HomeNew YorkNew YorkDavid Scher
David Scher

David Scher

Verified
New York, NY22 years experience
Truck AccidentsWrongful Death

About David Scher

David L. Scher is a Partner at Block O'Toole & Murphy and a past President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA). He has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in resolutions for clients injured in serious construction, commercial vehicle, and premises liability accidents, and heads the firm's appellate practice with numerous appellate victories and Court of Appeals appearances.

David joined Block O'Toole & Murphy in 2003 and became a partner in 2012. He has handled landmark matters including a $65,000,000 settlement on behalf of a Brooklyn cyclist struck by subway construction debris, which is reported to be the largest individual personal injury settlement in New York State history. Other notable results include a $15 million wrongful death recovery for an HVAC technician, a $13.5 million Long Island pedestrian settlement believed to be the largest in Suffolk County, a $12 million Local 147 tunnel worker recovery, a $9.95 million amputation case, and an $8.8 million traumatic brain injury settlement (2014) ranked among the ten largest in the U.S. that year. His appellate work, including Ortiz v. Varsity Holdings, has shaped New York construction safety law.

A native of Albany, New York, David earned his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University. Before joining the firm, he served in the New York State Attorney General's Office, clerked for New York Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich, and volunteered at a civil rights legal aid clinic. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers (top 5% in New York Metro), Best Lawyers in Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2024-present), and as a 2024 City & State New York Trailblazer in Law. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

Notable case results

$65 millionSettlement

Brooklyn cyclist struck by subway construction debris; largest reported individual personal injury settlement in New York State history

Reported by the firm
$15 million

Wrongful death of HVAC technician installing cooling unit at Bronx hospital

Reported by the firm
$13.5 millionSettlement

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Long Island; believed to be the largest Suffolk County settlement

Reported by the firm
$12 million

Local 147 tunnel worker fell into open shaft causing orthopedic and neurologic injuries

Reported by the firm
$9.95 million

Social worker in Buffalo lost leg after being struck by out-of-control van

Reported by the firm
$8.8 millionSettlement

Queens pedestrian suffered traumatic brain injury after being struck by van on sidewalk; tenth largest U.S. settlement that year

2014Reported by the firm

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.

Practice areas

Truck Accidents
Wrongful Death

Education

Fordham University School of Law
JD
Tufts University
Undergraduate

Bar admissions & credentials

State Bar of NY
{"name":"New York State Trial Lawyers Association","role":"Past President (2024); Co-Chair, Labor Law Committee; Judicial Committee Member"}
{"name":"American Association for Justice","role":"Member"}
{"name":"NY State Unified Court System, AI and the Courts Advisory Committee","role":"Member (2023)"}

Awards & recognition

{"name":"Super Lawyers","year":null,"description":"Top 5% personal injury attorneys, NY Metro, 2016-present"}
{"name":"Best Lawyers","year":null,"description":"Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2024-present"}
{"name":"City & State New York Trailblazers in Law","year":2024,"description":null}
{"name":"Million Dollar Advocates Forum","year":null,"description":"Member"}
{"name":"Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum","year":null,"description":"Member"}
{"name":"National Trial Lawyers Top 100","year":null,"description":null}

Other attorneys at this firm

View firm →