Attorney Blog

Pennsylvania Texting While Driving Pledge Campaign

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST

December 4, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Texting while driving is a big problem in Pennsylvania and it is something that affects younger drivers more and more. The Erie injury attorneys at Purchase & George are committed to helping young people break the bad habits that make for distracted driving.

To help young Pennsylvania drivers avoid accidents and injury, our Pennsylvania accident lawyers have started a campaign to get teenagers to pledge not to text and drive. Teenagers who are willing to "Take the Pledge" will be rewarded with a free, trendy bracelet:

To get your free bracelet, go to NoTxtPa.com or go to our Contact Us Page, fill out the information and enter the following pledge in our "Tell us More" section:

I pledge to completely stop texting and using my cellphone while I am driving. I understand the dangers associated with these actions and will spread the word to my family and friends to help us put an end to the dangerous habit.*

We'll send you your Free "Teens Against Distracted Driving - I Pldge 2 NT TXT n DRV" bracelet! We can only send bracelets to people who live in Pennsylvania.

Delay in Cancer Diagnosis: Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Law

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

November 21, 2011, ERIE, PA -- I recently posted an article in our Pennsylvania medical malpractice library about an Erie man who was told by more than one Erie doctor that a mouth sore was nothing to be concerned about but who learned when he saw an out of town specialist that he had oral cancer. You can read the whole story HERE but my website people tell me that my articles are way too long so I thought I'd post this blog to give you the gist of it...which I just did in my opening sentence, thank you very much.

Now let me rant a little bit. Based on my experience as an Erie medical malpractice lawyer, I think Erie doctors tend to assume that the most probable diagnosis is what the patient has, even when there is a less likely but urgently dangerous possibility that requires prompt care. That is, by definition, sub-standard care and when it causes harm the patient should sue and recover damages.

Sure, you say. The Pennsylvania medical mistake lawyer wants us to sue. I wonder why. That's how he makes his living.

True enough. But here's the thing: I keep seeing the same behavior among Erie physicians despite the fact that they are trained to identify and rule out urgently dangerous conditions before assuming that the condition is not lethal. Obviously, training and knowledge are not enough to cause some of these Erie doctors to do what they are supposed to do and the only mechanism we have, as a society, to effect change in the delivery of medical services is the malpractice suit.

Why do Erie doctors persist in assuming the best? I don't know. I imagine the motives are as varied as the doctors involved. Perhaps the phsyician doesn't like giving a patient bad news, particularly if the condition might be nothing. Perhaps the physician is lazy or inattentive. Perhaps the doctor has seen the same thing a hundred times and it's never been a problem before. I don't know why, exactly, Erie doctors keep missing diagnoses of dangerous conditions like cancer but I know that they keep missing conditions that other doctors catch and I know something should be done to change the pattern.

The only thing I know to do, aside from my rants here, is encourage people who have been harmed by a medical mistake like cancer misdiagnosis to see a Pennsylvania medical mistake attorney.

Contact a Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney

The Erie cancer misdiagnosis lawyers at Purchase & George have the knowledge and experience to accurately assess and thoroughly prepare your case. You may be entitled to compensation and we'd like to help you. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use our online contact form.

Pennsylvania Considers Increase in Minimum Car Insurance: Erie Lawyer News

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

November 19, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Senate Bill 1339 of 2011 has been referred to the Banking and Insurance Committee for consideration. The bill would increase the minimum car insurance required in Pennsylvania from $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident and $5,000 in property damage to $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident and $10,000 in property damage. We support the bill because it's a step in the right direction. Let me explain why Pennsylvania needs to change it's minimum insurance requirements.

Car Insurance is Important

Insurance is a requirement to drive in Pennsylvania because we know, with some certainty, that most people will be connected to a car crash at some point in their lifetime and, without insurance, innocent injured people will be unable to pay their medical bills or be compensated for other harms and losses. In 2009 in the United States, for example, there were 5.5 million car crashes reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those, 30,757 were fatal car accidents; 1.5 million were auto crashes involving injury; and almost 4 million crashes were property damage only.

