The list starts with DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, which publishes malpractice results involving paralysis and brain injury, plus delayed C-section care. Before calling, find out who would take your claim and how you'd pay case expenses. Our New York guide covers the basic rules; ask when New York's filing deadline applies.
5.0188 Google reviewsRated 5.0 out of 5 on Google from 188 reviews
Best for: Birth injury and brain injury claims
In a birth injury case involving a delayed C-section and severe cerebral palsy, DeFrancisco & Falgiatano publishes an $8,200,000 settlement handled by Charles L. Falgiatano Esq. Jeff D. DeFrancisco Esq. handled its reported $10,000,000 Syracuse jury award in a case involving paralysis. Those malpractice cases help explain why the firm appears here.
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
4.7212 Google reviewsRated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 212 reviews
Best for: Families seeking an established firm
Because James Alexander Law was founded in 1986, it has 40 years of firm history. It names James Alexander as its attorney. If you're checking its site, you'll find birth injuries and medication errors covered, plus surgical errors.
Stood out in our review for its years of experience and the recognition it has earned.
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
4.8457 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 457 reviews
Best for: Delayed diagnosis with serious injury
According to Stanley Law Offices' published case account, a hospital diagnosed a sixteen-year-old girl's condition as flu when that wasn't what she had. Her condition was pseudotumor cerebri, and the delay left her permanently blind; the firm reports a $3.2 million trial result. Here, that case involving a missed diagnosis makes its record stand out.
Stood out in our review for what its clients say and the recognition it has earned.
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 Syracuse can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.
4.884 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 84 reviews
Best for: Patients seeking a local consultation
Before hiring Passalacqua & Associates, LLC, take a close look at communication. Although some clients describe being kept updated and involved, others say the firm wasn't consistently available and gave late updates. How will you hear about your file?
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
4.6121 Google reviewsRated 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 121 reviews
Best for: Malpractice involving a loved one's death
In its published results, Harding Mazzotti reports a $1.5 million wrongful death and medical malpractice settlement attributed to attorney Thomas J. Mortati and the legal team. That result is worth discussing if your family is dealing with a death after someone received medical treatment. You'll find a Syracuse office listed by the firm, whose site also covers nursing home neglect.
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 Syracuse
What clients say about these Syracuse 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.
BM
Britney M.
October 2026 · Syracuse, New York
“I highly recommend James Alexander Law! They did a wonderful job handling my claim after my car accident. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the entire process. They kept me informed, answered any and all of my questions, and made sure I felt taken care of every step of the way. I...”
“Incredibly insightful, professional, and genuinely kind. They took the time to answer my questions and provide thoughtful guidance without any pressure. It is clear they care about educating people and helping them understand their options - not just signing clients. I really appreciated their generosity with their...”
“Stanley law has been god sent i was being bullied by my workers comp company to where they were trying to discontinue care and payment but Stanly Law got things back on track so I could focus on healing and getting my life back to gether after trying to deal with the workers comp company by my self if you get hurt...”
When you describe what happened, give the lawyer your treatment dates. Under New York's stated rule, the deadline is 2 years and 6 months, with a continuous-treatment rule. How does that rule, or the separate rule for minors, apply? Ask the lawyer.
Records and medical review
As you go through your chart, explain which care worries you. To meet New York's certificate requirement, the attorney must consult a licensed physician and then conclude that there's a reasonable basis for the action.
Complaint and certificate
When the complaint starts the lawsuit, it must include the attorney's certificate of merit. The stated rule gives 90 days to file the certificate if the filing deadline was near. Does your claim qualify for that exception? Ask.
Case preparation
What further information does your lawyer need, and how will the medical opinions and records be used? Ask. You should also ask how updates will reach you. Have the lawyer explain upcoming expenses before you agree to pay them.
Resolution
Although the results published here include settlements and jury awards, you aren't promised either for your case. Medical malpractice damages aren't capped in New York, but that rule alone can't tell you if a claim will succeed or what it's worth.
Malpractice claims in Syracuse: 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.
If you recover money, contingency gives the lawyer a share; if the claim fails, there's no lawyer's fee, and several listed firms say they use this arrangement. That leaves expenses to consider. Medical records and medical opinions can cost money, and court fees can too. Does the firm advance those expenses, or will it expect you to pay them? If nothing is recovered, who owes them? You won't find that answer in the listed fee information. Before you sign, have the lawyer explain when expenses come out and what share the lawyer charges. Even with a free consultation, the whole case isn't free.
A free consultation is offered by all seven firms on this list, according to their information; four say they work on contingency.
What to bring to your first call
Discharge instructions and any other medical records you already have
Dates of treatment and follow-up care for the same condition
Which doctors and hospitals were involved, by name
If you're calling about a birth injury, delivery notes
Bills for medical care and receipts related to the injury
Letters you've received from the hospital or insurer
If you have photos of the injury, those too
What happened, written as a brief timeline
Questions to ask a lawyer
1With this medical issue, how many cases have you handled?
2Who will work on my file, including reading my records?
