Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Long Island
GINA M. SIMONELLI
Personal Injury Lawyer
Gina Simonelli has been working in the personal injury industry for over 17 years. She started out at a large firm and worked her way up from a file clerk to the managing attorney. In 2018, she started her own law practice and has received an overwhelming amount of support from her clients who followed her to her newly established firm. She is a graduate of Manhattan College and Widener Law School. During her time at Widener Law School she received the “Most Promising Civil Litigator Award”, as well as being recognized by the Center for Forensic Economic Studies for Excellence in Litigation.
Ms. Simonelli’s hard work and skill has been recognized by the legal community having received the following designations:
Named a “New York Superlawyer”, Rising Star from 2014-2020
“Top Ten under 40 for excellence in Personal Injury by the National Academy of Personal Injury attorneys
“Top Young Attorneys” in the New York Metro Area by the American Registry
Throughout her career Ms. Simonelli is responsible for negotiating tens of millions of dollars in settlements. She operates her practice under the simple philosophy that the “clients come first.” Ms. Simonelli prides herself in her ability to always be there when her client’s need her.
XAVIER A. PALACIOS
Personal Injury Lawyer
Education
- Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts
- Juris Doctor – 1995
- Columbia University
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts – 1992
- Major: Political science
Pro-Bono Activities
- Friends of Huntington Station Latin Quarter, Co-Founder, 2010
- Huntington School Board, Member
- Huntington School Board, Member of the Board, 2012
Past Positions
- Pillari, Vella & Palacios, LLP, Partner, 2001
Professional Associations
- American Immigration Lawyers Association, Member
- Suffolk County Bar Association, Member
- American Trial Lawyers Assoc., Member
- Long Island Hispanic Bar Association, Member
- National Immigration Project, Member
FELICIA PASCULLI
Personal Injury Lawyer
Felicia Pasculli, Esq., is a law partner at Futterman, Lanza & Pasculli, LLP concentrating in the areas of Elder Law & Special Needs Law, Trusts and Estates, and Veterans Law.
Joining the firm in 2018, Felicia Pasculli takes great pride in having introduced the area of VA pension benefits to the Elder Law bar in 2001.
She is certified as an elder law attorney (“CELA”) by the American Bar Association accredited National Elder Law Foundation, one of approximately 500 nationwide and has been selected as the best Long Island Elder Law attorney by BEST LAWYERS®, Top 100 attorneys nominated by peers with Super Lawyers in Metro NY and for many awards due to her dedication, experience, and advocacy in this area of law.
Felicia Pasculli chose to focus on this area of law after seeing how our culture’s bureaucratic systems failed her own father, a veteran, and her mother, both of whom suffered from dementia. She has since devoted her career advocating for the rights of elders, including those with dementia or cognitive impairments, children with special needs and veterans.
Jeena R. Belil
Personal Injury Lawyer
Ms. Belil’s areas of practice include Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Negligence, as well as New York No-Fault and Uninsured Motorist Law, subrogation, medical and auto insurance coverage disputes.
She is admitted to the New York State Bar and is a member of the New York State Bar Association and New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. She received a B.A. degree from Rowan University and J.D. degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.
Ms. Belil is formerly associated with AutoOne Insurance, as Managing Counsel, and Travelers Insurance, as First Party New York Regional Coordinator. In those positions, Ms. Belil was responsible for the management and organization of the New York No-Fault case handling structure that serves as the template for the defense of first party claims. In addition, Ms. Belil has been instrumental in the management and preparation of many cases that have established the benchmark for defending arbitrations and suits and investigating and prosecuting No-Fault fraud.
Ms. Belil has presented seminars and round table conferences on diverse topics such as First Party Examinations Under Oath, Using Evidence at Uninsured Motorist Framed Issue Hearings and Arbitration, and Insurance Fraud. Ms. Belil has represented the interests of Plaintiff clients in Personal Injury litigation from inception through trial.
Gregory Haegele
Personal Injury Lawyer
In his 30-plus years in practice, Greg Haegele has established himself as an outstanding trial lawyer and litigator, recognized as one of New York’s best by the peer reviewed publication “Super Lawyers.” He has successfully recovered millions of dollars for injured clients through negotiation and trial. During the Great Recession he tenaciously fought to prevent banks from foreclosing on homeowners, turning oppressive delinquent mortgages into healthy, affordable loans.
Mr. Haegele begins to prepare your case for trial on that very first consultation because he knows that the best resolution comes from being in a position of strength. He can direct you to excellent medical professionals to help you heal after an injury and demand that those responsible pay for the damage they caused. He is empathetic, personable and sincere, and clients and other attorneys turn to him again and again based on the solid results he gets.
“When you retain me we become partners. Your role is to begin to recover while I immediately begin fighting the insurance company or bank and their attorneys, getting your case ready for an eventual jury trial. This way, we negotiate from strength. The Latin phrase used by the Ancient Romans was Si vis pacem, para bellum: “If you wish for peace, prepare for war.”” – Gregory P. Haegele
Conrad Jordan Esq.
