Albany Personal Injury Law Firm
Our Commitment To You
Ellis Law is solely a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm. Injury and disability claims are our exclusive focus. We only represent injury victims and their families. We do not represent insurance companies. Over the years, Mr. Ellis has turned down several insurance companies and negligent parties who have sought to retain Ellis Law to represent them!
We are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our clients. As a personal injury law firm, we work daily on behalf of clients who are often facing some of the most difficult times of their lives.
We understand that the work we do often has a profound impact upon the lives of our clients and their families. When we choose to take a case, we do so with an understanding of what is at stake and with a deep sense of commitment to the client we serve.
Our Experience And Proven Record Of Results
Our firm Founder and President, Dennis Gerard Ellis, has a Doctor of Law degree from Cornell Law School. To learn more about him, go to our About Us page.
Mr. Ellis has helped clients in all types of personal injury cases and his work has resulted in client recoveries totaling more than $150,000,000.00 (150 Million Dollars).* Visit our section on Gary’s story to learn about how we made a huge, life-altering difference for one of our thousands of clients.
We Are Focused On Your Needs
We offer several unique client programs to meet the individualized needs of our clients. For example, some of our clients are afraid or reluctant to testify or consider themselves “not the type to sue.” For such clients, we offer a “For Settlement Only” program. This means we will put in writing that we will SOLELY attempt to settle with the insurance company and if unsuccessful, we will not proceed any further unless you authorize us to. There will be absolutely no pressure and no obligation to bring a lawsuit if settlement efforts fail. Settlement is likely, however, since due to our reputation and outstanding record of results, 99 percent of our cases settle out of court!
Other clients may want a skilled trial lawyer on their side, who is prepared to take their case all the way to trial if the insurance company is not willing to make a fair settlement offer. We can handle this too. Essentially, recognizing that each client’s needs and wishes are different, we adapt our approach to meet those individual needs. It is YOUR case and your decision as to how you want it handled.
Visit our What Makes Us Different page to learn more about our unique client programs, advantages and innovations. You will see we are truly a unique firm that is committed to making a positive difference in your life. As a client of Ellis Law, you will have a strong advocate on your side.
About Us
Dennis Gerard Ellis, Founder And President Of Ellis Law, P.C.
Attorney Dennis Gerard Ellis is the founder of the firm, Ellis Law, P.C. As a young man, Mr. Ellis was seriously injured in a car accident that was not his fault. This life-changing experience motivated him to go to law school, so that he could protect the rights of victims injured due to the carelessness of others.
Mr. Ellis first earned an Associate in Applied Science degree from Dutchess Community College, and then a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pace University. Mr. Ellis then earned his Doctor of Law degree from Cornell Law School.
Upon graduation, Mr. Ellis immediately accepted employment in the personal injury field. After two years of training at a large firm that defended insurance companies, which taught Mr. Ellis how those companies operate in their attempts to defeat the claims of personal injury victims, he founded his own firm dedicated solely to protecting the legal rights of those victims. To this day, Mr. Ellis continues to champion the rights of victims in matters of personal injury law.
Mr. Ellis has a successful track record in personal injury law spanning more than three decades. Since beginning his legal career, he has protected the interests of his clients in numerous cases ranging from motor vehicle accident claims to other personal injury matters such as construction accidents, fall downs, defective drugs and dog bites. These have included extremely complex product liability claims, such as one he brought on behalf of a double arm amputee victim in which he sued 29 different defendants.
Mr. Ellis is proud to have worked on cases in various capacities at Ellis Law, P.C., his prior firms or with co-counsel nationwide, which have resulted in settlements or awards for his clients totaling more than $150,000,000.00 (150 Million Dollars). Because each case is different, obviously, prior results cannot guarantee a similar outcome. However, Mr. Ellis does guarantee that your case will receive the same level of experience, dedication and hard work that went into each of these prior cases! Many attribute his firm’s success to his and his associate attorneys’ hard-hitting and aggressive approach toward fighting against insurance companies, which they balance with their understanding and compassion toward their clients.
