Attorney Christopher “Kip” Wilson
I grew up in Syracuse. I received a BA in Chemistry from Wesleyan University in 1996 and an MS in Chemistry from Northwestern University in 1997. I graduated from Cornell Law School in 2001, then worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.
For the past 20+ years I’ve lived in Oneonta, NY, with a practice focused on helping injured workers navigate the New York State Workers’ Compensation system. I’ve litigated against most major employers in our area and know how they — and their insurance carriers — handle workers’ comp claims.
My clients often come to me at the worst moment of their lives — hurt, out of work, and dealing with an insurance company that won’t return their calls. My job is to make sure they don’t face that alone. If you’ve been injured on the job and have questions about your case, call or email any time. Consultations are free, and you’ll speak directly with me.
Individualized Attention
At many workers compensation law firms, clients are treated like numbers—and rarely speak to an actual work comp lawyer. At Rothermel & Wilson, PLLC, that’s not how we operate. I make it a priority to meet with every new client face-to-face, so we can build trust from day one.
Unlike other firms where cases are handled by paralegals, I personally oversee most aspects of your claim. If you ever have questions or want to talk, you’re welcome to email me directly or Call 607.432.7410 to schedule a phone or in-office appointment. You deserve real access to your workers’ compensation attorney—and that’s exactly what you’ll get here.
Workers’ Compensation Cases from Cooperstown, NY
Many of the injured workers I represent in Cooperstown come from a handful of major local employers — Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown Dreams Park, The Farmers Museum, Otsego County, and the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department. Each one produces its own pattern of workers’ compensation claims, and over more than 20 years of practicing workers’ comp law in this region, I’ve handled cases from every category.
Common workplace injuries in the Cooperstown area
Bassett Hospital and healthcare workers. Hospital staff are some of the most-injured workers in any community. The injuries I see most often are back, shoulder, and knee injuries from lifting and transferring patients; needle-stick and other exposure incidents; slip-and-falls in patient rooms and hallways; and repetitive-motion injuries among nurses, aides, and lab staff.
Cooperstown Dreams Park. During the summer baseball season, the park employs a large seasonal workforce — grounds crew, maintenance, parking, food service, and event staff. The injuries I see from this kind of work include heat illness, lifting injuries, slip-and-falls on wet grass or wet kitchen floors, vehicle and equipment accidents, and lacerations from kitchen and maintenance work.
The Farmers Museum. Living-history museum work mixes office, maintenance, grounds, livestock handling, and demonstration work. That creates a wide range of injuries, including animal-related injuries, lifting and overexertion, slips and falls outdoors, and repetitive-motion injuries from tool work and demonstrations.
Otsego County and the Sheriff’s Department. County workers — from highway and road crews to social services to clerks to deputies — face very different injury risks depending on their role. The cases I see from county employment include motor vehicle accidents (especially in pursuit or response situations for deputies and road crews); on-the-job altercations for law enforcement; lifting injuries; and slip-and-falls on snow, ice, and uneven ground.
If you’ve been injured at any of these employers — or any other employer — in or around Cooperstown, you have rights under New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law, and I can help you navigate the process.
If you are hurt at work in or around Cooperstown, the nearest emergency room is Bassett Medical Center on Atwell Road. Go, tell them it happened at work, and then call me.
Meeting with me
My office is in downtown Oneonta, about 20 minutes from Cooperstown. Most of my Cooperstown clients drive over and meet with me in person — it’s a short trip and a face-to-face meeting at the start of a case is worth it.
I don’t outsource cases. When you schedule an appointment, you will talk to me directly. When you have a hearing, I’m the one representing you.
What to expect when you call
The initial consultation is free, and there’s no upfront fee. Workers’ compensation lawyers in New York are paid on a contingency basis set by the Workers’ Compensation Board — fees are only paid out of awarded benefits, so you owe nothing if I don’t win benefits for you.
When you call or email me, I’ll listen to what happened, ask a few questions about your injury, your employer, and the medical care you’ve received, and tell you whether you have a workers’ comp claim and what your next steps look like. No pressure, no commitment.
How to reach me
Call 607.432.7410 or email me directly. Consultations are free, and you’ll speak with me — not a paralegal.
Getting to our office from Cooperstown
Our office is at 48 Dietz Street, Suite E, in downtown Oneonta — about 35 minutes from Cooperstown. You are welcome to stop in to drop off paperwork or meet in person. Get directions on Google Maps.
