Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

Dressing up and collecting candy after dark make Halloween great fun for kids of all ages. However, every Halloween, accidents happen. By following a few safety tips provided by WGAL, you may help prevent an accident from spoiling your family’s fun this October 31.

1. Check your town’s trick-or-treat schedule. Most communities plan a specific day and time for trick-or-treating. Schedules can be found in your local newspaper.
2. Choose costumes made of flame-retardant material. To reduce the risk of fire, do not allow children to carry candles or things containing candles, like jack-o’-lanterns. Instead, give children glow sticks or flashlights.
3. Before the big day, make sure costumes fit properly. Hem long costumes to prevent tripping, and make sure masks fit so that children can see and talk clearly.
4. Carry a flashlight while trick-or-treating so kids can see where they’re walking.
5. Only allow kids to visit the front door of houses to collect candy. Do not let them go into houses or up to darkened or closed doors where you can’t see them.
6. Only cross streets at marked intersections, and look both ways for traffic before you and your children step into the intersection.
7. Examine your kids’ candy before allowing them to eat it.
8. If you allow children to go trick-or-treating with older siblings, make sure the supervising siblings follow these rules as well.

Keeping safety in mind can help protect those you love from injury. Unfortunately, another person’s carelessness can also result in an accident. If you or a loved one has been injured by another person’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. Our skilled attorneys have handled a wide range of injury cases and will help you understand your legal rights and options after an injury. Call 888-684-7912 for a free case evaluation.

Kevin R. Marciano and David R. Cherry from the Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP were included in the Top Lawyers 2010 feature in Main Line Today. As a print and online publication popularly read among Philadelphia residents and professionals, Main Line Today covers amusing yet commanding information on matters of local high interest.

Sixteen attorneys were selected for the Main Line Today Top Lawyers 2010 list based on insight from fellow lawyers about whom they considered to be “tops” in the field. The list is meant to supply readers with a guide for acclaimed attorneys in specific areas of practice.

Kevin R. Marciano was selected as the finest attorney for working with medical malpractice victims and David R. Cherry was chosen as the superior choice for workers’ compensation lawsuits. In brining years of experience, integrity, and commitment to their specific fields, Mr. Marciano and Mr. Cherry have been recognized as attorneys who have made a significant difference in the community.

In regard to the sensitive and complex nature of medical malpractice cases, Mr. Marciano states, “I have such respect and adoration for the doctors I’m suing; we know they do great things. The problem is that, when doctors make mistakes, catastrophic things happen.”

Mr. Cherry comments on the importance of acting within a timely manner in workers’ compensation cases and serving those in need by stating, “We help injured workers in a way that really affects their lives. I go to court immediately to get lost wages and medical benefits…For me, it’s not just about money. It’s the human factor that motivates me.”

The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have over 100 years of combined legal experience. In handling a wide range of personal injury cases, including class action, products liability, workers’ compensation, auto accidents, and more, the law firm has obtained many successful case outcomes for injury victims in Pennsylvania. Please check in with our blog again to learn more about PA personal injury law or visit www.cherryfieger.com for more information about our firm.

A 45-year-old man working on a crane was seriously injured after his crane was hit by a Gold Medal Disposal garbage truck. Philly.com reported that the man was knocked unconscious and taken to Jefferson University Hospital.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported in 2008, there were about 969 fatalities resulting from construction accidents. These fatalities account for about one-fifth of all workplace fatalities that year. There were a total of 345 fatalities where a worker was struck by a moving vehicle.

When a third party, like in this construction accident, caused or contributed to the accident, that party may also be liable under laws that govern injuries outside the workplace. In this case, the worker may claim workers’ compensation while pursuing a personal-injury lawsuit against the third party. A third party is any person or organization that is not your employer or a co-worker, such as a manufacturer of defective equipment or the driver of a car that hit someone while they were at work. The injured employee is free to sue this party while also collecting workers’ compensation benefits.

The PA construction accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP are advocates for construction workers and remain dedicated to their representation in the effort of obtaining desirable results. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a construction site accident in Pennsylvania, call us for a free initial telephone consultation with a Philadelphia construction site injury lawyer.