Client-Centered Legal Representation
At Ellis Law, P.C., many of our clients benefit from our “Client Relations Program.” As an injury victim himself and a lawyer who has dedicated his life to helping other victims like you, Mr. Ellis has a special insight into what you are going through. He has formed this program and other policies at Ellis Law to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives quality service and personal attention. Mr. Ellis and his associate attorneys believe clients should always be treated as people — not just another case number.
Each client is an individual who deserves legal representation that puts his or her interests first. Understanding that no two cases are alike, just like no two clients are alike, Mr. Ellis and the lawyers and dedicated staff at Ellis Law, P.C., provide each client with individualized, undivided attention and a commitment toward pursuing the best possible result — from initial consultation to the case’s final resolution.
We are always striving to lessen our clients’ worries. Our team of lawyers will deal with the insurance companies, courts, medical providers, police agencies and other authorities so you can focus on getting better. Leave all of the work and worry about your legal rights to us.
As Mr. Ellis says in his letter to injury victims:
“We recognize that you are innocent victims and that you have placed your trust in us. Please understand that we understand what you are going through. As an innocent victim of a reckless driver myself, I have ‘been there’ and know exactly what you are feeling. I want you to also feel comforted to know that we are here to comfort you.
If you retain Ellis Law, P.C., to represent you, we will give you the same advice we give each of our clients — concentrate on your life, your family and your health. We will take care of everything else. Leave all of the work and worry about your legal rights to us. Trust us. Believe in us. Have faith in us as your attorneys. Understand that we will always do what we believe is best for you and your case.
Helping you is our job. In fact, it is our only job — guiding injury victims like you through one of the most difficult times of your lives, with care and concern — while fighting aggressively to the limits of the law to obtain compensation and justice for each of you.”
What Makes Us Different
You may be asking yourself, “How do I distinguish one law firm from another?” We think the answer is clear. Ellis Law, P.C., has helped thousands of injury victims over the years — many referred by former clients who were pleased with our services, other lawyers who were confident enough in our skills to ask us to help their injured clients, or doctors who trusted us to protect their patients’ legal rights.
Mr. Ellis’ own experience of being seriously injured in a car accident when he was young, along with his more than 30 years as a personal injury attorney, has helped him develop several creative programs to help Ellis Law’s clients know that in retaining us, they have made the right choice. Below are a few examples of what Ellis Law, P.C., offers injury victims, in addition to its outstanding track record of successful results. While some other firms offer similar services or areas of focus, Ellis Law prides itself on offering ALL of them:
WE OFFER UNIQUE CLIENT PROGRAMS
“FOR SETTLEMENT ONLY” PROGRAM
For those clients who are afraid or reluctant to go to court, Ellis Law offers its unique “For Settlement Only” program, in which the firm agrees in writing that if we are unable to settle out of court with the insurance company, we will not proceed any further without your permission. There will be no pressure and no obligation to proceed with a lawsuit if settlement efforts fail, and there will be no fees owed if you decide not to go any further. Settlement is likely, however, since due to our reputation and outstanding record of results, 99 percent of our cases that settle do so without our clients ever having to go to court!
“CLIENT RELATIONS PROGRAM”
To ensure that every client is always treated with compassion and empathy and always knows he or she is considered a person — not just a case number — Mr. Ellis started the Ellis Law “Client Relations Program” many years ago. We understand that many clients are very vulnerable when an injury disrupts nearly every aspect of their lives. The Ellis Law attorneys and staff are thus taught to “relate” to their clients in the same way they relate to their family and friends, and to always provide care, comfort and understanding for each client in his or her time of need.
THE NATION’S ONLY “INJURY ANSWERLINE®”
More than 20 years ago, in order to provide a way for personal injury accident victims to obtain free answers to their questions, Mr. Ellis started the Nation’s ONLY “Injury Answerline®”. This is a free service that injury victims can call (1-800-LAW-7777 or 1-800-3-ABOGADO) or go to online in order to obtain a free case evaluation, or to simply ask questions about their legal rights, with no pressure and no obligation. Through this program, we answer thousands of questions each year for personal injury accident victims who do not even have a case, because as part of our dedication to our profession, we recognize that our job is to be there for all injury victims, whether or not we receive a legal fee.
