Personal Injury Medical Malpractice Automobile Accidents Business Law Construction Law Contracts

Areas of Practice

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At the Law Offices of Peter DeFilippis & Associates, our experienced personal injury lawyers help people in Westchester County, White Plains, and throughout Metro New York to obtain the compensation they deserve. We have a long list of cases that have yielded high-value settlements because our legal team handles each case aggressively, thoughtfully, and with integrity. We specialize in auto cases,  slip/trip and falls, construction site incidents, and medical malpractice claims,  to name a few. Below are our “Practice Areas.” Please click on the headings to see more.

Personal Injury Law

If you have been seriously hurt due to another’s negligence i.e. their failure to act with ordinary care. We hope to assist you in obtaining fair and just financial compensation for all the harm, and losses caused as a result of your injury. We are experienced, dedicated, and skillful personal injury lawyers ready to handle your case from its inception through trial and to obtain the best possible result.  Finding the “right” lawyer to represent you is often the most critical factor in a successful recovery. Our proven, award-winning,  track record over the past decades, provides evidence of how meticulously we prepare every claim. Our diligent investigation ability has earned us a reputation as tenacious and skillful litigators.  We would be honored to handle your case and fight for your legal rights.

“I truly enjoy going into the courtroom, and talking to people, rather than solely writing briefs all day long in our office which is also an equally essential part of our work.”  -Peter DeFilippis

The experience and skills of your lawyer will play a pivotal role in the amount of compensation you receive.  Insurance companies have the financial resources to hire skilled lawyers who specialize in defending personal injury claims. Most injury victims realize that to be successful they need to hire personal injury attorneys who have a track record of success in the courtroom. Otherwise, the insurance companies will not take their claims seriously and pay just compensation.

Don’t make the mistake of choosing a personal injury lawyer from ads alone. There are unscrupulous lawyers out there who will settle your case quickly for whatever the insurance company will offer early on. These firms do not obtain the true value of injury cases and instead, work on a “high volume” and “quick turnover” basis. Avoid any personal injury lawyers who would like to grab your case and settle it quickly for low dollars for you.  We have an established track record of winning large verdicts and settlements by carefully and painstakingly preparing the matter for a trial and gathering all the evidence needed to convince judges, juries, and insurance adjusters of the serious nature of your harm and losses.

If your case involves an area of law outside our practice or in a jurisdiction beyond our coverage, we are prepared to help by referring you to highly qualified counsel we know and work with from our extensive network developed over decades. Be assured that we only recommend lawyers we trust to handle your matter with the same efficiency, capability, and kindness as our firm.

Automobile Incident Claims

Crashes are scary. Even minor fender benders can leave victims shaken and worried. You could go it alone, but when it comes to your physical and legal safety, it’s a smart move to proceed with a free case review provided by an experienced car accident lawyer. Nearly 6.5 million automobile accidents are occurring in the United States each year. The law allows victims of automobile accidents to seek compensation from the parties responsible for their injuries. As a driver, passenger, or pedestrian involved in an automobile accident, you could face injuries ranging from minor to severe or possibly life-threatening. A loved one may even pass away as a result of their injuries.

A car accident in New York City can be one of the most difficult and overwhelming experiences in your lifetime. Facing severe injuries and property damage to your vehicle caused by a negligent driver can disrupt your life entirely. Naturally, you want to ensure everything is taken care of soon after your collision. However, reaching peace of mind after an accident can be challenging, especially when dealing with New York’s complex insurance and personal injury liability laws. We are fully equipped and qualified to successfully process these types of cases. For example, we have represented:

• A 28-year-old warehouse worker was injured in a motor vehicle accident while a back-seat passenger in a taxi cab struck broadside by a speeding truck. Injuries included a fracture of the right arm and 50% hearing loss. A total damages award was rendered after a Bronx trial for $1,900,000.
• A college teacher aged 73, was injured when a distracted MTA mini-bus driver rear-ended her vehicle on the Verrazano Bridge. This set off a chain collision with two other vehicles in front of her. She sustained a fracture of the transverse processes in her neck and was compensated $450,000 We previously established, as a matter of law, the negligence of MTA and our client’s freedom from any negligence in a successful motion for summary judgment.  A global settlement was reached in Kings County, Supreme Court with all Defendants including the MTA just before jury selection commenced for $2,225,000.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Westchester County or if a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident, retain a personal injury firm such as ours–one with a long history of consistently successful results in litigating motor vehicle accident claims. We are known for our extensive experience and aggressive strategy and have posted a valuable article entitled, “What You Should Do If You Are In a NY Car Accident” by Peter DeFilippis, Esq.

We are committed to protecting the legal rights of our clients injured due to the fault of another and related to the operation of a car, bus, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle, and getting them the compensation they deserve. The Westchester County car accident lawyers at 914-467-7777 are ready to help you.

