Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

According to a recent study, Vitamin A and retinoic acid, often used in the acne treatments Retin-A and the drug Accutane, may exacerbate a person’s celiac disease, reports CNBC. Those who suffer from celiac disease are unable to eat certain foods, such as cereal, pasta, and beer, and may also cause tissue damage.

PubMed reports that celiac disease is a medical condition that damages the lining of a person’s small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is caused by a reaction to gluten, which is found in barley, rye, wheat, and possibly oats.

Accutane (the brand name of the prescription drug Isotretinoin) is used to treat severe recalcitrant nodular acne and relieve the symptoms of various other skin conditions and even some cancers. However, there are several potentially dangerous side effects associated with Accutane, including inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Drug manufacturers are responsible for designing and creating pharmaceutical products that are safe and will not pose any harm to patients. Pharmaceutical companies must provide accurate and thorough warning labels for potential side effects and risks.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious side effects from taking Accutane or another drug, the Accutane attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have the legal knowledge and resources necessary to build a strong case on your behalf. Our lawyers have years of experience successfully litigating pharmaceutical drug cases and can help you hold negligent manufacturers liable for any injuries that were caused by their prescription drug. Call us today for a free consultation at 888-684-2374.

A worker at a Lycoming County, PA lumber company was killed on February 14 while he was fixing a piece of equipment. According to WNEP, when the machine stopped, he fatally injured himself trying to repair it.

The fatal workplace accident will be investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which regulates all workplaces in the United States to prevent dangerous working conditions. They inspect work environments for hazards relating to building codes, equipment maintenance, ventilation, and much more.

Unfortunately, machinery accidents are not uncommon in the workplace. In 2009, 414 workers were killed by being struck by an object or equipment and 112 were caught in running equipment or machinery.

If machinery is not designed or manufactured properly, it may result in very serious machinery accidents, which often include crane accidents; fork lift accidents; missing or faulty safety switches on machines; workers losing fingers, hands, or arms while working on lathes, slicers, mills, rollers and other equipment; machinery backing over workers; malfunctioning or poorly maintained equipment that causes injury or death; and many other types of accidents caused by a wide range of machinery and equipment.

If you were severely injured in a machinery accident in PA or if a loved one was killed while at work, you would be well-advised to contact an experienced Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorney. In these types of workplace accidents, if it is determined that an employer’s negligence directly contributed to the machinery accident, you may be entitled to receive damages, and the skilled lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP may be able to help. Call us today for a free consultation.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Labor Department, the rate of fatal injuries for farmers and ranchers is about 38.5 per 100,000 fulltime workers, reports Philly.com. This is surprisingly higher than the rate of fatal occupational injuries for occupations that are known to be dangerous, such as firefighting (4.4) and police officers (13.1).

Farmers and ranchers face many dangers, such as overturned tractors; entanglements in combines, balers, and other farm machinery; getting trapped in silos or grain elevators; and getting kicked or trampled by livestock. Farmers can also be exposed to fatal exposures like toxic spills and fumes, fires, and accidental poisonings.

There were about 4,340 fatal workplace injuries in the U.S. in 2009. Fishers/fishing workers had the highest rate of fatal injuries, followed by logging workers, airplane pilots and then farmers and ranchers. There were 2,130 transportation-related work fatalities that year, which is more than one-fifth of all fatalities.

If you have sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of your employment, you have a potential workers’ compensation claim. Injuries may occur while traveling on business, doing a work-related errand, attending a required business-related social function, or even while on a break or using restroom facilities; all of which may be able to be covered by workers’ compensation benefits.

The Pennsylvania work injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have successfully represented countless clients who have been injured while on the job. It is important to have legal help when dealing with a serious work injury. Call today for a free initial consultation regarding your work accident.

When muscle tissue fibers break down, they release potentially harmful chemicals into the bloodstream in a process called rhabdomyolysis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Rhabdomyolysis may cause permanent and life-threatening damage to the kidneys in some patients.

Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle stiffness, tenderness, or weakness. The urine may be unusually dark, red, or brownish colored. Some patients also experience fatigue, seizures, joint pain, or unintentional weight gain. A physical exam by a physician may reveal weak, painful, or stiff skeletal muscles, while a blood test may reveal high levels of myoglobin, creatinine, and/or potassium in the bloodstream. Urine may also contain myoglobin or test positive for red blood cells, even though no red blood cells can be seen when the sample is placed under a microscope.

