phone icon

Personal Injury Attorney in Rochester, NY

Photograph of gavel and stethoscope

★★★★★

We absolutely can’t thank you enough.

Powers & Santola was so knowledgeable and caring. I was so very fortunate to find such a great law firm.

- John

At Powers & Santola, LLP, our Rochester personal injury lawyers are well respected and results-driven advocates for our clients and their families. We have been recognized as one of the  “Best Law Firms” in the country for personal injury law and our attorneys have decades of experience representing clients like you in personal injury claims. With deep ties to the region, our Rochester attorneys are standing by, ready to get started on your case. If you or your loved one was seriously injured in an accident in Monroe County, please call our Rochester law office today at (585) 440-6734 or reach out to us directly online. Case evaluations are free and fully confidential.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Rochester, New York

At Powers & Santola, LLP, we’re proud to help our clients recover fair and just compensation for their injuries. We have years of experience representing accident victims across a wide range of circumstances and we can help you too. Our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys take on many types of cases including:

  • Car Accidents Driving is an essential way to get around, but it can lead to serious injuries and long-term suffering for victims of crashes. We represent those injured in motor vehicle accidents and work tirelessly to get them the compensation they need. Whether someone is injured in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident, we have the knowledge and the resources to help our clients seek justice and compensation.
  • Medical Malpractice Medical malpractice representation is a key focus of our firm. We handle all types of medical malpractice injuries from birth injuries to hospital errors and surgical errors, to failure or delayed diagnosis of cancer or other illnesses. The Best Lawyers in America© 2015 recognized three of the firm’s attorneys, John K. Powers, Daniel R. Santola and Laura M. Jordan for their excellence in the field of medical malpractice law. Powers & Santola has been listed in “Best Law Firms” for our focus on medical malpractice law. Medical malpractice is complex and challenging work, and we’re proud of our track record helping medical malpractice victims get the compensation they need to move on with their life.
  • Construction Site Accidents. Construction sites can be dangerous, so it’s important for site managers to follow safety regulations and construction industry best practices. When they don’t, workers and bystanders can be injured or even killed. We represent those who were injured in construction site accidents and will fight at every step for the compensation that construction site injury victims deserve.
  • Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect. We rely on nursing home operators and staff to provide nurturing and care to those we love. Most times, nursing home staff members do their job, but sometimes they fail in their duties and harm the ones we love. At Powers & Santola, LLP we zealously represent the individuals and families harmed by nursing home abuse.
  • Premises Liability. When you’re a guest on someone else’s property, you expect to be safe from harm. Unfortunately, businesses and individuals sometimes neglect dangers on their property. When they do, guests and customers can be the ones who end up hurt. Our experienced premises liability attorneys represent clients across a wide range of premises liability cases, from slip-and-fall claims to burn injuries, and everything in-between.

  • Catastrophic & Serious Injuries Catastrophic injury claims require specialized attention. Our Rochester, NY personal injury attorneys are qualified to handle the entire spectrum of catastrophic injury cases, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), amputations, and spinal cord damage. We work hard to ensure that our clients get the full compensation they deserve. A catastrophic injury settlement or verdict should include financial support for future medical bills, pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, and loss of life enjoyment.  
  • Wrongful Death Lawsuits Nothing is more devastating than losing a family member in an accident. Under New York law, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek justice, accountability, and financial support for your family. Our Rochester, NY wrongful death attorneys are compassionate, reliable advocates for grieving families. We will handle your legal case so that you can focus on yourself and your family. 
  • Child Victims Act Claims The Child Victims Act is a New York law that extends the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases. With experience handling civil child sex abuse cases throughout Western New York, our Rochester attorneys are here to help you and your family get justice, financial compensation, and closure. We represent clients with care, compassion, and the highest level of sensitivity. If you have questions about your rights under New York law, please do not hesitate to call our Rochester office for a free, confidential initial consultation. 
  • Defective Products Consumer and industrial products should help us do our work and live the lives we want. When we buy products, we assume that the products meet our safety standards and that they’re fit for service. However, this isn’t always the case. Defects in a product’s design may render it unsafe from the beginning, or a flaw in manufacturing may make an individual unit a danger. At Powers & Santola, we represent those who have been injured by unsafe products.

Common Types of Injuries

Personal injuries can take many forms. Some of the common injuries personal injury victims suffer include the following:

Head and Brain Injuries

When victims hit their heads on a hard surface, they may suffer various head and brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Symptoms of TBIs include headaches, memory problems, cognitive difficulties, and loss of balance.