Philly.com reported that at least four children were injured in a school bus crash in West Philadelphia on October 18. A total of 18 students were on the bus when it ran into a car at 63rd Street and Lebanon Avenue in Overbrook, PA. The injured students were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Since 1998, there have been 414,339 fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes. Thirty-four percent of those were school-transportation related. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, about 19 children die each year in school bus accidents. About two-thirds of those incidents involve pedestrian accidents outside the bus. In 2008, there were 3 deaths in PA due to school-transportation accidents, and, there were about 218 injuries from school bus crashes that year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

If any of these students in the West Philadelphia bus crash have suffered serious personal injuries in this accident, the school district may have some serious liability issues. If the driver of the car was injured, the school district could have been held liable for their resulting injuries and damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a school bus accident, the Pennsylvania bus crash lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have the experience and knowledge that are necessary to represent clients involved in even the most complex accident cases. When preparing your case, our skilled team of attorneys will review all relevant facts to assist in determining which party was at fault and who should assume responsibilities. Some factors that may be of importance during this process may include road conditions, weather conditions, the condition of the vehicle involved (i.e., faulty or defective auto parts), and whether or not alcohol or drugs were involved.

If your vehicle sustained any damaged in the incident, repairs can be assessed by a body shop. Of course, your physical and emotional injuries associated with the PA auto accident are extremely important, and may result in compensation for pain and suffering, loss of future income, and loss of current income due to inability to perform job duties.

Please contact Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation with one of our experienced Philadelphia auto accident lawyers.

Dieu V. Nguyen from Lansdale died on October 18 from injuries he suffered the day before while working at Haberle Steel, a Buck’s County steel plant. An article in The Morning Call said that he was injured from being pinned between two sheets of heavy steel stock.

Structural iron and steel workers had a particularly high number of fatalities in 2008 (46 per 100,000). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that there were about 299 deaths caused by being caught or compressed by objects or equipment.

Working at a steel plant is a dangerous job. When employees are dealing with heavy machinery and certain hazardous materials it is so important that the proper safety procedures are implemented.

Creating safe Pennsylvania workplaces is the first step in the reduction of workplace accidents. But if regulations were all it took to prevent on the job injuries and accidents, Pennsylvania employees would be injured very rarely. Both state and federal laws are in place that set strict standards for workplace safety. These rules include requirements for safety equipment; procedures for dealing with heavy objects, machinery or dangerous chemicals; and limitations on how long workers may go without a break. It is the job of the employer to not only adhere to these rules, but also to train their workers in proper safety etiquette and make sure they are aware of the rules and laws that are in place to prevent Pennsylvania workplace accidents from occurring.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a steel plant injury, you would be well advised to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. In most cases, collecting workers’ compensation payments means you may not file a workplace accident lawsuit against your employer. However, in some cases, a third party may be partly responsible for the injury, which is especially common in the construction industry. In that case, you may still file a workplace injury lawsuit while collecting workers’ compensation.

The dedicated and experienced PA work injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP will do everything possible to get the monetary compensation that is owed to you.

Several U.S. steel workers have filed lawsuits against Power Piping Co. after a July 14 explosion at the Steel Corp’s Clariton Coke works. According to an article in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the explosion injured 20 people. The lawsuits claims that Power Piping created unsafe working conditions. The US Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is still investigating the explosion.

OSHA routinely inspects all kinds of work environments for hazards relating to building codes, equipment maintenance, ventilation and more. They have the power to regulate workplaces for dangerous conditions. OSHA also maintains resources at its website for workers to use if they see dangers in their places of work. The regulations put in place by OSHA can be a significant part of a work injury claim if the agency did not catch an unaddressed safety issue prior to an injury. Pennsylvania work injury lawyers such as those at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP know about OSHA statutes and their relevance to cases in which workers suffer injury on the job.

Steel workers were among the occupation groups with a high number of fatalities. In 2008, there were about 46 fatalities per 100,000 workers. The Bureau of Labor statistics reported that the number of fatal work injuries involving fires and explosions went up 14 % from 2007 to 2008. And, there were 173 deaths caused by fires or explosions in 2008.

If you have been injured in a Pennsylvania workplace explosion, you would be well advised to seek the advice of an experienced worker’s compensation attorney. They can file a third party claim against a negligent party other than their employer, which includes contractors, sub-contractors or the manufacturers of defective products.

Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP place a great emphasis on serious personal injuries sustained in a work environment. Please call today for a free consultation.

After a recent inspection of a tractor-trailer owned by a company in Perry County, Carlisle police have issued over $15,000 in fines, according to a recently published article in the Patriot-News. The truck had a number of problems that made it unsafe to drive or to keep for the company’s use, according to police.

