1. Pribanic & Pribanic
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice
Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Birth Injuries, Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Catastrophic Injuries, Nursing Home Abuse, Workers’ Compensation, Defective Products
Background: Founded in 1982, Pribanic & Pribanic has over 40 years of experience and more than 100 years of combined legal experience among their attorneys. The firm is led by brothers Victor, Michael, Ernest, and Jeffrey Pribanic. Named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 25 and recognized by U.S. News & World Report. Licensed in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Location: 513 Court Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Contact: (412) 281-8844 | https://www.pribanic.com
Consultation: Free initial case evaluation. Contingency fee basis with no fees unless compensation is recovered.
2. Edgar Snyder & Associates
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Trucking Accidents, Workers’ Compensation, Slip and Fall Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death
Background: Established in 1982, Edgar Snyder & Associates has handled over 75,000 cases and recovered more than $1 billion for clients. The firm has offices throughout Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Johnstown, and Altoona. Attorneys are licensed in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA (Multiple office locations across Western Pennsylvania)
Contact: (412) 394-1000 | https://www.edgarsnyder.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. No fee unless they win your case.
3. Berger and Green
Focus Area: Personal Injury
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Slip and Fall, Medical Malpractice, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Workers’ Compensation
Background: With over 40 years of experience advocating for accident victims, Berger and Green represents clients throughout the Pittsburgh area. Their attorneys have extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania personal injury law and handle cases ranging from motor vehicle accidents to complex premises liability claims.
Location: 800 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Contact: (412) 661-1400 | https://www.bergerandgreen.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
4. Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman
Focus Area: Personal Injury
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Slip and Fall, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability, Dog Bites, Wrongful Death, Nursing Home Abuse
Background: For over 25 years, Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman has served Pittsburgh clients with more than 170 years of combined legal experience. The firm includes attorneys Edward A. Shenderovich, Craig L. Fishman, O. Alex Shenderovich, Amber L. Archer, and Tara E. Brouse. The firm has recovered millions for accident victims.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact: (412) 391-8700 | https://www.ssf-lawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee structure.
5. Flaherty Fardo Rogel & Amick
Focus Area: Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury
Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death, Birth Injuries, Product Liability, Catastrophic Injuries
Background: Serving Pittsburgh since 1997, Flaherty Fardo Rogel & Amick brings over 100 years of combined experience. Managing Partner Noah Paul Fardo leads the firm, which has recovered tens of millions of dollars for clients across Pennsylvania. Known for handling complex medical malpractice and serious injury cases.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Contact: (412) 802-6666 | https://www.pghfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultations available by phone, text at (412) 855-5511, or email.
Personal Injury Laws in Pennsylvania
Statute of Limitations
Pennsylvania imposes a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524(2). This means injured parties have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins from the date of death. Special rules apply in certain situations, including the discovery rule for injuries not immediately apparent.
Negligence Rule
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7102(a). Under this rule, an injured party can recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50%. If the injured person is found to be 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover any compensation. When partial fault is attributed to the plaintiff, their damages are reduced proportionally by their percentage of fault.
Damage Caps
Pennsylvania does not impose caps on compensatory damages in typical personal injury cases, allowing full recovery for economic and non-economic losses. However, claims against the Commonwealth are capped at $250,000 per individual and $1,000,000 aggregate per incident under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8528. Claims against political subdivisions such as cities and counties are capped at $500,000 total per incident under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8553. Punitive damages are limited to twice the amount of actual damages.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state requiring minimum liability coverage of 15/30/5, meaning $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage. Drivers must also carry $5,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) for medical expenses. Pennsylvania allows drivers to choose between full tort and limited tort coverage options. Full tort coverage preserves full rights to sue for pain and suffering, while limited tort restricts these rights in exchange for lower premiums.
Government Claims
Claims against Pennsylvania government entities require a written notice of intent to sue within six months of the injury under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5522(a). Different procedures apply for state versus local government claims, and damages are subject to the caps mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident on the Parkway West in Pittsburgh?
After any collision on Pittsburgh’s busy highway corridors, prioritize safety and call 911 to report the incident and request medical attention if needed. Pennsylvania law requires exchanging information with other drivers, including insurance details and contact information. Document the scene with photographs and gather witness contact information. Report the accident to your insurance company promptly, but avoid making recorded statements to other insurers before consulting with an attorney, as Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule means statements could affect your recovery.
How does Pennsylvania’s choice between full tort and limited tort affect my injury claim?
When purchasing auto insurance in Pennsylvania, you must select either full tort or limited tort coverage. If you selected limited tort coverage for lower premiums, you generally cannot sue for non-economic damages like pain and suffering unless your injuries meet specific thresholds, such as permanent serious disfigurement or death. Full tort coverage preserves your complete right to seek compensation for all damages. If you did not affirmatively choose limited tort, Pennsylvania defaults to full tort coverage. This choice significantly impacts what compensation you can pursue after an accident.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for my injury in Pittsburgh?
Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law, you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for your injuries. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were found 30% responsible, you would receive $70,000. However, if a jury determines you were 51% or more at fault, you would be barred from any recovery. This makes evidence preservation and witness testimony crucial in contested liability cases.
What types of damages can I recover in a Pittsburgh medical malpractice case?
Medical malpractice victims in Pennsylvania may recover economic damages including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of life enjoyment, and loss of consortium. Unlike some states, Pennsylvania does not cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases brought against private healthcare providers. However, the two-year statute of limitations applies, with the discovery rule potentially extending deadlines for injuries not immediately apparent.
How long do I have to file a claim if I was injured at a Pittsburgh sporting event or public venue?
For injuries occurring at private venues like stadiums or concert halls, the standard two-year statute of limitations applies. However, if the injury occurred at a city-owned or publicly operated facility, you must provide written notice to the government entity within six months of the injury before you can file suit. Claims against government entities are subject to damage caps and specific procedural requirements. Premises liability claims require proving the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that caused your injury.