Best Lawyers logo
  • Lawyers
  • Methodology
  • NEW! Ones to Watch
  • Partnerships
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In
  • Lawyers
    • Advanced Search
    • COVID-19 Assistance
    • Featured Ones to Watch
    • Lawyer of the Year
    • Highlighted Lawyers
    • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Methodology
    • Overview
    • Ones to Watch
    • Editorial Timelines
    • Practice Areas
    • Publicizing Guidelines
    • FAQ
  • Publications
    • Family Law
    • New York Area
    • Canada
    • South Florida
    • Southern California
    • Northern California
    • Tampa
    • Midwest
  • Legal Insights
    • Featured Articles
    • In the News
    • Advisory Board
    • Meet the Board
    • Press & Events
  • About
    • Global Presence
    • Company History
    • Leadership
  • Ones to Watch
  • Partnerships
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In Log In
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In

Lawyer Profile

Image of Jonathan S. Damashek

Jonathan S. Damashek

Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C.
  • Recognized Since:
    2019
  • Recognized in:
    Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
    Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • Law School:
    New York Law School
  • Lawyer Page:
    https://lawyer1.com/about/jona...
  • Website:
    https://lawyer1.com
  • Firm's Phone Number:
    (212) 490.5700
  • Languages:
    English
  • Location:
    19 West 44th Street, Suite 1500
    New York, NY 10036
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

To Jonathan S. Damashek, the best part of his job is standing up for people who deserve their day in court. “I like fighting for the little guy against the large corporate defendants and insurance carriers to help them recover what they lost in their lives,” he says. In this regard, Mr. Damashek seeks to recover monetary compensation for his clients that covers their past and future pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost earnings and benefits, and loss of their enjoyment of life.

Following an accident, injury victims begin getting phone calls from insurers and the other party’s legal counsel. If you’ve incurred harm in a car crash or other personal injury accident, your focus should be on your health, not fielding messages from people trying to get you to settle your case for far less than it’s worth. Mr. Damashek understands the frustration surrounding this type of communication, and is prepared to handle it for you. While you concentrate on getting healthy, let him fight for you.

With degrees from Syracuse University and New York Law School, Mr. Damashek started his legal career with a strong foundation comprised of a passion for his clients’ rights, and a fervor to defend them vigorously. Whether a client was injured in a construction accident, hit by a car while crossing the street, in a serious auto accident, or any other personal injury matter, Mr. Damashek will passionately fight for his clients' rights.

Mr. Damashek, like the rest of the team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., strives to obtain the maximum amount of compensation possible for clients. This is evidenced in multiple high settlement cases. If an acceptable settlement offer cannot be reached, he will not hesitate to take a case to trial. On this, he says, “we’re not preparing a case to settle it; we prepare a case to try it before a judge and a jury. We understand the mechanics of that process.”Mr. Damashek’s commitment to his profession extends beyond his own legal practice. He is on the board of directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. He was also a member of the Democratic Committee Judicial Screening Panel for Civil Court, a body that interviews potential candidates for Civil Court elections in New York County and makes recommendations on who is best qualified.

Continue Reading
  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Lawyer Practice Areas
  • Firm Details
  • News & Media
  • Case History

Lawyer Bio

To Jonathan S. Damashek, the best part of his job is standing up for people who deserve their day in court. “I like fighting for the little guy against the large corporate defendants and insurance carriers to help them recover what they lost in their lives,” he says. In this regard, Mr. Damashek seeks to recover monetary compensation for his clients that covers their past and future pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost earnings and benefits, and loss of their enjoyment of life.

Following an accident, injury victims begin getting phone calls from insurers and the other party’s legal counsel. If you’ve incurred harm in a car crash or other personal injury accident, your focus should be on your health, not fielding messages from people trying to get you to settle your case for far less than it’s worth. Mr. Damashek understands the frustration surrounding this type of communication, and is prepared to handle it for you. While you concentrate on getting healthy, let him fight for you.

With degrees from Syracuse University and New York Law School, Mr. Damashek started his legal career with a strong foundation comprised of a passion for his clients’ rights, and a fervor to defend them vigorously. Whether a client was injured in a construction accident, hit by a car while crossing the street, in a serious auto accident, or any other personal injury matter, Mr. Damashek will passionately fight for his clients' rights.

Mr. Damashek, like the rest of the team at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., strives to obtain the maximum amount of compensation possible for clients. This is evidenced in multiple high settlement cases. If an acceptable settlement offer cannot be reached, he will not hesitate to take a case to trial. On this, he says, “we’re not preparing a case to settle it; we prepare a case to try it before a judge and a jury. We understand the mechanics of that process.”Mr. Damashek’s commitment to his profession extends beyond his own legal practice. He is on the board of directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. He was also a member of the Democratic Committee Judicial Screening Panel for Civil Court, a body that interviews potential candidates for Civil Court elections in New York County and makes recommendations on who is best qualified.

Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Bar & Court Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List

Education:

  • New York Law School , J.D., graduated 1997
  • Syracuse University, graduated 1994

Bar Admissions:

  • New York, 1998
 

Court Admissions:

  • U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
  • U.S. District Court of New Jersey

Affiliations:

  • American Association for Justice - Member
  • Jewish Lawyers Guild - Member
  • New York City Bar Association - Member
  • New York State Trial Lawyers Association - Board of Directors
  • The Center for Justice & Democracy - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key: Awarded in Best Lawyers Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers

Firm Details

Image for Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. View Firm Profile
Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C.
https://lawyer1.com
 
1 Office Location
in 1 Country

United States

United States

New York

New York

New York, NY

19 West 44th Street, Suite 1500

New York, NY 10036

United States

(212) 490.5700

Get Directions

News & Media

Featured Publications

Cover for our New York Area publication

Lawyer Case History

$9,000,050 – Construction Workers Injured On an Exterior Scaffold

Our clients, who are brothers were both struck by a cement block while they were working on the exterior scaffold of a building in the Bronx. One of the brothers suffered an amputation to his finger and an injury to his neck which required cervical fusion surgery. The other brother suffered injuries to his back, knee, and shoulder which all required surgeries. Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek partner, Jonathan Damashek settled this matter for $9,050,000.00.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$8,000,000 – Child Burned by Scalding Water

The infant plaintiff was almost 3 years old when he was burned by scalding water in the shower of his apartment. Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., discovered that a plumbing company hired by the owner of the building incorrectly installed a mixing valve in the boiler room of the building. As a result of this negligence, the hot water was not being properly regulated and was erratic in temperature causing the child burns.

While the infant plaintiff was in the shower, the water suddenly changed from room temperature to scalding hot. The child received 2nd and 3rd-degree burns from the scalding hot water on his back which required a skin graft and resulted in permanent scarring. Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., partner, Jonathan Damashek reached a settlement valued at $8,000,000.00 with the defendants who included the owner of the building, the plumbing company and manufacturer of the mixing valve.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$4,500,000 – Premises Liability – Worker Falls at Building – Multiple Injuries

Plaintiff, a Verizon worker was performing an installation in the basement at a commercial building in New York City when he stepped on a sump pit cover that was left open by the building maintenance staff. Upon stepping on the unsecured cover, the worker fell into the sump pit up to his knee. As a result of the accident, plaintiff suffered multiple injuries to his back, neck, shoulder and knee which all required surgical intervention.

HKD filed a lawsuit against the building owner and managing agent for failing to secure the loose sump pit cover. Through discovery, it was learned that one of the building engineers removed the cover several days earlier and never fully secured it before the accident. HKD partners, Jordan Hecht and Jonathan Damashek settled the case in the amount of $4,500,000.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$3,500,000 – Slip and Fall – Snow and Ice – Leg Fractures

Plaintiff, a 53 y/o custodian, was walking along the sidewalk when he slipped on a patch of ice in front of the defendant’s premises. Plaintiff was taken by EMS to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a severe fracture of his right knee. Plaintiff underwent several surgeries to repair the fracture and was later admitted to the hospital to treat an infection. Plaintiff ultimately had a complete right knee fusion. Defendants argued that the accident did not happen as the plaintiff described and plaintiff’s poor result stemmed from underlying diabetes and kidney failure. The case was resolved by HKD partners Jonathan Damashek and Jordan Hecht.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$3,050,000 – Worker Injured – Multiple Injuries

Plaintiff, an automobile parts worker was injured at work while he was helping a delivery person unload a shipment of transmissions from a truck’s lift gate. Earlier in the day one of the two support chains on the lift gate broke causing instability on the lift gate. At the time of his accident, plaintiff was standing below the truck’s lift gate on the ground helping to balance the lift gate as it was lowering the transmissions. Suddenly, the one remaining lift gate chain snapped causing the shipment of transmissions to fall on top of plaintiff.

As a result of the accident, plaintiff suffered a neck injury requiring a cervical fusion surgery; a back injury requiring a lumbar laminectomy followed by a lumbar fusion surgery; and an exacerbation of a prior knee injury which required surgery.

Defendants argued during the case that the accident was plaintiff’s fault. Plaintiff and his supervisor both testified that he was specifically told not to help with the delivery of the auto parts store because plaintiff was injured doing a similar activity one month prior. Defendants argued that plaintiff’s culpability for the accident was greater than 60%.

Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., Partner, Jonathan Damashek reached a settlement of $3,050,000.00 prior to trial.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$3,000,000 – Medical Malpractice – Amputation

Plaintiff, a 51-year-old woman, was admitted to the hospital for a total knee replacement surgery. During the procedure, the operating physician unknowingly cut the popliteal artery. After the surgery, plaintiff began complaining of numbness and loss of sensation in the lower leg but the hospital failed to diagnose that the artery had been cut. As a result, the plaintiff was forced to undergo an emergency amputation below the knee. The case settled prior to jury selection for $3,000,000.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$2,900,000 – Rigger – Construction Accident – Spinal Injuries

Plaintiff, a 40-year-old rigger, while wearing a harness fell through a floor opening at a construction site. Plaintiff suffered herniated discs in his neck and back which required surgery. Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., filed suit against the owner of the building and the general contractor for failing to provide safety devices under New York’s Labor Law Section 240(1). Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., partner, Jonathan Damashek was awarded summary judgment on liability. The case settled for $2,900,000.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$2,800,000 – Labor Law – Iron Worker – Back, Knee, and Wrist injuries

Plaintiff, an Iron Worker, was installing structural steel beams with he was caused to fall from a ladder approximately 12 feet. Plaintiff sustained a broken wrist requiring internal fixation as well as back and knee injuries. Plaintiff underwent lumbar fusion surgery for a herniated disc at L4-5 as well as arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus. Plaintiff was awarded summary judgment pursuant to Labor Law 240. Defendants argued the plaintiff’s back and knee injuries were pre-existing and the plaintiff could return to work in a different job. The case was settled at mediation for $2,800,000.00, by Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., partners Jordan Hecht and Jonathan Damashek.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$2,500,000 Construction Worker Injured by Saw

Plaintiff, a Mason, was working at a construction project when the saw he was using kicked back into his arm. The force of the saw kicking back, caused the plaintiff to stumble and fall. Plaintiff sustained a laceration to his right forearm and also injured his lower back. Plaintiff commenced an action, the building owner and general contractor, alleging violations of the Labor Law and general negligence.

Plaintiff argued that the saw was not properly guarded and thus violated workplace safety rules. Defendants argued that plaintiff had removed the guard and was the sole cause of the accident. Plaintiff received stitches for his laceration and underwent physical therapy for his lower back injury. Plaintiff eventually had lumbar fusion surgery. Defendants argued the back injury was not caused by the accident.

The case proceeded to trial and was settled just before jury selection for $2,500,000.00, by Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., partners Jordan Hecht and Jonathan Damashek.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

$2,500,000 – Motor Vehicle Accident

Plaintiff was a passenger in a motor vehicle who suffered multiple injuries as a result of a 25 car pile-up on the Gowanus Expressway. A construction company performing work on the roadway left a hose on overnight causing water to flow onto the roadway. As a result of unexpectedly cold temperatures, a 200-foot patch of ice formed on the roadway. Plaintiff suffered injuries to both shoulders which required surgery as well as neck and lower back injuries which required surgery. Plaintiff was unemployed at the time of his accident, so there was no claim for lost earnings. Hecht Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., partner, Jonathan Damashek secured a settlement of $2,500,000.00 at mediation prior to jury selection.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

 
Contact Jonathan S. Damashek
If you would like this lawyer to contact you directly in regards to a legal matter, please fill in the relative information below. The lawyer will then be sent your inquiry.
* Denotes Required Fields
Error Sending Message!
Please complete the captcha then submit.
Your message was sent successfully!
 
Legal Disclaimer: Any information sent to Best Lawyers® or referred to a lawyer listed in Best Lawyers® via Internet e-mail or through the Best Lawyers® Web site is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis. Communication with Best Lawyers® or an Lawyer listed in Best Lawyers® via Internet e-mail through this site does not constitute or create a lawyer-client relationship. Best Lawyers® does not necessarily endorse, and is not responsible for, any third-party content that may be accessed through this website.
Add Comment
In making your comments, please do not refer to a pending legal matter.
(*) Required Fields
There was an error during saving, please try again.
If you continue to get this message, please contact us at info@bestlawyers.com or 803.648.0300 for assistance.
Please complete the captcha then submit.
Your comment was saved successfully!
Thank you for your feedback.
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Legal Insights
  • Contact Us
Lawyers 
  • Advanced Search
  • COVID-19 Assistance
  • Featured Ones to Watch
  • Lawyer of the Year
  • Highlighted Lawyers
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Find a Lawyer
Methodology
  • Overview
  • Ones to Watch
  • Editorial Timelines
  • Practice Areas
  • Publicizing Guidelines
  • FAQ
Publications
  • Business Editions
  • Regional Editions
  • Partnerships
  • Become a Contributor
Legal Insights
  • Featured Articles
  • In the News
  • Advisory Board
  • Meet the Board
  • Press & Events
  • Best Law Firms
  • Subscribe
About
  • Global Presence
  • Company History
  • Leadership
  • Founders
  • Press Releases
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
My Account
  • Log In
  • Store
  • Marketing Guidance
Best Lawyers Best Lawyers logo +1-803-648-0300
801 Broad Street, Suite 950 Augusta, GA 30901
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Lawyer Directory
  • Best Law Firms

© 2010-2021 Best Lawyers — All Rights Reserved.

BL Icon

LEGAL INSIGHTS

by Best Lawyers®



Get the latest insights on the news, trends, and people that shape the global legal field with our weekly email digest.

Please enter a valid email address.

You have already subscribed.





PRIVACY POLICY

Thank you for subscribing.