So, before we allow people to use public roads and highways, we require that they first demonstrate that they can make it right if they cause someone else harm. Usually, people demonstrate that ability by buying car insurance.

Pennsylvania's Insurance Requirements Are Dated and Inadequate

Pennsylvania last set minimum insurance levels 27 years ago, in 1984. At the time, the legislature decided that the minimum insurance needed was $15,000 per person for injury coverage and $5,000 per accident for property damage coverage. Even at the time, those minimum levels were pathetically low and led to a depressing number of "coverage tragedies" as people were terribly injured and there was inadequate insurance to pay for medical bills or make up for lost wages and other harms. As a consequence, sophisticated people began buying much more than the minimum levels required and they also bought "Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage," a kind of insurance that protects you if you're hit by one of those drivers who bought the minimum.

Still, many people aren't sophisticated and continue to buy the minimum. They often say to their insurance company, "I want full coverage." They get the minimum and think they're protected. Only too late do they find out that the insurance they thought would protect them was not up to the task.

27 years later and the problem has only grown worse. Medical costs have skyrocketed. So, too, have vehicle repair costs. Rare is the significant car accident where $5,000 is enough to pay for repair of the damaged vehicles and even rarer is the significant injury that can be adequately compensated for $15,000 or less.

The Cost of Raising Minimum Coverage Requirements Is Minimal

The cost of raising the minimum rates is not significant. The National Association of Insurnace Commissioners has long recognized that the minimum coverage levels are too low and the cost of raising those levels would be minimal for consumers. (See, Pennsylvania Considering Increase to Its Minimum Insurance Levels, Insurance and Financial Advisor, September 24, 2010).

As my own policy demonstrates, the difference between the cost of the minimum coverage and much higher coverage is affordable. For example, the minimum property damage coverage on my policy would cost $66 per year. To raise the limit of property damage coverage from $5,000 to $100,000 costs me $8 per year. That's right: $8 per year. Injury liability coverage is similar. The minimum coverage on my policy would cost $27 per year. To raise that coverage from $15,000 to $250,000 costs me $71 per year more than the minimum. That's less than $6 per month.

So, increased minimum insurance levels are both necessary and affordable.

Pennsylvania Won't Raise Minimum Insurance Requirements Without Your Support

Despite the persuasive case for increased insurance requirements, the Senate Bill faces opposition from, of all places, the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, according to recent reports. Why would an insurance industry group oppose a law requiring people to buy more insurance? Well, this shadowy organization doesn't say a lot out loud. Their website is limited to registered users only and makes public just the bare minimum about its members and officers. So, we're left to speculate as to their motives. Why would insurance companies who already sell more than the mandatory minimum object to requiring Pennsylvania drivers to buy more?

Additional coverage doesn't cost much, as we've written about here before so raised minimums won't mean a great deal more revenue for insurance companies. Additional coverage would raise the risk for insurance companies. Additional coverage may also contribute to a more vigorous approach by Pennsylvania injury lawyers. As things stand, only the most sophisticated consumers understand the need to buy additional coverage while regular consumers are largely ignorant of this aspect of insurance law. Perhaps insurance companies don't want the regular insurance customer to receive the benefits that more sophisticated consumers enjoy.

Whatever their motives, if you'd like to see Pennsylvania do the responsible thing with minimum insurance requirements, call your senator or representative and tell them you support Senate Bill 1339 of 2011.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car insurance issues, visit our auto accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free consumer book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania auto wreck injury lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about Erie County car accident injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Accident Attorney Gives Distracted Driver Interview for WJET-TV

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

November 16, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Distracted driving is a significant problem in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, people are becoming more and more aware of the problem. At the Erie injury law firm of Purchase & George, P.C., we're happy to do our part to bring attention to the issue and that is why we're pleased to announce that Eric Purchase will be featured in WJET-TV's three part series on distracted driving in Pennsylvania.

