Our Verdicts and Settlements
$2,500,000
Settlement at trial for negligent road design
$2,400,000
Settlement at trial for a construction worker
$1,750,000
For a student injured at school
$1,300,000
For a motorcyclist
$1,200,000
Verdict for Car Crash Victim
$1,000,000
For a motorcyclist
$950,000
For car crash victim
Representing Injured Victims in Every Type of Slip and Fall Accident Case
A successful slip and fall accident claim in Amherst often depends on whether the property owner had notice of a dangerous condition and failed to correct it. Under New York premises liability law, actual notice means the owner knew about the hazard, while constructive notice means the condition existed long enough that a reasonable property owner should have discovered and fixed it. A property owner may also be responsible when their own actions created the dangerous condition.
Our Amherst slip and fall accident attorneys handle injury claims involving:
- Wet, freshly mopped, or icy floors without proper warnings
- Snow and ice hazards on sidewalks, entrances, and parking lots
- Cracked sidewalks, potholes, uneven pavement, and broken curbs
- Defective stairs, loose handrails, and other unsafe property conditions
- Poor lighting in stairwells, garages, and building hallways
- Dangerous conditions in stores, supermarkets, and restaurants
- Unsafe common areas in apartment buildings and rental properties
- Blocked aisles, merchandise, debris, and other trip hazards
Snow and ice slip-and-fall cases involve unique challenges in New York. Under the storm-in-progress doctrine, property owners generally are not required to clear snow or ice during an active storm or immediately afterward. The timing of the storm can be critical to your claim.
No two slip-and-fall cases are alike. The legal issues depend on where the fall occurred, who controlled the property, and how the hazard developed. A slip-and-fall accident attorney in Amherst can identify the rules that apply and build your claim around the facts that matter most.
Why Amherst Victims Choose Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law
Premises claims are rarely straightforward. They turn on disputed notice, uncooperative insurers, and, in Amherst, municipal and sidewalk rules that can quietly sink a claim filed without them in mind. Our personal injury lawyers in Amherst handle those complications so they work for you rather than against you.
Our firm brings real depth to that fight: more than 27 years of litigation experience, nearly 20,000 clients served, 48 attorneys, and a 240-person team, with our main office located right here in Amherst.
An Amherst Law Firm With Deep Local Roots
Our team works in the community it serves. We understand the factors that can affect a slip and fall case, from Erie County properties and winter conditions to the issues that frequently arise in local premises liability claims. We use that knowledge to build a stronger claim from the start.
Personal Injury and Social Security Disability Representation
Some slip-and-fall injuries do more than cause immediate medical bills. They can prevent you from returning to work or performing the same job you did before. Our Amherst Social Security Disability attorneys can handle your injury claim and disability benefits together, giving you coordinated legal representation when you need it most.
We’re Trial-Ready Slip-and-Fall Attorneys
Insurance companies know which law firms are prepared to take cases further. We prepare every slip-and-fall injury claim in Amherst as though it may be presented to an Erie County judge or jury, strengthening your negotiating position from day one.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Amherst?
A slip-and-fall accident in Amherst can create losses that extend far beyond your initial medical bills. Under New York law, injured victims may recover compensation for both financial damages and the physical, emotional, and personal impact of their injuries. The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injury, future needs, and the evidence supporting those losses.
Depending on the specifics of your case, a slip and fall accident lawyer in Amherst may pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, hospital care, surgery, imaging, medication, physical therapy, and future medical treatment related to your injuries.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: Income lost during recovery and compensation when a lasting injury affects your ability to work or earn income.
- Rehabilitation and long-term care: Physical therapy, mobility devices, in-home assistance, and necessary home modifications.
- Out-of-pocket expenses and property damage: Out-of-pocket costs and personal belongings damaged in the fall.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, permanent limitations, scarring, and reduced quality of life.
- Wrongful death damages: If a slip and fall accident results in death, eligible family members may pursue damages available under New York wrongful death law.
Insurance companies rarely dispute the bills you have already incurred. They often fight hardest over future medical treatment, permanent limitations, and lost earning capacity because those damages require expert proof. Building that evidence is one of the most important ways a slip and fall accident attorney in Amherst protects the value of your claim.
"We fight for our clients as if they were family—taking cases to trial when necessary to ensure they receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve."
How Does a Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer in Amherst Handle Your Claim?
Slip and fall claims are more complex than most people expect. Left on your own, you are up against adjusters who do this every day, whose job is to pay you as little as possible, and who count on you accepting an early number before anyone understands how serious your injury really is. An Amherst slip and fall accident lawyer levels that imbalance, running the investigation, protecting the evidence, and positioning your claim from the very first week:
✓ Identifying every liable party: We determine who controlled the property, whether an owner, business, landlord, property management company, or snow removal contractor, and investigate whether they failed to maintain reasonably safe conditions.
✓ Preserving critical evidence: We secure surveillance footage, photographs, witness statements, maintenance records, inspection reports, and other evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
✓ Handling New York legal requirements: When a claim involves the Town of Amherst, Erie County, or another public entity, we address Notice of Claim requirements, prior written notice issues, and other procedural rules that may affect your case.
