involving hospital negligence during treatment or delayed care following a severe burn.
7. David Perecman
Firm: The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., New York City
Experience: Founded his firm in 1983; more than 40 years in practice
David Perecman founded The Perecman Firm in 1983 and has spent more than four decades representing injured victims throughout New York State. The firm has recovered over $500 million in verdicts and settlements and explicitly lists burn injuries as a practice area.
A notable burn injury case handled within the firm involved a $2.7 million settlement for an asbestos worker who suffered burn injuries, demonstrating the firm's capacity to handle both the industrial and medical dimensions of burn injury claims.
Perecman's longevity in New York personal injury law reflects consistent competence across changing legal standards.
For burn injury victims seeking representation from an attorney with deep institutional roots and a strong track record across multiple decades of New York litigation, Perecman is a credible option.
8. Zachary S. Perecman
Firm: The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., New York City
Zachary S. Perecman is a partner at The Perecman Firm who brings both inherited institutional knowledge and independent trial results to complex injury cases.
He personally obtained a $2.7 million settlement for an asbestos worker who suffered burn injuries, and his broader results include a $19 million result for a construction worker injured by a falling hoisted beam.
Zachary's construction accident record is directly relevant to burn injury cases arising on New York job sites. Under New York Labor Law § 240 and § 241(6), property owners and general contractors face heightened liability for injuries to construction workers, including those caused by electrical hazards and fire.
9. Daniel Flanzig
Firm: Flanzig and Flanzig, LLP, Nassau and Suffolk Counties Experience: Lead trial attorney for a firm representing accident victims since 1956
Daniel Flanzig is the lead trial attorney at a firm that has been representing accident victims in Nassau and Suffolk Counties since 1956, with active practices in New York City federal courts including the Eastern and Southern Districts. Flanzig and Flanzig explicitly lists burn injuries as a practice area and has handled burn cases over multiple decades.
For burn injury victims in Long Island or the outer boroughs, Flanzig represents a well-established regional option with a demonstrated commitment to the practice area. His firm's history spanning nearly 70 years reflects durability in a competitive market and a depth of experience with how Nassau and Suffolk County courts handle high-value personal injury claims.
10. Eric C. Nordby
Firm: Porter Law Group, Syracuse, New York
Education: Cornell University (B.A., 1987); University at Buffalo School of Law (J.D., with honors, 1992)
Eric C. Nordby brings nearly 30 years of litigation experience to serious personal injury claims, including medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, and defective products.
He earned his law degree with honors from the University at Buffalo and clerked for a federal chief judge before entering private practice, giving him an unusually thorough understanding of how federal courts in the Northern District of New York evaluate complex personal injury cases.
As co-founder of Porter Law Group and President of the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, Nordby's professional standing is verifiable and current. His background is particularly relevant for burn injury cases that involve federal defendants, government contractors, or matters filed in federal court.
Together with Michael S. Porter, Nordby represents the institutional backbone of one of upstate New York's most accomplished personal injury law firms.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Burn Injury Lawsuit in New York?
Most burn injury victims in New York have three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit under CPLR § 214. Missing this deadline typically results in permanent loss of the right to sue, regardless of how severe the injury.
Important exceptions include:
- Claims against a municipality or government entity. A Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the incident before any lawsuit can proceed. This shorter deadline catches many victims off guard.
- Burns caused by medical malpractice. If the burn resulted from negligent medical treatment, such as an operating room fire or a chemical burn during a procedure, the medical malpractice statute of limitations under CPLR § 214-a applies: 2.5 years from the date of the malpractice or the end of continuous treatment.
- Wrongful death from burn injuries. If the victim died, the family has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim under Estates, Powers and Trusts Law § 5-4.1.
Given the number of deadline variations, consulting with a New York burn injury lawyer as early as possible is the practical approach.
Find the Best Burn Injury Lawyers in New York
Explore top New York burn injury lawyers offering free consultations for victims seeking compensation and legal support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the best burn injury lawyer in New York for my case?
The best burn injury lawyer for your case is one with verified results in burn injury or closely related catastrophic injury matters, courtroom experience in New York State, and familiarity with the specific liability theory your case involves..
How much is a burn injury case worth in New York?
Burn injury values in New York vary enormously based on the extent of the burns, whether disfigurement is permanent, the cost of ongoing medical care, and the applicable liability theory. Documented results in New York range from settlements in the hundreds of thousands to a $59.2 million jury verdict affirmed on appeal. Economic damages, including medical bills and lost wages, anchor the calculation, but non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and disfigurement are not capped in most New York personal injury cases.
How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in New York?
Most burn injury victims have three years from the date of injury under CPLR § 214. If the defendant is a government entity or municipality, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days. If the injury resulted from medical negligence, the medical malpractice deadline of 2.5 years under CPLR § 214-a may apply instead.
Can I sue if I was partly at fault for my burn injury?
Yes. Under New York's pure comparative negligence rule in CPLR § 1411, you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Your total award is reduced by your percentage of fault. A plaintiff found 40% responsible for a $200,000 award would receive $120,000.
What types of burn injury cases do New York lawyers handle?
New York burn injury lawyers handle cases arising from defective products, construction site accidents, car and truck fires, apartment fires caused by landlord negligence, chemical exposure, electrical accidents, medical procedures, and workplace incidents. The applicable law varies by case type. Construction site burns may invoke the Scaffold Law under Labor Law § 240. Product-related burns often proceed under strict products liability.
Should I accept a settlement offer from the insurance company without a lawyer?
No. Insurance companies are experienced at minimizing payouts on burn injury claims. Burn injuries frequently involve long-term medical costs that are not obvious in the early stages of recovery, and accepting an early settlement typically means giving up the right to future compensation. An experienced New York burn injury lawyer can evaluate the full scope of your damages before any settlement is signed.
What does a New York burn injury lawyer charge?
Most New York personal injury lawyers, including Porter Law Group, work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront fees. The attorney only gets paid if they secure a settlement or win at trial, at which point they receive an agreed-upon percentage of the recovery. This structure makes legal representation accessible regardless of a client's financial situation.
How do I know if my burn injury case is strong enough to pursue?
A case evaluation with a qualified New York personal injury attorney is the only reliable way to assess this. Attorneys like Michael S. Porter at Porter Law Group offer consultations to review the facts, identify the applicable liability theory, and advise on whether the evidence supports a viable claim. The strength of a case depends on who caused the burn, whether their negligence or a product defect can be documented, and whether the damages are significant enough to justify litigation.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. This article is attorney advertising for the Porter Law Group. All legal claims are subject to individual facts, applicable law, and jurisdictional rules. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
