Your Personal Injury Questions, Answered Honestly
You've probably never been through this before. Here are the answers we give every new client — straight, plain, and without the runaround.
About Your Case and What It's Worth
How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
If someone else's negligence caused your injury — a careless driver, an unsafe property, a construction site that cut corners — you likely have a claim worth exploring. The best way to find out is a free consultation with our team. We'll tell you honestly what we see, including if we don't think the case is strong enough to pursue.
How much is my case worth?
No attorney can give you an honest number at the first conversation, and any firm that does should raise a red flag. Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, how they affect your ability to work and live, the degree of the other party's fault, and the available insurance coverage. We give you a realistic picture — not inflated promises designed to sign you up.
How long will my case take?
Most personal injury cases in New York resolve in one to three years, depending on complexity, the seriousness of your injuries, and whether the case goes to trial. Cases involving the MTA or a municipality move on a different timeline because of the Notice of Claim requirement. We keep you informed at every stage so you're never left wondering where things stand.
Will my case go to trial?
The majority of personal injury cases settle before trial. That said, we are a trial firm — Jason Paris has more than 30 years of courtroom experience, and we prepare every case as if it will be tried. That preparation is exactly what motivates insurance carriers to settle fairly. If a fair settlement isn't on the table, we go to court.
Deadlines You Cannot Afford to Miss
What is the statute of limitations for a personal injury case in New York?
In most New York personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year deadline, and municipal and MTA cases can have deadlines shorter than that. These are hard cutoffs — miss them and you lose your right to recover, regardless of how strong your case is.
What is the 30-day no-fault deadline, and what happens if I miss it?
New York's no-fault law requires you to file a no-fault application with the at-fault driver's insurance carrier within 30 days of your accident. No-fault benefits cover medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. Miss the 30-day window and you can lose access to those benefits entirely. Contact us as soon as possible after any car accident — we handle the filing on your behalf.
What is a Notice of Claim, and when does it apply?
A Notice of Claim is a formal written notice you must file before suing a government entity in New York — including the MTA, NYC Transit, or a city agency. You have 90 days from the date of the accident to file. Miss that window and your right to sue is almost certainly gone. If your injury happened on a city bus, subway, or municipal property, contact us immediately — this deadline moves faster than most people realize.
What if I didn't see a doctor right away — does that hurt my case?
A gap in medical treatment gives insurance carriers an argument that your injuries weren't serious or weren't caused by the accident. It doesn't automatically end your case, but it does create a challenge we have to address. The most important thing you can do now is get evaluated by a doctor and document your injuries. We can connect you with medical specialists who understand how to treat and document personal injury claims.
How the Process Works
What does a free consultation actually involve?
We listen to what happened, ask the questions that matter for building a case, and give you a candid assessment of what we see. There's no obligation, no pressure, and no fee. You can meet us in person, by phone, or by video chat — whatever works for you. We're also available on weekends and respond to texts and calls around the clock.
How does a contingency fee work?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict. There are no upfront costs and no hourly bills. If we don't win, you owe us nothing.
Who will actually be working on my case?
Every file at The Paris Law Group is staffed with multiple attorneys and two to three paralegals. You won't be handed off to a junior associate and forgotten. Jason Paris is directly involved in the cases we take, and our team maintains consistent communication so you always know where your case stands.
Construction Accidents and Labor Law Claims
What is New York Labor Law Section 240 — the Scaffold Law?
New York Labor Law §240, commonly called the Scaffold Law, holds property owners and general contractors strictly liable when a worker is injured in a fall from a scaffold, ladder, or elevated surface on a construction site. "Strict liability" means the injured worker doesn't have to prove the owner was negligent — only that the fall happened and the safety equipment failed or wasn't provided. These are among the most powerful protections for construction workers in the country.
I was hurt on a construction site but I'm not sure who's responsible. Can you still help?
Yes, and this is exactly the kind of case where experienced counsel matters. Construction sites involve multiple parties — property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers — and liability can sit with more than one of them. We investigate the site, identify every responsible party, and build the strongest possible claim under New York's Labor Law protections.
How long will my case take?
Most personal injury cases in New York resolve in one to three years, depending on complexity, the seriousness of your injuries, and whether the case goes to trial. Cases involving the MTA or a municipality move on a different timeline because of the Notice of Claim requirement. We keep you informed at every stage so you're never left wondering where things stand.
Will my case go to trial?
The majority of personal injury cases settle before trial. That said, we are a trial firm — Jason Paris has more than 30 years of courtroom experience, and we prepare every case as if it will be tried. That preparation is exactly what motivates insurance carriers to settle fairly. If a fair settlement isn't on the table, we go to court.
Working With Us
Do you offer services in languages other than English?
Yes. We serve clients in English, Spanish, and Russian. A significant share of our clients in Queens and the surrounding boroughs are more comfortable in one of these languages, and we want every client to fully understand their case.
What if I already spoke to another attorney?
We regularly hear from people who weren't satisfied with their first consultation elsewhere. In fact, when prospects meet with us after speaking with another firm, we convert nearly every one of them — not because we overpromise, but because we take the time to explain what's actually possible. A second opinion costs you nothing.
How do I get started?
Call us, text our dedicated case line, or request a video consultation online. We're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week — including weekends. The sooner you reach out, the more options we have to build your case.