Once rhabdomyolysis is diagnosed, early treatment with fluids may help prevent damage to the kidneys. Some people require dialysis in addition to fluids and other treatments. If the kidneys are severely damaged, a lifelong regimen of dialysis or even a kidney transplant may be required.

The Food and Drug Administration recently linked the use of Zocor and other cholesterol-lowering medications to increased risk of rhabdomyolysis, especially in older patients and those on certain heart medications. If you or a loved one have been taking Zocor or similar simvastatin medications, it is wise to ask your doctor about any unusual symptoms or any concerns about rhabdomyolysis you may have. If you’ve already been diagnosed with Zocor-related rhabdomyolysis, please don’t hesitate to consult an experienced Pennsylvania Zocor rhabdomyolysis attorney like those at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. To schedule a free and confidential case evaluation, call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today at 1-888-684-7192.

A woman was severely injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident on Wednesday, February 2, according to The Delaware County Daily Times. Police are still searching for the driver.

The woman was walking along Cedar Lane on her way to the supermarket when she was struck from behind by a motor vehicle. She suffered several injuries in the accident, including hip fractures and brain injuries. She was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she remains in critical condition.

According to witnesses, a dark-colored pickup truck was seen driving at a high rate of speed away from the scene at the time the woman was hit. The driver turned down a dead-end street, and then backtracked onto Cedar Lane. Police report the pickup truck should have sustained significant front-end damage in the Pennsylvania pedestrian accident and ask anyone with information to contact the Upper Darby detectives at 610-734-7677.

Unlike motorists, pedestrians have no protection from the full force of a collision with a car in an accident. Drivers can help prevent pedestrian accidents by looking carefully for pedestrians at intersections and along roads, especially in winter when sidewalks may be blocked by snow. Pedestrians can help protect themselves by wearing white or reflective clothing and carrying a flashlight at night.

If you have suffered injury in a pedestrian accident in PA, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Pennsylvania pedestrian accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. Our attorneys will carefully examine your case and can help protect your legal rights while seeking compensation after an accident. To learn more, call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP at 1-888-684-7192 today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Recently, an employee at a manufacturing plant in Hanover, Pennsylvania was injured while at work. He was operating material handling equipment and accidentally backed it into himself. According to The York Dispatch, the worker cut his leg, which required stitches. He also injured his ribs.

Every year, there are hundreds of machinery accidents in workplaces across the United States. In 2009, 414 workers were killed after they were struck by an object or equipment, and an additional 112 workers were killed after they were caught in running equipment or machinery.

Pennsylvania machinery accidents can involve many different types of machinery, including crane accidents; fork lift rollovers; missing or faulty safety switches and guards on machines; workers losing fingers, hands, or arms while working on lathes, slicers, mills, rollers and other equipment; workers backed over by machinery; malfunctioning equipment that causes injury or death; and many other types of accidents caused by a wide range of equipment. If machinery is not properly designed or created by a manufacturing company, or is not maintained properly by a workplace, it may result in machinery accidents in PA that that can seriously or fatally injure workers.

If an employer is found to be negligent and their actions contributed to a workplace accident in Pennsylvania, the injured worker and their family may be entitled to receive compensation for the worker’s injuries and related losses. If you or a close family member has been injured or a family member has been killed in a machinery accident in PA, the Philadelphia machinery accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP may be able to help. Call 1-888-684-7192 today for a free consultation.

A New Jersey Water Pollution Control worker was seriously injured recently after he was electrically shocked. As reported in The Trentonian, he suffered serious nerve damage to one of his arms and has lost sight in one of his eyes as a result of the electric shock accident.

Electric shock or electrocution injuries can occur in a variety of ways and can result from an employer or worker taking improper safety precautions on worksites, and can also be caused during maintenance work if a worker comes in contact with a live electrical conductor accidentally. Electrocution accidents in Pennsylvania can also happen when workers are on aluminum ladders or poles anywhere near electrical transmission lines.

The most common injuries of electric shock and electrocution accidents are severe burns and death. In addition to burns, other serious injuries may occur, including internal injuries, fractures, dislocations, irregular heartbeats, severe muscle spasms, and cardiac arrest.

In 2009 there were 168 U.S. workers who were fatally injured by contact with an electric current. Thirteen workers in Pennsylvania died and five died in New Jersey after coming in contact with harmful substances or environments.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has many guidelines that employers and their employees must follow when working with electricity. If employers do not follow these guidelines, they are endangering the lives of their workers, and anyone else that might be near the worksite.

