Representing the injured in buffalo and western new york for over 75 years

At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, we understand that when you're facing a civil legal matter in Buffalo, you need responsive, knowledgeable legal representation that puts your interests first. Our team of dedicated civil suit lawyers offers free consultation services to help you understand your options and determine the best path forward. Contact us today to arrange your free consultation and discover how we can help you pursue the justice you deserve.

What is a Civil Lawsuit in Western New York?

A civil lawsuit in Western New York is a legal action filed in a New York state or federal court where one party (the plaintiff) seeks remedies from another party (the defendant) for alleged damages or injuries not involving criminal charges. These lawsuits follow New York's specific civil procedure rules and can address matters like personal injuries, contract disputes, property disagreements, employment issues, or business conflicts.

In Western New York courts, civil cases typically progress through distinct phases: filing a complaint, discovery (evidence gathering), potential motions, settlement negotiations, and if necessary, trial. Most civil suits in this region resolve through settlement before reaching trial, with local courts in Buffalo, Rochester, and surrounding counties each having their own procedural nuances while operating under the broader New York State legal framework.

What Makes a Civil Litigation Attorney Different from Other Attorneys?

At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, we understand that navigating the legal landscape in Buffalo requires attorneys with specific skills and experience. Civil litigation attorneys differ from other legal practitioners in several key ways that directly impact your case outcome.

• Courtroom Advocacy Skills: Civil litigation attorneys are trained specifically in presenting cases before judges and juries in civil courts throughout Western New York, from Erie County Supreme Court to the federal courthouse on Niagara Square.
• Procedural Expertise: Our civil suit lawyers possess extensive knowledge of New York's complex procedural rules that govern everything from filing deadlines at the Buffalo courthouse to the specific format of motions submitted in civil cases.
• Discovery Management: Civil litigation attorneys excel at the critical process of gathering and exchanging evidence, taking depositions at our downtown Buffalo office, and utilizing document requests to build the strongest possible case.
• Settlement Negotiation: While prepared for trial, skilled civil litigation attorneys often resolve cases through strategic negotiations, saving clients the time and expense of extended court proceedings in the Western New York judicial system.
• Case Evaluation Ability: During your free consultation, our civil litigation attorneys provide realistic assessments of potential outcomes based on local precedent and extensive experience with similar cases throughout Buffalo and surrounding communities.
• Strategic Planning: Civil litigation attorneys develop comprehensive legal strategies tailored to each unique situation, whether it's a property dispute in Elmwood Village or a contract issue affecting a business near Canalside.
• Motion Practice: Our civil suit lawyers regularly draft and argue crucial pre-trial motions that can significantly impact your case's direction or even lead to early resolution before trial begins.
• Risk Assessment: Civil litigation attorneys provide invaluable analysis of the potential risks and rewards of different legal approaches, helping clients make informed decisions at every stage of the process.
• Trial Preparation: If settlement isn't possible, civil litigation attorneys meticulously prepare exhibits, witness testimony, and arguments specifically designed to succeed in Western New York courtrooms.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution: Our personal injury lawyers are skilled in mediation and arbitration methods that can provide faster, more cost-effective resolutions than traditional court proceedings.

The Importance of Civil Lawsuit Lawyers Offering Free Consultations

At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, we believe that access to justice begins with access to information, which is why we offer free consultations to residents throughout Buffalo and Western New York. This initial meeting serves as a crucial foundation for your potential legal journey.

• Barrier Removal: Free consultations eliminate financial obstacles that might otherwise prevent Buffalo residents from seeking the legal guidance they need when facing challenging situations like workplace disputes near the Medical Campus or personal injuries on the Scajaquada Expressway.
• Case Assessment: During your free consultation, our civil suit lawyers carefully evaluate the merits of your potential case, providing honest feedback about strength, weaknesses, and likelihood of success based on our extensive experience in Western New York courts.
• Legal Education: These initial meetings allow us to explain relevant New York State laws and regulations affecting your situation, empowering you with knowledge about your rights and options whether you're dealing with a landlord issue in Elmwood Village or a contract dispute downtown.
• Strategy Development: Free consultations give our civil suit lawyers the opportunity to outline potential legal approaches tailored to your specific circumstances, creating a preliminary roadmap for moving forward through the Erie County court system.
• Cost Transparency: We use this time to discuss potential fee structures, including contingency options where available, ensuring you understand the financial aspects of legal representation before making any commitments.
• Question Opportunity: These sessions provide a comfortable environment similar to a conversation at Delaware Park where you can ask questions and address concerns about the legal process without feeling pressured or rushed.
• Relationship Building: Free consultations allow both you and our civil suit lawyers to establish rapport and determine if we're the right fit for your needs, creating the foundation for an effective attorney-client partnership.
• Documentation Review: Our free consultation lawyer appointments include preliminary review of relevant documents, helping identify critical evidence and information gaps early in the process.
• Timeline Expectations: We provide realistic timeframes for how your case might progress through the Buffalo-Niagara legal system, helping you plan accordingly for the weeks or months ahead.
• Peace of Mind: Perhaps most importantly, these consultations offer peace of mind during stressful situations, assuring you that knowledgeable civil suit lawyers are evaluating your case and guiding your next steps.

Civil Cases With FREE Consultations and Contingency Fee Basis That We Work With

At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, we understand that legal representation should be accessible to all Buffalo residents regardless of financial circumstances. Our civil suit lawyers offer free consultations and contingency fee arrangements for the following types of cases, allowing you to pursue justice without upfront legal costs.

