Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

A man was killed after he was struck by not just one, but two hit-and-run drivers on January 17 in Philadelphia. While someone was helping the man after he was hit by one vehicle, a car sped through the intersection and the man was run over again. According to the article on Philly.com, police are still searching for both drivers.

According to statistics, a pedestrian is killed every 120 minutes. Almost 18 percent of pedestrian fatalities involve a hit and run. About 70 percent of pedestrian fatalities happen in urban areas. In Pennsylvania, 136 pedestrians were killed in 2009, which accounted for 10 percent of all traffic accident-related deaths. Forty-six of those deaths were in the city.

In this particular case, both drivers can be held liable for this man’s death. It is a driver’s responsibility to immediately stop at the scene of an injury-causing accident. They could both face criminal charges for leaving the scene of the fatal Pennsylvania pedestrian accident. When negligence is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim, seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income, and other related damages.

The Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP advise injured victims or families of those killed in accidents in Pennsylvania regarding how to proceed following an accident. Call our lawyers today for more information during a free, confidential consultation. We can answer any questions you may have.

On January 4, a car struck a SEPTA bus, injuring five people. Philly.com reports the car ran a red light and struck the Route 21 bus at 30th and Chestnut St. in Philadelphia.

Based on the report, it sounds like the driver of the car was not adhering to traffic laws and safe driving practices and was ultimately responsible for this accident. Driving faster than the posted speed limit is just one form of reckless driving. When drivers are distracted by cell phones or are performing other tasks while driving or they don’t follow the rules of the road when turning, then they are putting innocent lives at risk. The driver of the vehicle who struck this bus could be held liable for the victims’ injuries.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 501 bus crashes in 2008 that caused injuries. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues and enforces regulations that apply to commercial motor vehicles in order to reduce roadway injuries and fatalities.

If you or a loved one were injured on or by a SEPTA bus, trolley or train, contact an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer who can determine if you are entitled to payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If the bus driver was at fault, then the bus driver, as well as SEPTA, could be held responsible.

The Pennsylvania bus accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can explain the legal process, your rights, and how you can get help with medical and other expenses stemming from a bus crash in Pennsylvania. Call us today for a free consultation.

A 19-year-old employee of Philadelphia Gas Works was killed on January 18 in a gas explosion in northeast Philadelphia. The man had only worked for PGW for about a year. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, it’s the first fatal PGW blast in 33 years and the cause is still unknown. There were also four other workers injured in the explosion accident.

Hundreds of workers are killed every year in workplace explosions and thousands more are injured. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009, 59 workers were killed, which was about 8 percent of the total workers killed that year. In Pennsylvania that year, there were five worker fatalities due to explosions and fires.

Some potential explosion hazards at Pennsylvania workplaces include tanks of compressed liquid propane; and oxygen and acetylene as well as gasoline and diesel fuel present in places where workers are welding, grinding, and cutting metal are all potentially deadly. Employers must ensure that safety regulations and procedures are followed properly and that workers are trained about safety rules.

There will certainly be an investigation into what caused this fatal Philadelphia explosion accident. The victim’s family as well as the injured workers would be advised to seek the advice of a skilled Philadelphia explosion accident attorney. They will also investigate the events that led to the accident and seek damages on behalf of injured victims and their families.

Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have been helping explosion accident victims and their families for many years. Our Pennsylvania explosion accident lawyers also work hard to ensure that each client receives the damages they need to pay medical bills and other expenses. Call us today for a free consultation.

A man was killed when clearing flatbeds of snow from trucks at a towing business in North Brunswick on January 12. According to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the man became trapped and was crushed when his co-worker was tilting a flatbed and trying to get it back into position.

This tragic work accident may have been prevented if proper safety measures were followed. About 232 US workers were killed in 2009 by being crushed or trapped by equipment. Every year, mistakes are made while loading, which results in flatbed truck accidents where workers are crushed between the forklift and the rear of the truck. Others have been crushed by falling loads.