If you or a close family member has been killed or injured in an electrocution or electric shock accident in PA, the Philadelphia electrocution attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP may be able to help you. Call 1-888-684-7192 today for a free consultation.

Recently, a maintenance worker suffered minor burn injuries in an explosion at a New Jersey apartment complex. According to a report on NorthJersey.com, the man was spreading polyurethane on the floor of an apartment with the windows and doors closed. Fumes built up inside the apartment and when the refrigerator’s compressor came on, it sparked an explosion that shattered a glass door and knocked plasterboard off the walls in three rooms.

Fires and explosions account for about 3 percent of all workplace fatalities. A total of 113 workers were killed in 2009 due to fires or explosions. Three of the workers were from New Jersey and 5 workers died in Pennsylvania that year. About 5,000 workers are injured each year in explosion accidents.

Construction and industrial workplaces have many potential explosion hazards. It is crucial that safety regulations and procedures are followed by employers and workers are properly trained on safety measures. Pennsylvania explosion accidents are preventable if the proper safety rules are enforced. When regulations are not followed, workers may be at risk for injuries including severe burns, fall injuries, broken bones, toxic exposure, internal injuries, head injuries, muscle damage, and more.

If you or a loved one has been severely injured or a close family member has been killed in an explosion accident in PA, the Philadelphia explosion accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP may be able to help. We will work hard to investigate the events that led to the explosion accident and seek adequate compensation for you and your family. Please contact one of our lawyers today for a free and confidential consultation by calling 1-888-684-7192.

In New Jersey, a product liability trial is under way to conclude whether Merck & Co. are liable for a woman’s jaw loss. According to an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, studies have shown that many Fosamax patients suffered femur-fractures after low-impact falls and “jaw death.” Merck may have been too slow in warning its patients of any risks.

Fosamax (alendronate) is prescribed for osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become increasingly fragile. Drugs such as Fosamax, which is in the bisphosphonates category, are prescribed to increase bone density. However, in 2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressed concerns to the drug manufacturer regarding a possible link between bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Symptoms of ONJ include loose teeth, jaw pain, exposed bone, severe mouth infections, swelling in the mouth, ulcers, and sores.

If you or a loved one have suffered from any of the side effects caused by taking Fosamax, or have experienced any other serious health-related side effects as the result of using a medication that may be dangerous, you should contact a Philadelphia adverse drug reaction lawyer at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP for a free case evaluation.

If a manufacturer produces drugs that are found to be defective or dangerous, they can and should be held responsible for the injuries their products cause. The pharmaceutical manufacturers have an obligation to create, produce, and sell safe products, which includes affixing an appropriate label on the drug’s packaging. It is very important to hire a skilled PA drug injury attorney to help you prove that a drug manufacturer was responsible for producing a defective product. Contact Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation.

According to a recent article in The Pottstown Mercury, Pennsylvania House Bill 330 contains a number of provisions designed to keep roads safer by eliminating distractions among the state’s least experienced drivers—teens.

If passed, the bill would first cut down on distractions inside the vehicle by limiting 16- and 17-year-old drivers to one passenger under the age of 18, unless the younger passengers are members of the driver’s family. The bill proposes to name this new law “Lacey’s Law” after Lacey Gallagher, a Pennsylvania teen who lost her life in a van accident in 2007. The van was carrying six teen passengers.

House Bill 330 also changes Pennsylvania’s driver education rules. The proposed law would add 15 hours to the 50 hours Pennsylvania teens must drive before earning a driver’s license. Ten of the additional hours must involve nighttime driving, and five must involve driving in bad weather, such as rain or snow.

The bill would also change the rules for using cell phones or other wireless devices on the road. Teenagers would be prohibited from using any wireless device while driving, unless they are contacting someone for help in an emergency. Adults will also be prohibited from using wireless devices while driving. However, the bill allows adults to use hands-free headsets to talk on cell phones, but prohibits teens from using the devices when behind the wheel.

Distracted driving is a major source of serious car accidents, especially among inexperienced drivers. A moment’s distraction on the road can lead to serious injury or even death. If you have been injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you need the help of an experienced Pennsylvania accident lawyer. The attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have the experience to fight for the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call 888-684-7192 today.

A truck driver from Northeast Philadelphia was recently charged with making false entries in his log book. He admitted that he was not taking required breaks prior to a fatal crash on January 23, 2009. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, his passenger was injured in the crash and the other driver was killed.

