Sidewalks in disrepair are becoming an increasingly common sight throughout many of the cities and towns of central and southeastern Pennsylvania. It should come as no surprise that slip and trip accidents caused by dangerous sidewalks have also become increasingly common. In these cases, it may not always be clear who is responsible for maintenance and, by extension, liable for injuries caused by the failure to maintain.
Whether commuting to work or riding for pleasure, bicyclists face some significant challenges while riding on Pennsylvania roads. A major contributing factor to this problem is that many motorists do not know how to interact with cyclists. Others essentially ignore their presence. Either of these approaches can easily lead to collisions and near-collisions that result in serious injuries for cyclists.
For the most part, people associate on-the-job injuries with blue-collar workplaces because of the physically intense nature of the work and the often dangerous conditions. Although it’s true that most workplace injuries do occur in that type of setting, significant injuries in an office setting are far from unheard of and are even becoming more common as office work grows to encompass a larger percentage of the workforce. Therefore, it is important for white collar workers to understand that Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws also apply to them.
Trials and the many steps that lead up to them are designed to bring out the facts. In many cases, this can be fairly straightforward. Did the blue car run the red light? What do the witnesses have to say? However, what if the fact in dispute is something that is not readily observable like the existence of a medical condition or the slipperiness of a floor? What if no one but the parties actually witnessed the accident and they disagree on what happened? In cases such as these, attorneys must call on reliable expert witnesses to clarify and fill in the gaps for the jury.
Scenic Lancaster County is well known for the horse-drawn carriages that share our roads. However, when cars and horses collide, terrible injuries can result. What Pennsylvania laws govern horses on our roads and what can you do to avoid these accidents?
Dogs can be man’s best friend — or his worst enemy. Americans love their pets. Unfortunately, not all of the 78.2 million dogs in the United States have been properly trained. To lessen your chances of getting bitten by a hostile dog, learn to recognize signs that a dog may be aggressive:
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else, as part of your claim for monetary damages, you first will have access to the liability coverage under the policy of the owner of the vehicle which caused the accident. If the vehicle is uninsured (which is a violation of Pennsylvania law) or underinsured (the amount of liability coverage is not sufficient to compensate you for your losses), then you can turn to the U benefits you purchased under your own policy for additional coverage.
Anybody who has ever been in the workers' compensation system has heard the phrase "independent medical examination," or "IME." An IME is an examination requested by an insurance company to be performed on an injured worker by a doctor who has never treated the injured worker before, is hand-picked by the insurance company and is paid for the examination by the insurance company. Webster's Dictionary defines "independent" as "not subject to control by others," or "not affiliated with a larger controlling unit." Trying to reconcile the definition of "independent" with the concept of an independent medical examination, however, is fruitless.
In Pennsylvania, employers are required to carry special insurance coverage that provides benefits to compensate workers for a variety of losses such as medical care, lost wages and disability. However, workers’ compensation coverage bars employees from suing their employers — even if the harm was intentional, such as during an argument. While workers’ compensation can simplify the process of reimbursing employees for on-the-job injuries, workers can take additional legal action under certain circumstances.
Do Pennsylvania Laws Protect Dog Owners from Dog Bite Liability?
Unless a dog owner or bite victim accepts responsibility for a dog bite, issues of liability can end up in the Pennsylvania courts. Determining whose negligence caused a bite begins with investigation on the part of the appropriate state or local authorities, but the final decision requires the judgment of a court magistrate.
From a Dog’s Point of View, You May be the Attacker
Pennsylvania’s strict dog bite liability law holds owners responsible in most dog bite cases. But winning a legal battle is of little comfort when you or your child must live with a permanent visible scar or other condition caused by a dog bite. By understanding more about why dogs bite, you can avoid placing yourself in imminent danger.
If I File for Workers’ Compensation, Can I Sue Anyone Else?
If you have been injured on the job, your employer may have explained that workers’ compensation is your sole source of financial recovery for medical bills and lost wages. You cannot sue your employer in addition to, or instead of, your workers’ compensation claim. And your workers’ compensation claim does not cover damages for pain and suffering. But what if parties other than your employer are responsible for your work-related injury? What are your options?
