In several Pennsylvania locations with roundabouts, the average numbers of fatalities and crashes dropped 100% and 21% respectively over a 20-year period, according to recent data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). PennDOT’s data was based on police-submitted crash reports from 2000-2019. The data also showed, however, that by 2019 property damage-only accidents were […]
After a slip-and-fall accident, sometimes the thought is “Clumsy me.” Sometimes, however, it is important to ask if the accident could have been avoided with a little extra care on the part of the property owner. While it is normal for things to fall or spill onto the ground, that should never serve as an […]
Sadly, more than 70,000 Americans under the age of 19 died in automobile accidents between 2004 and 2018 in a recent study on the latest available data. Of those numbers, 84% were in the driver or passenger seat. Where are these accidents most common and why? States with the most child and teen fatalities (per […]
Workers’ compensation laws are designed to protect both the employer and employee if a worker is injured on the job. While the laws vary from state to state, they are meant to ensure that workers receive compensation for when they are hurt in a workplace accident or setting, and that companies are subject only to […]
September is the deadliest month for traffic fatalities and October is a close second, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. The article reviewed two independent studies that found late summer/early fall to be the riskiest for US traffic deaths, and late winter/early spring to be the least dangerous time to be […]
Diagnoses of some common types of cancer dropped in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer. As health systems restricted most nonurgent medical services in the early months of the pandemic, screenings dropped as much as 96%. This analysis came from a study by Quest Diagnostics. […]
When someone’s negligence has caused you injury, the best outcome, of course, is to receive fair compensation for your losses. But what factors should you consider to avoid a less-than-fair settlement, or denial of the claim entirely? A recent article in the South Florida Reporter shares some actions that can help your case. Document the […]
In Pennsylvania, the law limits when you can sue the state or a municipality, including the City of Philadelphia. The concept of “sovereign immunity” provides a defense for both the state, or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and municipal governments, unless a statutory exception applies. The exceptions to the state’s immunity are detailed at 42 Pa.C.S. § […]
When prison officials assault or abuse inmates, the inmates may sue those officials and the municipality that runs the prison. A plaintiff inmate can hold the corrections officers directly responsible for the assault or abuse through theories of assault and battery or negligence. The inmate may also hold the municipality directly responsible through a claim […]
Pennsylvania law requires that all drivers maintain at least a minimum amount of liability insurance, in case they cause an accident. However, studies have shown that approximately 7% of Pennsylvania drivers do NOT have car insurance. Many more have only the state minimum coverage, which is $15,000 per injured person and $30,000 total per accident. […]