According to the Mayo Clinic, TBIs can result in various complications, including:

  • Consciousness disorders
  • Epilepsy and seizures
  • Behavioral changes
  • Fluid buildup in the brain 
  • Infections
  • Communication problems
  • Degenerative brain diseases

Spinal Cord Injuries

Slips and falls, car accidents, and construction accidents can damage the spine, leading to serious injuries, such as:

  • Herniated discs
  • Fractured vertebrae
  • Whiplash
  • Paralysis

Spinal cord, neck, and back injuries can impede mobility and cause serious limitations to your life. 

Severe Burns

Workers and consumers can suffer severe injuries when they come in contact with any of the following:

  • Heat
  • Caustic chemicals
  • Electricity
  • Radiation

This exposure can lead to painful injuries, scarring, and disfigurement. Skin grafts and reconstructive surgery may be necessary. 

Amputations

The force of impact can result in the amputation of a body part, including a limb, finger, toe, or ear. It can be difficult to adapt to life after suffering a disfiguring injury. Prosthetics, rehabilitation, and extensive therapy may be necessary to regain your sense of self.

Broken Bones

The impact of a fall from a large height or a vehicle colliding with you can result in one or more broken bones. Immobilization, surgery, and extensive rehabilitation may dictate your future. 

Soft Tissue Damage

Sprains, strains, and tears can lead to soft tissue damage, including injuries to the following:

  • Muscles 
  • Ligaments
  • Tendons 

These injuries are often indicated by pain, swelling, bruising, and redness. These painful injuries may require physical therapy and other medical treatment. 

Psychological Trauma

Some injuries extend well beyond the physical. Car accidents, truck accidents, and medical mistakes can cause intense psychological trauma, leading to the development of mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Ongoing counseling and support may be necessary to reclaim your life and security. 

Fatal Injuries

Tragically, people are killed in preventable accidents. In such situations, the decedent’s surviving family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to pursue justice from those responsible. 

If you or a loved one suffered any of the injuries described above, reach out to a caring personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. You can discuss your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation for the harm you’ve suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

What Types of Compensation
Could I Recover in a Personal Injury Case?

After an accident, don’t assume that you’ll only be able to recover the costs of your medical treatment. There may be many different types of compensation available in your claim. A personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for all your losses. For example:

Photograph of two doctors talking

Why Choose the Rochester Personal Injury Lawyers at Powers & Santola

Since 1987, Rochester personal injury lawyers Powers & Santola, LLP, has fought for justice on behalf of clients who have been seriously injured as a result of vehicle crashes, construction oversights, medical mistakes, and other catastrophic accidents. Serious accidents can be life-altering. During the first weeks and months after a catastrophic injury, victims and their families are primarily focused on making the best recovery possible. Our Rochester, NY personal injury lawyers are ready to take immediate action to protect your rights, including:  

  • Collecting evidence;
  • Consulting with medical experts who can testify to the extent of your injuries; 
  • Filing all necessary court documents; 
  • Dealing with persistent insurance agents; 
  • Going to court; 
  • Pushing for a just settlement; and
  • Getting you the compensation you deserve. 

We have seen how someone else’s irresponsibility can have devastating consequences for victims and their families, and have dedicated our careers to helping the injured get the full and fair compensation they need to rebuild their lives. At our firm, you are not simply a client. Our attorneys have a track record for combining top-quality legal representation with compassionate service. Over the past 30 years, they have won awards for their work and have held leadership positions in local, state and national bar organizations.

We Know the Personal Injury Claims Process and We Know How to Get Results

Injuries are painful enough but recovering from one while dealing with a claim can be extraordinarily challenging. You’ll need to collect crucial evidence, handle a mountain of paperwork, and work hard to pursue the recovery you need. If that weren’t enough, liable parties and the insurance companies that represent them may fight you and try to minimize your compensation at every turn. Personal injury attorneys in Rochester can take the weight off your shoulders, fight through the paperwork, and work to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

A personal injury attorney knows how to construct your claim and fight for your compensation. A personal injury claim will need to incorporate detailed documentation and records that support you. An attorney can gather all the records and evidence that your case needs then construct a persuasive claim on your behalf. At the end of the day, your needs and your compensation are the most important thing.

Remember that your Rochester attorney cares about you and your interests – not about an insurance company’s bottom line. At every turn, an attorney will fight for the compensation you need and deserve. A personal injury attorney will zealously represent you at every stage of your claim and fight for you every step of the way.

