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This article is part of our ongoing no-fault coverage, with 271 published articles analyzing no-fault issues across New York State. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum brings 24+ years of hands-on experience to this analysis, drawing from his work on more than 1,000 appeals, over 100,000 no-fault cases, and recovery of over $100 million for clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. For personalized legal advice about how these principles apply to your specific situation, contact our Long Island office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.
Judicial Legacy: The Golia Family’s Impact on New York Courts
The New York judiciary has long benefited from dedicated legal professionals who bring both prosecutorial experience and judicial wisdom to the bench. When former prosecutors transition to judicial roles, they often bring valuable perspectives on criminal procedure and legal analysis that benefit the broader court system.
The appointment or election of new judges represents continuity in our legal system, particularly when they come from families with established judicial traditions. Such appointments often signal continued commitment to thorough legal analysis and principled decision-making that attorneys and litigants have come to expect from experienced jurists.
Jason Tenenbaum’s Analysis:
People v Cruz, 2014 NY Slip Op 24175 (Crim Ct. Queens Co. 2014)
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My first citing of an opinion from Hon. Donna Marie Golia a/k/a Donna Marie Petze. I recalled that she was an ADA in Queens. But I did not realize she was elected to Civil Court.
May she reach the Appellate Term with the might, vigor and dignity as her father, the retired Hon. Joseph Golia. Whenever I needed a dissent to prove that I was justified for appealing something, I could always count on Justice Joseph Golia. There might be a few more of mine out there – I just do not recall them right now.
Astoria Wellness Med., P.C. v State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co., 29 Misc.3d 136(A)(App. Term 2d Dept, 2010)(reasonable excuse found for default)
Hillcrest Radiology Assoc. v State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 28 Misc.3d 138(A)(App. Term 2d Dept. 2010)(MRIs of shoulder and knee were medically inappropriate)
Continental Medical, P.C. v. Mercury Cas. Co., 22 Misc.3d 134(A)(App. Term 2d Dept. 2009)(Golia and Steinhardt were in the majority and Weston-Patterson dissented)
Key Takeaway
The cases cited demonstrate Justice Joseph Golia’s significant impact on New York no-fault insurance law, particularly in areas involving default procedures and medical necessity determinations. His thoughtful dissents provided valuable grounds for appeals, highlighting the importance of thorough judicial analysis in complex insurance litigation.
Legal Update (February 2026): Since this 2014 post, there may have been changes to judicial assignments, election cycles, and court structures in the New York court system. Practitioners should verify current judicial appointments and any relevant procedural changes in Queens County courts when citing recent opinions or appearing before these courts.
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Why This Matters for Your Case
New York's no-fault insurance system, established under Insurance Law Article 51, is one of the most complex insurance frameworks in the country. Every motorist must carry Personal Injury Protection coverage that pays medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault, up to $50,000 per person.
But insurers routinely deny valid claims using peer reviews, EUO scheduling tactics, fee schedule reductions, and coverage defenses. The Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum has handled over 100,000 no-fault cases since 2002 — from initial claim submissions through arbitration before the American Arbitration Association, trials in Civil Court and Supreme Court, and appeals to the Appellate Term and Appellate Division. Jason Tenenbaum is one of the few attorneys in the state who both writes his own appellate briefs and tries his own cases.
His 2,353+ published legal articles on no-fault practice are cited by attorneys throughout New York. Whether you are dealing with a medical necessity denial, an EUO no-show defense, a fee schedule dispute, or a coverage question, this article provides the kind of detailed case-law analysis that helps practitioners and claimants understand exactly where the law stands.
About This Topic
New York No-Fault Insurance Law
New York's no-fault insurance system requires every driver to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that pays medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. But insurers routinely deny, delay, and underpay valid claims — using peer reviews, IME no-shows, and fee schedule defenses to avoid paying providers and injured claimants. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum has litigated thousands of no-fault arbitrations and court cases since 2002.
271 published articles in No-Fault
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Disclaimer: This article is published by the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. The legal principles discussed may not apply to your specific situation, and the law may have changed since this article was last updated.
New York law varies by jurisdiction — court decisions in one Appellate Division department may not be followed in another, and local court rules in Nassau County Supreme Court differ from those in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Kings County Civil Court, or Queens County Supreme Court. The Appellate Division, Second Department (which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and the Appellate Term (which hears appeals from lower courts) each have distinct procedural requirements and precedents that affect litigation strategy.
If you need legal help with a no-fault matter, contact our office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Long Island (Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton), Nassau County (Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola, Great Neck, Manhasset, Freeport, Long Beach, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Westbury, Hicksville, Massapequa), Suffolk County (Hauppauge, Deer Park, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Patchogue, Brentwood), Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