Federal statutes require that truck drivers rest 10 hours between trips and do not drive more than 11 hours per day. The motor carrier and equipment provider must also thoroughly inspect, repair, and maintain all motor vehicles and intermodal equipment. In this case, the truck had not passed inspection. According to the article, brake failure was the cause of the fatal truck crash in January 2009.

In Pennsylvania, there were 5,247 crashes in 2009 that involved heavy trucks and 122 of these accidents were fatal. Most of the heavy truck crashes involved vehicle failures related to tires and wheels, brakes, and unsecured or overloaded trailers.

Because of the size and weight of a truck, accidents between a truck and a car are particularly hazardous. If you have recently been in a truck accident, it is important that you protect yourself, your passengers, your property and your legal rights. If the truck driver was not in compliance with federal regulations, or if they were driving while drowsy, distracted, or engaging in any other type of negligent driving, you could be entitled to compensation from the driver and their employer.

Protect yourself by contacting the experienced Philadelphia truck accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. Call our law offices today for a free consultation regarding your PA truck accident.

Recently, two New Jersey tire store employees suffered burns after a motor vehicle fuel pump ignited and exploded. The Daily Record reports that that explosion accident occurred when an employee tried to put out the fire, but the force of discharge from an extinguisher knocked over a tray of gasoline, which further fueled the fire and triggered an explosion.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fires and explosions account for about 3 percent of workplace fatalities in the United States. In 2009, 113 workers were killed in 2009 in the U.S. due to fires or explosions. In New Jersey, there were 3 worker deaths because of fires or explosions that same year, and in PA, five workers died from the same causes.

If proper safety regulations and procedures are followed and companies train workers about safety rules and enforce them, Pennsylvania explosion accidents are largely preventable. However, if regulations are not followed or enforced, workers may be at risk for explosion accident-related injuries, including severe burns, fall injuries, broken bones, exposure to toxins, internal injuries, head injuries, muscle damage, and more.

For many years, the experienced Philadelphia explosion accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have successfully helped explosion accident victims and their families. We will carefully investigate the events that led to an explosion accident and explain the laws that apply to your specific case as well as answer any questions you may have while we seek damages for you and your family. We will work hard to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to pay for medical bills and other related expenses. If you have recently been injured in an explosion or fire accident, call us today for your free consultation.

According to The Morning Call, a gas explosion accident occurred late Wednesday night, February 9, leaving at least three dead. Two others are missing, and eight injuries related to the blast have been reported, all of which are minor.

The explosion occurred at about 10:45 p.m., and prompted a blaze which witnesses have said was hundreds of feet in the air. Two homes were completely leveled by the blast, and six neighboring houses caught fire. The article reports that a total of 47 properties were affected by the explosion, and at least 600 people were evacuated from the area.

Holes needed to be dug into the ground to cut off the gas flow to the area, and fire fighters worked all night to contain the blaze. By about 4:30 a.m., the gas leak was under control.

UGI Corp. stated early Thursday it is likely one of its natural-gas pipelines exploded. While authorities will investigate the accident to conclude what caused the natural-gas pipelines to explode, typically, similar explosion accidents are determined to have been caused by gas mains that have not been installed or maintained properly. Rules and regulations dictate that gas companies should regularly check gas lines for signs of problems, such as corrosion, so repair can be prompt to prevent explosion accidents from occurring. When these precautions are overlooked, a catastrophic or even fatal explosion accident can occur. If it is found that a gas company disregarded the safety of their workers as well as area residents by failing to follow proper regulations, they could be held liable for any injuries or deaths that result from a gas explosion accident.

If you have been severely injured in an explosion accident, contact Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. For many years, our Pennsylvania gas explosion accident lawyers have helped explosion accident victims and their families receive compensation to help pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call 1-888-684-7192 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys today.

Recently, a snow plow truck driver was injured in Pottsville, PA. As the worker was getting out of his truck, it slid and knocked him to the ground. The driver was then dragged approximately 30 feet and pushed into a building. According to the report on WNEP, the driver’s leg was injured in the accident.

It’s fortunate that the plow truck driver was not injured more seriously. This is just one example of the dangers of snow removal. Driving a snow plow is tiring work and is similar to what commercial truck drivers and many other motorists experience. It’s important for all drivers, especially those of larger trucks, to be extra careful when operating their vehicle. Another way to help prevent snow plow accidents is for drivers of these vehicles to check all of their equipment before each use to make sure the vehicle is working properly.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2009, there were 1,682 work-related deaths from transportation incidents, more than any other work-related fatality. There were 265 workers that year who were struck and killed by a vehicle. Pennsylvania had 55 transportation-related worker deaths that year.