It is crucial that employers adequately train their employees and truck drivers in proper loading and unloading of heavy cargo on and off flatbed trucks. They also must follow safety procedures when handling and operating forklifts and other heavy machinery.

When a worker is injured or killed, the victim’s family should contact an experienced Philadelphia workers’ compensation accident lawyer to seek damages. If the employer is found negligent, they could be held liable.

Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have many years of experience helping families of workers injured while at work. If your loved one has been injured or killed in a workplace accident in Pennsylvania, contact the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation of your case. We will help you obtain compensation to assist with paying for medical bills, physical therapy, loss of earnings, and more. We offer a consultation at no cost and no obligation.

As of January 2001, over 5,000 individuals have filed lawsuits against Roche Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Accutane. These lawsuits claim that Accutane caused severe bowel problems, including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and similar chronic conditions.

Roche Pharmaceuticals took Accutane off the U.S. market in 2009. However, even though the National Institutes of Health and other medical institutions had documented that Accutane use was linked to birth defects, an increased risk of suicide, and bowel disorders, Roche mentioned none of these when it explained to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) why it was taking Accutane off the market. Instead, Roche merely said that it was discontinuing Accutane because the drug faced too much competition from generics.

As a result, in 2010 the FDA released a statement saying that Roche had given it no reason to believe that Accutane was discontinued for causing medical problems. Roche continues to deny that Accutane causes an increased suicide risk, even though Accutane labels carry this warning.

Several Accutane-related lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey and are set to go to trial this year. We will continue to watch the cases develop to determine what Roche did and did not know about the possible dangers of Accutane use.

If you or a loved one has taken Accutane and now suffers from an inflammatory bowel condition, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced PA Accutane injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. We will investigate your case thoroughly and help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today at 888-684-7192 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

A worker at an East Brunswick, NJ construction site died from injuries he suffered after a 30- foot fall on January 11. The article on MyCentralJersey.com reports that he fell from the roof of a building under construction and suffered a head injury.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. About 362 fatal falls happen each year. The most frequent causes of falls are unprotected sides, improper scaffold construction, unguarded protruding steel rebars, and unsafe ladders. OSHA inspects work environments for hazards involving building codes, equipment maintenance, ventilation and much more. OSHA regulations may be part of a work injury claim if the agency did not catch an unaddressed safety issue prior to an injury.

A construction company is responsible for installing safety equipment that protects workers from falling hazards. If a construction company doesn’t follow safety procedures and a worker is killed or severely injured in a fall, then that worker victim should contact an experienced construction accident attorney.

If you are an injured worker, it is important that your legal rights are protected. The Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers of Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP are familiar with the construction site regulations of the state. If you fell on a construction site in Pennsylvania and were injured, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which should cover the costs of medical expenses and lost earnings. Our attorneys work hard to ensure that an employer corrects any hazardous conditions and practices. Call today for a free evaluation of your construction accident case.

Many trials on the damaging side effects of Accutane are scheduled for this coming year, as patients who have suffered inflammatory bowel diseases after taking the popular acne drug are bringing claims against its manufacturer, Roche Pharmaceuticals reports Drug Watch.

Currently, over 2,500 people have filed lawsuits against Roche for damages caused by Accutane, and many have been settled out of court. All seven cases that have gone to trial have returned in favor of the plaintiffs, many of whom are permanently crippled with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or other inflammatory diseases that attack the lower intestines. Some of those who have filed suit against Roche have also had portions of their colon or lower intestines removed. The New Jersey courts that hear the Accutane cases have placed a temporary hold on hearing them since a 2008 verdict was overturned on appeal, requiring a retrial.

Accutane was first marketed in the U.S. in 1982. Since then, over 16 million people have taken the drug. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration began looking into complaints about inflammatory bowel disease, birth defects, and other conditions related to Accutane use in 2002 and pulled the drug from the U.S. market in 2009.

