Overview
John Lipsitz and Michael Ponterio’s shared commitment to seeking justice for victims of the asbestos industry led them to form Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC in 1995. John Comerford joined the firm the same year as a law clerk and later became a partner. The firm name was changed in January, 2021 to Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC to recognize the important role played by John Comerford. The attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford have a combined total of nearly 100 years of experience representing clients who have been injuriously exposed to asbestos.
John Lipsitz, Michael Ponterio and John Comerford have led the way in shaping asbestos law in New York State. Michael obtained the first personal injury jury verdict in an asbestos-related disease case in the State of New York while defending the plaintiff, an asbestos worker. The jury imposed punitive damages on the defendant asbestos manufacturer for its reckless disregard of the rights of the plaintiff (Racich v. Celotex Corporation). Two years later, Michael Ponterio and John Lipsitz obtained the first personal injury jury verdict in an asbestos-related personal injury case in Buffalo, New York. Again, the plaintiff was an asbestos worker, this time from the Union’s Buffalo local (Wolf v. Celotex Corporation). In November 2019, John Comerford obtained an $8 million verdict for a former Kodak worker diagnosed with mesothelioma, possibly the largest Monroe County asbestos verdict to date.
In the decades since Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford was founded, our attorneys have recovered over a billion dollars on behalf of their clients diagnosed with mesothelioma.
For John Lipsitz, Michael Ponterio, and John Comerford, the connections to this cause are incredibly personal.
For generations, the Lipsitz family has been rooted in the labor movement. With a career spanning six decades, John’s father Richard Lipsitz, Sr. was the preeminent attorney representing the interests of labor unions and workers throughout Western New York. Seeing how honorable and well-respected their father was made following in his footsteps an easy decision for both his sons—although in different capacities. John’s brother has long occupied a leadership position in the local labor movement, and John, driven by his personal connection to the victims of asbestos exposure, chose to practice law.
For the Ponterio family, the link to asbestos-related law was established two generations ago. Both Michael’s father and grandfather dedicated portions of their lives to the Durez plant in North Tonawanda, a location connected to dozens of asbestos-related deaths. After his grandfather gave 37 years to the company, Michael’s father spent his days at the plant and his nights in law school. Once Michael witnessed, firsthand, the deadly impact asbestos exposure had on employees, he committed himself to finding justice for the victims.
Sadly, the effects of toxic industrial exposure have been felt across all of Western New York. Along with the firm’s connection to the Durez plant, the Love Canal disaster in Niagara Falls directly impacted the family of Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford partner John Comerford. Not only did John’s uncle live in the neighborhood, but his father was a local physician tasked with treating many of the first victims of the industrial exposure associated with Love Canal. This experience instructed John’s choice to study Environmental Science at Cornell University and to seek a law degree. Fortunately, John was able to use this unique—and challenging—experience to provide the perspective, tenacity, and drive that would help propel him from law clerk to partner in 2001.
To date, the firm is responsible for recovering over a billion dollars on behalf of their clients diagnosed with mesothelioma. And while their focus has been, first and foremost, justice for their clients, they continue to pursue a lasting legacy of both shaping asbestos law in New York State and protecting future generations from becoming victims of similar corporate negligence. Why Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford? We are rooted in the community. We are compassionate. We are committed. We are IN THE FIGHT WITH YOU.
Rankings
Regional
Buffalo
Rankings
Regional
Buffalo
Practice Areas
- Asbestos
The attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC have been representing workers and their families with lung cancer for over thirty-five years, and have led the way in shaping asbestos law in New York State. We have a full team of lawyers devoted to representing people exposed to asbestos with lung cancer, and have recovered over a billion dollars on behalf of our clients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, please contact us today and we will schedule an appointment to come to your home and meet with you and your family to explain your legal rights.
- Bicycle Accidents
Call the personal injury experts at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. Our attorneys have been representing clients in personal injury cases in Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo, NY since 1995. Our lawyers have won billions of dollars in damages for clients.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse, NY, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- Birth Injuries
Call the personal injury experts at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. Our birth injury attorneys have been representing clients in Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo, NY since 1995. Our attorneys have recovered over a billion dollars for our clients.
If you or a loved one has experienced a birth injury in Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse, NY, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- Car AccidentsIf you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident, please call the experienced car accident attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC today. Car accident claims require skill and experience, and at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC you will work with experienced attorneys and a dedicated staff. Contact us today for a free and confidential evaluation, and let us help guide you through this difficult time.
- Catastrophic Injury
The statute of limitations in New York State differs depending on the type of injury. For negligence resulting in personal injury, an action must be commenced within three years of the date of your injury or the claim is barred. If a person has died as a result of the catastrophic injury, an action for wrongful death, if one is filed, must be filed within two years of the date of death or the claim will be barred. The identity of the defendant and the particular facts and circumstances related to your claim may change the statute of limitations that applies to your case.
