Michael C. Zwal's Profile Image

Michael C. Zwal

In Memoriam

Michael was a founding member of the firm and managed its personal injury practice. He handled complex personal injury matters, was adept at developing intricate case strategies, and was a skilled negotiator.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Michael worked with F. Lee Bailey and Aaron Broder before founding his first firm, Levien & Zwal, in 1987. He later left that firm and co-founded Bamundo Zwal & Schermerhorn with his partners in 2003.

Michael was proud to stand up for “the little guy” and frequently represented individuals with cases against large construction companies, corporations, hospitals, and nursing homes.

He was a thorough, impeccably prepared, and intense litigator who found satisfaction in balancing the scales of justice for his clients. With a forthright demeanor, he was straightforward with his clients and advised them on all of their options to help them make difficult decisions about their cases.

Practice Areas

  • Wrongful Death
  • Complex Litigation
  • Automobile Accidents
  • Premises Accidents
  • Construction Accidents
  • Nursing Home Negligence
  • Medical Malpractice

Education

  • Cardozo School of Law, J.D., 1984

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • United States Court of Federal Claims
  • Pro Hac Vice admission to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Florida

Professional Memberships

  • New York State Trial Lawyers Association
  • New York State Bar Association
  • New York Civil and Criminal Bar Association
  • New York County Lawyers Association
  • Jewish Lawyers Guild

Representative Cases

  • $5 million dollar recovery for a 40-year old electrician who fell from a ladder while working at a construction site, causing career-ending pelvic, back, shoulder and knee injuries.
  • $4.25 million dollar recovery for the family of a 42-year old roofer killed by an exposed belt and pulley system in an HVAC unit. In combination with partner Jim Schermerhorn, we were able to hold both the maintenance company and Citibank accountable.
  • $3.65 million dollar recovery in a negligence action against a drunk driver ($2.25 million) and a Dram Shop action against the bars who overserved him ($1.4 million) in two separate lawsuits for a 66-year old man struck by a drunk driver, who underwent multiple orthopedic surgeries.
  • $4.1 million dollar recovery for a family of five who survived a commercial airline crash.
  • $3.5 million dollar recovery in medical malpractice case of a 30 year old man whose lung cancer was not diagnosed for 10 months, after it had metastasized. Of particular note in this case was our ability to get this case resolved quickly to give this client the peace of mind of knowing that his family would be taken care of financially.
  • $2.95 million for the wrongful death of a 55-year old woman who was struck by an MTA bus and died shortly afterwards.
  • $2.8 million dollar recovery for a the family of a 29-year old undocumented laborer who was killed by the collapse of a retaining wall at a construction site.
  • $2.15 million recovery for a 48-year old decorative iron worker who had multiple shoulder surgeries on both shoulders as a result of a construction site accident.
  • $2.135 million dollar recovery for 50-year old electrician who fell while working on a ladder at a construction site, requiring him to undergo neck fusion surgery.
  • $1.85 million dollar recovery for 2-year old child injured in a fall from a third-story apartment as a result of improper maintenance of window guards.
  • $1.8 million dollar recovery for 47-year old woman falsely arrested and assaulted by police, who suffered neck injuries requiring fusion surgery.
  • $1.66 million dollar recovery for 29-year old man who suffered a complete laceration of his hamstring and thigh muscles as a result of an improperly guarded newspaper bundling machine at a New York Times plant.
  • $1.6 million dollar recovery for 12-year old child who suffered the enucleation of an eye as a result of a hayride accident.
  • $1.125 million dollar recovery for electrician who suffered 2nd degree burns over 18% of his body from the ignition of methane gas ignited by an arcing current.
  • $1.125 million dollar recovery for the wrongful death of a 36-year old man in a propane gas explosion resulting from poor maintenance of a propane gas distribution system.
  • $1 million dollar recovery for the family of a 77-year old partially paralyzed stroke victim who suffered from nursing home neglect and medical malpractice.

Honors and Awards

  • Super Lawyers, 2022
  • Top Attorneys of North America, 2018
  • Mass Tort Plaintiff Steering Committee
  • Supreme Court, Queens County, Medical Malpractice Panel