In New York County (Manhattan), a catastrophic injury under NY CPLR Article 14-A can involve life-altering damages; Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has secured documented results for clients facing severe trauma. A New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyer understands the pure comparative fault rule and the serious injury threshold for auto cases.

Last verified: April 2026 | New York County Supreme Court | NY CPLR Article 14-A (official New York Senate)

Under New York law, a catastrophic injury is defined as a permanent, severe physical or cognitive impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The statutory framework for personal injury claims, including catastrophic injury, is governed by NY CPLR Article 14-A (comparative fault), Insurance Law § 5102 (serious injury threshold for auto), and CPLR § 1602 (limited liability for non-economic damages). A New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyer from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can help you understand how these statutes apply to your case.

For catastrophic injury claims specifically, the legal standard requires proof of a “serious injury” as defined under NY Insurance Law § 5102(d), which includes death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, fracture, loss of a fetus, permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system, or a medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less than ninety days during the one hundred eighty days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or impairment.

For more details, review the NY CPLR Article 14-A (official New York Senate) and the New York County Supreme Court website.

In New York County Supreme Court, catastrophic injury cases are filed with a summons and complaint. The court requires a preliminary conference within 45 days of filing. Discovery includes depositions, experienced medical testimony, and exchange of records. The Note of Issue must be filed within 12 months for standard cases.

1. File a summons and complaint in New York County Supreme Court.
2. Serve the defendant within 120 days.
3. Attend a preliminary conference to set discovery deadlines.
4. Complete depositions and exchange experienced reports.
5. File a Note of Issue to place the case on the trial calendar.
6. Participate in a pre-trial conference and, if needed, trial.

In New York County (Manhattan), a catastrophic injury claim can result in damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. There are no statutory caps on damages in most cases.

Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.

Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience. The firm has documented 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide across VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep legal authority.

No verifiable case result is available for this jurisdiction/topic. Firm-wide, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has secured 4,739+ documented results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY.

Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.

Our New York location serves clients at New York County (Manhattan) courts, accessible via FDR Drive, West Side Hwy, all subway lines, Lincoln/Holland Tunnels, and GW Bridge.

Catastrophic injury lawyer near Manhattan, near City Hall and the Centre Street courts complex.

We serve Manhattan (Midtown, Lower Manhattan, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Harlem, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Tribeca, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, East Village, Financial District, Chinatown, Washington Heights, Inwood).

24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.