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Law firm opens Plattsburgh office

Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, NY) - 9/21/2014

Sept. 21--PLATTSBURGH -- The Law Firm of Alex Dell has opened a new office in the City of Plattsburgh.

The office is at 14 Durkee St., Suite 450, in the Gateway NY office building. Dell said his firm has been practicing in the North Country for about 10 years but only opened an office here in July.

"Because of the the volume of work and the client base we have developed, we wanted to have a (physical) presence in the North Country," he said. "This office is designed to serve that clientele."

Genelle Bayer is the firm's full-time resident attorney in Plattsburgh. She joined the firm in August.

SPECIALTIES LISTED

The Law Firm of Alex Dell concentrates on representation of people with New York State Workers' Compensation, New York State Disability Retirement, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims.

"We don't represent employers," Bayer said.

When the firm was started 10 years ago, it was Dell and one support-staff employee. The firm now has more than 40 people on staff, and all of the firm's attorneys are members of the New York Injured Workers Bar Association, Dell said.

He said they all share one philosophy, to make certain their clients are fully aware of all the rights and benefits they are entitled to under the law and to do their best to ensure they receive those benefits. It is to the firm's benefit to do that in a highly personalized fashion, Dell said.

"We really want to make our clients as comfortable as possible notwithstanding the situation they are facing," he said.

The state Workers' Compensation Board is divided into districts. The Albany District includes Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, with Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake among its sites for hearings.

The Canton hearing site has been closed, so the choices for North Country residents are either those two locations or Watertown. The new Plattsburgh office gives the firm a place where it can hold face-to-face meetings with North Country residents to discuss their potential case and hold ongoing strategy sessions.

Another advantage to the new Plattsburgh office is that local Social Security Disability hearings are held within the same building, as it is the home of the local Social Security Administration office.

LEGAL SUPPORT CRUCIAL

Dell said the State Workers' Compensation Board is becoming more reactive rather than proactive when it comes to protection of worker's rights. He said it is also seeking to reduce the number of hearings in such cases, preferring to render decisions administratively.

One result is that fewer people are getting the full range of benefits they deserve, Dell said. That underscores the importance of having a legal representative educate them on the benefits for which they qualify and how to obtain those benefits.

"We've been very successful in helping people get benefits even with the changes to the system," he said.

The maximum rates of compensation have increased every year since July 2007, Dell said. At the same time, New York State Workers' Compensation Law has imposed caps or limitations on certain types of injuries suffered after March 13, 2007.

That makes it more important than ever for an individual to have effective representation, because they may need to seek several different benefits because some won't last a lifetime.

"It's a hard pill for some people to swallow. They're disabled for the rest of their life, but they won't get Workers' Compensation for the rest of their life," Bayer said.

Dell said the reality for many is they may have several avenues for claims, which makes it important to have a representation that understands the process.

"We identify what claims they should be pursuing when they are injured and not able to work, to protect themselves and their family," he said.

CONSULTATIONS FREE

Law firms are not allowed to charge clients before hand for representation in state workers' compensation, disability, Social Security disability or supplemental security income claims. Attorney fees are only paid out of any awards the claimant receives, and is subject to approval by the judge who heard the matter.

The firm also offers free consultations.

"Many people are surprised when they come in for a consultation that they don't have to pay anything up front," Bayer said.

Bayer was raised in Lincoln, Neb. A violinist and pianist, she received a Bachelor of Music Degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, followed by a Masters of Music degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

She graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Law in 1998. Bayer worked as an attorney with Legal Aid of Nebraska from 1998 to 2007, where she practiced in the fields of divorce, custody and protection-order cases, juvenile court cases and Social Security appeals cases.

Prior to joining the Law Firm of Alex Dell, she spent seven years at a small firm in Canton representing clients in workers' compensation cases. While there, she put her musical talents to work with the Northern Lights Orchestra and St. Lawrence University Department of Music String Orchestra.

Dell is originally from Scarsdale in Westchester County. He received A Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors from SUNY Binghamton and his law degree from the Queens College School of Law at City University of New York.

After 10 years with a large law firm based in Binghamton, Dell founded his own firm 10 years ago.

"I have been practicing workers' compensation and disability law for the last 20 years," he said.

HOLDS MANY POSTS

Dell is presently vice president of the Workers' Compensation Division of the New York State Bar Association and a member of the Albany County Bar Association and Injured Workers Bar Association. He is also a member of the national Workers' Injury Law and Advocacy Group.

A former NCAA Division 1 hockey referee, he retired last year after 20 seasons of action that even included one NHL game.

For more information, visit www.alexdell.com or call the Plattsburgh office at 561-0870.

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Email Dan Heath: dheath@pressrepublican.com

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