The series, which will air this Thursday evening and Friday morning, addresses the broad problem of distracted driving and explains the different types of distraction, how texting while driving is just one part of the broader problem and offers some insight into what we, as individuals, can do to address the problem.

Contact the Erie Accident and Injury Lawyers Seen on TV

For more information on Pennsylvania distracted driving accidents, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about car and truck accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Distracted Driving in Erie PA: An Injury Lawyer's Path

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

November 15, 2011, ERIE, PA -- So, I'm walking across the street yesterday and nearly got hit by a distracted driver. I'm convinced she had no idea how close we came to knowing one another's names by heart. Here's the story.

The Erie headquarters of our Pennsylvania injury law firm are on 26th Street, just west of the I-79 Interchange. Across the street and 1/2 block east of us is Champion Ford, where I sometimes drop my truck for service. This morning, I dropped the truck there for an oil change and hoofed it back to our Erie accident and injury law office.

Now, walking anywhere on 26th Street in Millcreek is a challenge. There are no sidewalks and traffic can be dense and fast. Still, the intersection is controlled by a traffic light and there is a crosswalk and a pedestrian control sign. It should have been fairly safe.

I waited to cross 26th Street until the light changed and the pedestrian signal indicated that it was safe and permissible for me to cross. I began my journey across 26th Street's 6 or 7 lanes (depending on how many turn lanes you count). As I neared the eastbound lanes, I noticed a woman driving a sedan turning left from Crescent onto eastbound 26th Street. She was talking on her phone. She didn't even look at me. I stopped walking and she continued her sharp turn in front of me, ultimately passing so close to me I could have reached out and touched her fender. At no time did she ever look at me. There never was a moment when her eyes widened and she recognized that I was there or how close she came to hitting me.

Moments later, another driver drove by me, also talking on his phone. This driver wasn't nearly as close to me as the other but, just like the woman who nearly clipped me, this driver didn't appear to be aware of my presence.

That's the problem with distracted driving. You never know how many close calls you have when you're not paying attention because most of them pass by unnoticed. You never find out just how dangerous distracted driving is...until it's too late, of course.

Contact an Erie Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania pedestrian accidents or distracted driving accidents, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about car and truck accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury attorneys, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Pennsylvania Insurance Questions: Erie Agent Gives Bad Advice

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

November 14, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Normally, I'm a fan of Erie insurance companies who use agents because agents usually help to increase the quality and quantity of communication with the consumer. Every now and again, though, agents make mistakes just like everyone else. Here is a story of one such mistake that offers lessons in dealing with your own Pennsylvania insurance company.

A man called our office with a problem. He'd borrowed his daughter's car and caused an Erie car accident that was his fault. Noone had been injured, fortunately, but there was damage to the vehicles and the repair cost was significant. Unfortunately, he learned after the Pennsylvania auto accident that his daughter had allowed her Pennsylvania car insurance policy to lapse.

The man thought to himself, "Well, I have my own insurance policy with Erie Insurance. I'll call my agent and ask whether they'll cover me." And that's what he did. To his dismay, however, his insurance agent told him, over the phone, that his policy would not provide coverage. Now he was looking at paying for the damage out of his own pocket.

Then, a good friend told the man to call the Pennsylvania insurance lawyers at Purchase & George. We immediately told him that we were confident that he had insurance coverage for the Erie car crash but that before he spent a dime on us he should call his insurance company directly, ask them if he had coverage and, if they told him he did not, to insist that they respond to him in writing with an explanation for why he did not have coverage.

One phone call to Erie Insurance later and the man was pleased to learn that he did, in fact, have coverage for the accident. He was so pleased he called us back to thank us and promised to tell all his friends about the good advice he got from our firm.

