NYC Police Pension Fund - July 2026 Board of Trustees Meeting

We had 57 applications on this month’s calendar, with 25 members approved for Accident Disability Retirement or Line of Duty Death benefits. Among the challenges we faced were cases in which:

• a member slipped and fell because of a wire hanger left on a staircase at 1 Police Plaza;

• a member slipped and fell on ice that had not been removed from the steps leading to a Department facility;

• a member’s arm was crushed by an elevator door; and

• two members were injured while operating Department vehicles alone.

We were able to present evidence that persuaded the City Trustees to grant all of these applications.

Our major victory this month involved a member who underwent an emergency angiogram, during which two stents were implanted, but retired for service before filing a disability application. We persuaded the Board to grant him leave to file an application despite the extremely limited circumstances under which such relief is available. With the exception of World Trade Center reclassification applications, all disability applications must be filed at LeFrak while the member is still active and in City service. We are grateful to the Trustees for their compassion and sound judgment in this exceptional case.

We serve as disability counsel for the NYPD Captains Endowment Association, Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, and Detectives’ Endowment Association. With more than 60 years collective experience, we provide legal advice and representation throughout the disability process. We have litigated cases in the Supreme Court, the Appellate Division, and the New York Court of Appeals, giving us experience at every level of the New York State court system.

There are a small number of private attorneys who practice in this area. Unfortunately, some have little experience, while others claim to possess unique expertise. They are often quick to take credit for the work performed before the NYC Police Pension Fund while portraying routine administrative matters as complex legal issues that only they can resolve. In our experience, some of these attorneys accept cases and charge fees for either straightforward matters that require little or no legal assistance or extremely difficult cases where no amount of advocacy can overcome the underlying facts.

While every member is entitled to retain outside counsel, we believe members are best served by consulting with us first. We will provide an honest, candid, and straightforward assessment of your case, and do so at no cost.

Ungaro Cifuni & Jaffe

299 Broadway, Suite 1816

(212) 766-5800

www.nycdisabilitylaw.com