With published malpractice recoveries for surgical injuries and infants with permanent disabilities, Brown Chiari LLP leads this list. Before calling the firm, find out whether it handles injuries like yours. Find out who'll manage your file, then ask about fees and case costs. If you need the filing rules, our New York malpractice guide explains them; a New York lawyer can apply those rules to your dates.
4.4151 Google reviewsRated 4.4 out of 5 on Google from 151 reviews
Best for: Surgical injuries and infant claims
Among Brown Chiari LLP's published results are a $9.6 million recovery involving a brain-damaged infant and a $6 million verdict arising from surgical errors. Those published recoveries are why the firm has a place on this list. Another result on the firm's site is a $750,000 settlement for an eye injury during thyroid surgery.
Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
4.9707 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 707 reviews
Best for: Families prioritizing responsive communication
With 707 Google reviews and a 4.9 rating, Cellino Law has a substantial amount of client feedback. Prompt calls and caring support come up repeatedly in reviews. When reading those comments, remember they cover the broader injury practice, not just malpractice.
Stood out in our review for its years of experience and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
5.0471 Google reviewsRated 5.0 out of 5 on Google from 471 reviews
Best for: Infant injury and diagnosis claims
A malpractice incident involving a brain-damaged infant led to a reported $3.4 million recovery by Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro and Hall. Along with anesthesia errors, the firm's practice listings identify delayed diagnosis and ER malpractice. During intake, you can ask directly about those listed areas.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
Not sure who to call first?
Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Buffalo can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.
4.65,690 Google reviewsRated 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 5690 reviews
Best for: Birth injuries involving delayed delivery
A delayed C-section is the subject of Morgan & Morgan's published malpractice result: a Hillsborough County jury awarded $37.8 million in 2007 after baby Brendan Dixon sustained severe brain injury. That result was outside Buffalo. The firm lists an office in the Buffalo area and identifies birth injury, surgical errors and medication errors among the claims it handles.
Stood out in our review for what its clients say and the results it publishes.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
5.0604 Google reviewsRated 5.0 out of 5 on Google from 604 reviews
Best for: Families seeking regular case updates
According to Richmond Vona, LLC clients, the firm gives phone updates and uses videos to explain a claim's progress. If you're afraid you'll be left wondering what's happening, ask the firm about those updates. Founded in 2019 by John Richmond and Keith Vona, the firm is based in Buffalo.
Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and what its clients say.
We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made
Where they are in Buffalo
What clients say about these Buffalo lawyers
Google reviews of the firms on our lists, quoted as their clients wrote them and linked to where they were posted. We don't write, edit or pick reviews for pay.
DD
David D.
March 2026 · Buffalo, New York
“Many “Thank you’s” headed towards David Olson, ESQ and Tanya Conjerti! Thank you for your excellent communication log! Thank you for daily updates! Thank you for your compassion, involving my dog, I will be forever thankful! Knowledge is power, and both of you shine this brilliantly💎. Thank you Brown Chiari for...”
“Canter Wolff Nicastro Hall Law firm has been wonderful to work with. My first experience was with David Wolff who was recommended to me by another lawyer… was extremely kind, patient and responsive. He met with me and explained all the necessary options and we came up with a plan. I began with David who was a great...”
“I want to start by first talking about John Feroleto who was an amazing man in the legal field as well in the personal aspect. His heart was big for the community, legal field and the love he had for the people.
Few years before his passing he was so excited to have his daughter come back to Buffalo,NY to join the...”
When explaining what happened to the lawyer, include dates. In New York, you generally have 2 years and 6 months from the act or omission, or the last treatment during continuous treatment for the same condition. Ask the lawyer to work out your filing deadline.
Review the medical records
When reviewing your treatment history, the firm looks at the medical questions. Which chart entries or delivery notes does it need? To meet New York's certificate-of-merit rule, the attorney must consult a licensed physician, then conclude that there's a reasonable basis for the action.
Agree on representation
Before signing, review the written fee agreement if the firm offers to take your claim. Contingency fees are what all listed firms say they use. While the claim moves forward, who'll answer your questions, and who pays the case expenses?
File the complaint
Filing the complaint starts the court case. Although the attorney's certificate of merit must accompany it, the rule allows 90 days to file the certificate if the deadline was near. Even for children, filing extensions can't go beyond 10 years after the malpractice.
Discuss possible resolution
What would the firm need to support settlement discussions or a trial? Among these firms' published results are settlements as well as trial recoveries. Malpractice damages aren't capped in New York. Even so, that doesn't promise you'll recover anything or establish what your claim is worth.
Malpractice claims in Buffalo: the rules that matter
The filing deadline in New York
The clock startsOn the day of the treatment
Time to start a claim2 years and 6 monthsMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
At the very most7 yearsafter the treatment, with a few exceptions
Limits on damages in New York
Pain and sufferingNo cap
All damages togetherNo overall cap
Expert paperworkThe complaint must include the attorney's certificate of merit stating they consulted a licensed physician and concluded there is a reasonable basis for the action (or 90 days to file it if the deadline was near).
A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.
According to all listed firms, fees are contingent: if there's a recovery, the lawyer takes a share, and if the claim fails, there's no attorney fee. Expenses aren't included in that. Along with court fees, you may have expenses for medical records and physician opinions. If there's no recovery, would you owe those costs, and who advances them? You won't find that answer in the firms' listed fee information. Before you sign, have the firm explain in writing how it calculates the fee and when it deducts expenses. Even with a free consultation, later expenses aren't necessarily free.
