Michael Bersani

Mike Bersani is an experienced and highly respected New York State trial lawyer concentrating his practice almost entirely on personal injury claims. He is a widely published author on personal injury law. He has published numerous articles on the subject, and wrote and published the book "Understanding Your New York Personal Injury Claim", which can be ordered on his website.

Mike Bersani graduated Magna Cum Laude (top 5% of his class) from Syracuse University College of Law in 1993. He went on to a two-year clerkship with an appellate court in Rochester, NY. Since then he has devoted his practice to helping injured people recover compensation from those responsible for their injuries.

Mike was recently named "Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year" by the legal directory "Best Lawyers in America" because judges and fellow lawyers rated his performance higher than any other personal lawyer in the Syracuse Metropolitan area. He has the highest lawyer ranking ("AV") in the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell directory. This "AV" rating means that judges and other lawyers have rated him, compared to other lawyers, "very high to preeminent in legal ability, expertise, experience, integrity and overall professional excellence." Mike is also listed in "Best Lawyers in America".

Mike is a community activist. He has served for nearly two decades on the board of directors of the Worker Justice Center of New York (formerly the Farm Workers' Legal Services of New York), which provides free legal service to undeserved agricultural workers. He has served as chair of many not-for-profit boards. He also volunteered for many years for the Boys & Girls Club by taking the Club members for weekly swims at the YMCA in Geneva. Because of his commitment to helping others less fortunate than himself, Mike was named 2009 Citizen of Year by his hometown Geneva, New York Chamber of Commerce.

Personal Injury

Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Legal Malpractice

Medical Malpractice

Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors

Products Liability

Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts

• Car Accidents
• General Negligence
• Premises Liability
• Wrongful Death

• Free Consultation
• Contingent Fees
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  generally 1/3 contingency fee

New York

Since 1994

2nd Circuit

Since 1996

Federal Circuit

Since 1996

Michaels Bersani Kalabanka

Current

Law Clerk

New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division Fourth Department

1993 - 1995

Researched and wrote reports, with recommendations, for the appellate justices regarding the appeals to be decided

Middlebury College

M.A. | Spanish

Syracuse University College of Law

J.D. (1993)

1990 - 1993

Graduated in top 5% of class.

Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, Justinian Society, Scribes Award for outstanding legal writing, Law Review

Activities: Associate Editor for Law Review.

Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year for the Syracuse Metropolitan area

Best Lawyers in America

2021

Received higher peer-review ratings (positive reviews from other lawyers and judges who are familiar with his work) than any other personal injury lawyer in the Syracuse, New York area.

Citizen of the Year

Geneva Area Chambre of Commerce

2009

Was honored as Citizen of the Year in the City of Geneva, New York (place of residence) for years of service on several not-for-profit boards and for providing regular free legal assistance in Spanish to Hispanic farm workers and for volunteer work with the children of the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva.

Received an “AV” rating

Martindale–Hubbell Law Directory

Super Lawyer

Law & Politics Magazine

The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers

Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

Elite personal injury Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Member

Current

Boys & Girls Club of Geneva, NY

President

2009 - Current

Activities: Has served on this Board since 2006, has served as vice-president and president, and as a regular volunteer to take the children skating, swimming, and to other after school activities.

New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers

Member

2005 - Current

YMCA of Auburn, NY

President

1998 - Current

Activities: Has served on this Board since 1998, and is currently its president.

Farmworkers' Legal Services of NY

Board Member and Secretary

1998 - Current

Activities: Has served on the board of this not-for-profit since 1998 -- provides free legal services to disadvantaged farm workers, who are mostly Hispanic immigrants.

Several Articles on Personal Injury Litigation in New York

New York State Trial Lawyers Institute

Understanding Your New York Personal Injury Claim

April 3, 2017

Understanding Your New York Personal Injury Claim

March 17, 2017

New York State Bar Association Personal Injury Treatise: Chapter on Municipal Liability

New York State Bar Association

2009

Suits against Public Entities for Injury or Wrongful Death

New York State Bar Journal

2002

New York Municipal Liability Annual Update, precedents & Statutes, Syracuse, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo, NY

October 16, 2014

New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers

I write and then deliver this annual update on New York municipal liability cases across New York State every Fall.

New York Municipal Liability Annual Update, precedents & Statutes, Syracuse, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo, NY

September 15, 2015

New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers

I write and then deliver this annual update on New York municipal liability cases across New York State every Fall.

New York Municipal Liability Annual Update, precedents & Statutes, Syracuse, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo, NY

October 9, 2016

New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers

I write and then deliver this annual update on New York municipal liability cases across New York State every Fall.

New York Municipal Liability Annual Update, precedents & Statutes, Syracuse, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo, NY

September 10, 2017

New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers

I write and then deliver this annual update on New York municipal liability cases across New York State every Fall.

Multi-Million Dollar Advocate

The Top Trial Lawyers in America

Best Lawyers in America Certification

Best Lawyers in America

Q. NY, workplace parking lot slip on ice. Severe ankle injury requiring surgery. Slip/Fall attorney? Workman comp? or both?

March 15, 2023

A: If your employer owned the parking lot you likely have only a comp case. However, if an outside contractor was in charge of removing snow and ice, then there is a possible “third party action” available against the contractor depending on the extent and nature of the contract.

Q. How can I get the insurance information of a vehicle in volve in an accident I got the police report but it did not have

January 10, 2023

A: Look at the insurance code on the police report. You can then google “insurance codes on police reports” and a whole list of all the insurance companies with their respective codes will turn up.

Q. How is the settlement in a personal injury case calculated? Should my lawyer review this information with me?

March 16, 2022

A: The answer to all your questions is “yes”. Your lawyer should consult with you on all of these things. And most important, in New York, you must approve any settlement. Your lawyer cannot settle without your consent. You’re a lawyer, however, is in a better position to advise you as to as to what a fair settlement is. That’s why you have a lawyer! If you have chosen a good, experienced, and well reputed Lawyer, you should be getting good advice. if you have any doubts, call a second lawyer for a second opinion.