If you or someone you love has taken Accutane and later developed an inflammatory bowel condition or suffered any other side effects because of the drug, you should strongly consider talking to an experienced Pennsylvania Accutane lawyer. The attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have the legal resources and practical experience that is needed to protect your legal rights and fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. Call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today at 1-888-684-7192 for a free and confidential consultation.

On January 8, a PA driver crashed his car into a New Jersey home, severing a natural gas line and causing an explosion and fire. An article on MyCentralJersey.com states that one resident was injured and a house was also destroyed in the accident. The fire damaged four other homes, displacing one family.

According to the article, the driver was impaired at the time of the crash. He is now facing serious criminal charges, including driving while under the influence. Because of his serious disregard for the law, he could also be held civilly liable for the injuries caused as well as all the damage to the property. It is going to be extremely costly for the families whose homes were damaged, not to mention how disruptive to their lives it will be to be displaced.

When a driver fails to adhere to traffic laws and safe driving practices, they are ultimately responsible for any injuries that result from accidents their negligence has caused. Driving under the influence continues to be a serious problem in the U.S. In 2008, there were 34,000 auto accident fatalities and 11,773 alcohol-related. Thirty-four percent of all auto accidents in Pennsylvania that year were alcohol-related.

Anyone who is found to be responsible for causing injuries, damage, or death in an auto accident in Pennsylvania can be held liable for having done so in court. Accident victims have the right to seek damages from reckless motorists. It is recommended that they find an experienced Philadelphia auto accident attorney who will examine all circumstances surrounding the crash. If you have recently been a victim of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, please contact the lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP for a free evaluation of your case.

A gas main explosion in a Philadelphia neighborhood on the night of Tuesday, January 18, has left one Philadelphia Gas Works employee dead and injured five others. According to a myfoxphilly.com report, three other PGW workers suffered injuries and are considered to be in critical condition at the Temple University Hospital burn unit as of Wednesday morning. One firefighter was injured and reported to be in guarded condition.

While the exact cause of this Pennsylvania gas main explosion has yet to be determined, it has been noted that workers arrived at the scene around 7:30 p.m. to repair a 12-inch high-pressure gas main that had ruptured. The explosion occurred about an hour later, causing a fireball that burst 50-feet into the air. The blast reportedly destroyed a chiropractor’s office and the Red Cross stated that 15 to 20 families have had to be evacuated from their homes.

Gas companies are required to follow and implement specific safety rules and regulations to ensure that gas mains are properly installed, regularly monitored, and correctly repaired when necessary. If a gas explosion accident occurs due to some form of carelessness or oversight on the part of a gas company or a gas worker, they may be held legally responsible for resulting injuries, property damage, and fatalities.

The Philadelphia gas explosion accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP understand that you and your family may have many questions following a serious gas explosion accident. We are here to help. Our personal injury attorneys have handled several burn injury, explosion, and workers’ compensation cases, lending us the experience and resources to help you obtain the compensation you deserve from negligent parties. Call 888-684-7192 for a free consultation and to learn more about your legal rights.

On January 10, two brothers from Mexico were victims of a wall collapse in Queens, NY. One was crushed by scaffolding and cinder and died from his injuries. The New York Times reports that his brother and two other workers were injured in the accident.

These types of wall collapses are common at construction sites. In fact, 101 workers died from being crushed or caught in collapsing materials in 2008. In the past 20 years, the rate of work-related fatalities for Latinos/Hispanics has exceeded the rate for U.S. workers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported that between 2003 and 2006, the fatality rate for Latino workers exceeded the rate for all workers by nearly 35 percent. The possible reasons for the high injury rates for Latino workers include the high number of Latinos in very hazardous jobs and a reluctance to report unsafe conditions for fear of retaliation from employers.

The families of the worker who died in the wall collapse accident and the injured workers would be well advised to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.

