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The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages two federal disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for workers with sufficient employment history, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for individuals with limited income and resources. Timely decisions in these programs are critical for claimants, as delays can create financial and personal hardship. This case study examines the [...]

After a car crash, it’s tempting to shake off the pain and focus on everything else. But ignoring your injuries can cost you thousands—and weaken your legal claim. In New York, missing one key step means your medical bills might not be covered, and your chances of compensation could vanish. Keep reading to learn why [...]

Back to School, Back to Safety In August, two important events converge: National Traffic Awareness Month and the start of a new school year. It’s a timely reminder for drivers across Western New York to slow down, stay alert, and prioritize safety—especially around school zones, crosswalks, and bus stops. Why Traffic Awareness Matters More Than [...]

In a landmark decision, a Florida jury awarded $243 million in damages against Tesla, Inc. after a fatal crash involving its Autopilot system [1]. This verdict is a wake-up call for the auto industry and a signal to victims of autonomous vehicle failures: you have legal options. At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we’re [...]

If you’re applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits due to a mental health condition, one of the most important steps is obtaining a formal diagnosis. But a diagnosis alone isn’t enough—you’ll need detailed documentation that shows how your condition impacts your ability to work. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what qualifies as [...]

BUFFALO, N.Y. [June 6, 2025]— Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law is celebrating its first anniversary with its new name. The name change was done as part of a brand refresh that was needed after partners Timothy Hiller and Ida Comerford bought the firm from Kenneth Hiller in 2021. The new name marks a significant [...]

Jerry’s Story: The act of “cherry-picking” evidence has long been an argument that our attorneys put forth in Federal Court when a disability hearing judge writes a decision selectively citing information showing the Social Security claimant is capable of certain activities, while ignoring evidence showing the claimant is disabled. Recently, the Northern District of New [...]

Firm Rebranding Reflects New Leadership and Expanded Services BUFFALO, N.Y. – [June 6, 2024]—Western New Yorkers facing Social Security Disability, Veterans Disability, or Personal Injury challenges now have a more comprehensive legal partner in Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law. The firm, formerly known as The Law Offices of Kenneth Hiller, PLLC, has rebranded to [...]

Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law is deeply committed to advocating for the rights of those affected by nursing home abuse and neglect. A critical aspect of these legal battles is comprehensive documentation, which provides the evidence needed to pursue justice effectively. Minimum Data Sets (MDS) and Care Plans: A Legal Perspective Minimum Data Sets [...]

If you’ve been injured in Buffalo, NY, understanding the anatomy of a personal injury lawsuit can be as crucial as selecting the right legal team to represent you. At The Law Offices of Kenneth Hiller, PLLC, we pride ourselves on not only offering top-notch legal representation but also ensuring our clients are fully informed at [...]

If you have ever wondered what motorcycle accidents in New York State look like from a statistical perspective, the state’s Department of Health (DOH) can satiate your hunger for facts. The Department’s most recent statistics cover 2012 to 2014 and provide a snapshot of the cost of motorcycle wrecks in the state and who bears [...]

Generally, people who are receiving disability assistance have a disabling impairment that keeps them from working. However, a person receiving SSD assistance may still be able to work if they feel up to it, and still not be disqualified from receiving payments.

The standard for eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income is not typically based on a specific medical condition. Eligibility is determined around having a medically diagnosed condition which makes a person unable to earn a “substantial” income through work.

Of all the personal injury claims that arise in New York each year, only a tiny fraction of them see a courtroom. There are several reasons why judges and juries decide so few claims brought by a personal injury lawyer: Trials can be expensive, and some parties would prefer to avoid the cost Juries and [...]

In a New York car accident, the state’s no-fault laws mean drivers must look to their auto insurance policy to pay their initial losses. If you suffer severe injuries and your insurance policy’s benefits do not fully compensate you, only then may you pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party and seek additional compensation. Typically, [...]

If you or a loved one find yourself hurt by a medical error, the consequences of that mistake can last for years or longer. For example, an error in the delivery room can leave a child with a birth defect that has a lifelong impact. Compensation can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars or [...]

If you have an ongoing injury lawsuit, you can reasonably expect that your injury lawyer will approach you with a settlement offer. When precisely this will happen, though, is not always clear. It may take weeks, months, or even longer before you receive any settlement offer, much less a reasonable and acceptable settlement offer. This [...]

Truck accident lawsuits in New York are often more complicated than cases involving only passenger vehicles. Part of the reason for this added complexity is the amount of evidence available when a commercial truck is involved in a wreck. Any vehicle accident lawsuit will involve witness statements, photographs, police reports, and data stored in the [...]

Just as you do not have a whole cake if slices are missing, you do not have a complete car crash lawsuit if you do not sue all responsible parties. Not all crashes are the fault of one specific individual. In complicated cases like trucking accidents, there may be several individuals and entities whose negligence [...]

Ice and snow present dangers to just about everyone. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported over 20,000 workplace injuries in 2017 due primarily to snow and ice. This number does not include individuals who were hurt in car crashes caused by winter conditions or private individuals on foot around town. One of the primary dangers [...]

Slipping and falling, at the very least, is embarrassing. However, if you are here, you likely ended up more than embarrassed after your slip and fall. Slipping and falling can result in severe injuries, and pavement defects have been one of the biggest reasons people have been seriously hurt in slip and fall accidents. If [...]

