Law Office of Kathryn M. Kirsch PLLC

We have settled into our new office in Suite 1088, the Ellicott Square Building, 295 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14203. Feel free to stop by with any paperwork and/or questions.

Moving day! Our team will be working remote today and Monday while we move into our new suite. You can come visit us at our new office starting Tuesday. See you again soon!

We welcome attorney Richard Holstein to our practice! This experienced litigator joined our firm in January 2024. Rich specializes in complex litigation and we are so pleased to have this exceptional attorney as a part of our practice.

Here is his bio:

Born and raised in Syracuse, NY, Mr. Holstein graduated summa cm laude from the State University of New York at Albany in 1990. He graduated cm laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law in 1993 where he was invited onto the Moot Court Board. He has been admitted to practice law in New York since February 1994. Mr. Holstein is a member of the Erie County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and Injured Workers’ Bar Association.

Prior to coming to the Law Office of Kathryn M . Kirsch PLLC, Mr. Holstein was a partner in a defense firm. As, such, Mr. Holstein is intimately familiar with defense tactics and arguments, which serves him well in his representation of injured workers. Mr. Holstein moved from the defense side to the injured workers side of workers' compensation practice because, as he predicted would be the case, representing injured workers is much more gratifying and rewarding.

Mr. Holstein lives in Boston, NY with his wife and 2 children. He has served on the Town of Boston Ethics Committee. In his spare time, Mr. Holstein enjoys golf, tennis, and cheering on his beloved Syracuse Orange.

https://www.centernyc.org/urban-matters-2/why-are-workplace-injuries-and-fatalities-on-the-rise-in-new-york

Why Are Workplace Injuries and Fatalities On the Rise in New York? — Center for New York City Affairs The state’s rate of on-the-job injuries is far higher than the nation’s – and it’s climbing fast.

We are excited to introduce attorney Kasey Cranwell! Kasey received her Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law in Ohio after receiving her undergraduate degree from SUNY Buffalo. After law school, Kasey joined a local personal injury firm where she honed her litigation skills over the past several years before joining our office. Kasey's passion lies in helping injured WNYer's obtain the full benefits they are entitled to under the law. We are thrilled to have her join our incredible team of attorneys, now six strong, who work daily to improve the lives of injured workers.

We are pleased to introduce our exceptional Law Clerk, Mohsin Ilyas. Mohsin joined us in April 2023 after graduating with Honors from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Masters in Law. Prior to this, Mohsin obtained his Bachelors degree in Law from Punjab University, Lahore in 2020 and practiced in various fields of law including Tax Law, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Workers’ Compensation.

Mohsin is professional, passionate, and determined in his commitment to providing legal assistance to all our clients. He enjoys communicating with clients and strives to ensure the most favorable legal outcome for them. Mohsin will take the New York Bar exam in February.

https://www-propertycasualty360-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.propertycasualty360.com/2023/05/04/amputees-workers-comp-benefits-pulled-for-failure-to-quit-smoking-414-237835/?amp=1

Amputee's workers' comp benefits pulled for failure to quit smoking | PropertyCasualty360 An appeal is underway in a case involving a woman who had her workers' compensation benefits pulled for failing to stop smoking while undergoing medical treatments.

The current workers' compensation law is outdated. It doesn't guarantee a hearing in every injured worker's case. https://t.co/HDrEiALrz3 https://twitter.com/newyorkwca/status/1585728289662009345?s=66&t=xnfCDHgGP9vKO2cjRh7Fgw

NY Workers' Compensation Alliance on Twitter “The current workers' compensation law is outdated, It doesn't guarantee a hearing in every injured worker's case. https://t.co/HDrEiALrz3”

This is an important read about the erosion of Workers' Compensation benefits. We ask everyone to please reach out to your state representatives and share with them your stories of hardship in this system. Google NYS Senate and NYS Assembly and type your zip code in to find out how to reach your representative. https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OASP/files/WorkersCompensationSystemReport.pdf

www.dol.gov

Please call your state representatives and the Governor tell them you want the bill SIGNED.
https://nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-politics/new-york/politics/2022/06/22/business-leaders--attorneys-at-odds-over-proposed-workers-comp-changes

NY business leaders, attorneys at odds over proposed workers comp changes The proposed workers comp changes await Hochul's signature.

https://cnycentral.com/news/local/chilis-shooting-survivor-battles-nys-workers-compensation-board-for-telehealth-access

Chili's shooting survivor battles NYS Workers' Compensation Board for telehealth access The woman who survived the 2018 killings at the Chili's restaurant in DeWitt says she's come a long way, thanks to therapy and medications. But she has a major bone to pick with the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, and she's not alone. Jessica Saum says the Board allowed her to see her th...

Thank you to Channel 4 for covering this issue and to Assemblyman William Conrad for stepping up to help sponsor a change after receiving my call. Workers’ compensation carriers should not receive financial benefit from the loss of a pregnant worker’s baby after not paying a cent for the medical bills, death or funeral expenses of that baby following the pregnant mother’s work injury. Pregnancy and injury to the unborn needs to be addressed in the statute. Pain and suffering needs to be paid directly to the individual who endured the pain and suffering. My client seeks change. Please help. Contact your state representatives.