If you have been injured while working at a construction site, please call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP for a free consultation. Our Pennsylvania construction accident lawyers will look to see if any negligence on the part of a contractor contributed to your injury. If there was any negligence on the part of the developer of the building, he could also be held liable. Call our office today for a free consultation.

A Pennsylvania worker suffered serious burns over almost 25 % of his body after a steam explosion at the Hussey Copper plant in Leetsdal, PA. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the January 11 explosion accident also injured two other workers. Workers were processing 12-foot-long copper ingots when the accident occurred.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that approximately 200 workers are killed every year in explosion accidents and fires. About 5,000 more are injured in these types of accidents annually. In 2008, 173 workers were killed in fires/explosions.

There are many potential explosion hazards at industrial plants and other similar workplaces. If proper safety regulations and procedures are not followed and enforced, workers may be at risk for explosion accident injuries, including severe burns. Other injuries include exposure to toxins, falls, broken bones, head injuries, internal injuries, lacerations, loss of sight and hearing, and even death.

The injured workers who were burned at the Hussey Copper plant are entitled to Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits. It is also possible that a third party was responsible for the accident, such as the manufacturer of equipment that was used if it is discovered to be defective, and in those instances, a third party lawsuit can be filed.

If you or a close relative has been severely injured or a close family member has been killed in an explosion accident, the Pennsylvania explosion accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP may be able to help. Our lawyers have been helping explosion accident victims and their families in Pennsylvania for many years. We will investigate the events that led to the accident, and help workers and their families receive a settlement and damages that can help pay for medical bills. Call us today for a free consultation.

Twenty-year-old Matt Crozier died on January 5 from injuries caused by a 30-foot fall on New Year’s Eve. The Philadelphia Daily News reported that Crozier, who is from Philadelphia, fell in a stairway in a University of Pennsylvania fraternity house and suffered severe head trauma.

Unfortunately, tragic falls like this one are not uncommon. They are especially common among 18- to 21-year-old men and many times alcohol is a factor. It is not clear yet if alcohol contributed to Crozier’s death, but if so, an attorney will investigate who furnished the alcohol. That person can be held legally responsible for the young man’s death. The family would have the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent party or parties for damages.

Mr. Crozier’s family would be well advised to seek the advice of an experienced wrongful death attorney. In addition to looking into the alcohol factor, it would also important to look into the safety of the fraternity house. Property owners can be held liable for premises liability if their negligence contributed to a fall accident.

These cases can be very complex, so it is recommended that families who think their family member’s death was wrongful first contact a wrongful death attorney. 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 Philadelphia wrongful death lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can help you find justice and compensation for your loved one’s death. Call today for a free consultation.

A construction worker was killed January 3 in a trench collapse on the Linden Street Bridge in Allentown, PA. The Delaware County Times reports that the worker was killed after it collapsed and hit him and another worker with gravel and concrete. The other worker was seriously injured.

Trench collapses cause dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries each year. In 2008 there were about 101 trench cave-in deaths. When a trench caves in, the worker can be seriously injured or die from being crushed by the soil or ground or die from asphyxia. They could also be injured from falls into the trench, falling debris, and being struck by trenching equipment. They can even die from exposure to poisonous gases in the trench.

These types of construction accidents could be prevented when the necessary precautions are taken. Not entering an unprotected trench, using a protective system for trenches 20 feet deep, and making sure an engineer designs a protective system for trenches 20 feet deep or greater are just some of the ways workers can prevent injury and death.

When a fatal construction site accident like this happens, the worker’s family faces hardship. Not only do they lose their loved one’s wage-earning ability, but they are left with medical and funeral expenses.

When a construction worker is injured or killed while at work, the victim’s family should contact an experienced Philadelphia construction accident lawyer to seek damages against the employer. The attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have successfully represented the families of workers killed in construction site accidents for many years. If your loved one was recently killed in a tragic construction accident such as this one, call our law office today for a free and confidential consultation.