The lesson in this story isn't that you shouldn't trust your insurance agent. On the contrary, we think they are a good source of information and assistance when you are choosing and buying insurance. However, whenever you are told that you don't have coverage for that, you should always ask for a written explanation of your benefits and, if you have only spoken with your agent, you should go further and call your Pennsylvania insurance company directly. At a minimum, you will cause the answerer to look more closely at your coverage and, as was the case here, you will often find that you do, indeed, have coverage. Of course, when all else fails, call a Pennsylvania insurance lawyer.

Contact a Pennsylvania Insurance Claims Attorney

The Pennsylvania insurance lawyers at Purchase & George have experience in fighting for our clients' rights and have demonstrated an ability to successfully go toe-to-toe with large insurance companies. If you're looking for an experienced Erie insurance claim lawyer to help you with your Pennsylvania insurance case, call for a free consult at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3400 or fill out our on-line consult form.

Pennsylvania Bans Texting While Driving: Erie Injury Lawyer News

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

November 10, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Pennsylvania has enacted into law a new bill meant to address the continuing problem of distracted driving in Pennsylvania (the full version of the bill as enacted can be found in our Articles Section HERE). The bill makes it a summary criminal offense for a Pennsylvania driver to use any electronic device to send, read or write a text based message, although dialing phone numbers, looking up phone number information on a wireless phone and using GPS systems are expressly allowed. The law bans not just text messages but also applies to e-mail, instant messages or other wireless methods of textual communication and it applies not just to cell phones but to almost any wireless electronic device that is capable of sending or receiving voice, text or digital signals.

Importantly, the new Pennsylvania distracted driving law makes texting while driving a primary offense. This means that law enforcement officials may pull over a driver whenever they have probable cause to believe the offense has occurred. This is a significant departure from many of the local distracted driving ordinances which had categorized the offense as a secondary offense, which meant that a driver could only be cited for texting while driving if they were pulled over for some other violation.

The Pennsylvania car accident lawyers at Purchase & George are pleased to support the new Pennsylvania texting while driving law but we also offer this cautionary note. Pennsylvania's traffic laws are helpful guides to safe driving behavior but they are only minimum standards. So, while there are no Pennsylvania laws that specifically make it illegal to use a cell phone, eat, apply makeup or daydream while driving, most of these activities should be avoided altogether and none should be engaged in except under circumstances where the behavior (such as talking on a cell phone) is safe.

There were 14,000 accidents reported in Pennsylvania that were attributed to distracted driving. Of these, only 1,100 involved a hand-held cell phone. The numbers reveal that texting while driving is a problem but it is only a part of the larger problem of distracted driving. This squares with our own experience as Erie injury lawyers. We've spoken with countless drivers who turned left in front of oncoming traffic or who failed to stop in time and rear-ended a car in front of them and the story we hear is almost always the same. "I never saw them," is what we hear. Well, they didn't materialize out of the ether. The driver "never saw them" because the driver wasn't paying attention. Usually, the driver is unable to tell us what they were paying attention to that prevented them from seeing the car accident victim in time.

Our hope as Pennsylvania accident attorneys is that drivers will take the opportunity of this recent legislation to remind themselves of the responsibility they undertake when they choose to operate a several thousand pound vehicle that can travel at high speed. The responsibility drivers undertake is to operate the vehicle safely and the minimum safety standard a driver must meet is to pay attention to the operation of the vehicle.

Vote for Pennsylvania Judicial Candidates: Erie Injury Lawyer News

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

November 7, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Tomorrow is an important day in Pennsylvania. It is the day we will select a variety of important local and statewide officials, including some important statewide judicial selections.

We've posted the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Evaluation Commission recommendations for your review HERE. We strongly encourage everyone to vote, regardless of how they intend to vote or their party affiliation.

As Pennsylvania injury and accident lawyers, we have a strong interest in preserving our civil justice system, particularly the right to trial by jury. Therefore, we have made the decision to make Erie injury attorney recommendations. We recommend to our friends and followers the following pro-civil justice candidates: Judge David N. Wecht (running for Superior Court) and Kathryn Boockvar (running for Commonwealth Court).

