Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

According to this report, two trucks were involved in a Pennsylvania accident that killed a Chicago woman. After one of them rear-ended the car that the woman was riding in on Interstate 90, she was thrown from the car and then struck by a second truck. Neither one of the trucks stopped after she was hit.

It wasn’t determined if the woman was killed when she landed on the highway or when the second truck hit her. The article reported that the driver of the second truck might not have known he hit someone.

According to the PA Department of Transportation, the vast majority of heavy truck crashes involve vehicle failures as primary contributing factors in crashes and are related to tires and wheels, brakes, and unsecured or overloaded trailers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor trailer crash in PA, your physical and emotional injuries 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.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Truck Hit and Run Crash Kills Woman" »

According to this article on thedailyreview.com, a rig worker was injured on July 26 at the Chesapeake Energy Corp. in Leroy Township, PA.

The injury happened during a drilling operation at the site. Although the injury was not life threatening, the worker had to be taken by emergency helicopter to a hospital.

Working at a natural gas rig is a dangerous job. According to the CDC, increases in oil and gas extraction activity were correlated with an increase in the rate of fatal occupational injuries in this industry, with an annual fatality rate of 30.5 per 100,000 workers (404 fatalities) during 2003--2006, approximately seven times the rate for all workers (4.0 per 100,000 workers). Researchers and public health officials should collaborate with industry groups to establish engineering and process controls that remove workers from potentially dangerous machinery while drilling and servicing oil and gas wells.

The worker who suffered from the PA workplace accident would be well advised to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. If it is determined that a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Any worker who has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment has a potential workers’ compensation claim. The dedicated Pennsylvania workers’ comp lawyers at Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano will do everything possible to get the monetary compensation that is owed to you to help pay medical bills, physical therapy, loss of work and more.

According to this article, a 27-year old former teacher in Bridgewater, NJ, pleaded guilty to five counts of assault by auto. On August 18, 2009 she was driving under the influence and caused a crash in Hillsborough, NJ. It seriously injured two adults and three children.

After last summer’s accident, the woman was arrested for drunken driving two more times.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drinking and driving remains a top safety issue in Pennsylvania. In 2007, there were 12,752 alcohol-related crashes and 534 fatalities caused by alcohol-related traffic accidents.

Statistics showed 90% of the alcohol-related occupant deaths (drivers and passengers) were in the vehicle driven by the drinking driver; 75% were the drinking drivers themselves. On an average each day, 1.5 persons were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes.

Anyone involved in an alcohol-related auto accident would be well advised to contact an experienced Philadelphia liquor liability attorney.

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. 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 vehicles involved (i.e. faulty or defective auto parts), and whether or not alcohol or drugs were involved. Contact Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation and to learn more about your legal options.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigated a 2007 fire that killed five workers at Xcel Energy Inc., a hydroelectric plant near Denver, CO. It found that the contractor Xcel chose did not plan for hazardous work. According to this article on Philly.com, their negligence included taking flammable solvents inside a 4,300-foot tunnel.

OSHA investigated the contractor, RPI, for two previous fatalities. They were fined for OSHA safety violations in those two cases.

At the 2007 fire, the victims were not promptly rescued and there were no rescuers qualified to enter the tunnel.

The families of the workers who died there would have been well advised to contact an experienced worker’s compensation attorney who would have carefully examined the negligence in this tragic fire. A knowledgeable attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” In this case, the contractor was negligent and did not follow proper safety procedures. Therefore, the victims’ families could have filed claims against RPI. If it is determined that they were responsible for the accident and any injuries, then RPI could be held liable.

If you or a loved one has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of your employment, you may have a potential workers’ compensation claim. The dedicated Pennsylvania injured at work lawyers at Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano LLP will explore every possible avenue to ensure that you’re compensated for your injuries and other damages. Call our office today at 888-684-7192 for a free consultation of your case.

An East Stroudsburg man pleaded guilty to civil charges on August 24 for his part in a fatal accident that occurred in January off of Route 115 in Bear Creek Township. According to an article on CitizensVoice.com, the man was speeding on bald tires when, after trying to pass another vehicle, he struck another car head on, killing the 45-year old female driver. The Pennsylvania courts determined that there was no basis to bring criminal charges against the man, only traffic citations and a charge for reckless driving that caused a death.

The man said he had his vehicle inspected at a local auto repair shop and that his tires passed the inspection when they should not have. The owner of the auto repair shop was criminally charged and pleaded guilty to three counts of completing a faulty inspection.

Unfortunately, some auto repair shops, big corporations and other parties place profit over safety in regards to ensuring that a vehicle is safe to drive on America’s roads. When this type of negligence leads to an injury or wrongful death auto accident, the victim or the family of a motorist who was killed may be entitled to compensation by pursuing a Pennsylvania car defect claim.

