Since 2000, Daniel Zea has devoted his practice to handling workers’ compensation claims before the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board, in trial, Board Panel, and appellate level proceedings. Having appeared at thousands of hearings over that time span, Dan has developed a strong knowledge of the workers’ compensation law and the unique and complex issues that it creates for the injured worker. Dan believes that an attorney is not only a litigator, but an advocate and a counselor for his clients.
A significant part of his approach is to ensure that his clients are well-informed. Knowledge of the issues that lie ahead allows for preparation and permits the client to successfully navigate the proceedings in any workers’ compensation claim. This in turn maximizes the benefit received under the law, while minimizing the pitfalls encountered as a result of the myriad defenses available to an insurance carrier.
Dan was born in Nicaragua but grew up in Scottsville, NY. He graduated from Wheatland-Chili High School and then obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Geneseo. After teaching high school Spanish for three years, he graduated, with honors, from Syracuse University College of Law in 1998. He has been practicing workers’ compensation law since 2000, exclusively devoting his efforts to injured workers. He speaks fluent Spanish and is proud to have helped countless Spanish-speakers through the challenging world of workers’ compensation. He continues to be an active member of the New York State Bar Association, the Monroe County Bar Association, and the Injured Workers’ Bar Association and has presented CLE seminars for the Injured Workers’ Bar Association on a number of topics, including Section 32 Agreements and perfecting appeals to the Third Department.
He enjoys spending time with his wife and family, and while he no longer coaches youth baseball, he still gets dirty on the diamond in the Rochester Senior Men’s Baseball League. Mr. Zea enjoys watching his daughter dance and perform in high school musicals, and relishes making a bit of noise on the electric guitar every now and again. Along with Randi Nicole Proukou, Esq., he is a founding partner of Zea Proukou PLLC.
Practice Areas:
- Workers’ Compensation
- Social Security Disability
- Personal Disability
Admitted to Practice Law in:
- New York State
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York
Law School:
Syracuse University College of Law, cum laude, 1998
College:
State University of New York College at Geneseo, 1992
Memberships:
- Injured Workers’ Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Monroe County Bar Association