MOBILE LAW OFFICE — ACCIDENT SCENE INVESTIGATIVE UNIT
Preparation is KEY in winning (or settling) any personal injury case for full value. Our goal in every case is to get a complete and thorough investigation finished quickly — BEFORE the insurance company even knows we are coming!
As part of this strategy, Ellis Law utilizes a 2014 Mercedes Sprinter Van “Mobile Law Office – Accident Scene Investigative Unit,” which our investigators drive wherever necessary to collect and document evidence in our clients’ cases. Our investigations include such things as obtaining photographs and/or measurements of skid marks, roadways, view-obstructing objects, property defects, etc. and gathering accident and other reports, witness statements, deeds, property surveys, etc. We also hire engineers, scientists, doctors and other experts as needed to prepare our clients’ cases thoroughly.
We “recreate” accidents wherever necessary and several times have actually purchased automobiles to match the ones that hit our clients, so that we could recreate what happened as accurately as possible. We are not afraid to spend tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars on any given case to make it a success for our injured clients. For example, we invested nearly $40,000 to prepare an auto/truck collision case, which led to a settlement of $9.6 Million for one client, which is projected to pay him a total of $18.9 Million over his lifetime. To learn this client’s story, click here.
Overall, we have learned that if we work hard and creatively to “out-prepare” our adversaries, we can ensure that our clients have the most solid claim possible, which will lead to the highest settlement (or jury award) that can be achieved for them.
WE ARE FOCUSED ON YOU AND YOUR CONVENIENCE
ALWAYS A FREE CONSULTATION
Because we know that many times personal injury accident victims are suffering financially because they cannot work, consultations at Ellis Law are always free, and you never pay attorney fees on your personal injury accident claim unless you receive financial compensation.
ELLIS LAW’S “MOBILE LAW OFFICE”
We have numerous offices designed to make it easy for clients to reach us. But, Ellis Law’s 2014 Mercedes Sprinter Van “Mobile Law Office,” is also used to travel to meet with injury victims wherever (and whenever) they need us — their homes, the hospital or anywhere else that is convenient for them, so that they need not worry about traveling due to their injured condition.
TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR ALL LANGUAGES
Spanish-speaking assistance is available at Ellis Law — Se Habla Español — 1-800-3-ABOGADO (1-800-322-6423). Also, translators are available for many other languages. If we do not have a translator for your native language, we will hire one just for you!
WE ARE COMMITTED TO INJURY VICTIMS
ELLIS LAW ONLY REPRESENTS INJURY VICTIMS AND REFUSES TO REPRESENT INSURANCE COMPANIES
Ellis Law is SOLELY a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm that will solely fight for injury victims and their families. We do not and will not represent any insurance company or negligent party.
Over the years, Mr. Ellis has turned down several insurance companies and negligent parties, who wanted his firm to represent them. Early in his career, as his reputation for aggressively going after insurance companies spread rapidly, one large national insurance company offered to open a new law firm for Mr. Ellis and hire five attorneys to work under him to represent that company in all of its claims in multiple counties. Although he had just recently opened his own practice and could have used the job security and steady paycheck, he knew that his career calling was to protect innocent victims from the major resources of large companies just like this one. So, he immediately turned down the offer, with no regrets.
WE ARE COMMUNITY-FOCUSED
“STOP DISTRACTED DRIVING” PROGRAM AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Over the years, Ellis Law has sponsored many local youth sports teams and donated money to dozens of community programs. Also, we are very proud of several programs which we have been a part of, as discussed below:
Over the years, our huge motor vehicle accident caseload has unfortunately always included many cases against drunk or distracted drivers. As injury lawyers, we have seen firsthand the devastation that drunk and distracted driving causes and we are dedicated to doing something about it.
To discourage such irresponsible behavior, we frequently run advertising campaigns to warn prospective drunk or distracted drivers that we will aggressively pursue claims against them if they hurt someone who becomes our client. Our public information campaigns typically include the frightening statistics about the harm that such dangerous driving causes, and conclude with the warning that “Ellis Law Sues Drunk Drivers,” “Ellis Law Sues Texting Drivers” or “Ellis Law Sues Distracted Drivers.”