Police discovered the truck recently parked in the 300 block of South Hanover Street in Carlisle. Upon inspection, police discovered that the truck had not been registered with the state of Pennsylvania. It was also carrying more than 18 tons of weight over the legal weight limit for a truck of its size. In addition to discovering two blown-out tires on the truck, police also found a loose wheel, a tire that was leaking air, and a tire that was almost completely bald. Inspection of the truck’s brakes showed that fully half of them needed adjustment.

The truck has been placed out of service until the company repairs it, pays its fines, and gets a permit from the Department of Transportation.

Mechanical failures in large trucks are a common source of Pennsylvania truck accidents. Some mechanical failures are due to defective parts, while others are the result of the truck owner’s failure to keep the truck in proper working condition. This carelessness often results in serious truck accidents that cause injury to the driver and to others sharing the road.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Pennsylvania truck accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Philadelphia tractor trailer crash attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. We will carefully review your case and fight to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Call our lawyers today for a free consultation at 888-684-7192.

Two sisters from Perryopolis were riding in a compact car on Route 119 in Westmoreland County recently when their car collided with a dump truck, according to a recent news story released by WTAE Channel 4 Action News. Although both were wearing seat belts, the sisters did not survive the Pennsylvania car accident.

According to police, poor visibility may have played a role in the accident. The dump truck driver said that he did not see the sisters' Ford Focus because it was in a shadow cast by a nearby bridge. He heard a vehicle's tires squeal as if braking suddenly, then felt his truck hit a vehicle in front of him. The dump truck driver swerved to avoid hitting the car as much as possible, spilling much of the truck's load of sand onto Route 119.

Police are currently interviewing several eye witnesses. They have also impounded the dump truck and will have it examined to determine if a mechanical failure caused or contributed to the accident. Residents along that part of Route 119 say that Pennsylvania car accidents caused by speeding are common in the area.

Car accidents claim the lives of too many Americans each year. Crashes involving large trucks can be even more deadly, as a larger, heavier truck often does more damage to a vehicle than another passenger vehicle of similar size. If you or someone you love has been injured in a Pennsylvania car accident, please contact the experienced Pennsylvania car crash attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. Our skilled legal team will help you win the compensation you deserve from anyone whose negligence or carelessness resulted in your injury. Call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today at 888-684-7192 for a free consultation.

On October 12, Ryan Lippincott was charged in connection with a DUI accident on March 18 in Burlington County, NJ. While under the influence, Lippincott drove his car into oncoming traffic, killing 27-year-old Jonathan Hinkson, a music teacher at Volz Middle School.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Lippincott had inhaled an aerosol can of cleaner (known as “huffing”) and also used marijuana just before driving his car. He was charged with vehicular homicide, assault by auto and possession of alcohol by an underage person, and held on $100,000 bail.

In 2008, PennDOT reported 534 deaths due to alcohol-related accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths in the United States involve drugs other than alcohol, such as cocaine or marijuana. However, these types of drugs are often used in combination with alcohol.

In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to drive under the influence of any intoxicant, whether it’s alcohol, recreational drugs or prescription drugs. If “huffing” a chemical gets a driver high, then that driver is impaired and should not get behind the wheel of a car.

Every year thousands of U.S. motorists lose their lives in auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that more than 34,000 fatal car crashes took place in 2008. Unfortunately, negligent action is typically at the heart of most car accidents, and innocent motorists are all too often injured at the hands of a reckless driver.

In negligent cases similar to Mr. Lippincott’s, a victim and/or their family can seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, and other accident related damages.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal Philadelphia car crash, contact the Pennsylvania wrongful death attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP for a free evaluation of your car collision case. Our Pennsylvania auto accident attorneys can work to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions and seek compensation on behalf of you and your loved ones. Call today at 888-684-2374 for more information.

A worker was injured on October 11 when a two-story building collapsed in Pittsburgh, PA. According to WHTM, the worker was knocking bricks from a wall when the building collapsed and he became pinned under some of the rubble.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that in the United States, there were a total of 5,071 fatal work injuries recorded in 2008. About 969 were in the construction in industry—108 workers died from being crushed by collapsing materials. Pennsylvania had 240 fatal work-related injuries that same year.

Building collapses can result in severe injuries and even death. Construction sites are often associated with a higher amount of vulnerability as opposed to the environments of a common office or shop. Implementing strict and compelling safety procedures at these construction sites can reduce and prevent many hazards, injuries, and death.

Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP place great emphasis on construction site injuries. They have the knowledge and skill to represent cases of severe injury or death from situations including malfunctioning machinery accidents (conveyers, forklifts, cranes, tractors, augers, etc.), faulty tools (saws, grinding wheels, sprayers, etc.), defective ladders and scaffolding accidents as well as the collapse of floors and walls.