During your claim, insurance companies or the responsible parties may want to settle. Although it can be tempting to take a settlement when it’s offered, it’s always a good idea to have a personal injury attorney involved in the process. If you’ve suffered an injury, insurance companies and others may try to give you a low offer that you may find difficult to resist. Insurance companies thrive by paying out as little as possible, even when injury victims deserve more. A personal injury attorney will represent you and protect you during any negotiations, working throughout the process to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Rochester City Court Civil Division

99 Exchange Blvd.
Room 6
Rochester, NY 14614
Phone: (585) 371-3412

Monroe County Supreme Court and County Court

99 Exchange Blvd.
5th Floor
Room 545
Rochester, NY 14614
Phone: (585) 371-3758

Supreme Court of the State of New York

Appeals are handled at a different location:

Appellate Division
4th Judicial Department
50 East Ave.
Suite 200
Rochester, NY 14604
Phone: (585) 530-3100

What Should I Do After a Personal Injury?

If you’ve been injured in a personal injury accident, it’s crucial you take certain steps to protect your health and legal rights, including the following:

Prioritize Your Health

Your health is the priority. If you were not taken immediately to the emergency room at the time of the accident, seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor can accurately diagnose and treat your injuries. Your medical records will be a key piece of evidence in proving your injuries and their connection to the accident. Be sure you follow your doctor’s orders and attend all follow-up appointments. 

Report the Accident

Report the accident to authorities. Call local police if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident. Report your injuries to the business owner if you were injured on commercial property. Making a timely report is crucial for building your legal claim and avoiding the insurance company claiming that the accident never happened.

Gather Information from the At-Fault Party

At the time of the accident, try to gather information from the party responsible for your injuries. For a car accident, request the following information from the at-fault driver:

  • Their name
  • Their contact information 
  • A description of their vehicle
  • Their license plate number
  • Their driver’s license number
  • Their insurance information

If you were injured on someone else’s property, get the owner’s name and insurance information. 

Document the Accident Scene

The accident scene will not remain the same for long, so it’s crucial that you try to document it while you have a chance. Take pictures of the scene of the accident, including pictures of any factors that could have contributed to the accident and any physical evidence. Ask witnesses for their names and contact information. 

Create a Detailed Record

Documentation is key to establishing your personal injury claim and damages. Take photos as your injuries heal. Keep a pain journal in which you record your daily pain levels, symptoms, and limitations in your life. Keep records of all your damages, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Medical records that document limitations on your ability to work and your daily life
  • Wage loss statements, tax returns, letters from your employer, and other records
  • Receipts for alternative transportation, over-the-counter supplies, and other out-of-pocket expenses

Be Careful What You Say

Personal injury claims are legal matters, so it’s important that you be careful what you say while your case is pending. Don’t admit fault or apologize for an accident, as any such admission could reduce the amount of compensation you could recover. When interacting with police, stick to the facts. Don’t agree to give an insurance company a recorded statement without the advice of an experienced lawyer. Avoid posting anything online about your personal injury case.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

You do not have to go through the legal process alone. An experienced personal injury attorney can discuss your case during a free consultation. We can guide you through the claims process and protect your rights at every turn. Call us today to learn more about how we can help.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in New York?

It’s critical that you take prompt legal action to protect your legal rights. New York law limits the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit under statutes of limitations. These laws generally give accident victims between two to three years maximum to file a lawsuit, depending on the type of case. There are different rules for when the clock begins. An experienced personal injury attorney can review your case and explain the deadline that applies to your case.

Call Our Rochester Personal Injury Attorneys Today

At Powers & Santola, LLP, our Rochester personal injury lawyers have the skills, experience, resources, and reputation that you can rely on. We will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and maximize your financial compensation. You do not have to go up against the big insurance companies or defendants alone. If you or your family member was seriously hurt in an accident, our Rochester attorneys are ready to get started on your case. Contact us right away for a free initial consultation. Our law firm represents injured victims in Rochester and throughout all of Monroe County, including Brighton, Greece, Gates, Clarkson, Webster, Pittsford, Henrietta, and Irondequoit. 

Call Today! (518) 465-5995

Other Practice Areas

Changing Lives for the Better

When someone injures you, your life gets turned upside down. Suddenly, you may face a ton of medical bills. You may be unable to work or help out around the home. Others may need to care for you around the clock. Nothing is the same.

view all practice areas arrow

Best Lawyers in America
Super Lawyers top 10
AVVO rating 10.0 superb
The National Trail Lawyers
Best Lawyers Best Law firms in 2023
Top Verdict and Settlement 2017
Multi-Millionaire Dollar Advocate Firm

location map
X