With nearly 100 years of collective legal experience, we have fought battles and won important landmark decisions in some of our nation's highest courts. We do not select our clients on the basis of their ability to pay. Rather, we represent our clients on a contingency fee basis which is set by state law. Many of our clients are referred to us by other lawyers. We are especially proud of the awards that we have obtained on behalf of thousands of NYC firefighters who sustained injuries in the line of duty. We have successfully argued cases that have resulted in improved laws which strengthen the rights of firefighters.

Litigation can be a daunting and intimidating process. We take pride not just in maximizing our client's compensation, but in our commitment to making the "journey to justice" as understandable and pleasant as possible.

Firm History

Michael Barasch and Jim McGarry graduated from Fordham Law School in 1980. For fourteen years they worked at separate law firms. Michael worked for two top personal injury firms and tried dozens of cases on behalf of seriously injured victims of automobile accidents, construction accidents, railroad and plane crashes, and medical malpractice. He recovered millions of dollars on behalf of his clients. Jim became a specialist in the New York City Pension system. He represented dozens of seriously injured NYC firefighters, both for their personal injuries as well as to protect their pension benefits.

In 1994 the two friends decided to pool their resources and experience. They formed the law firm of Barasch & McGarry, PC. From the beginning, the firm has concentrated its practice on helping permanently injured accident victims. The firm prides itself on helping its clients deal with a myriad of problems that are commonly encountered following a life changing accident. These areas include dealing with medical bills, mortgage and rent payments, finding competent medical help, and investigating the accident to determine who was responsible. Witnesses must be identified and interviewed so as to preserve their testimony for later use.

As the firm grew, so did its realization of the importance of its two most valuable assets. In 2000, the firm was proud to announce that Barry Salzman and Dom Penson had become partners. Barry, who came to us from one of New York City's most prestigious personal injury firms, has managed some of our most important cases. Recently, he has spearheaded the firm's bunker gear case against the City of New York on behalf of hundreds of firefighters. Dom came to us after assisting one of the country's best trial lawyers obtain a $56 million verdict. Dom has tried many major cases to verdict and has argued important cases on behalf of firefighters at both the Appellate Division and the Court of Appeals.

The firm has changed its name to reflect the status of its new partners. We are now known as Barasch McGarry Salzman & Penson.

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