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.
Workers’ Compensation Cases from Delhi, NY
Many of the injured workers I represent in Delhi come from a few major area employers — Delaware County (including the Sheriff’s Department), SUNY Delhi, and Sportsfield Specialties. 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 Delhi area
Delaware County and the Sheriff’s Department. County workers — road and highway crews, social services, maintenance, clerks, and deputies — face very different injury risks depending on their role. The cases I see include motor vehicle accidents (especially in response or pursuit 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.
SUNY Delhi. Campus employment covers a wide range of jobs — maintenance and grounds, food service and dining hall workers, residence hall staff, lab and shop instructors, and clerical employees. Common injuries include lifting and overexertion, slip-and-falls (especially on icy walkways and in dining areas), repetitive-motion injuries, and exposure incidents in labs and shops.
Sportsfield Specialties. Sportsfield Specialties manufactures and installs athletic field equipment, which combines factory-floor work with installation crews that travel. The injuries I see from this kind of work include lifting and overexertion, machinery and tool injuries, slip-and-falls on the manufacturing floor and at installation sites, and motor vehicle accidents for installation crews.
If you’ve been injured at any of these employers — or any other employer — in or around Delhi, you have rights under New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law, and I can help you navigate the process.
The nearest emergency room to Delhi is O’Connor Hospital on Andes Road, part of the Bassett network. If you are hurt at work, go there, say it was a work injury, and call me before you talk to the insurance carrier.
Meeting with me
My office is in downtown Oneonta, about 25 minutes from Delhi. Most of my Delhi 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. 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.
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.
Getting to our office from Delhi
Our office is at 48 Dietz Street, Suite E, in downtown Oneonta — about 35 minutes from Delhi. You are welcome to stop in to drop off paperwork or meet in person. Get directions on Google Maps.