If you have been injured after a building collapse, you would be well advised to seek the advice of an experienced worker’s compensation attorney. If negligence was caused by someone other than your employer, than you can file a third party claim. The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP offer a free consultation.

Drag racing may have been the cause of a head-on crash between a 19-year-old Glenside man and an ambulance at Broad and 66th Streets in Philadelphia on October 9, killing the 19-year-old. According to Philly.com, the fatal Philadelphia car accident also injured his passenger as well as the passengers in the ambulance.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel face many hazards while on the job, one of which is ambulance crashes when responding to an emergency call or transporting patients to a healthcare facility. EMS workers riding in ambulances can themselves be victims as well as other passengers and patients in an ambulance.

Negligent action was at the heart of this fatal Pennsylvania accident. Innocent motorists are all too often injured at the hands of a reckless driver. There are many forms of reckless driving, including: failing to yield at stop signs and traffic signals; traveling over the posted speed limits, or those that are reasonably safe to travel at given road conditions and inclement weather; using a cell phone or performing other tasks while driving; making right and left turns without using a blinker or checking to see if there is oncoming traffic.

Individuals who are deemed responsible for causing a fatal Pennsylvania car crash can be held liable in a court of law. Families of Philadelphia car accident victims have the right to seek damages from reckless motorists on behalf of lost loved ones. The best strategy is to retain the services of an experienced Pennsylvania auto accident attorney, who will examine all circumstances surrounding a fatal car accident to determine the negligent parties involved. If you or a loved on has been injured in a Pennsylvania auto accident, please contact Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. They offer free and confidential consultations.

A Scranton-area obstetrician was denied an appeal in a malpractice case filed by a Pennsylvania family. According to TheTimes-Tribune.com, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel White filed a suit against Dr. Richard Behlke and OB/GYN Consultants Ltd. after their son suffered cerebral palsy caused by medical mistakes when he was born in 2001. He is also nearly blind.

A common birth injury, cerebral palsy can result from medical malpractice on the part of doctors or other medical personnel. Cerebral palsy may develop if a baby is in the birth canal too long. Cerebral palsy affects a child’s movements, posture, and can cause involuntary or uncontrolled movements. Often, cerebral palsy requires medical care and treatment for life.

Any type of birth injury can lead to a lifetime of impaired function and ability for the infant, as well as profound financial hardship for a family. In most cases, negligence on the part of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel is the primary cause of a birth injury. Of the approximately four million babies born each year in the United States, around seven in 1,000 will suffer a birth injury.

The Philadelphia birth injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have decades of combined experience guiding families through this difficult period of their lives. No amount of money can restore function or undo the damage caused by birth injuries, but it can help offset the steep costs of medical care, physical and mental rehabilitation, wheelchairs and other special equipment, counseling and other costs and financial hardship caused by the birth injury. Birth injuries can apply to the mother as well as the baby. If you or your baby has suffered an injury before, during or after childbirth, contact the Pennsylvania birth injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP for more information.

Kimberly Reed of Media, PA was awarded $5 million in damages after she filed a suit against a Ridley Park dermatologist. According an article in the Delaware County Times, her suit claims that her cancer was not diagnosed in its early stages by her dermatologist. Her face became disfigured from multiple surgeries for cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are highly curable, but melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous. About 65%–90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light or sunlight.

Medical misdiagnoses occurs when a doctor or physician fails to identify the correct ailment or disease, potentially by not giving patients enough time and attention or not listening closely to their complaints. Failure to order diagnostic tests or make a referral to an oncologist could delay a cancer diagnosis months or even years.

This is a serious type of malpractice, which can cost many people their lives. Hundreds of thousands of people die each year in the U.S. from cancer. Early detection and early treatment is the key to preventing cancer from spreading, and without proper diagnosis many people are suffering needlessly because their doctors have not properly diagnosed their cancer.

Contact Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP to discuss your Pennsylvania medical malpractice case with an experienced Philadelphia medical negligence lawyer right away. Our attorneys may be able to recover the maximum monetary compensation for your injuries and suffering. Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP offer free and confidential consultations. Contact us today.

On October 6, a blind man and his seeing-eye dog, were struck by a pick-up truck on Camden Avenue in Moorestown, New Jersey. Mr. Parks was wearing a reflective orange vest. According to Philly.com, he is reported to be in critical condition.

