Experienced Western Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers

In a Pennsylvania personal injury case, determining who is responsible for your injuries is one of the most important steps in pursuing full compensation. Often, multiple defendants may share liability for an accident, and identifying all responsible parties helps ensure that every potential source of recovery is pursued. The attorneys at LGKG conduct a detailed legal and factual analysis to uncover all parties who may be held accountable under Pennsylvania law.

• Individuals: Private individuals are often at the center of personal injury claims. This includes negligent drivers, property owners, or anyone whose careless or reckless behavior directly causes harm to another person.
• Businesses and Corporations: Employers, manufacturers, retailers, and service providers can all be held liable when their actions or policies contribute to an injury. For example, a company may be responsible for an employee’s negligence while performing job duties or for failing to maintain safe business operations.
• Government Entities: In some cases, state or local government agencies may share responsibility for unsafe road conditions, defective traffic signals, or hazards on public property. However, claims against government entities in Pennsylvania are subject to specific procedures and limitations under the Pennsylvania Sovereign Immunity Act, which strictly regulates when and how these entities can be sued.
• Property Owners: Landlords, business owners, and homeowners may be liable for injuries caused by dangerous conditions on their premises. Failing to correct or warn about hazards such as slippery floors, uneven walkways, or poor lighting can result in a premises liability claim.
• Product Manufacturers: When injuries result from defective or dangerous products, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer may be held responsible. Pennsylvania law allows victims to pursue product liability claims for design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings.
• Insurance Companies: Although insurance companies are not usually the direct cause of an accident, they can sometimes be held accountable for bad faith practices, such as denying valid claims or unfairly delaying payments. Pennsylvania law protects consumers against such conduct.

At LGKG, we leave no stone unturned in identifying all liable parties in Pennsylvania personal injury cases. Our team conducts comprehensive investigations, consults with experts, and develops strategic legal arguments to hold every responsible party accountable. This thorough approach helps maximize our clients’ compensation and ensures justice is achieved.

To succeed in a Pennsylvania personal injury claim, an injured person (the plaintiff) must establish four key legal elements. These elements form the foundation of every negligence case and determine whether compensation can be recovered for the injuries suffered.

• Duty of Care: The first element requires showing that the defendant owed the plaintiff a legal duty of care. In other words, the defendant had an obligation to act in a reasonably safe manner to prevent harm to others. For example, drivers have a duty to obey traffic laws, property owners must maintain safe premises, and healthcare providers are required to meet professional standards of care.
• Breach of Duty: Once a duty of care is established, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached that duty. A breach occurs when someone fails to act as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. Examples include distracted driving, failing to repair a known hazard, or performing a medical procedure below the accepted standard of care.
• Causation: The third element involves proving that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries. Pennsylvania law requires both “cause in fact” (the injury would not have occurred but for the defendant’s conduct) and “proximate cause” (the harm was a foreseeable result of that conduct). Simply put, the plaintiff must show a clear connection between the negligent act and the resulting injury.
• Damages: Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they suffered actual damages as a result of the defendant’s negligence. These damages may include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Without measurable harm or loss, a personal injury claim cannot succeed, even if negligence is proven.

Proving each of these elements requires a careful legal strategy supported by evidence, expert testimony, and a strong understanding of Pennsylvania personal injury law. The attorneys at LGKG have the knowledge and experience to build compelling cases that meet each requirement and secure the compensation clients deserve.