Personal Injury Lawyer
The firm’s trial and appellate counsel has 30 years of experience handling complex toxic tort, personal injury and medical malpractice matters. He began his career as an associate at the Manhattan firm of Kelley Drye & Warren (1985-1987), litigating on behalf of Union Carbide in Bhopal, India. At Christy & Viener (1987-1990), he represented individual and corporate clients in commercial and toxic tort litigation, including Owens-Corning Fiberglass in asbestos-related claims. At Garbarini & Scher (1990-1994), Mr. Jordan represented individuals and corporations in personal injury, medical malpractice and products liability litigation.
Since 1994, he has established a private litigation practice as trial and appellate counsel, specializing in medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial matters.
Since 1994, he has established a private litigation practice as trial and appellate counsel, specializing in medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial matters.
He has obtained seven-figure verdicts in a wide range of jurisdictions and has successfully prosecuted and defended appeals in the First and Second Judicial Departments.
Mr. Jordan is a graduate of Fordham Law School, where he was a published member of the Fordham Law Review. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Brandeis University.
He is admitted to practice in New York State and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts. He is an active member of the ATLA, NYSTLA and SCBA.
Erin M. Hargis
Personal Injury Lawyer
Erin M. Hargis received her Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College. Thereafter, she received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School. During Law School, Ms. Hargis was a member of the school’s Moot Court Honor Society, Trial Advocacy Division, and Vice President of the school’s chapter of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
After completing school, Ms. Hargis joined the Kings County District Attorney’s office as an Assistant District Attorney where she prosecuted both felony and misdemeanor cases and successfully tried numerous cases on behalf of the residents of Brooklyn. In 2008, Ms. Hargis joined a prominent Manhattan firm where she handled numerous complex medical malpractice cases.
Ms. Hargis joined Rosenberg & Gluck in 2011 as an associate, rising to partner in 2015. She uses her experience to effectively represent victims of negligence and malpractice. Ms. Hargis handles all aspects of personal injury cases from inception through trial.
Ms. Hargis was admitted to practice law in the state of New Jersey in 2004, the State of New York in 2005, and the District of Columbia in 2016. She is also admitted to practice in Federal Court in both the Eastern and Southern Districts.
Susan J. Hermer, Esq.
Personal Injury Lawyer
Susan J. Hermer has been successful in private practice for over 38 years. She is a Juris Doctor, having received her Law Degree from The University of Toledo College of Law in 1984 and Bachelors Degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 1980.
She was a partner in the law office of Lustig and Hermer, LLP in Deer Park, New York from 1994 to 2009 and of counsel to Tsunis, Gasparis & Lustig, LLP in Islandia, New York from 2009 to 2011. She is a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association.
Susan is involved in her Commack, New York community and served on the Executive Board of Commack PTA Council and the Special Education PTA for the Commack school district. Susan is currently a Trustee on the Commack Board of Education.
We may need the best personal injury lawyer in Long Island, or anywhere else, for several important reasons. Personal injury lawyers specialize in providing legal representation and guidance to individuals who have suffered physical or psychological harm due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of another party. Here’s why they are crucial:
1. Legal Expertise: Personal injury law can be complex and varies from state to state. A skilled personal injury lawyer possesses in-depth knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and precedents. This expertise is essential to navigate the legal intricacies of your case and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
2. Case Evaluation: When you’re involved in an accident or incident causing injury, it might not always be clear who is at fault. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate the circumstances of your case to determine liability and identify potential parties responsible for your injuries. This evaluation forms the foundation for building a strong legal strategy.
3. Negotiation Skills: Many personal injury cases are settled through negotiations with insurance companies or opposing parties. A skilled lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you’re not pressured into accepting a low settlement offer. They will strive to secure a fair compensation that covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
4. Evidence Collection: Gathering evidence is crucial in personal injury cases. A lawyer knows what evidence is relevant and how to collect it effectively. This can include medical records, witness statements, accident reports, and expert testimonies, all of which contribute to building a solid case.
5. Proper Valuation: Determining the value of your claim is essential to avoid being undercompensated. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assess the full extent of your damages, both economic and non-economic, to ensure you’re seeking an appropriate amount of compensation.
6. Legal Filing and Procedures: Navigating the legal system requires adhering to specific procedures and deadlines. A personal injury lawyer ensures that all necessary documents are filed correctly and submitted within the required time frames. This prevents your case from being dismissed on technical grounds.
7. Trial Representation: If negotiations don’t lead to a satisfactory outcome, your lawyer can represent you in court. They will present your case, cross-examine witnesses, and argue on your behalf to convince a judge or jury of your entitlement to compensation.
8. Stress Relief: Dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury can be emotionally and physically draining. Having a lawyer handle the legal aspects allows you to focus on your recovery and well-being, reducing the stress associated with legal proceedings.
In summary, the roles of personal injury lawyers involve providing legal expertise, evaluating your case, negotiating for fair compensation, collecting evidence, valuing your claim accurately, managing legal procedures, representing you in court, and alleviating the overall burden of the legal process. Engaging the best personal injury lawyer in Long Island ensures that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve after suffering injuries due to someone else’s negligence.