Suffolk County LIE

A personal injury can happen when you least expect it, putting you in the hospital, out of work, and in pain. Family law issues, meanwhile, can be among the most difficult experiences that a spouse or parent can go through. When life doesn’t go the way you want it to, potentially jeopardizing your finances and your family, who can you trust to advocate for you?

Turn to the dedicated personal injury and family law attorneys of The Saul Law Firm, LLP. We work hard every day to protect the rights of individuals and families in Long Island and Suffolk County.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Personal injury involves seeking monetary damages from individuals, businesses, and others whose negligence causes physical, mental, and emotional harm. These damages are intended to compensate victims for different losses related to their injuries. Our firm represents clients in a number of personal injury lawsuits.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

There are various parties who can be held liable for vehicular accidents, including the drivers, their employers, and vehicle manufacturers. We assist Suffolk County clients in these types of cases:

  • Car Accidents: Drunk driving, distracted driving, and automobile malfunctions are among the most common causes of these wrecks.
  • Truck Accidents: Because of their size, weight, and speed, truck accidents are some of the most serious crashes.
  • Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are at major risk of injury due to inattentive drivers and the fact that they don’t have the protective steel frames of automobiles.
  • Pedestrian Accidents: These are often hit-and-run accidents, but we work hard to track down the driver and hold them liable.
  • Bicycle Accidents: Bicyclists are common throughout Long Island and have the right to use the roads without worrying about negligent drivers harming them.
  • Rideshare Accidents: Uber and Lyft accidents work differently than a standard automobile accident, so let our firm help you claim compensation.

Premises Liability

When property owners and managers are negligent in keeping their premises safe, visitors and guests can get injured. Common premises liability cases in Suffolk County include:

  • Slips, Trips, and Falls: Victims can sue property owners who allow icy or slick surfaces, uneven steps, and other hazards to cause them injury.
  • Negligent Security: A negligent security case involves a property possessor who failed to take reasonable steps to keep guests safe from criminal activity.
  • Dog Bites: An owner who negligently allows a dangerous dog to bite or attack someone else can be held responsible for the victim’s medical bills and other losses.
  • Swimming Pool Accidents: Long Island swimming pool owners should take steps to avoid drowning and other accidents.

Workplace and Construction Site Accidents

Apart from a worker’s compensation claim against the employer, injured workers in Suffolk County may have a case against a negligent third party such as a property owner. We’re ready to help you with these matters:

  • Construction Site Accidents: When safety rules aren’t followed, victims can fall prey to falling objects, defective machinery, and other hazards.
  • Industrial Accidents: These may involve equipment failures and chemical spills, among other causes, pointing to likely OSHA violations.
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls: Slipping, tripping, or falling on the job may indicate negligence on the property owner’s part, allowing the victim to seek compensation.

Wrongful Death

In severe accidents, the victim can lose their life. Wrongful death can be considered an extension of personal injury, and eligible Long Island survivors can ask for various types of monetary damages, including:

  • Funeral, burial, and cremation expenses
  • The deceased victim’s final medical expenses
  • The deceased’s pain and suffering before death
  • The deceased’s lost wages and future lost earnings
  • Losses of inheritance due to the deceased’s untimely death
  • Loss of companionship, parental care, and guidance

Assisting Long Island Clients With Family Law Matters

Family law cases such as divorce and child custody can be highly charged and immensely consequential. We understand what is at stake and are ready to leverage our considerable experience to your benefit. Our firm represents both plaintiffs and defendants in these matters.

Legal Separation and Divorce

Separating from and divorcing your spouse is a process, and it’s vital to protect your interests each step of the way. Let us provide seasoned counsel for:

  • Separation Agreements: Legal separation requires a written agreement that resolves custody, alimony (also known as spousal support), child support, and other matters.
  • Uncontested and Contested Divorce: Spouses can either agree to the terms of their divorce or let the judge decide for them.
  • High-Asset Divorce: Spouses who acquire complex marital assets like family businesses and property outside Suffolk County need focused legal representation.
  • Mediation: We represent family law clients during mediation to help settle their divorces, custody disputes, and other matters.