Applying the statute of limitations to the facts of a particular case requires the exercise of professional judgement by a licensed attorney. If you have a question about the application of the statute of limitations to your case, please contact our office.
- Construction Accidents
When you need legal representatives in Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse, NY, reach out to Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. Our skilled personal injury attorneys have a track record of recovering compensation for construction site accident victims.
Our construction accident attorneys are familiar with safety regulations that must be followed in the workplace. We are experienced in investigating safety failures and workplace injuries. We work for the best possible results for our clients and insist that at fault employers correct their unsafe practices to prevent further injury to employees and the general public. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- Defective Drugs and DevicesIf you or any member of your family took prescription drugs in the last three years and has been seriously injured as a result, we urge you to contact us to schedule a free consultation with an attorney to discuss the details of your defective drugs claim. Our attorneys will travel to meet with you at our offices, your home, or other convenient location. Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. If there is no recovery, you will not pay us a legal fee.
- Motorcycle Accidents
At Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC, our motorcycle accident attorneys have the experience to document and present your case to an insurer or a jury to get the best possible outcome under the law. We have the skills to negotiate with a claims adjuster or advocate on your behalf before a jury.
Whether your case settles, or you need to seek a damage award in court, our motorcycle accident lawyers have the knowledge and experience to fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- Negligence
Personal injury law provides people injured or killed by a third party’s negligence the opportunity to receive compensation for their damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of negligence, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- Personal Injury
Personal injury lawyers provide legal advice, representation, and advocacy. When you turn to Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC, an injury lawyer will evaluate your case and present your options for obtaining compensation.
Throughout your case, we will pursue the most favorable outcome under the law.
If you or a loved one has been injured in Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse due to the negligent or intentional actions of another, Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC, can help. Contact us for a free and confidential evaluation with a skilled injury attorney.
- Product Liability
The attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC are experienced in representing consumers who have suffered serious injuries from defective products made by companies responsible for their safe manufacture and design.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a product liability incident, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
When you need to hold a negligent manufacturer or distributor accountable, contact the accomplished team at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. Our skilled product liability lawyers proudly serve clients in Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester, NY.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a product liability incident, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- Silica
If you were exposed to silica dust while working as a stone fabricator and later developed a silica dust exposure illness, you may be eligible to file a silicosis lawsuit. Silicosis lawsuits may be filed against stone manufacturers and suppliers that failed to create a safe workplace for their employees, causing them to be exposed to unsafe levels of silica dust. Silicosis lawsuits have been filed against stone countertop manufacturers and suppliers, including Caesarstone USA Inc., Cambria USA, Colorquartz USA Inc. and Cosentino Group.
Strict time limits, known as the statute of limitations, apply to the filing of a lawsuit in New York State. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to determine the statute of limitation that applies to your case. If you worked with engineered stone, and have been diagnosed with silicosis or lung cancer, please contact us for a free consultation. Our team of experienced trial lawyers will evaluate your claim and guide you through the legal process.
- Toxic Exposure/Toxic TortIf you or a loved one served in the armed forces, and have been diagnosed with leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or any other of the health conditions related to toxic substance exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. Please reach out to our experienced attorneys for a free consultation. We can help.
- Traumatic Brain Injury
If you were involved in an accident that another party caused, please call the accomplished brain injury lawyers at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. We will fight to secure maximum compensation in your case.
You do not have to handle the negative financial consequences of your brain injury alone. Our team will build a powerful legal case to secure the financial recovery that you are rightfully owed.
If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- Truck Accidents
For the highest quality legal representation in Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, NY, contact the law firm of Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC. Our experienced legal team has the skills necessary to fight effectively for your best interests.
Do not let negligent trucking companies, drivers, or insurance providers deny you the money that is rightfully yours. When you are injured because of another party’s negligence, you deserve justice.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact us for a free and confidential evaluation.
- WaterIf you or a loved one served in the armed forces, lived at or near the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in North Carolina for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987, and have been diagnosed with leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, liver cancer, or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma from water contamination, you may be entitled to compensation. Please reach out to our experienced attorneys for a free consultation. We can help.
- Wrongful DeathAt Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC, our experienced and compassionate team of wrongful death attorneys and staff recognize the difficulty of filing a wrongful death lawsuit. We are here to help you through every step of the legal process. We understand the emotional and financial difficulties experienced after the loss of a loved one and will fight with you to get the compensation your family deserves. If your loved one has died due to the negligence of another person or entity, we urge you to contact Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC to discuss your legal rights.
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