New York Court Allows 9/11 Firm Malpractice Lawsuit
A state appeals court ruled that a family can proceed with a malpractice claim against the law firm Kreindler & Kreindler.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Financial Crime
Live Poll
Do you believe law firms should be held liable for missing procedural deadlines?
A New York appeals court has ruled that a lawsuit alleging legal malpractice against the law firm Kreindler & Kreindler may proceed. The case centers on claims that the firm failed to secure essential payouts for a September 11 victim's family.
Why it matters
The lawsuit highlights the financial consequences of missing strict legal deadlines for federal compensation programs. It questions whether the law firm acted with sufficient urgency to secure funds for their clients.
A New York appeals court has officially authorized the malpractice litigation to move forward against the firm. The dispute involves a failure to meet a February 2020 deadline for submitting claims to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.
The players
Kreindler & Kreindler
This is a law firm currently facing a malpractice lawsuit regarding its handling of claims for the family of a September 11 victim.
The details
The lawsuit claims the law firm failed to obtain final judgments and submit fund applications before the deadline in February 2020. As a result, the victim's family recovered less than $13,300 despite holding judgments valued at more than $43 million.
Timeline
The deadline for filing fund applications and obtaining final judgments was February 2020.
The New York appeals court issued the ruling on October 21, 2026.
Legal Context
This case reflects the high-stakes environment surrounding the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, where strict procedural deadlines can disqualify eligible claimants. It underscores how legal oversight in complex class-action or individual claims can drastically impact the final compensation recovered by survivors.
The ruling sets a precedent for families seeking to hold legal representatives accountable for procedural failures in high-value cases. Residents should be aware of how strict filing deadlines in federal programs can limit their ability to collect court-awarded damages.
The takeaway
This case serves as a reminder to verify that legal representatives have met all procedural deadlines for federal compensation claims. Victims and their families should proactively monitor the status of their applications to ensure eligibility criteria are met on time.
Further reading
For more information on legal standards and accountability, visit the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Law.
Live Poll
Do you believe law firms should be held liable for missing procedural deadlines?