Tomorrow is forecast to be a beautiful day in Erie, PA. We hope the election turnout will reflect both the great weather and the importance of these elections.

Erie Car Crash Settlement Only After Insurance Company Drives Costs

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

November 4, 2011, ERIE, PA -- I just published the details of a recent Erie car accident case settlement, which you can find in our Case Results Section HERE. The case itself was not unusual and, under other circumstances, would probably not have warranted inclusion in our published results. However, once again the insurance company involved distinguished itself by unnecessarily increasing cost; inconveniencing doctors and witnesses; and delaying the case for years.

The defense refused to discuss settlement of a case in which the defendant driver was plainly at fault. Instead, they hired an insurance defense lawyer from Philadelphia who embarked on a campaign of unnecessary litigation techniques, including meaningless subpeonas, cumulative and unnecessary depositions and repeated requests for extension of the Court's case management deadlines.

Finally, after more than two years of litigation, the insurance company fired their Philadlphia lawyer from the Erie car accident case and hired new defense counsel. Faced with a final deadline and upcoming trial, it didn't take new counsel long to call and suggest settlement. A short while later, the Erie auto crash case settled at a fair price.

The point, however, is that the case could have settled years prior at the same price or perhaps even lower. It could have settled without requiring the insurance company to pay outrageous defense costs (I estimate they paid at least $75,000 in lawyer fees). It could have settled without subpoenaing and deposing treating doctors (who had already written reports for the defense lawyers and who had better things to do with their time than answer the same questions in person). It could have settled without harassing former co-workers who had already provided written statements. In short, the case could have resolved in a fair and just manner without the delay and cost created unnecessarily by insurance and defense tactics.

When you hear insurance and tort reform types complain bitterly about the cost of litigation, remember the stories you find printed here. Personal injury litigation costs are not usually driven by plaintiffs. It is not in our interest to delay. It is not in our interest to pay more to get a case resolved. Litigation costs, at least mostly, are driven by insurance companies and defense counsel who use delay and obstruction as a tactic.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions and the injuries that result from them, visit our auto accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free consumer book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania auto wreck injury lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about Erie County car accident injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Halloween Safety Tips: Accident and Injury News

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

October 31, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Tonight is Halloween and, most counties in northwest Pennsylvania (except Crawford County) will be having their trick or treaters out in force between roughly 5 and 8 p.m. In the City of Eerie and Harborcreek, trick-or-treating will be 6 - 8 p.m.

Halloween is a lot of fun and we hope everyone enjoys the holiday to the fullest but we feel obliged to point out that Halloween can also be a dangerous time. Fatal car accidents involving children age 4 - 14 are four times higher on Halloween than they are the rest of the year. So, take a moment to consider safety.

For drivers, please review last year's Halloween driving tips blog entry HERE.

Parents still putting together a costume can get free Halloween costume safety tips HERE.

As always, texting and driving is incredibly dangerous, especially tonight when kids in costumes will be darting between parked cars and across streets. So, be alert and keep your eyes on the road.

Have fun and be safe!

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

We are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about safety, injuries and the Pennsylvania cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Girard Fatality on I-90: Erie Accident Lawyer News

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

October 30, 2011, ERIE, PA -- An Erie County car accident on Interstate 90 near Girard has left one young man dead, a young woman badly injured and authorities searching for answers. The one car Erie crash occurred near 4:30 a.m. this morning between Route 18 and Route 98 exits in the westbound lanes of I-90 in Girard Township.

According to police, the car rolled an unknown number of times and both passengers, a 29-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman, were ejected. The young man, known to have been a Millcreek Township resident, was killed in the Erie County rollover accident. The young woman was taken to UPMC-Hamot by ambulance and early reports indicate she suffered a severe head injury.*

Authorities have reported that they are still attempting to determine which of the two people was the driver at the time of the accident. They are also attempting to discovery how and why the accident occurred.