Slip and Fall and Trip and Fall Incidents

People are often injured due to the negligence of a premises owner or occupier. Business owners and lessees have a legal duty to their customers and others lawfully visiting their premises to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. Private property owners and lessees may also be held legally responsible for personal injuries that occur on their property.

The NYC and Westchester County premises liability lawyers at Peter DeFilippis & Associates represent victims and their families in cases that include, but are not limited to:

• Accidents in commercial and residential buildings
• Elevator accidents
• Inadequate security leads to assault, rape, or murder
• Inadequate and defective maintenance of building and property
• Slippery surfaces 
• Sidewalk accidents
• Injuries or deaths resulting from improperly maintained cellar grate
• Burn cases from overly heated water
• Violations of the Building Code leading to injury 
• Improperly constructed and/or maintained stairs, including missing handrails 

Medical Malpractice Cases

When a potential deviation from accepted medical standards occurs, potentially causing injury or death, our team possesses the experience and expertise necessary to safeguard your rights. We initiate a meticulous investigation into your claim, commencing with consultations with relevant experts and the acquisition of essential medical records for evaluation by healthcare professionals. Our primary objective is to ascertain, following New York State law, whether a significant departure from accepted medical practice within that specific community has taken place.

By meticulously gathering pertinent information about the injury’s origins and alleged medical negligence, we are equipped to vigorously advocate on your behalf. We aim to secure the most equitable compensation available for any losses suffered, encompassing lost earnings and all incurred medical expenses. For two examples, we represented:

• a victim of medical negligence for whom we were able to obtain a verdict for $3,500,000. He was a 68-year-old, retired security guard who suffered a foot burn following cardiac surgery. The contraindicated compression device placed on his foot in the Hospital caused blisters, burns, and tears to his skin which worsened, requiring skin grafts. Additional complications led to surgery eight times. A verdict for medical malpractice causing pain and suffering was rendered by a Bronx jury. This case was well-publicized in articles calling for medical practice reforms.
• a pregnant 25-year-old Westchester woman had a sonogram in her final week revealing a baby weighing more than 10 lbs. with a very large head circumference. During the early stages of delivery, meconium staining was present as was fetal distress. The doctor opted not to perform a Cesarean section though both parents repeatedly requested that she do so. Subsequently, the baby’s head became lodged in the birth canal for ten minutes. Emergency measures were needed to resuscitate the non-breathing baby. An expert OBGYN reported that excessive traction was used in pulling on the baby at the roots of the brachial plexus and the doctor failed to use known methods for extracting the child with shoulder dystocia. Further, a C-Section should have been scheduled at the onset. The baby suffered a mild Erb’s Palsy resulting in decreased shoulder movement and loss of grip strength requiring years of physical therapy. The medical malpractice case was filed in Westchester County and a settlement was reached with the Doctor’s insurance carrier after depositions were held for $600,000.

We only accept and process cases in which a medical professional’s review concludes legitimate medical misconduct resulting in serious and permanent injuries. In recognition of our work in this area, we were named to the New York Super Lawyers list of “Top Rated Medical Malpractice Lawyers.”

Construction Work Place Injury Actions 

Construction sites can be hazardous places for workers, particularly when proper safety precautions are not taken by owners, contractors, and subcontractors to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries. The construction accident attorneys at Peter DeFilippis & Associates have experience handling all types of construction accident lawsuits and have helped many injured workers in New York City, White Plains, Westchester County, and throughout New York to obtain justice when safety rules are not followed and injuries result.  That is why we earned the highest rating (10 of 10) from Avvo.

Our firm is committed to helping construction workers and other hardworking men and women who have sustained work-related injuries. We represent clients throughout upstate New York in workplace accident claims, involving:

• Construction site accidents
• Unsafe work conditions
• Scaffolding incidents
• Ladder, crane, and lift injuries
• Unsafe construction work equipment
• Explosions
• Burn injuries
• Defective and dangerous work products
• Heavy machinery mishaps
• Other workplace accidents

Our Attorneys are Recognized Leaders in New York Labor Law Litigation New York Labor Law 240(1)

The “Scaffold Law,” of New York Labor Law 240(1) offers financial protection to construction workers who have suffered elevation-related injuries. The labor law places absolute liability- meaning that liability is imposed regardless of fault–on the property owner and general contractor when a worker suffers an injury due to a fall from elevation or is struck by a falling object. By placing absolute liability on general contractors and property owners, the labor law essentially provides construction workers compensation for damages for most elevation-related injuries.

While New York Labor Law 240(1) places absolute liability on general contractors and property owners, it does not guarantee an injured worker’s compensation for their damages. While absolute liability, in theory, automatically entitles a worker to compensation, it does not prevent property owners and construction companies from disputing the injured individual’s claim. In many cases, property owners, general contractors, and their insurance companies will do whatever they can to avoid paying additional compensation to an injured worker; including denying that their injury was elevation-related. As a result, construction workers who have suffered elevation-related injuries should seek the counsel of a lawyer with experience handling lawsuits involving falls from heights at construction sites.