The snow plow driver would be well advised to contact an experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorney. The skilled lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can help workers who have suffered a work injury receive adequate compensation for their injury and related losses. We can conduct all of the necessary research that is required to effectively and successfully pursue a work injury case. If you have recently been injured while on the job, call us today at 1-888-684-7192.

A recent study on teen driving reported that 681,000 people were involved in accidents in 2008 where a teenager was driving. An article in The Times Herald states that the study showed that over 40,000 people were injured and nearly 30 percent of those who died in the crashes were cyclists, pedestrians, or occupants of other vehicles.

In Pennsylvania in 2009, 41 percent of single vehicle crashes involved teen drivers. Additionally, 27 percent of the driver deaths in the 16-20 age range were drunk drivers. In the U.S., 90 percent of all car crashes involve driver error, which means there are many ways teens can impact safety. Failure to use seat belts, speeding, drinking and driving, and distracted driving all contribute to car accidents and fatalities. Overall, car crashes are the number one killer of teenagers, according to Teen Driver Source.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that parents practice driving as often as they can with their teen. They should also ensure that their new driver and their passengers always wear seat belts to help prevent injuries and fatalities in Pennsylvania car accidents. Crashes are likely to occur at night and when other teens are in the car, so it is a good idea to limit a teen’s nighttime driving.

Distracted driving is illegal and any activity which substantially decreases a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is against the law. If you or someone you love has been in a serious car accident in Pennsylvania and you believe it was caused by an inexperienced driver and/or one who was driving distracted, such as using their cell phone or distracted by other passengers in the car, you may be entitled for compensation for your losses. An experienced personal injury lawyer can prove that a negligent driver was significantly distracted and caused an accident.

For more information, contact the experienced Pennsylvania auto accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation. Call 888-684-2374.

A judge found that a Penn State University fraternity was responsible for giving alcohol to 18-year-old freshman hours before he died from a fall down the stairs in September of 2009. According to the article on Philly.com, he had consumed alcohol at several places that night, including at the fraternity party. The fraternity was sentenced to 70 days of community service as well as pay a fine of $500.

A study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found that alcohol-related deaths among college students in the United States rose from 1,440 in 1998 to 1,825 in 2005. An average of 35 college-aged people die from alcohol-related causes every week.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people between the ages of 12 to 20 years drink about 11 percent of the total alcohol consumed in the U.S. Over 90 percent of the drinking is consumed in the form of binge drinks. In 2008, there were about 190,000 emergency rooms visits by people under the age of 21 for injuries and other conditions related to alcohol.

In this specific instance, the victim’s family could pursue a wrongful death claim against the fraternity. When an underage person dies or is seriously injured after consuming alcohol at organization events, such as those held by fraternities, those in charge of the event can be held liable.

If you have recently lost a loved one who was killed at a public event, the Pennsylvania wrongful death attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can help you obtain justice and compensation for your loved one’s death. Call us today for a free case evaluation and more information on our exemplary track record, documented legal skill, and unparalleled resources. Your case consultation with one of our Philadelphia, PA wrongful death attorneys is free of charge and completely confidential.

A 25-year-old worker was injured in a fall while doing repairs on the outside of a building in Secaucus, NJ. According to NJ.com, his safety harness prevented him from hitting the ground, but he fell six stories and suffered a head injury when he swung into the building during the fall.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2009 showed that there were 617 worker fatalities caused by falls. They are the leading cause death in the construction industry.

If a construction company fails to offer a safe workplace for its workers, whether by not providing the proper safety equipment, not adequately training workers in safety regulations, or by ignoring safety rules altogether, a construction worker injured on the job should contact an experienced construction accident lawyer to learn what compensation may be available to them.

If a “third-party,” which is a party other than the worker’s employer or its employees, is responsible for a worker’s injury, such as producing a product that is found to be defective and contributes to a workplace injury, a third-party claim may be able to be filed. Third-party claims usually provide monetary damages that are more than the workers’ compensation benefits that would be available for the same injury.

The Pennsylvania construction site fall accident attorneys at the personal injury law firm Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have many decades of combined experience helping injured workers and their families seek damages against construction companies whose negligence led to a worker’s injury or death. We will investigate how the accident occurred so we can determine if the fall could have been prevented. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.

A 51-year-old woman was struck and killed by a Delaware Department of Transportation snow plow on January 27 in Wilmington. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the woman was walking early in the morning when she was hit by the dump truck, which was equipped with a plow.