Some sample scripts include “Do not drink (or text) and drive. If you make the mistake of doing so, do NOT make the serious mistake of injuring an innocent victim. If that victim becomes our client, be forewarned that we will aggressively sue you to the limits of the law!” or “If you drink and drive, there is a good chance that the police will arrest you, the Courts will lock you up, and Ellis Law will SUE you!”
We actually learned of one driver who was about to text someone while driving by one of our offices when she noticed that our changeable LED sign said “Distracted Driving Injures 1,060 People Per Day.” She said that she immediately put the phone down! It is stories like this that reap the best rewards for us as dedicated advocates for injury victims.
Ellis Law also periodically offers thousands of dollars in “Stop-DWI” college scholarships to local high school students who write the best essay, “How to Stop Teenage Drinking and Driving.” One year, we offered four $2,500 scholarships, but our selection committee felt that five essays were so close to each other that it was difficult for them to decide. So, they approached Mr. Ellis to ask him review the five essays and eliminate one. Instead, Mr. Ellis immediately decided to increase the scholarship fund from $10,000 to $12,500 to ensure that each of the five students received a $2,500 award.
As further evidence of our commitment to this important cause, early on we hired a former Police Chief and teacher as our “Stop-DWI Director.” He utilized his immense skills and vast experience to help coordinate our efforts to do our part to help eliminate drunk and distracted driving. We donate money to MADD, SADD and other anti-DWI organizations and have received letters from them praising our efforts to help stop drunk driving.
The above are just a few of the many answers to the question of why we are different from most law firms. We trust you will feel those answers and our outstanding record are reasons to choose Ellis Law to protect you, your family and your future from the effects of your unfortunate accident.
Practice Areas
Serious Injury Lawyers Serving Albany, New York City, The Bronx, Poughkeepsie And All Of New York State
Spinal Cord Injury, Paralysis, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Amputation, Brain Injury
Ellis Law gives special attention to cases involving spinal cord injury, paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputation and brain injury. As can be seen from this testimonial by a client for whom we obtained a $9.6 million out-of-court settlement in just over one year, we obtain outstanding results for clients with these types of injuries. Because each case is different, obviously prior results cannot guarantee a similar outcome in any given case. However, we can guarantee that we will use the same skills and experience that led to this settlement to fight hard to obtain a successful outcome in your serious injury case. We can also guarantee to treat you with the same care and compassion with which we treat all of our clients.
Scaffold, Ladder, Roof Law And Construction Accidents
Whether a construction site injury or death involves Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, personal injury or wrongful death law, we can help. Most injured construction workers are not aware that under New York State Labor Law Section 240, they may be able to bring a personal injury accident claim for an insurance settlement IN ADDITION to their Workers’ Comp claim.
Scaffolding And Construction Accidents
Construction Accident Info Center
Trucking Accidents
As a component of our personal injury and wrongful death practice, Ellis Law handles accident cases involving trucking safety and trucking litigation. Semi-truck and 18-wheeler accidents present unique issues not associated with typical motor vehicle accident cases.
Automobile Accidents And Other Motor Vehicle Accidents
We handle auto accidents caused by negligent and reckless drivers. We are experienced in handling driver, passenger and pedestrian injuries.
Children’s Accidents
Ellis Law gives special attention to cases involving injured children. We strive to give extra care to parents and relatives of injured children and, of course, to the children themselves.
Workers’ Compensation
Most victims of on-the-job injuries are not aware that they may have a right to bring a lawsuit IN ADDITION to their Workers’ Comp claim to recover money for damages not covered by Workers’ Comp. These damages may include pain and suffering, inability to enjoy time with their families or pursue their hobbies, and essentially ANY change in the quality of their lives caused by their injuries. Workers’ Comp is limited to lost wages and medical bills and does NOT provide settlements for these very real losses that all injury victims suffer.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists and passengers involved in collisions with automobiles or trucks or caused by a highway defect or for some other reason face special problems that Ellis Law is well-qualified to help them with. Unfortunately and unfairly, New York state does not have No-Fault insurance to cover medical bills, lost earnings, prescriptions, physical therapy, etc., for bikers or their passengers. Ellis Law sponsors the unique BIKER LAW HELPLINE sm at 1-800-LAW-4-HIRE to help bikers and their passengers recover from the responsible person’s insurance company for these expenses and for their pain and suffering.