New York Labor Law 241(6)

Workers may also be able to file a claim under New York Labor Law 241(6) if they were injured while performing construction, excavation, or demolition. Under NY Labor Law, property owners and general contractors must follow all safety rules under section 23 of the industrial code. To ensure worker safety in construction, demolition, and excavation, the labor law places vicarious liability-meaning parties may be liable even when they didn’t know a violation occurred on general contractors and property owners for injuries that occur due to the violation of any specific safety rule found in section 23 of the industrial code. For instance, if an injury occurs because a load of steel members was released from a hoisting rope before being fastened in place, the injured worker may have grounds for a lawsuit against the general contractor and/or property owner as this would be a violation of Section 23-2.3(a) of the industrial code. Property owners and general contractors could be liable in the aforementioned scenario even if they were not present when the violation occurred due to the law’s vicarious liability provision.

Although injured workers may believe they have clear grounds for compensation under New York Labor Laws 240(1) and 241(6), construction companies and contractors frequently contest these claims and engage in legal battles. Property owners and construction firms often possess significant resources that they’re willing to deploy to evade providing deserving compensation to injured workers. Therefore, it becomes crucial for construction workers affected by on-site injuries to secure adept legal representation, such as Peter DeFilippis & Associates, renowned for our experience in handling lawsuits concerning Labor Laws 240(1) and 241(6).

Business Law Matters

We consistently provide comprehensive legal services to businesses and their owners in both New York City and Westchester County, addressing a wide range of business-related matters. At Peter DeFilippis & Associates, P.C., we are the trusted choice for businesses of all types, delivering high-quality, cost-effective legal representation. Our team consists of highly skilled and seasoned litigators who are fully equipped to vigorously safeguard your business’s rights and interests. With years of courtroom experience, we are dedicated to rectifying any unjust issues that negatively impact your company. For one example, while representing the minority shareholders selling stock in their Corporation, we fended off litigation challenges from the majority shareholders and an unlawful assignee so that the stock transfer could close. The minority share was valued at approximately $4,000,000.

We have experience resolving commercial disputes either through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or a jury trial in federal or state court. Many business lawyers must bring in a litigation specialist when the need arises, conversely, we possess the litigation skills and experience necessary to handle any needed court work. When the case requires it, our attorneys have also successfully prosecuted and defended appeals in both state and federal appellate courts. Our firm’s boutique commercial litigation practice allows us to serve our clients in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Breach of Contracts

We consistently resolve various types of contract cases and contractual disputes. Our firm regularly expedites cases without jeopardizing the necessary attention to detail. No matter the size of your business, it’s important to consult with an attorney on a wide variety of issues, including:

•  Joint ventures
•  Human resources
•  Employee rights and benefits
•  Franchising
•  Individual company rules and regulations
•  Financial issues, including stock holdings
•  Startups
• Taxes
• Partnerships
• Shareholder stock options
• Small business ventures
• Buying or selling a business

You want to prevail in your dispute and move forward with your business, that is why you need experienced breach of contract attorneys on your side who are familiar with these types of business disputes. We strongly believe that working with an experienced New York business contract lawyer with litigation experience is essential to that process. At Peter DeFilippis & Associates,  we stand up for your business’s future.

We can help you find the right solution and potentially win the damages you deserve. Choosing the right business litigation firm is as important as selecting the right business partner. We have 35+ years of experience in various aspects of business law, including litigation and contract law. Our extensive legal knowledge will give you the advantage you need. Whether the contract in question was a vendor contract, employment contract, merger agreement, bill of sale, lease agreement, non-compete agreement, warranty, operating agreement, or something else, our firm is well-equipped to represent you. Call us for a complimentary consultation where we can discuss your business needs and options, as well as address any concerns you have so you can be confident moving forward.

We firmly believe only parties who take an active role in the drafting and negotiation of any contract can feel secure once the document is executed. If subsequently, you feel that another party has breached your agreement, contact our office and have an experienced and dedicated attorney with extensive litigation experience evaluate the matter.

Specific examples of documents or agreements that you may need to be prepared or reviewed include:

• Business sale/purchase agreements
• Asset purchase agreements
• Stock/equity purchase agreements
• Buy/Sell agreements
• Partnership agreements
• Operating agreements
• Shareholders agreements
• Employment agreements
• Invention and non-disclosure agreements
• Non-competition and non-solicitation agreements
• Licensing agreements
• Consulting agreements
• Sales agreements
• Leases
• and more

As one of the best law firms in the region, Peter DeFilippis & Associates offers representation in the personal injury field and takes cases in a variety of practice areas, including auto law, construction, and labor law, premises liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and business law and litigation. Our track record speaks for itself. Our meticulous legal staff can also help you ensure that you are protected as both an individual and a business and we are experts at litigation should the need arise.  Contact us today with any business law or personal injury questions – we’re here to help call 914-478-7777 or 212-227-4001.