Every eight minutes a pedestrian is hurt in a traffic accident and about 5,000 pedestrians die every year in pedestrian accidents. In Pennsylvania, nearly 45% of pedestrian injuries occurred in areas other than intersections. It was reported that in 2009, New Jersey pedestrian accident deaths increased by 34%.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, drivers should yield the right-of-way to any totally or partially blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog and shall take any precautions necessary to avoid injuring or endangering the pedestrian.

Individuals who are injured in Pennsylvania pedestrian accidents should seek appropriate medical attention as soon as possible. It is recommended that victims of Pennsylvania pedestrian accidents contact a competent, reputable Pennsylvania personal injury attorney who will look into whether the driver was impaired, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent at the time of the collision.

Cherry Fieger, & Marciano, LLP have a long track record helping people bring negligent drivers to justice for Pennsylvania pedestrian accidents. We offer a free consultation to anyone with questions about whether their pedestrian accident could result in a valid lawsuit.

On October 5, a sanitation worker in Baltimore, MD suffered serious injuries to his leg when he was run over by a garbage truck. According to the BaltimoreSun.com, the garbage truck ran over the worker accidentally after he tried to step onto the truck, but slipped and fell into the road.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported in 2008 about 5.5 out of 100 workers in the waste management/remediation industry were injured. Refuse collectors were listed among the nation’s most dangerous occupations in 2007.

There are many ways sanitation workers can sustain injuries in Pennsylvania on the job accidents. They can be hit by impatient drivers trying to bypass a garbage truck. Defective equipment can lead to unsafe working conditions. A refuse truck with mechanical problems can cause injury to its operators, resulting in long-term injuries or even death. Crews can also be injured from slipping, tripping, or falling on debris, oil, or other chemicals.

If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, you can enlist the help of a qualified work injury lawyer. The Philadelphia work accident injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have experience in dealing with personal injuries suffered by sanitation workers and can help you or your loved one seek compensation for pain, suffering, lost wages, permanent disability, medical costs, emotional trauma, and more.

The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have represented countless work injury victims with great success. We use our experience and wealth of knowledge to help represent victims of injury on a daily basis. Call our lawyers today for a free consultation at 888-684-7192.

The Delaware County Times reported on October 5 that two cars and a SEPTA bus were involved in an accident that injured three people. Two cars were stopped at an intersection in Delaware County when a bus rear-ended a Jeep, which then struck the car in front of it. Three bus passengers suffered injuries and were taken to Delaware County Memorial Hospital.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 37% of all accidents in 2008 occurred at intersections.

When entering an intersection, drivers need to be alert and careful. An intersection accident has the potential of harming pedestrians on the street, other drivers in vehicles and individuals in surrounding buildings.

Some common causes of Pennsylvania car accidents at intersections include:

• Driver negligence such as driving while using a cell phone or an inexperienced driver
• Defective or broken safety signals and signs
• Driver misconduct such as driving while intoxicated, speeding or reckless driving
• Construction zones
• Inferior road design

The Pennsylvania auto crash attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have helped injured clients win substantial settlements for injuries they sustained during intersection accidents. Our lawyers will also look into any negligence on the part of the driver of the other vehicle. Philadelphia bus accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including driver negligence, dangerous roadways, weather conditions, defective bus parts, improper maintenance, improper training, and lack of safety equipment and/or procedures. Call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation.

An 18-year-old man died last October from electrocution while working in the Williamson Trade School’s power shop plant. According to the Delaware Daily Times, his family filed a lawsuit against the school. The suit alleges that the man was not trained or supervised properly and that the school lacked safety equipment.

Electrocution occurs when a person is killed after being exposed to a lethal amount of energy. To cause serious damage, the human body must be exposed to an active electrical circuit having a current capable of over stimulating the nervous system or causes damage to internal organs.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported that an average of 411 fatalities due to electric hazards occur every year at job sites. Electrocution accidents in Pennsylvania and nationwide can be prevented. If proper precautions and safety measures were not taken or were ignored, causing severe electrical injuries or electrocution, negligence may apply to more than one party.

If you or someone you love was electrocuted on another person’s property and the premise owner was negligent in causing the injury accident, you may have grounds for filing a premises liability or wrongful death case. Signs of electrical shock include burns, respiratory failure, spinal cord injury, cardiac arrest, headaches, hearing problems, unconsciousness, tingling, weakness, numbness, seizures, muscle pain, broken bones, deformity, and heart arrhythmia. In a wrongful death lawsuit, family members of the wrongful death victim can sue the negligent party or parties for damages related to the loss of life and their own pain and suffering.