✓ Documenting your injuries: We obtain medical records, treatment documentation, and expert opinions to connect your injuries to the accident and demonstrate their full impact.
✓ Calculating your damages: We evaluate medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, future care, pain and suffering, and every other category of compensation available under New York law.
✓ Defending against comparative negligence: We challenge attempts by insurance companies to shift blame onto you and reduce your recovery under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule.
✓ Preparing for trial: We negotiate from a position of strength while preparing every case as though it may be presented to an Erie County jury if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
One of the most common and most costly mistakes we see is waiting to make the call. Every week that passes, footage is recorded over, hazards are repaired, memories fade, and municipal deadlines creep closer, and each of those quietly weakens what you can recover.
Reaching out to a slip and fall injury lawyer at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law early is one of the best things you can do to protect your claim. When you bring us in, we take the adjusters, the paperwork, and the pressure off your shoulders entirely.
Injuries Eligible for Compensation in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
Slip and fall accidents can cause injuries ranging from minor fractures to life-changing disabilities. Our Amherst slip and fall injury attorneys help clients pursue compensation for injuries such as:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries
- Hip, knee, shoulder, and other joint injuries
- Cuts, scarring, and internal injuries
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the treatment you need, and how the accident affects your daily life and ability to work. Our legal team works with your medical providers and other professionals to fully document your injuries and the long-term impact they may have on your future.
Ida and Stephanie were great! They kept me posted about my case. They provided documents for my doctors to fill out so I had as much medical records as I could! Stephanie represented me in the Judge appeal and was great asking me questions about my disability and helping me convey those disabilities to the judge! I’m so grateful ☺️ for their help! Highly recommend them!
Working with Hiller Comerford was easy. They took care of everything and their communication was exceptional. I’ve already referred others to them.
Seriously grateful to my attorney, Ryan Taylor. I spent years trying to navigate VA disability on my own and they managed to finally make headway where I could not.
Everyone I spoke with and worked with was extremely kind and had great communication also they were compassionate,they worked very diligently to help me and kept me well informed throughout the process I couldn't thank them enough.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law for their exceptional support and guidance throughout my disability benefits process. Their expertise and dedication made an overwhelming situation feel manageable, and they ensured every step was handled with care and clarity. I am truly grateful for their assistance and highly recommend their services.
My lawyer RyanTaylor was amazing. He told me exactly how the process goes, what to expect and how long it realistically would take. He was able to get for me exactly what I had tried twice to do myself but was rejected by the VA for. I will recommend all my Veteran friends to him.
Hard workers, always looking at the positive side of the case and always listening to the client. Only down remark is hard to get calls back.
Hiller Comerford have been amazing. They got me a fully favorable decision on my disability claim, I could have never been able to do that on my own. Everyone in their office is so kind and so knowledgeable. They really helped make a difficult time of my life a pleasure. Thank you so much Hiller Comerford!!!
The firm understands the situation, and are very acknowledged about the social security laws and guidelines. Staff were very friendly. The attorney that represented me was Charles Gaughan and the case manager was Olivia Fritzen. They did a wonderful job with my representation for my case. I would highly recommend The law firm of Hiller and Comerford.
There’s Limited Time to File a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit in Amherst
In most cases, the New York statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of a slip and fall accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your claim involves the Town of Amherst, Erie County, or another public entity, however, a Notice of Claim is generally required within 90 days.
Just as important, the evidence needed to prove your claim can disappear long before those deadlines. Dangerous conditions may be repaired, surveillance footage overwritten, and witnesses become harder to locate. Contacting an Amherst slip and fall lawyer early gives your legal team the best opportunity to preserve critical evidence and protect your right to compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions we hear from our Amherst clients after a slip and fall accident. For personalized guidance, contact us today for a free consultation.
What should I do after a slip and fall accident in Amherst?
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, report the accident to the property owner or manager, and photograph the hazardous condition if you can. Keep records of your medical treatment and avoid giving recorded statements to the insurance company before speaking with an Amherst slip and fall attorney. Early legal representation can help preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for your slip and fall accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated. Our Amherst slip and fall lawyers work to challenge unfair attempts by insurers to place more of the blame on you.
How much does it cost to hire an Amherst slip and fall attorney?
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, you pay no upfront legal fees. We handle slip-and-fall accident claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We also offer a free case evaluation to discuss your legal options.
Who can be held liable for a slip-and-fall accident in Amherst, NY?
Liability depends on who owned, occupied, or controlled the property where the accident occurred. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may involve a property owner, business, landlord, property management company, snow removal contractor, or, in some cases, a public entity. An Amherst slip and fall attorney can investigate who is legally responsible for your injuries.
What are the property owner’s responsibilities in Amherst, New York?
Under New York premises liability law, property owners must maintain reasonably safe conditions and address dangerous hazards they know about or should have discovered. If they fail to repair a dangerous condition or provide adequate warning and someone is injured, they may be held liable for the resulting damages.
How long will my slip-and-fall injury case take to resolve?
Every case is different. The timeline depends on the severity of your injuries, the complexity of the investigation, and whether the insurance company disputes liability or the value of your claim. Some cases settle within months, while others require litigation. Our Amherst slip and fall attorneys will work to move your claim forward efficiently while protecting your right to full compensation.