According to all seven firms on this list, their consultations are free and their fees are contingent.
What to bring to your first call
Your treatment dates and when your condition changed, set out in a written timeline
Your hospital's name, along with the names of doctors and other treating clinicians
Any records you have already, with the medical chart and delivery notes included if applicable
Records of follow-up treatment, along with your discharge instructions
Records of related expenses, along with your medical bills
Letters or messages you've received from the hospital or insurer
Any photos you have that relate to the injury
What you want to ask about communication, plus attorney fees and case expenses
Questions to ask a lawyer
1Have any claims you've handled involved the treatment or injury I had?
2Who would be responsible for handling my file?
3When reviewing my medical records, how would you consult a physician?
4Given my treatment dates, what's the filing deadline?
5Who should I contact, and how often will I hear from you?
6What's your method for calculating the contingency fee?
7If there's no recovery, would I owe anything, and who pays case expenses?
8What might concern you enough to decline my claim?
Choose for your claim, not the headline result
Among Brown Chiari LLP's published recoveries are surgical injury and infant injury cases. ER malpractice and delayed diagnosis appear in Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro and Hall's listings. Those details are a starting point, not a way to predict your outcome. When you ask about your treatment problem, find out whether the lawyer has handled it and how those cases compared with yours.
If you want to know how a firm communicates, reviews can help; they don't tell you whether a physician's care supports a malpractice claim. Many kinds of injury cases go through several Buffalo firms listed here. Before relying on a review or published result, ask whether it involved medical treatment.
Start with the treatment dates
Make the first conversation useful
1
Describe the care
When you write down what happened, include where you received treatment and describe what changed afterward. Include the hospital's name and treating clinicians. Before calling, you don't have to pinpoint a wrong medical decision; just stick to the facts.
2
Ask about medical review
Unless a deadline-related exception applies, New York requires an attorney's certificate of merit with the complaint. To decide whether there's a reasonable basis for an action, what records does the firm need, and how does it arrange consultation with a physician?
3
Identify your contact
Find out who'll take your file, including who answers routine questions. Communication problems appear in some feedback about Brown Chiari LLP and Morgan & Morgan. Rather than assuming you'll always reach the same person, request a clear plan for keeping you updated.
Read the fee agreement before signing
According to all listed firms, consultations are free and fees are contingent. Although discussing a possible claim doesn't carry a consultation charge, the firm hasn't necessarily agreed to take your case. If there's a recovery under a contingency arrangement, the lawyer receives a share. There's no attorney fee when the claim fails.
For records and medical opinions, ask who advances the costs; ask about court fees, too. If there's no recovery, what might you still owe?
Have the firm explain in writing how it calculates its fee and deducts expenses.
If someone promises an outcome or pushes you to sign without answering your fee questions, pause.
You're reading general information here, not legal advice. To understand how filing rules fit your treatment history, ask a New York lawyer, who can also walk through the agreement you're considering.
Questions people ask
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Buffalo?
You generally must file in New York within 2 years and 6 months of the act or omission. If you receive continuous treatment for the same condition, the clock can begin with the last treatment. Don't calculate your deadline from a summary alone. To understand how the rule applies, have a New York lawyer look at your dates.
Does my child's claim have a different deadline?
While the patient is a minor, New York extends the filing period, which effectively begins at 18. Even so, 10 years after the malpractice is the limit for that extension. Your family's deadline depends on that limit. Rather than assuming you can wait until your child reaches adulthood, ask a New York lawyer to calculate the deadline.
Can I speak to a Buffalo malpractice lawyer for free?
According to all seven listed firms, their consultations are free. When you describe the treatment, ask the firm whether it handles claims like yours. Talking doesn't mean the firm has agreed to represent you. Before hiring the firm, get its fee agreement and have it explain the case expenses.
What does a contingency fee mean?
If there's a recovery, the lawyer takes a share; if the claim fails, there's no attorney fee. According to all listed firms, this arrangement is available. Expenses aren't included: you may pay for records and medical opinions, along with court fees. If there's no recovery, would you owe those expenses, and who advances them?
What medical review does a New York malpractice case need?
The attorney's certificate of merit must accompany the complaint. In it, the attorney states that they consulted a licensed physician and concluded there's a reasonable basis for the action. When the filing deadline was near, the rule permits filing the certificate within 90 days. To arrange that consultation, what does the firm do, and which records does it need?
Is there a cap on medical malpractice damages in New York?
Medical malpractice damages aren't capped in New York. Even without a cap, a claim has no set value or promised payment. Alongside Brown Chiari LLP's several published malpractice recoveries, other firms on this list also report specific results. Rather than predicting what might happen with your claim, use those cases to ask whether the firm has relevant experience.
How long will my malpractice claim take?
You can't get a single case timeline from the filing rules or these firms' published information. Before filing, ask the lawyer about the medical review needed and what might affect the case's progress afterward. Ask about updates as well. Before hiring a firm, it's worth asking how it communicates, given the client feedback across this list.
What should I do before calling a lawyer?
As you write down treatment dates, gather whatever records you have, including hospital correspondence and bills if they're available. Even without a complete chart, you can call. To assess the filing deadline, the lawyer can review your information and explain what else is needed. Who would look at your claim, and who would answer follow-up questions?
Can I contact these firms if a loved one died after medical care?
Wrongful death appears among the listed firms' practice areas. Would they review the care and death involved? You can ask. When speaking with the attorney, give the treatment dates and date of death. Because the general malpractice deadline doesn't answer every question, ask a New York lawyer who may bring a claim and which filing rules apply.