It is recommended that families who think their family member’s death was wrongful first contact a Philadelphia wrongful death attorney for a case assessment. If the case is valid, the attorney can help investigate the claim, gather evidence, represent them in court, and collect the compensation they deserve. The Pennsylvania accident attorneys at Cherry, Fieger, Marciano can help you find justice and compensation for your loved one’s death. Call us today for a free case evaluation and to learn more about your legal rights.

The Delaware County Times reported on September 29 that police were searching for a driver who allegedly stole a Range Rover SUV and crashed it into another car while going at least 100 mph. A Villanova student was killed by the hit-and-run driver and another student was critically injured.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that almost 11% of all vehicle accidents are hit-and-run car crashes. Each year, nearly 700,000 hit-and-run car accident cases are reported in the United States.

If it is determined that the driver of the Range Rover was at fault for this tragic Pennsylvania wrongful death auto accident, he could face additional criminal charges besides the hit-and-run charge. The driver may also be held financially responsible for the injuries or damages they caused. If a driver’s negligence is determined to have caused the wrongful death of another, family members of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical costs, funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. An experienced Pennsylvania wrongful death car accident lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.

The Philadelphia auto accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger and Marciano, LLP have the experience and knowledge that are necessary to represent clients involved in even the most complex car accident cases. If you have been involved in an auto accident in Pennsylvania, please contact Cherry Fieger and Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation with one of our experienced Philadelphia Pennsylvania car crash attorneys.

A man working on a city sewer project in Connecticut suffered serious head, neck and back injuries on September 28, when a support pipe inside a 20-foot deep trench struck his head, according to The New Haven Register.

Workplace accidents like these are investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA requires that workers in trenches be protected. The hazards that cause the most trenching accidents include: lack of a protective system; failure to inspect the trench; unsafe spoil-pile placement; and unsafe access.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that between 1992-2001 there were 542 trenching and excavation fatalities. Industries that most frequently reported fatalities were those involved in excavation work, followed by water, sewer, pipeline, communications and power-line construction. Although excavation and trenching fatalities occurred in various occupations, the largest proportion of deaths occurred among construction laborers.

When it comes to Philadelphia on-the-job accidents, injured workers may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. They can also file a third party claim against a negligent party other than their employer, which includes contractors, sub-contractors or the manufacturers of defective products. Injured workers and/or their families would be well advised to contact an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyer who has successfully handled third-party claims.

The Philadelphia workplace injury attorneys at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano champion the pursuit of redress for those injured and their loved ones in on-the-job accidents. They have the knowledge and skill to represent cases of severe injury or death from accidents including malfunctioning machinery accidents, faulty tools, defective ladders, scaffolding accidents as well as the collapse of floors and walls. Call (888) 684-7192 today for a confidential consultation.

On September 25, a 2-year-old and his mother were struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Washington Avenue in Philadelphia. According to an article in the Philadelphia Daily News, the toddler was killed and his mother was seriously injured in the Philadelphia pedestrian accident. The driver fled the scene.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were approximately 2.7 million injuries sustained in auto accidents and 43,443 accident-related fatalities in the United States in 2005. The NHTSA also reported that the rate of hit-and-run car accidents increased by fifteen percent from 1998 to 2002 throughout the United States.

Individuals who are deemed responsible for causing a wrongful death in a Pennsylvania car accident can be held liable in a court of law. Families of accident victims have the right to seek damages from reckless motorists on behalf of lost loved ones.

Continue reading " Toddler Killed in Philadelphia Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash " »

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that an autopsy of Owen Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania football player who committed suicide in April, showed he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This disease could have been caused by head trauma and may have led to his suicide. His mother believes Thomas never had a concussion.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. According to the National Institutes of Health, [http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm], they result mainly from vehicular incidents, falls, acts of violence, and sports injuries, and are more than twice as likely in males as in females. About 100 people per 100,000 are affected; somewhere between 2.5 and 6.5 million people. There are about 52,000 TBI related deaths per year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that even mild TBIs can affect a person’s ability to return to school or work and can result in long-term cognitive damage or other problems. Repeated or more severe TBIs can cause physical, cognitive, behavioral, or emotional problems.

If you are the parent of an athlete, it is important to become aware of brain injury symptoms. If you think your loved one is suffering as the result of a traumatic brain injury, you should seek the advice of a reputable brain injury attorney.

The experienced Pennsylvania brain injury attorneys at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano understand the legal issues of a personal injury. They offer qualified, competent legal representation with proven results. Call (888) 684-7192 for a free consultation.