Slips, Trips, Falls And Other Accidents
Ellis Law assists victims of slips, trips, falls and similar accidents caused by snow; ice; defective or broken sidewalks, stairs parking lots; or other property defects.
Defective Medications Or Drugs (Pharmaceutical Or Drug Class Actions)
Ellis Law and our co-counsel represent clients who have been injured by dangerous or defective medications or drugs. This representation includes pharmaceutical class actions and mass torts regarding such drugs as low testosterone therapy (Low T), Vioxx, Actos, Zyprexa, Plavix, Bextra, Celebrex and similar medications, WHETHER OR NOT they have been recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We are also assisting victims who have developed ovarian cancer from use of talcum powder. Overall, our clients have participated in class action settlements in which the defendants have offered billions of dollars to victims nationwide for damages suffered due to their negligence in marketing dangerous products.
Factory And Workplace (On-The-Job Injury) Accidents
If you have been hurt while working, whether at a factory, on the road, in construction or in any other work-related situation, you may be entitled to an insurance settlement IN ADDITION to your workers’ comp or no-fault coverage.
Social Security Disability (SSD/SSI)
If you or a family member suffers from a serious injury or disease that prevents you from working or is expected to prevent you from working, then you may be entitled to receive Social Security Disability benefits. You may also be entitled to a personal injury settlement IN ADDITION to your Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
Personal Injury And Wrongful Death
We represent people who have experienced a personal injury or the loss of a loved one in an accident caused by the negligence, carelessness or recklessness of others. Our law firm has a record of success in these complex cases, many of which involve catastrophic injuries: brain injuries, amputations, burns, fractures, back, neck or disc injuries, , spinal cord injuries and other serious impairments.
Drunk Driving Accidents, Texting Or Phoning While Driving Accidents, Distracted Driving
Drunk driving, texting or phoning while driving and other distracted driving behaviors cause accidents that leave thousands of people dead and injured in the United States each year. We vigorously pursue claims against drunk drivers and those who text, phone or engage in other distractions while driving and we have invested in an extensive public information campaign designed to discourage such improper behavior.
Medical Malpractice
Common types of medical malpractice claims include a doctor whose carelessness causes an injury, a doctor who makes an existing injury worse and a doctor who fails to diagnose an illness or fails to diagnose it quickly enough to allow for successful treatment.
Nursing Home Negligence
State and federal laws protect the elderly from health hazards and deficiencies in patient care. These include failure to prevent or adequately treat bedsores, dropping patients or allowing them to fall, overmedication, abuse and many other types of deficiencies in care.
Dangerous And Defective Products
Every year, thousands of consumers suffer serious injuries from dangerous and defective products. We sue the manufacturers and distributors of such products to obtain compensation for our seriously injured clients.
Dog And Other Animal Bites
Those who have been bitten or otherwise injured by dogs or other animals are entitled to compensation in many instances under New York State law. Victims are often reluctant to sue because the owner of the animal is a friend or relative. But it is important to understand that a settlement comes from the pet owner’s homeowners’ insurance company, not the owner. Many victims are young children who must rely upon their parents to decide whether to proceed with a claim that could affect the child for the rest of his or her life.
Insurance Law
Personal injury and wrongful death cases invariably involve insurance companies. Insurance adjusters are trained to lessen or destroy the value of personal injury claims by obtaining statements or other information from inexperienced victims. Once we are hired, our clients are instructed not to speak to the other party’s insurance company. We help level the playing field with the insurance companies and assist with issues involving no-fault insurance and other claims.
All Other Personal Injury Accidents
Ellis Law handles many types of personal injury accidents in addition to those listed above.