The Pennsylvania State police reported that the number of driving fatalities this year during the New Year’s holiday weekend nearly doubled since last year. An article in The Philadelphia Inquirer said that eleven people were killed and 220 others were injured in the 693 car crashes during the four-day period. Seventy-six of the car accidents were alcohol-related.

According to The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, in recent years, the number of fatalities involving an impaired driver during New Year’s is 60 percent higher than the rest of the month. Over New Year’s between 2001 and 2005, there were about 54 alcohol-related traffic deaths per day.

With so many people celebrating on New Year’s Eve, many people make the poor choice of getting behind the wheel after drinking. When drivers choose to drive under the influence, it not only threatens the lives of themselves and others, but leads to legal ramifications.

Families of car accident victims in Pennsylvania have the right to seek damages from reckless motorists on behalf of lost loved ones. They would be advised to seek the services of an experienced auto accident attorney who will examine all circumstances surrounding an accident to determine which driver was negligent. If you or a loved one were injured over the New Year’s holiday in a car crash, the Philadelphia car crash lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can offer you a free consultation. Call our attorneys today at 888-684-2374 for more information.

On January 5, a driver apparently lost control of his car on Route 9 in NJ and hit a fire hydrant and a utility pole. He then crashed into Gregory’s Bar & Restaurant at the Jersey Shore, which had about 100 patrons at the time. According to an article on Philly.com, a passenger was killed and two people were seriously injured.

The article did not say if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident; however, it was reported that he was speeding.

Speeding is just one form of reckless driving and a motorist who fails to adhere to traffic laws and safe driving practices can be held legally responsible for any injuries or fatalities caused by an auto accident.

The patrons of this restaurant were extremely lucky that they were not injured. Sadly, the passenger in the car was killed and an innocent pedestrian was injured. The families of these accident victims have the right to seek damages from the reckless motorist. They would be advised to hire an experienced auto accident attorney who will examine all circumstances surrounding the accident to determine who was negligent.

Auto accidents throughout the United States are an unfortunate reality in our fast paced society. However, motorists who are aware of potential auto accident risks are better equipped to help prevent crashes and may be more prepared in avoiding them. If you have recently been injured in an auto accident in Pennsylvania, contact the Philly car crash injury lawyers at Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano, LLP for a free evaluation of your case. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your accident so that a strong case is built on your behalf.

The 5800 series intra-aortic balloon catheters were recalled by manufacturer Teleflex on December 22 after patients reported that it got “stuck in sheath.” If a user can’t move it forward or backward, it leads to a delay in therapy. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the U.S. FDA issued a class 1 recall because these catheters have the potential to cause serious health issues, even death.

Millions of people use catheters and assume they work properly. If they are defective, the medical device manufacturer must be held accountable for putting lives at risk. The FDA is responsible for the testing and approval of all medical devices, but sometimes defects and safety concerns aren’t apparent until the device is on the consumer market. When this happens, serious injuries can occur.

If you have suffered a serious personal injury or have lost a loved one as a result of a defective 5800 catheter or other medical device, contact an experienced Pennsylvania defective product lawyer to find out more information about your legal rights and options.

In such cases, injured victims can file a product liability claim against a manufacturer, seeking compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of additional surgery or treatment, hospitalization, and other related damages. If the defective product caused a death, then the family of the deceased victim can bring a wrongful death claim against the manufacturer of the defective product. At Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP our Philadelphia defective product attorneys can discuss your case with you and will work hard to determine whether a defective medical device was properly designed and manufactured. We will also investigate if there were adequate warnings on the device and if testing requirements were followed correctly. Call today for a free consultation.

First Class Foods Inc. ground beef products were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. An article on Philly.com reports that the beef was produced earlier this month and sold in stores in New Jersey, as well as several other states. (The package labels have the establishment number EST. 18895).

E. coli is a bacterium that can be deadly. It can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in severe cases kidney failure. About 6 to 81 million people become ill from foodborne diseases annually in the United States and about 9,000 die. Young people and senior citizens in particular are very susceptible to food-borne illness.

