Astoria, Queens Personal Injury
& Employment Lawyer

Astoria, Queens Personal Injury & Employment Attorney

Astoria is one of the most dynamic and culturally diverse neighborhoods in Queens, home to thriving Greek, South Asian, Latin American, and Eastern European communities. Anchored by the bustling commercial corridors of Steinway Street and Broadway, and connected to Manhattan by the N and W subway lines, Astoria sees heavy foot traffic, dense residential living, and a vibrant nightlife and restaurant scene. With so much activity — construction projects reshaping the skyline, delivery trucks navigating narrow streets, and thousands of daily commuters — accidents and workplace disputes are an unfortunate reality. When they happen, a skilled personal injury attorney does more than file paperwork — they become your advocate, investigating the incident, challenging lowball insurance offers, and fighting for fair compensation.

Catastrophic injury cases — such as spinal cord damage from construction falls or traumatic brain injuries from traffic collisions on Astoria Boulevard — require attorneys who balance legal expertise with compassion. These cases often involve years of medical care and lifestyle adjustments, which means lawyers must listen closely to their clients' needs while building a rock-solid case.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Astoria

Personal injury law exists to hold negligent parties accountable. When someone suffers harm due to another's actions — or inaction — this legal framework provides a path to recover medical costs, lost income, and compensation for physical and emotional trauma. In Astoria and across Queens County, common cases include:

• ✓ Car and truck accidents on Astoria Boulevard, the Grand Central Parkway, 31st Street, and local roads throughout western Queens
• ✓ Pedestrian accidents at high-traffic crosswalks along Steinway Street, Broadway, and near the N/W subway station exits
• ✓ Slip and fall injuries in restaurants, bars, apartment building common areas, retail shops, and on cracked sidewalks
• ✓ Construction site accidents under New York Labor Law §200, §240 (Scaffold Law), and §241(6) — especially common in Astoria's ongoing residential development boom
• ✓ Medical malpractice at Mount Sinai Queens, urgent care clinics, and healthcare providers throughout the neighborhood
• ✓ Bicycle accidents involving cyclists on Astoria's busy streets, bike lanes, and the paths near Astoria Park
• ✓ Dog bite injuries in Astoria Park, Rainey Park, on sidewalks, and in residential areas
• ✓ Wrongful death claims for Astoria families who lost loved ones due to another's negligence

Handling traumatic cases requires more than legal knowledge — it demands tenacity. Lawyers representing injury victims frequently encounter harrowing circumstances, from construction falls at Astoria's many development sites to hit-and-run collisions. Our attorneys are equipped to challenge insurance companies that aggressively minimize our clients' claims, backed by expert witnesses, medical records, and thorough evidence preservation strategies.

Employment Law for Astoria Workers

Astoria's economy is built on its world-class restaurant scene, thriving retail corridor along Steinway Street, healthcare at Mount Sinai Queens, construction, and the creative industries centered around the Museum of the Moving Image and nearby Kaufman Astoria Studios. An employment lawyer helps workers navigate disputes including unpaid overtime, safety violations, and wrongful terminations. We enforce protections under federal and state law, including:

• → Workplace discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, age, disability, or religion — particularly critical in Astoria's diverse, immigrant-rich workforce
• → Wrongful termination in violation of state and federal anti-discrimination statutes
• → Pregnancy discrimination and violations of New York's expanded Paid Family Leave Act
• → Employer retaliation against workers who report harassment, safety violations, or wage theft
• → Wage and hour violations including unpaid overtime, tip theft in restaurants and bars, and worker misclassification — widespread in Astoria's hospitality sector

Complex employment cases often hinge on detailed evidence. Documentation like emails, text messages, shift logs, and pay stubs can make or break a claim. If you face harassment or unsafe conditions at an Astoria-area workplace, report it in writing immediately and keep copies of everything. A lawyer can then help file claims with the EEOC or New York's Division of Human Rights, often securing back pay or reinstatement.

When Personal Injury & Employment Law Intersect

An injury at work might involve two legal paths: workers' compensation and a personal injury lawsuit. For instance, a delivery driver hurt in a crash on Astoria Boulevard caused by another driver could file for workers' comp while also suing the at-fault motorist. A construction worker injured at one of Astoria's many building sites due to inadequate safety gear could pursue:

• • Workers' compensation benefits covering medical costs and partial lost wages
• • A third-party liability claim against a general contractor or equipment supplier for defective scaffolding
• • A pain and suffering claim to recover additional damages not covered by workers' comp

Coordinating these claims requires careful timing to maximize compensation without conflicting filings. Our firm's dual expertise in both fields ensures Astoria clients don't leave money on the table by pursuing only one avenue of recovery.

Critical Deadlines: Don't Wait

Legal deadlines — statutes of limitations — impose strict timeframes for filing claims. Missing them forfeits your rights entirely.

• ! Personal injury: 3 years from the date of the accident in most cases
• ! NYC municipal claims: 90 days to file a Notice of Claim against New York City or the MTA
• ! EEOC discrimination charges: 300 days from the discriminatory act — sometimes less
• ! Surveillance footage: typically overwritten within 30-90 days — act fast to preserve it

Forward-thinking law firms recognize that legal struggles often impact mental health as well. A construction worker battling depression after an injury might need therapy referrals alongside legal help. Our firm views holistic support as part of effective representation. The Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. plays a vital role in leveling the playing field — especially against well-funded opponents. Call 516-750-0595 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation today.