• Personal Injury Claims: Our civil suit lawyers handle cases ranging from slip-and-falls near Canalside to vehicular accidents on the I-190, ensuring you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain experienced while recovering in Buffalo's medical facilities.
• Workplace Accidents: When you're injured on construction sites in the Larkin District or manufacturing facilities throughout Western New York, our free consultation lawyer team works diligently to secure workers' compensation benefits and potential third-party claims.
• Medical Malpractice: If you've experienced harm due to negligent healthcare at any Buffalo area hospital or medical practice, our civil suit lawyers investigate thoroughly and advocate for appropriate compensation for additional treatments and suffering.
• Wrongful Death: Families grieving the loss of loved ones due to another's negligence receive compassionate representation from our civil suit lawyers who pursue justice and financial support for final expenses and loss of companionship.
• Product Liability: When defective products cause injury in your Elmwood Village home or North Buffalo business, our contingency-based representation holds manufacturers and distributors accountable for the harm their products cause.
• Premises Liability: Property owners throughout Erie County have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions; our civil suit lawyers help visitors injured due to negligent maintenance receive proper compensation through free consultation evaluations and contingency representation.
• Dog Bite Injuries: Buffalo's leash laws exist to protect residents, and when these protections fail, our free consultation lawyer team pursues compensation from pet owners who failed to control aggressive animals.
• Nursing Home Abuse: Our civil suit lawyers protect vulnerable seniors in facilities throughout Western New York, offering contingency representation when neglect or mistreatment causes physical or emotional harm.
• Civil Rights Violations: When your constitutional rights are infringed upon in Buffalo or surrounding communities, our attorneys provide free consultations and contingency-based representation to pursue justice and appropriate remedies.
• Class Action Lawsuits: For widespread harm affecting many Buffalo residents simultaneously, our civil suit lawyers offer free consultations to determine if your situation qualifies for inclusion in larger legal actions against corporate wrongdoers.

If you've experienced any of these situations, we encourage you to contact Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP today for your free consultation with our civil suit lawyers. With our contingency fee structure, you pay no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you, making quality legal representation accessible to everyone throughout the Buffalo-Niagara region regardless of financial circumstances.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Take the first step toward resolving your civil legal matter with confidence. At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, our Buffalo-based civil suit lawyers are ready to evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process—at no initial cost to you. Contact us today to arrange your free consultation and discover how we can help you pursue the justice you deserve.

---

Civil Suit Lawyers FAQs

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York?

In most personal injury cases, New York State law provides a three-year statute of limitations from the date of injury. However, claims against government entities have much shorter notice periods, some as brief as 90 days. Medical malpractice cases generally have a 2.5-year time limit. We recommend consulting with our civil suit lawyers through a free consultation as soon as possible to ensure you don't miss critical deadlines.

What is New York's "No-Fault" insurance system?

New York operates under a "No-Fault" insurance system for auto accidents, which means your own insurance typically covers your medical expenses and certain economic losses regardless of who caused the accident. However, if you suffer a "serious injury" as defined by New York law, you may file a civil suit against the responsible party for additional compensation including pain and suffering. Our free consultation lawyer team can determine if your injuries meet this threshold.

How is compensation calculated in personal injury cases?

Compensation in Buffalo personal injury cases typically includes economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). Our civil suit lawyers calculate these values based on medical documentation, expert testimony, and precedent from similar cases in Western New York courts. Each case is unique, and we provide personalized evaluations during your free consultation.

Will my personal injury case go to trial?

While our civil suit lawyers prepare every case as if it will go to trial, statistics show that approximately 95% of personal injury cases in New York settle before reaching the courtroom. Our reputation throughout the Buffalo legal community for thorough preparation often leads to more favorable settlement offers, but we're always prepared to advocate for you before an Erie County jury if necessary.

What happens if I was partially at fault for my accident?

New York follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your percentage of responsibility will reduce your compensation. For example, if you were 20% at fault for an accident near Delaware Park and suffered $100,000 in damages, you could recover $80,000. Our civil suit lawyers work to minimize your assigned percentage of fault to maximize your recovery.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. During your free consultation, we'll explain our fee structure, which is typically a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. This approach ensures legal representation is accessible to all Buffalo residents regardless of financial circumstances.

What should I bring to my free consultation?

We recommend bringing any documentation related to your injury, including police reports, accident scene photos, medical records and bills, insurance correspondence, witness contact information, and any communications with the at-fault party. This helps our civil suit lawyers provide the most accurate assessment of your case during your free consultation appointment at our downtown Buffalo office.

Can I still recover damages if I don't have health insurance?

Yes. Our civil suit lawyers can help connect you with medical providers who will treat you on a "lien basis," meaning they agree to wait for payment until your case settles. This ensures you receive necessary treatment for injuries sustained anywhere from Cheektowaga to the Elmwood Village, regardless of your insurance status. We can discuss these options during your free consultation.

How long will my personal injury case take to resolve?

The timeline for resolving personal injury cases in Western New York varies significantly depending on case complexity, severity of injuries, insurance company cooperation, and court schedules. Simple cases might settle within months, while complex litigation can take 1-3 years. Our civil suit lawyers provide realistic timeline expectations during your free consultation based on the specific factors in your case.

What sets Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon apart from other personal injury firms?

Our civil suit lawyers combine deep knowledge of Buffalo's legal landscape with personal attention to each client's unique needs. Unlike high-volume firms, we limit our caseload to ensure attentive service and optimal results. Our longstanding connections throughout Western New York's medical and insurance communities often facilitate more efficient case resolution. We invite you to experience this difference by scheduling a free consultation with our team.