Erie Personal Injury Lawyer

Most personal injury attorneys, including David L. Hunter, work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. The attorney only receives a percentage of the final settlement or verdict (typically 33.3% to 40%). If your case does not result in a recovery, you owe no attorney fees.

While the statute of limitations is usually two years from the injury, Pennsylvania also has a 12-year Statute of Repose for many product liability claims. If a defective product (like an appliance or piece of machinery) is more than 12 years old, you may be barred from suing the manufacturer even if the injury just occurred.

To win a falling object case in Erie, you must prove the store had "constructive notice" of a hazard. This means the merchandise was stacked in an unstable way, or the shelving was defective, and the store should have discovered the danger through reasonable inspection. Evidence like store security footage is vital in these claims.

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for your accident, provided your responsibility is 50% or less. However, your final compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more liable, you cannot recover any damages under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102.

No. Workers' Compensation in Pennsylvania is a no-fault system that covers medical bills and lost wages, but it specifically excludes pain and suffering. However, if a third party (such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer) was responsible for your workplace accident, Attorney Hunter can file a third-party lawsuit to recover those additional damages.

In many personal injury cases, such as dog bites or defective products, Pennsylvania applies Strict Liability. Under this standard, you do not necessarily have to prove the owner or manufacturer was "careless." You only need to prove that the dog caused the injury or that the product was defectively designed and caused you harm while being used as intended.

Yes. Property owners in Erie have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. If an owner knew or should have known about a hazard—like ice, a spill, or a broken step—and failed to warn you or fix it, they are likely negligent. Evidence like surveillance footage and maintenance logs is critical to proving "constructive notice" in these premises liability cases.

Pennsylvania uses a "strict liability" standard for medical expenses. This means a dog owner is responsible for your medical bills regardless of the dog's history. To recover additional damages for pain and suffering or scarring, Attorney Hunter must prove the owner was negligent (e.g., violating Erie leash laws) or knew the dog had "dangerous propensities."

If a product falls from a high shelf in an Erie retail store, the business may be liable for improper stocking or lack of safety netting. Immediately report the incident to management, take photos of the shelving, and identify any witnesses. These cases often hinge on proving the store created a foreseeable risk to shoppers.

In Pennsylvania, elevators and escalators are often considered "common carriers." This means owners and maintenance companies are held to the highest degree of care—a stricter standard than typical premises liability. If a mechanical failure, sudden stop, or mis-leveling caused your injury, multiple parties, including the manufacturer or maintenance contractor, may be held liable.

Workers' Compensation is a "no-fault" system for employees injured on the job, covering medical bills and a portion of lost wages. However, it does not provide for pain and suffering. If a "third party"—someone other than your employer—caused your workplace injury (e.g., a defective tool or a negligent contractor), Attorney Hunter can file a third-party personal injury claim to recover full damages.