Tonawanda Woman fights for change to Workers’ Compensation law after death of baby (WIVB) — A Tonawanda woman, who lost her baby, is fighting to change Workers’ Compensation law in New York State. Michelle Waugaman was 16 weeks along in her pregnancy, working as an at…

https://www.amny.com/opinion/op-ed-new-yorks-injured-workers-need-support/

Op-Ed | New York’s injured workers need support | amNewYork New York’s injured workers have long had to deal with a confusing system to find solutions that meet their needs. Further complicating matters, the Workers’

We are reopening our downtown office for our clients very soon and will also be opening a second office at the Northwoods Medical Center, 3950 East Robinson Road, West Amherst. We will continue to provide virtual appointments for anyone requesting one.
Injured? Call 716-861-2300 for a free consultation on your case.

Call your New York State representatives and tell them you support this bill! To find your reps: google NYS Assembly and then NYS senate and plug in your zip code.

NY Workers' Compensation Alliance on Twitter “Injured workers shouldn’t have to prove loss of wage-earning capacity. A1220-A/S1024 would ensure injured workers have security!”

Working New Yorkers are the backbone of New York's economy. We must ensure that the workers' compensation system protects them in the event of an injury. Learn more: nyworkerscompensationalliance.org

Home The Workers Compensation Alliance is a statewide coalition of injured workers and other stakeholders committed to protecting the rights of injured workers under the New York State Workers’ Compensation laws--and we want this new website to be a resource for these parties and the general public.

Injured workers are not guaranteed a hearing by the Workers Comp Board, making it hard for them to receive benefits. & bill A3671/S845 would require a hearing for every case.

NY Workers' Compensation Alliance on Twitter “Injured workers are not guaranteed a hearing by the Workers Comp Board, making it hard for them to receive benefits. & bill A3671/S845 would require a hearing for every case. ”

Wow.

$1.6 BILLION. That's how much insurance companies profited from the NY workers' comp system in 2018. it's time to put workers over profits.

NY Workers' Compensation Alliance on Twitter “$1.6 BILLION. That's how much insurance companies profited from the NY workers' comp system in 2018. it's time to put workers over profits.”

To all of our valued clients: If you are now eligible for a COVID vaccine and do not have anyone to help you navigate online, or a computer to schedule an appointment, please feel free to call the office and ask for Kate. Kate will do her best to help you in the evenings, after she finishes with the office work. There is no charge for this help. Kate cannot guarantee an appointment, but will certainly try to help you navigate the system in her off hours.

Working New Yorkers deserve a workers' compensation system that works for workers NOT for insurance companies.

December 4, 2020

NYCOSH Take Action

Send comments to the NYS Workers' Compensation Board in support of injured workers!
Please send the WCB an email BY DECEMBER 21st:

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board has recently proposed problematic medical treatment guidelines for PTSD and depression. We are in the midst of a global pandemic, where many New Yorkers are in need of equitable, quality mental health care. Meanwhile, the NYS Workers' Compensation Board is proposing potential changes to the current Medical Treatment Guidelines that would further restrict services to injured workers.

The dangerous assumption made by the NYS Workers' Compensation Board in these newly proposed guidelines is that injured workers’ health would be sufficiently improved after just 12-16 mental health sessions. This would restrict the ability of injured workers to receive longer term care. Ongoing care is essential to the health workers struggling with their mental health, particularly in the middle of this pandemic.

We believe that people living with chronic pain and severe disabilities deserve the support they need to ensure that they can function in a healthy and supported matter; and in order to do so, they need access to services.

We urge you to join us and let the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board know that these proposed guidelines should be abandoned because New Yorkers deserve quality mental health care.

Send your comments to: [email protected]

Thank you for your support,



Charlene Obernauer
NYCOSH Executive Director

Essential Workers Continue to Struggle for Covid-Related Workers' Comp and Death Benefits Many frontline workers have sought covid-related workers' comp (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayor's Office) Eight months into the coronavirus outbreak in New York, frontline workers and their families continue to struggle to receive workers' compensation and death benefits for covid-related injuries inc...

We are here and continue to provide the very best service to our valued clients during this pandemic. Call us with your questions and concerns. We are happy to help.

Do you think you contracted COVID at work? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE_XgQOmFcs

COVID-19 & Workers’ Compensation

Worker’s Compensation in New York by the numbers...

COVID-19 and New York State Workers' Compensation...a system built for workers' continues to disappoint them...
https://theintercept.com/2020/09/07/coronavirus-workers-compensation-claims-labor/

Covid-19 Workers’ Comp Claims Are Being Held Up or Denied Employers and insurance companies are insisting employees, even those directly exposed to the virus, can’t prove they got sick at work.

The Workers' Compensation Board, created to ensure that injured workers' obtain the benefits they are entitled to, is not only filing an appeal of an award to the injured worker's family, but is also permitting the carrier to withhold benefits pending the Court of Appeals decision. Please go to the landing page at the top of this page, click the link and SEND A LETTER TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. It takes only a minute and is super easy!

Poughkeepsie Family Fights for Benefits After Father's Death Eric Watson died suddenly in 2018.

PLEASE CLICK THE LINK and the let the Governor and your State representatives know!

New York Workers' Compensation Alliance PROTECTInjured Workersin New York CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS Working New Yorkers are the backbone of New York's economy. New York was the first state to adopt workers’ compensation and was once a national leader in protecting the rights and interests of workers injured on the job. Today the New York...

COVID and workers' compensation.

The Financial Toll of COVID-19 Deaths Organizations in New York City have stepped in to help families with funeral costs and related matters in communities hit hard by the disease, but their money and resources are strained.

Is the NYSWCB unbiased in their oversight of injured workers' benefits or are they working with the business sector?

Spackenkill student's court case could set precedent in posthumous workers compensation The ruling could set a new precedent regarding how a 13-year-old amendment to workers compensation law made by the state legislature should be applied