Many workers’ compensation law firms claim to “serve” our area, yet their offices are over an hour away. This often means you may never meet your attorney in person or be able to drop off paperwork at their office. At those distant firms, cases are frequently managed by paralegals rather than dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys.
We are the only workers’ compensation law firm headquartered locally—Rothermel & Wilson is in Oneonta, NY. This means that you can meet with us face to face and stop in our office when you want. At Rothermel & Wilson, I personally manage your claim, making it a priority to meet every potential client in person so you can get to know me before deciding to hire.
Local Expertise
I’ve lived in Oneonta for over 20 years. Our Workers’ Compensation law firm understands this community and brings more than two decades of experience litigating against employers throughout the area, including Chobani, Blue Ox, BOCES, and most major regional employers. I am familiar with how these employers handle workers’ comp claims.
Where Chenango County Work Injuries Come From
Chenango County has more large employers than most of the counties I serve. NBT Bank is the biggest, followed by the Raymond Corporation in Greene, Chobani in New Berlin, the county government, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, the Norwich City School District, DCMO BOCES, the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford, Norwich Pharmaceuticals, Unison (GE Aerospace), Golden Artist Colors, and Preferred Mutual. Add the farms and the trucking that serves the food plants, and you have the sources of nearly every case I handle from the county.
The injuries follow the work. Forklift-plant and food-plant workers at Raymond and Chobani come to me with crush injuries, repetitive-strain conditions, and back injuries from lifting. Nurses and aides at Chenango Memorial and the Veterans’ Home are hurt moving patients. Bank, insurance and BOCES employees are hurt in falls and vehicle incidents on the road between offices.
UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich is the county’s emergency room. If you are hurt at work, go there, tell them it happened on the job, and call me. Norwich is about 45 minutes from my Oneonta office and I take Chenango County cases regularly.
Call for a Free Consultation
Schedule a free consultation and meet with me directly—you decide for yourself. Would you rather have a local workers’ compensation lawyer who handles your case personally and meets with you in person, or would you prefer to be treated like just another number, with your claim overseen by a paralegal from a faraway city?
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.
Getting to our office from Chenango County
Our office is at 48 Dietz Street, Suite E, in downtown Oneonta — about 45 minutes from Norwich, the county seat. You are welcome to stop in to drop off paperwork or meet in person. Get directions on Google Maps.
Towns we serve in Chenango County
Why Hire Rothermel & Wilson
Local Roots, Local Knowledge
Many workers’ compensation law firms claim to "serve" our area, yet their offices are over an hour or more away. This often means you may never meet your attorney in person or be able to drop off paperwork at their office. At those distant firms, cases are frequently managed by paralegals rather than dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys.
We are the only workers’ compensation law firm headquartered in our area. Located in Oneonta, we can meet with you face to face. You can stop in our office when you want. At Rothermel & Wilson, I personally manage your claim, making it a priority to meet every potential client in person so you can get to know me before deciding to hire us.
Better Prepared
Whenever a hearing is scheduled in your case, I personally prepare every detail. I’ll provide you with a clear letter explaining the issues to be addressed, what to expect during the hearing, and the steps we need to take to be fully prepared.
I make it a priority to speak with or meet each client before each hearing. If you're scheduled to testify, I’ll meet with you face-to-face to walk you through the process and make sure you’re fully prepared and confident. You won’t face your work injury alone—I’ll be with you every step of the way.
Your Lawyer, Start to Finish
Workers’ comp cases can stretch on for years — through hearings, appeals, independent medical exams, settlement discussions. I stay with my clients through all of it. Same lawyer, same phone number, same approach from start to finish. You won’t get handed off.
How Are Attorneys Paid?
You pay nothing out of pocket — ever. In NY Workers’ Compensation, lawyers are paid on a contingency fee basis. You only owe a fee if money is moving to you. Fees are set by statute:
- 15% of any retroactive or lump-sum payment
- 1/3 of a single week’s payment when there’s a hearing
- 15 weeks of benefits on a finding of permanent disability (paid out over time in small weekly amounts)
All fees must be approved by a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge, and the insurance company pays the fee directly out of your award — nothing comes out of your pocket.