Child Custody and Visitation

Courts in Long Island and Suffolk County are required to consider the child’s best interests above all. This determination will affect both parents’ respective custodial rights. You deserve a knowledgeable law firm who can work with you on these issues:

  • Custody Disputes: Parents may disagree over physical custody (where the child lives) and legal custody (how the parents will make significant decisions affecting the child).
  • Visitation and Parenting Plans: Visitation rights, pursuant to a parenting plan, are usually awarded to the parent who doesn’t have primary custody.
  • Parental Relocation: If the custodial parent wants to relocate, either the other parent will need to agree or the court will need to decide.
  • Modification: Orders pertaining to child custody, visitation, and parenting plans are always subject to modification when circumstances significantly change.
  • Contempt and Enforcement: There are various ways to enforce custody and visitation orders, and we represent parents on both sides of these actions.

Child and Spousal Support

Parents and spouses may endure financial hardship when their marriages and relationships with the other parent end. Consult our team for assistance with:

  • Child Support: State guidelines generally determine child support amounts in Suffolk County, taking the parents’ income and other factors into account.
  • Spousal Support: Judges look at various criteria like income and the duration of the marriage to determine whether there should be alimony( also known as spousal support or maintenance) and in what amount.
  • Modification: We represent clients who support or oppose modification of child support and alimony matters.
  • Contempt: When parents don’t pay alimony or child support, contempt proceedings can help enforce the order.

Property Division and Asset Protection

Divorcing spouses in Long Island and Suffolk County must divide their marital property and debts. To do so, courts follow principles of equitable distribution, which means the division should be fair but not necessarily 50/50. Either the spouses or the court must decide how to dispense with these and other items:

  • The former marital residence
  • Other real property such as vacation homes
  • Vehicles and other personal property
  • The family business
  • Investments and bank accounts
  • Retirement accounts
  • Credit card and other debts

Our firm handles all aspects of equitable distribution, from classification and valuation of property to determining who will own or be responsible for each asset and debt.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Both of these marital contracts help engaged and married couples protect their spousal and legal rights and interests.

  • Prenuptial Agreement: Couples who plan to marry can sign a prenuptial agreement to decide (among other matters) how alimony and property division will work out if they later divorce.
  • Postnuptial Agreement: This is signed after the marriage begins but is largely similar to a prenuptial agreement.

Domestic Violence

You or someone you love may be the victim of domestic violence. If so, the courts can enter orders to protect them. Talk to us about:

  • Orders of protection (restraining orders)
  • Emergency court proceedings
  • Protecting the rights of victims and their children

Contact Our Suffolk County Personal Injury & Family Law Attorneys

Personal injury and family law matters are serious, and they demand serious legal representation. If you are faced with one of these cases in Suffolk County or Long Island, talk to the professionals at The Saul Law Firm, LLP. Connect with us now to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Personal Injury & Family Law

What kinds of damages are available in personal injury cases?

In general, personal injury victims can ask for compensation to cover economic damages like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, along with non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, mental trauma, and emotional distress. In rare cases involving extreme negligence or recklessness, victims can seek punitive damages (designed to punish the wrongful conduct). 

Does my family law matter have to go to trial?

Parties to family law cases are often able to settle everything without the need for a trial, for instance during mediation. We will attempt to mediate and negotiate to your advantage while your trial is pending, but will be ready to go to court for any issues that do not settle.

Is there a deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York?

Most New York personal injury cases are subject to a statute of limitations of three years. This means that most victims must file within three years of the accident or injury or they cannot recover anything. There are variations, however, and wrongful death cases have a two-year deadline. As a general rule you should take action long before the statute of limitations runs.

How long will my divorce take?

Although every divorce is different, some estimates put the average timeline at about one to three years in New York. Various factors will impact the amount of time your divorce will take, including whether you have children, whether there are complex assets to divide, and whether there is contention between you and your spouse. Our firm will make every effort to expedite the process while advocating for your best interests.