An unexpected injury can wreak havoc on your life. In addition to the physical pain and limitations the harm imposes, you could also have increased expenses while missing time at work. If another party’s actions contributed to the accident, you could hold them financially responsible for your losses.
When you suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to a Butler personal injury lawyer right away. Our skilled legal professionals could investigate the incident, identify responsible parties, and take the necessary steps to hold them accountable for their actions.
A personal injury claim is possible whenever someone gets hurt in an accident due to another party’s actions. The injured person can seek compensation from an individual, company, organization, or government agency that did not take reasonable care to prevent the following accidents from occurring:
The injured party must demonstrate that another person’s negligence caused the incident that led to their injury. Negligence occurs when someone does not use reasonable care to prevent harm. A Butler personal injury attorney could use their legal knowledge to compile compelling evidence to build a solid case.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you have a limited window of time to pursue legal action. Pennsylvania law sets strict statutes of limitations that determine how long you have to file a lawsuit, and missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to compensation.
Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. This applies to cases involving car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and other negligence-related injuries.
If the injured party is a minor (under 18 years old) at the time of the accident, the two-year statute of limitations does not begin immediately. Instead, the clock starts running on their 18th birthday, giving them until age 20 to file a lawsuit.
Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, such as those caused by medical malpractice or toxic exposure. Pennsylvania follows the discovery rule, which allows victims to file a lawsuit within two years of when they knew—or should have known—about the injury. However, in medical malpractice cases, there is an absolute deadline of seven years from the date of the incident, regardless of when the injury was discovered.
If your injury claim involves a state, county, or local government agency, the deadlines are much shorter. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5522, you must provide written notice to the responsible government entity within six months of the accident. Failing to do so could bar your claim entirely.
Because missing a deadline can jeopardize your case, it’s essential to act quickly. A Butler County personal injury lawyer can ensure all filing requirements are met and fight for the compensation you deserve.
While Pennsylvania does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, there are strict limits on how much a government entity can be required to pay when its negligence causes harm. Under 42 Pa. C.S. §§ 8528 and 8553, the maximum amount that can be recovered in a claim against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a local government is fixed.
This statutory cap applies to cases where a state or local government agency, employee, or entity is found liable for causing an accident, such as:
While these caps limit compensation, they do not prevent injured individuals from pursuing claims against responsible government agencies. However, strict procedural requirements, including filing notice of the claim within six months, must be followed.
If you’ve been injured due to government negligence, an experienced Butler County personal injury attorney can help navigate the legal process, ensure compliance with deadlines, and fight for the maximum compensation allowed under Pennsylvania law.
Contact Benjamin Levine Law today for a consultation.