If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one and you think a defective vehicle component may have contributed to the accident, contact a highly qualified Philadelphia auto product liability attorney like those at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano LLP today. Our lawyers have years of experience in auto product liability litigation and can help you understand your rights. Not only does an injury accident cause emotional and physical stress, it can also substantially affect a victim’s finances with mounting medical bills, loss of wages due to time off of work and other damages. The Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano LLP will hold all negligent parties accountable and fight to ensure that you are compensated justly. Call (888) 684-7192 to schedule a free and confidential evaluation of your case.

According to an article, a grounds crew worker for the Pottsgrove School District was killed on June 16 when a lawn mower fell on him.

The worker suffered a head injury while he was repairing the mower at the Lower Pottsgrove Elementary school and he was taken to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Luckily, no young children were in the area when the accident happened.

The family of this grounds crew worker would be well advised to contact an experienced workers’ compensation Pennsylvania attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced attorney would also look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. It could be a contractor, a sub-contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective product. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and death, then they could be held liable.

Continue reading "Pottsgrove, PA On the Job School Accident Kills Worker" »

A worker from New Jersey filed a $6 million lawsuit against Kleen Energy Systems, as well as three other companies who operated that facility. According to this article on CBS3.com, the man was injured in February in a power plant explosion in Connecticut. Six people were killed when the facility exploded and fifty people were injured.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that safety guidelines weren’t followed and companies disregarded industry procedures. Thousands of U.S. workers are killed or seriously injured in accidents at industrial plants. Many of these workplace accidents occur due to OSHA safety violations. Poor supervision, lack of communication, poor worker training, and use of defective machinery can also contribute to these accidents.

Anyone who was injured in such a tragic incident as this plant explosion would be well advised to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incident to identify any negligence or wrongdoing.

Continue reading "Worker Injured in Power Plant Explosion Files Lawsuit" »

A single engine plane crashed into the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania last week, according to The Times Leader. The two men aboard the plane included the pilot, who had only recently purchased the plane, and his passenger. Both men were not seriously injured.

Reports say the Piper PA22 single engine aircraft took off from Skyhaven Airport and moments later, the plane’s engine failed. This caused the aircraft to crash into some trees before diving nose first into the river and then flipping over. Investigators say the two men were lucky to have remained conscious as the cock pit filled with water and the men were strapped into their seats upside down. The reason the engine failed is still being investigated.

Luckily, the two men involved in this aviation accident survived with only minor injuries. Unfortunately, more often than not, plane crashes in Pennsylvania of this type don’t yield such results. In many plane accidents, there are multiple casualties and the reasons for a plane crash can vary from defective parts to pilot error to dangerous weather conditions and other causes.

The dedicated Pennsylvania plane accident attorneys at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano LLP have represented numerous cases involving victims of plane crashes or families of plane crash wrongful death victims. If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a plane accident that you believe was caused by another person’s negligence, please call the experienced lawyers at Cherry, Fieger & Marciano LLP. You deserve to know your rights and be compensated justly for your injuries. Call 888-684-2374 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you.

On August 10, a SEPTA bus plowed into the side of the Belgian restaurant Monk’s Cafe in Center City, PA. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the bus driver and two Delaware River Port Authority officers, who were also involved in the crash, suffered minor injuries. According to the article, after a police car apparently struck a pole across the street from Monk’s, the No. 2 SEPTA bus swerved to avoid the police vehicle and hit the front of the pub.

The accident crushed the entrance to the pub and forced more than a dozen residents in the building to evacuate the apartments above the restaurant.

The restaurant had to close for at least a week due to the property damage and tenants were forced to stay elsewhere temporarily.

The entrance and hallway leading to Monk’s restaurant was partially collapsed.

The victims here who were injured in the bus accident would be well advised to seek the advice of an experienced Philadelphia accident lawyer from Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano, LLP. They 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 vehicles involved (i.e., faulty or defective auto parts), and whether or not alcohol or drugs were involved. You can collect compensation for medical treatment, pain and suffering, even punitive damages designed to discourage others from acting negligently.

The displaced residents would also be well advised to contact an attorney who can look out for their rights.

On November 23, a 16-year-old crashed his SUV and killed two teenage friends. The teen is accused of being under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.

The Chester County Court Juvenile Master decided that the teen should remain at the Chester County Youth Center until an adjudication hearing.

The Assistant District Attorney argued that the teenager recently posted entries on Facebook indicating that he was unremorseful and still getting high. According to the article, the teen described using marijuana and getting drunk on New Year’s Eve.

