Personal Injury Law: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a “Comparative-Fault” State

Pennsylvania is a “Comparative-Fault” state. This means that the injured party may receive compensation for their injuries as long as he or she is deemed minimally responsible for their own injuries.

Potential Damages for Personal Injury in Pennsylvania

In the state of Pennsylvania, claimants can receive financial and non-financial damages as part of a personal injury claim. Financial damages include medical expenses, cost of household help, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and costs associated with property damage.

Non-financial damages include pain and suffering. Your attorney and the court will assign an appropriate dollar figure to your non-financial damages to determine fair settlement or compensation amounts.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania the statute of limitations is one year for libel and slander cases and two years for all other personal injury claims. The statute of limitations begins the moment you realize you have suffered an injury as a result of another party’s negligence. In most cases, injuries are immediately obvious, but in some cases – like malpractice or toxic exposure cases– injuries may not be apparent until later. If this applies to your claim, it is advisable to hire a personal injury attorney familiar with extensions under the statute of limitations.

Even if your Pennsylvania personal injury claim falls within the statute of limitations, you may still want to seek legal assistance. An attorney will help you file your claim and collect all the necessary supporting documentation to establish liability and argue for compensation.