Food contamination usually occurs during the handling process. Symptoms may appear within a few days after consuming the contaminated food, but some illnesses last longer and are more severe. In some cases people develop a severe type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In many cases, by the time the contaminated product has been recalled, it’s too late and people have already become ill.

If you or a loved one has become ill from a contaminated food product that has been recalled, you would be well-advised to obtain an experienced Pennsylvania food recall attorney. At Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP our lawyers have represented clients in many complex food recall cases. We understand the importance of holding negligent food manufacturers liable for improperly maintained facilities as well as contaminated food products. Call our personal injury law firm today for a free assessment of your case.

MercuryNews.com reports that a California jury awarded worker David Travis more than $11.7 million for his injuries suffered during construction of a San Rafael, California hotel in 2007. After hitting his head multiple times while working, he was nearly paralyzed and now has lifelong neurological injuries. It was determined that the general contractor, Bison Builders, did not provide a safe work environment, and their negligence caused the man to suffer his injuries.

Building construction often results in serious injuries and even death. In 2008, 197 workers died that were in the building construction industry.

Mr. Travis was only 38-years-old when he was injured. In 2008, there were 1,084 workers killed who were between the ages of 35 and 44, which represented 21 percent of all worker fatalities that year. In California, there were 404 worker fatalities for that year, the second highest number of any state. Pennsylvania had 240 worker deaths in 2008.

According to the article, it sounds like this tragic construction accident could have been prevented. It is not clear why Bison Builders did not take the necessary precautions to keep their workplace or their employees safe. In many cases, employers try to cut costs by being lax on safety regulations, and unfortunately, it is the employees who suffer because of an employer’s negligence. When rules aren’t followed, the end result can be catastrophic, as in the case of Mr. Travis.

Safety regulations are in place to help prevent these types of tragedies from occurring, but unfortunately, rules are not always followed. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure employees are aware of safety regulations and are trained in safety protocol.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspects work environments for hazards and provides resources on its website for workers to make use of if they believe their workplace is dangerous. If the agency does not catch a safety issue at a workplace before an injury occurs, this could be part of a work injury claim.

The Philadelphia work injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP understand OSHA laws and know how to work with employers and their insurance companies following a workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania. Call our law office today for a free consultation about your workplace injury case.

An electrical fire in an efficiency apartment in Middletown recently left the apartment’s occupant temporarily homeless but unhurt, according to a recent article released by PennLive.com.

The fire broke out on Sunday morning, December 26 in the 200 block of Main Street in a detached efficiency apartment, according to Middletown fire officials. The Middletown Fire Company and other fire departments arrived at the scene shortly after the 9:40 a.m. call reporting the fire. Unfortunately, the apartment and detached garage of which it was a part were both destroyed.

Fire department officials say that the fire began in a wall near the base of the apartment and burned the walls and floor. The fire appears to have been started by an electrical fault, although the fire department’s investigators did not say whether the fire might have been the result of faulty wiring or other construction work.

The resident of the apartment was not home when the fire started. Red Cross volunteers helped him find new shelter and replace some necessary possessions.

Fire can cause extensive damage to a home and severe injury to those within. When a home is destroyed or a family member is injured by a fire, the costs of rebuilding your life can be astronomical. Individuals injured in fires caused by defective products, mistakes in electrical wiring, or errors during home construction may be able to seek compensation from negligent parties for medical bills and other damages.

If you have been injured in a fire, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. We will examine your case carefully and answer any questions about your legal rights and options. For a free and confidential consultation, call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today at 1-888-684-7192.

Rebekah Metzler, a news reporter from Maine, is suing a Maine ski area resort after she broke her back in 2008 while riding inside a giant ball down one of the resort’s ski trails for a story. Philly.com reports that she suffered permanent injuries after riding inside the ZORB that went out of control on a ski trail.