Because of their size and weight, it can be difficult for snow plows to maneuver or stop quickly, particularly when roads are slippery or snow-covered. Snow plow drivers may have difficulty seeing motorists and pedestrians that are too close to the plows because of blind spots. It is important for pedestrians to stay a safe distance away from snow plows, either behind them or on the sidewalk. In addition to pedestrians, motorists should also take precautions around plow trucks. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recommends that motorists allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. For their own safety and the safety of plow operators, drivers should not try to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading treatment materials.

The family of the victim would be well advised to consult with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. An experienced lawyer will investigate the accident to see if there was any negligence by the plow truck driver. The Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP have years of experience bringing negligent drivers to justice for pedestrian accidents. We offer a free consultation to anyone with questions about whether their loved one’s pedestrian accident could result in a valid lawsuit.

A recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Pennsylvania received a failing grade from the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety in regards to highway safety. According to the annual report, PA has a significant lack of safety laws regarding seat belt use, cell phone use, and teen drivers. Among other recommendations, the report urged that Pennsylvania prohibit the use of cell phones and text messaging by beginning drivers. It also recommended limiting the number of passengers for teen drivers.

Because of their inexperience behind the wheel, drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 can be prone to speeding or reckless driving, often due to peer pressure. In Pennsylvania in 2009, 27 percent of the driver deaths in the 16-20 age group were drunk drivers, an increase of 22 percent from 2008.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that talking on a cell phone increases risk of being in a car crash by about 30 percent, and that drivers text messaging are 8 times more likely to be involved in an accident. In Pennsylvania in 2009, 57 people were killed in crashes caused by a distracted driver.

If you or someone you love has been in a serious car accident in Pennsylvania and you believe it was caused by a driver who distracted, such as using their cell phone to text or call someone, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Distracted driving is illegal and any activity that substantially decreases your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is against the law. The Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP will investigate your accident and can help you prove that the driver was distracted so you can receive the full and just compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.

The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority provides detailed information on healthcare providers throughout Pennsylvania, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. If you or a loved one needs medical care or will be staying in a nursing home, the Patient Safety Authority provides the following tips for choosing the best facility for your needs.

The Patient Safety Authority and other regulatory bodies provide ratings systems that evaluate the safety, quality of care, and other factors involved in giving health care. To choose the best facility for your needs, first look at the facility’s rating for the specific care you need. For example, if you need cardiac stents implanted after a heart attack, check each hospital’s ratings for stent replacement.

Also, examine the ratings that are most important to you. For instance, if you’re worried about being treated well by the staff, look at the facility’s ratings for staff friendliness and responsiveness to patient needs.

If you or a loved one needs surgery or another medical procedure, look at the number of times the hospital, physician, and surgical staff have done the same procedure. According to the Patient Safety Authority, the outcomes for patients are usually better the more times a physician has done the same procedure.

Protecting yourself and your family from medical malpractice and nursing home abuse in Pennsylvania starts with good research. However, you cannot always prevent another person’s negligence or mistreatment. If you or a loved one has been injured by a health care professional’s actions, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano LLP for a free and confidential consultation. Call 1-888-684-7192 today to learn more about your rights after a medical injury.

A Pennsylvania man lost his life and a woman suffered critical injuries recently when their minivan collided with another van on I-79 near Clarksburg, West Virginia, according to a recent article in the Charleston, West Virginia Gazette.

The Oil City, Pennsylvania couple were driving south on I-79 when their van swerved suddenly, crossing the median and driving into the northbound lane. A pickup truck traveling north hit the van on its passenger side, pushing it into an embankment on the side of the road, according to the West Virginia State Police.

State police and other rescue workers were unable to save the husband, who died at the scene. His wife was taken to the Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, where she is being treated for critical injuries. The driver of the pickup truck suffered minor injuries. Police have decided he was not responsible for the accident.

The state police are still investigating the accident. They are unsure what happened, but speculated that the man, who was driving, suffered a heart attack or stroke. The minivan was also carrying heavy cargo items like golf clubs, which may have shifted, causing the van to swerve. The state police force’s accident reconstruction team continues to work on the accident.

Car accidents are an unfortunate fact of life on America’s roads and highways. Distractions, defective car parts or repairs, or drivers who are not paying careful attention to the road can all result in severe injury or fatal motor vehicle accidents. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano LLP can help you make sense of your legal rights and seek the compensation you deserve. To learn more, call our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers today at 1-888-684-7192 for a free and confidential consultation.