3For my situation, what's the filing deadline?
4For the certificate of merit, how will you arrange the required physician consultation?
5If you work on contingency, how is your share calculated?
6If there's no recovery, who pays the case expenses?
7When I need updates, how do I reach whoever handles my case?
8When I read your published results, what can I learn and what can't I?
Choose for your medical issue, then check the details
Start by describing the care that concerns you. If a cancer diagnosis was delayed, the discussion differs from one about an injury during delivery. Don't expect the same result for your case, but ask about cases involving the same medical issue. Stanley Law Offices describes a diagnosis-related trial result; DeFrancisco & Falgiatano publishes results involving birth injuries. Those cases give you somewhere to start the conversation.
Don't rely on a rating alone. Because reviews may cover traffic cases or other injury claims rather than medical malpractice, check what they're about; CDH Law, PLLC, for example, has feedback about a dismissed ticket. Who will read your chart, and what does the lawyer's malpractice work involve? If you need Spanish-language help, CDH Law, PLLC lists Spanish. Ask who will be available.
Check the filing clock before comparing firms
When you call, give the treatment dates early, including any follow-up care for the same condition. Unless the stated near-deadline exception applies, New York also requires an attorney's certificate of merit with the complaint. Is there time for the medical consultation that the certificate requires? Ask. If your file isn't perfect yet, you can still call.
Use the consultation to test the working relationship
1
Identify your contact
Who will handle your case, and how will you hear about it? Ask. Check whether you'll need to travel if the office is outside Syracuse. You'll find DeFrancisco & Falgiatano and James Alexander Law offices in East Syracuse.
2
Separate fees from expenses
If a consultation is free, you won't pay for that initial conversation. Who pays for records or medical opinions is a separate question. If you agree to contingency terms, the lawyer receives a share of a recovery, but there's no lawyer's fee when the claim fails. Ask about expenses separately.
3
Get the agreement explained
Before you sign, ask the lawyer to walk through the written fee terms, including what happens if you recover nothing. If someone promises an outcome, be cautious. Who's responsible for your file should be clear, and the lawyer should explain expenses.
Questions people ask
How soon should I call a Syracuse malpractice lawyer?
Have your treatment dates ready and call promptly. Under New York's stated deadline, you have 2 years and 6 months from the act or omission, or from the last treatment during continuous treatment for the same condition. How does that rule fit your situation? Ask a New York lawyer. Just because you first suspect something went wrong, don't assume that's when the clock starts.
Can I get a free consultation?
According to their information, all seven firms here offer a free consultation. When discussing the treatment, ask whether the firm takes that kind of claim and confirm what the conversation includes. You won't pay for that first call. Who pays for later medical review or other case expenses is a separate question that the free call alone doesn't answer.
Will I owe a lawyer's fee if the claim fails?
If the claim fails under a contingency arrangement, there's no lawyer's fee; the lawyer receives a share only from a recovery. Contingency fees are offered by four listed firms, they say. That doesn't include expenses. If there's no recovery, who pays for records and medical opinions, or court fees? Ask, and have that answer included in your written agreement.
What does New York require before a malpractice complaint is filed?
When filed, the complaint must include the attorney's certificate of merit. In that certificate, the attorney states that they consulted a licensed physician and concluded there's a reasonable basis for the action. The stated rule gives 90 days to file the certificate if the deadline was near. To find out whether your claim qualifies for that exception, ask a New York lawyer.
Is the filing deadline different for a child?
Yes, under the stated New York rule, the period is extended by the time the patient is a minor, effectively starting at 18, but never more than 10 years after the malpractice. That doesn't mean you can assume adulthood is soon enough to act. Give a New York lawyer your child's birth date and treatment dates, and ask them to check the deadline.
Does New York limit malpractice damages?
In New York, medical malpractice damages aren't subject to a cap. Even so, that doesn't put a value on your claim or make a recovery likely. When you read published settlements and awards, you're reading about other people's cases. How does your case differ from those on the firm's site, and what do your medical records support? Ask the lawyer.
How long will my malpractice case take?
You won't find a time estimate for a case in the listed firms' information or the stated New York rules. Which steps might your case need, and what could slow or otherwise affect its progress? Ask the lawyer. For the attorney's certificate of merit, New York requires a physician consultation. Although the filing deadline tells you when to start the lawsuit, it doesn't tell you when the lawsuit will end.
Which firms list experience involving a death after medical care?
Alongside several other listed firms that include wrongful death in their practice areas, Harding Mazzotti publishes a $1.5 million wrongful death and medical malpractice settlement. Which claim and filing deadline apply to your family if your loved one died after treatment? Ask a New York lawyer. Those answers for a new case can't come from the published result.
What should I do before calling about treatment at a Syracuse hospital?
Start by writing down the treatment dates and which clinicians were involved. If you already have records, gather them, including discharge instructions or delivery notes when those are relevant. Bring hospital letters and medical bills too. Even if documents are missing, don't delay the call; ask which records the lawyer needs and how you can get them.
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