A 17-year-old male and a16-year-old male, both 11th graders at Pottsgrove, died in the crash.
The teen motorist was charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, six counts of reckless endangerment, and driving without proper insurance. He was traveling westbound on Route 724 with five friends on November 23. He veered into the eastbound lane and traveled up an embankment. The SUV rolled over and landed in the eastbound lane, colliding with a Nissan sedan.

The teen driver and three passengers were injured. The Nissan’s driver also was injured.
The drive in this accident could be held both criminally and civilly responsible for the deaths of the two teenagers. Their families would be well advised to seek the advice of an experienced Pennsylvania wrongful death attorney.

The attorneys at Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano, LLP understand the devastating impact a Pennsylvania wrongful death can have on a family. They have assisted several families in finding justice and compensation for a loved one’s death in relation to Pennsylvania wrongful death car accidents.

The amount that can be claimed and the heirs who are allowed to file a Pennsylvania wrongful death lawsuit can vary widely depending on jurisdiction. In addition, statutes of limitation may come into play that limit the time a family has to file a wrongful death lawsuit. For these reasons and due to the complexity of these cases, it is recommended that families who think their family member’s death was wrongful first contact a 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.

Call today for a free case evaluation and more information on Cherry Fieger, and Marciano’s exemplary track record, documented legal skills, and unparalleled resources.

A worker at Asher’s Chocolates lost his finger in an accident, reports The Philadelphia Daily News. That same day, two workers at JBS Packerland, a nearby meat-processing plant, were also injured.

The 41-year-old man injured at Asher’s was cleaning a machine when he accidentally stepped on a power switch on the floor and activated the device. When the device started spinning, it sucked his finger in and tore part of it off.

That same day, a JBS Packerland employee was working on a piece of machinery when he slipped and cut his index finger off on a large blade used to cut beef.

A woman who also worked at JBS Packerland was hit by a piece of machinery. She then slipped and fell, causing her to break her ankle.

All three workers were treated for their injuries.

Some professions, such as those within the industrial field, are usually considered high-risk jobs. Implementing safety practices and measures is one of the most effective ways to prevent industrial accidents. Those include: eliminating unsafe practices and teaching workers about safety measures; observing workers to see if they are following the mandatory safety practices; provide training on a regular basis; supervising workers to determine if the safety practices need further improvements; and prohibiting workers to smoke, eat, drink, rest, enter, use mobile phones, or listen to portable music devices in certain areas.

The workers who were injured in the factory accidents would be well advised to contact an experienced Philadelphia workers compensation attorney who can carefully examine the incidents to identify any negligence or wrongdoing. Sometimes malfunctioning equipment or a defective piece of machinery causes these types of accidents. An experienced attorney would look into a “third party claim.” These are claims that are filed against parties that are not the worker’s employer. If it is determined that one of those parties was responsible for the accident and any injuries, then they could be held liable.

Any worker who has sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment has a potential workers’ compensation claim. Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano can help you get the monetary compensation that is owed to you to help pay medical bills, physical therapy, loss of work and more.

A 29-year-old motorcyclist was struck in Chester County, PA by a motorist who then left the scene of the accident. According to this The Philadelphia Inquirer, the motorcyclist suffered critical injuries.

The accident happened on Route 322 near Poplar Road in Honey Brook Township, PA. A large SUV or truck collided with the motorcyclist. He was forced off the road and thrown from the vehicle. The driver did not stop or report the accident.

Police are searching for a truck or SUV with damage to its front passenger-side headlight and will be missing a passenger-side rearview mirror. The driver of the SUV could be held both criminally and civilly responsible for the man’s critical injuries. Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime.

About 4,000 deaths and around 76,000 injuries take place every year due to motorcycle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NTHSA). The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that in 2008 in Pennsylvania, there were 237 motorcycle riders killed.

Though motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania have a variety of causes, common causes include unsafe road conditions, inclement weather, defective motorcycle parts, driver fatigue, drunk drivers, and driver error. Some passenger vehicles simply don’t understand the rules of the road and may hit a motorcycle while changing lanes, may disregard their presence on the road, or ignore right-of-way laws. Due to the inherent lack of protection while on a motorcycle, catastrophic injury often occurs, ranging from broken bones and minor lacerations and bruises to disfigurement, brain injury, paralysis and even death.

A motorcyclist who is injured in an accident caused by other motorist’s negligence would be well advised to contact an experienced Philadelphia motorcycle crash injury attorney who understands the severity of Philadelphia motorcycle accidents and their life-changing effects. Contact the injury lawyers at Cherry, Fieger, & Marciano LLP today for a free consultation.