We put our trust in our doctors to help us get better. Sometimes doctors act outside of the standard of care which causes harm to you. In such instances, you may be entitled to compensation for any damages you faced because of this breach of duty. One of the biggest reasons people have medical malpractice [...]

Watch this video by dedicated Buffalo injury attorney Timothy Hiller, Esq. as he explains insurance company settlement offers. So some people will call me, and they’ll say, well, the insurance company already offered me a settlement; should I take it? The answer, nine times out of ten, is no. You need to have an attorney [...]

Law Office of Kenneth Hiller Scores Big Win Against One of the Nation’s Largest Collection Companies

Nursing Homes and their paid mouthpieces often cry broke in public.  We are told they operate on small margins.  It’s not that they don’t want to provide better care, they just can’t afford to.  They argue that any new rules or regulations would put many nursing homes out of business and harm patients.

When I talk to clients who have just been in a motor vehicle accident, they are often confused and overwhelmed.

Emily came to our firm to apply for disability after being out of work for almost two years because of debilitating back pain.

If you’ve been hurt in a motor vehicle and have filed a lawsuit, you will likely have to sit for a deposition at some point. If you’ve never sat for a deposition before, this can be a scary process.

Waiting for your social security disability insurance claim to be denied or approved can be an anxious experience. If it seems to be taking a long time, you might wonder if that means you’re more likely to be approved or denied. Let’s take a look at what contributes to approval or denial and how you can speed up your claim.

Are you suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, and it’s affecting your ability to work? If so, you may qualify for SSA disability. Keep reading to learn how to qualify for disability and what your next steps should be.

Auto accidents are always surprising and can be devastating. There’s a lot to consider after the shock has worn off, and speaking with your insurance company and the insurance company of the other driver will come up quickly. But here’s what you need to know first.

If you are on Medicare, Medicaid, or other forms of public assistance, the government can take part or all of your personal injury settlement. Make sure you work with an attorney who understands these rules and regulations and will advocate for you.

Do you believe lawyer ads on TV? If you’ve been injured in an accident or by a product, you’ll likely be looking for an attorney, but how do you know who to look for?

Today, Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law filed a class action lawsuit in the Western District of New York. The complaint, filed on behalf of three western New York residents, alleges that the New York State Thruway Authority and a private law firm organized under the laws of Texas have been charging excessive fines without due process of law.

Dealing with creditors can be stressful, especially if you are on a limited income. Creditors may sue a debtor and receive a judgment against him or her, with a court order to get the owed money directly from the debtor’s bank account through garnishment. Learn more about Creditors and Your SSD Benefits.

In this video, we discuss how you can report debt collection agencies that violate the law.

Generally, a veteran seeking disability benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) must have been discharged from service under conditions other than dishonorable. Therefore, if a veteran is discharged in the following classifications, he or she is likely to receive benefits if otherwise qualified: under honorable conditions, general, and honorable discharge.

The disability claim process is stressful and part of the reason for that is because you are responsible for providing proof of your disability. You might be wondering, then, what do you need to prove in order to successfully make a disability claim? In this video, we address that topic.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a government program that pays benefits to people who are too disabled to work. If you are HIV-positive, and you have medical problems related to your HIV-status that prevent you from working, you may be eligible for SSDI benefits.

While learning that the VA denied your disability claim can make things more stressful, you are not without help. If you have been denied veterans disability benefits contact our offices today at 877.236.7366 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your options.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer affecting the mesothelium, the lining that forms around most of the body’s internal organs. There are two common kinds of mesothelioma; pleural mesothelioma – affecting the chest area; and peritoneal mesothelioma – affecting the abdominal area.

In this video, we discuss receiving both Veteran’s disability benefits and Social Security disability benefits at the same time.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract. It is a chronic disease that may affect the entire gastrointestinal tract, but mainly affects the small bowel and the beginning of the colon.

Applying for benefits for an illness or injury that happened as a result of a person’s service in the military is not as straightforward as one may expect. The process is sometimes complicated by backlogs in processing claims.

In this video, we talk about the Veterans Disability Claims Process and what goes into applying for VA benefits. At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, PLLC, our veterans benefits attorneys can represent you through your initial claim and both your first and second appeals, if necessary.

Alcoholism and drug dependency are serious problems that can severely affect both the physical and mental health of a person. In the past, it was possible to receive Social Security assistance for alcoholism and drug addiction.

If a person is disabled, he or she may consider applying for Social Security disability benefits to help with the bills if their disability prevents them from working. An unemployed person may apply for unemployment benefits to help with the bills during the period of unemployment.

Many people who receive Social Security disability benefits may not know what type of benefit they receive. There are two types of Social Security disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Social Security Disability is a general term that refers to two benefit programs that the Social Security Administration offers for persons with disabilities. The two benefit programs are Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Disability benefits obtained through the Social Security Administration and disability benefits obtained through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), are not mutually exclusive benefit systems.

When a person applies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, he may have to submit a lot of medical documentation to prove that he has a condition that has lasted for more than twelve months, and impairs his ability to work or conduct other daily tasks.

When someone thinks of veterans’ disability compensation or benefits, he may think that the benefits only apply for physical or psychological injuries that were sustained in war.