ZORB riding (also known as globe riding) is a fairly new extreme sport. It offers the experience of rolling down a hill while strapped in a large inflatable globe.

In addition to accidents such as this ZORB accident, often, serious injuries occur at ski resorts. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) reports that injuries including paralysis, serious head injuries such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other ski-related injuries occur about 43 times a year. In 2009, there were about 16 serious ski accidents as well as 23 snowboarding accidents at ski resorts.

Anyone who has been injured in a serious skiing accident should seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney, who can advise them on their legal options. Personal injury accidents include many types of injuries, such as burn injuries, brain and spine injuries, slip and fall accidents, and more.

The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can help you or a loved one by discussing your situation and consulting with medical and technical experts to determine the full extent of your injuries. Our lawyers will examine the case carefully to conclude whether another person or business was negligent and contributed to your injury.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, contact Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP at 1-888-684-2374 for a free consultation.

Police are looking for Kenney Bellegarde, a 21-year-old from Philadelphia accused of vehicular homicide for the death of Vanessa Tomlin of New Jersey in a car crash in October. Tomlin was a passenger in the vehicle Bellegarde was driving while intoxicated and was killed in the car accident. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Bellegarde was drinking at a wedding prior to the crash and had a BAC almost double the legal limit at the time of the Pennsylvania car accident.

Anyone with information regarding Mr Bellegarde’s whereabouts is urged to call the local police department or the Crime Commission tip line at 215-546-8477 or 877-345-8477.

In the United States, about a third of all car crashes are alcohol-related. In 2009, 10,839 people lost their lives because of an accident that involved a driver with a BAC of .08 percent or higher. In Pennsylvania, there were 406 deaths that year from alcohol-related car accidents.

In Pennsylvania car crash cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, the family of a deceased auto accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages. Not only is Mr. Bellegarde both criminally and civilly liable, but an experienced wrongful death attorney will also investigate if anyone serving him alcohol at the wedding reception was aware that Bellegarde was beyond the legal limit. They could also be held legally responsible for the fatal car accident.

In Pennsylvania, there are dram shop laws in place to hold restaurants, bars, or other establishments that sell alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person accountable for injuries or fatalities caused by a person who chooses to drive drunk following heavy drinking at an establishment. Because these laws are complicated, it’s recommended that an experienced PA liquor liability lawyer conduct a thorough and independent investigation following a car crash in Pennsylvania involving a drunk driver.

Bar and restaurant owners must train their staff so that they can identify intoxicated patrons and stop serving them when they see visible signs of intoxication. If you are dealing with the aftermath of a fatal DUI car accident, please call the Pennsylvania car accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP to find out more information about how to pursue your legal rights as a victim.

Contractor Bruce Hardy was working on a dam project at the Holtwood Dam on December 16 when he was struck and killed by a piece of construction equipment. The York Daily Record reports that the man was stuck against the side of an excavation site in Lancaster and was then hit by a piece of swinging equipment.

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show just how dangerous construction sites can be. In 2008, there were 969 construction-related fatalities, the most fatalities of any industry that year. A total of 508 construction workers were struck and killed by objects or construction equipment that same year.

Hardy worked for Walsh Construction, a Chicago contracting company. His family would be well advised to contact an experienced construction accident attorney to see if there was any negligence on the part of the company that contributed to his death. A skilled lawyer will investigate whether the construction area was safe and whether any safety precautions were ignored.

Although Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits provide assistance to injured workers and their families following a workplace accident, these benefits are not always sufficient, especially when a worker has been killed. If a construction accident is caused by any equipment defects or malfunctions, there is a potential third-party claim against the equipment’s manufacturer. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a third-party may be held liable for the damages of a Pennsylvania work accident.

The Philadelphia construction accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP understand the complexity of workers’ compensation laws and know how devastating a construction accident can be for a victim and their family. Our lawyers can help by offering a free consultation to discuss your Pennsylvania workplace accident case.