Stephen Bilkis

Stephen Bilkis graduated from Touro Law School in 1997. Soon after he passed the bar exam of New York and established the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates. In over 20 years of practice, Mr. Bilkis has successfully represented scores of clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island, and Staten Island in matters related to personal injury, probate law, criminal law, and family law.

Mr. Bilkis strongly believes that each client is unique and each case is different. His solutions are never “one size fits all.” He prides himself on listening to his clients, reviewing all facets of each case, and using his deep knowledge of New York law to come up with individualized solutions for each client.

Stephen Bilkis has been a member of various national and local bar organizations and associations including the New York State Bar Association, American Prepaid Legal Institute, the American Association for Justice, AARP Legal Services Network, and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Stephen Bilkis and the staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have well-earned reputations as knowledgeable and effective attorneys who fight for their clients’ legal rights. Because of this, the firm, its attorneys, and some of their notable cases or clients, in whole or in part, have been mentioned on several media outlets including CNN, CBS, CNBC, and ABC New York, as well as in the New York Times, New York Post and Newsday.

• Car Accidents

• Free Consultation

New York

Since 1997

Head of Law Office

Stephen Bilkis & Associates

Current

Touro Law School

10.0 Rating

Justia

AFL-CIO Union Privilege Legal Plan

Plan Administrator

Current

American Prepaid Legal Institute

Member

Current

New York State Trial Lawyers

Member

Current

New York State Bar  # 2842938

Member

1997 - Current

Union Plus Benefits for AFL-CIO Union Members Newsletter

Union Plus

Union Plus, AFL-CIO Legal Benefits Conference, Washington, DC

AFL-CIO

Gave yearly talks about employment benefit packages to the AFL-CIO Union leaders and members

Accepted Member

Writers Guild of America East

Q. Expected workers' comp settlement for torn rotator cuff in NY

June 17, 2025

A: A torn rotator cuff is considered a significant injury under New York Workers’ Compensation Law and may entitle you to a schedule loss of use (SLU) award or a classification for permanent partial disability, depending on the extent of your impairment and recovery. However, the value of a settlement varies widely based on several factors, including the degree of permanent loss of function, whether surgery was performed, your earnings at the time of the injury, and whether you can return to your previous job.

Under New York law, if your injury results in a permanent loss of function in the shoulder, you may qualify for a schedule loss of use award. The Workers' Compensation Board uses medical guidelines to determine the percentage of permanent impairment, which then corresponds to a set number of benefit weeks. For a shoulder injury, the maximum number of weeks is 300. For example, a 50 percent loss of use of the arm would equal 150 weeks of benefits, paid at two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to the statutory cap in effect at the time of injury.

If your doctor has not yet determined the long-term impact of your injury, you likely have not reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is required before a final SLU award can be calculated. Once you reach MMI, an independent medical examiner or your treating physician will assess the degree of impairment. If you are unable to return to work or can only perform light-duty work at a reduced wage, you may be considered for permanent partial disability benefits based on wage loss rather than a scheduled award.

It is important to be cautious when considering any settlement offer. Insurance carriers may offer a Section 32 settlement, which is a lump-sum payment that closes your case. This type of settlement usually ends your right to ongoing medical treatment paid by the carrier, so it should only be considered with a clear understanding of your future medical needs and financial position.

You should consult with a New York workers' compensation attorney before accepting any settlement. An attorney can help evaluate your medical records, ensure your impairment is properly rated, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

This response is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, speak directly with an experienced New York workers’ compensation attorney. ... Read More

Q. Traumatic workplace accident with malfunctioning machine causing severe injury and employer secrecy affecting worker's compensation case.

June 17, 2025

A: I am sorry to hear about the severe injuries you sustained and the difficulty you are facing with your workers’ compensation case and potential personal injury claim. Given the facts you shared, you may have several legal options under New York law.

First, your workers’ compensation claim should cover medical treatment, lost wages, and compensation for permanent partial disability. If your employer or their insurance carrier is delaying or mishandling the claim, you can file a complaint with the New York Workers’ Compensation Board. You may also request a hearing before a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge to address any disputes related to benefits or coverage. If the nature of your injury has been misrepresented in official records, including to OSHA, that could also be relevant to your claim and should be corrected with appropriate documentation from your medical providers.

Regarding your employer’s alleged failure to report the injury properly to OSHA and the sealing of employee witness statements, you may have grounds to raise these concerns directly with OSHA. If the machine was defective and known to cause injury, OSHA may initiate an investigation, and the results could provide supporting evidence for a third-party personal injury lawsuit against the machine’s manufacturer or distributor.

You mentioned that your personal injury lawyer is waiting on the OSHA investigation. That is not uncommon, since the findings may support a products liability claim if the machine was defective in design or manufacture. However, you should be aware that the statute of limitations for product liability and negligence claims in New York is generally three years from the date of injury. While waiting for an investigation can be strategic, it is important that your attorney monitor deadlines and gather independent evidence in the meantime.

Since your employer has refused to provide information about the machine’s manufacturer, your attorney may need to serve discovery requests or issue subpoenas once litigation is initiated. If necessary, a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to OSHA may help obtain relevant inspection and injury records.

You should remain in close communication with your attorney about the timeline for filing a third-party claim. If you are not receiving the guidance or progress you need, you may wish to consult another New York personal injury attorney with experience in workplace injury and product liability cases.

This response is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For help with your specific case, speak directly with a qualified attorney. ... Read More

Q. Stairlift installation failed contract promises, serious safety risks, seeking refund or fix

June 17, 2025

A: It is understandable to feel frustrated and unsafe when a product intended to support your mobility instead creates hazardous conditions and fails to meet its promised features. Given the significant financial investment and the impact on your health and safety, it is reasonable to seek legal remedies to compel the installer to either correct the defects or refund the full cost.

Under New York law, you may have valid legal claims based on breach of contract, breach of warranty, and possibly negligence. If the written contract explicitly promised full power swivel functionality and adjustable height, and those features were not delivered, that could constitute a breach of contract. Even if the features were only implied through sales representations, you may still have grounds to argue breach of express or implied warranties. New York’s Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) governs transactions involving goods and includes protections for consumers when products fail to conform to promises.

Since the defects have not been remedied after multiple service attempts and the product is not functioning as advertised, you can begin by sending a formal demand letter. The letter should outline the specific problems with the stairlift, the failed repair efforts, the safety hazards, and the financial loss. Include copies of the contract, repair records, photos of the installation, and medical documentation if available. Request a full refund or proper correction of the issues by a specific deadline.

If the installer does not respond or refuses your request, you may pursue legal action in civil court. A breach of contract or warranty claim could allow you to recover the amount paid and any additional damages related to injuries or other losses. If the unsafe condition caused a fall or exacerbated a health condition, you may also have a negligence claim if you can demonstrate that the installer failed to use reasonable care.

You may also consider filing a complaint with the New York Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection, especially if the installer is a licensed contractor. While this may not result in direct compensation, it could help pressure the company into a resolution.

You should consult with a New York consumer protection attorney or personal injury attorney to discuss your specific situation. This response is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. You should speak directly with a lawyer to evaluate your rights and options. ... Read More

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