The Erie injury lawyers and staff at the law firm of Purchase & George offer their sincerest condolences to the family of the young man killed in this tragic accident and our hopes for a full and rapid recovery to the young woman who is struggling with her injuries at UPMC-Hamot.

Cases Involving Driver Identitification Require Special Investigation

For the families involved in this Erie auto accident, the question of who was driving necessarily will be secondary to grieving for their losses and caring for their injured. But for the Pennsylvania insurance companies involved in the matter, gathering the evidence to determine who was driving (or to cloud the issue) will be at the forefront of their investigation. The answer to that question will determine many things, including who is entitled to recover; which insurance companies are responsible to pay; and what coverages are implicated.

Unfortunately, in accidents like this one, it can be a challenge to prove who the driver was and often the evidence fails to point clearly to one party. Such ambiguity in the evidence allows insurance companies to point in whichever direction is most in their interest, i.e., whichever direction requires them to pay the least. Often, different insurance companies will reach directly contrary conclusions.

For example, Eric Purchase was a lawyer for a party involved in a case in which five young people were ejected from a vehicle in a high speed collision. All were killed and each of the insurance companies involved took directly contrary and inconsistent positions to one another. It took a capable forensic examiner with specialized biomechanical knowledge to finally marshall the evidence together in such a way as to make a case compelling enough to persuade the car insurance companies to settle the case.

Early and capable investigation by appropriate experts is critical to successfully resolving the issues presented in a case where driver identity is an issue.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Warren Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer News: Conewango Township Crash

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

October 8, 2011, Warren, PA -- Two men were injured in a Warren County car accident at the intersection of Route 62 and Route 69 in Conewango Township yesterday. Police report that a Warren man was southbound on Route 62 when a vehicle driven by a man from Randolph, NY when the New York driver ran a red light for traffic on Route 69 and cause the Warren car crash.*

Both the New York man and his passenger were injured in the Warren, Pennsylvania auto wreck and taken to Warren General Hospital by Emergency Personnel. It has been reported that their injuries were not life-threatening.

The Warren man was not injured in the intersection collision, according to sources.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car crash lawyers representing people injured in Warren County, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Warren injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100. If your injuries or circumstances prevent you from coming to us, we'll come to you.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Warren County, Crawford County, Erie County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Member of Venango County Bar Association

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

October 7, 2011, Franklin, PA -- You may be a Venango County resident looking for the best Franklin Pennsylvania injury lawyer you can find. You may be wondering how to choose the best Venango County accident attorney for you and your case. We're pleased to announce that Eric J. Purchase is a member of the Venango County Bar Association and the Firm is welcoming Franklin and Venango County clients.

People in Venango County have long been among our most valued clients at Purchase & George. In fact, one of the first cases Eric Purchase took to verdict (and it was, happily, a successful verdict) was in a Venango County courtroom. But this year we're making a special effort to reach out to Franklin and Venango County residents who have been seriously injured as a result of another's negligence. If you are unable to travel to our headquarters in Erie because your injuries or other circumstances prevent it, call us and we'll schedule a time to come see you. To schedule a free injury consultation, call today: 814-833-7100 or toll free: 888-870-3499.

Corry Truck Wheelchair Crash Leads to Arrest of 2: Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer News

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

October 4, 2011, CORRY, PA -- A disabled man in a wheelchair was seriously injured Sunday morning when he was struck by a truck. The driver of the truck then fled the scene of the Pennsylvania car crash. Police now believe they've identified the driver of the truck and have charged two Corry women with offenses arising from the Erie County car pedestrian collision, including offenses connected to their purported effort to lie about their involvement in the Pennsylvania hit-and-run accident.

The Pennsylvania car crash occurred just before 3 a.m. Sunday morning when a 2006 Dodge pickup struck the disabled man in his wheelchair in the 200 block of Center Street in Corry.* The wheelchair bound man was thrown to the ground and was later found in the road when officers arrived at the scene of the Erie pedestrian accident. The man was taken to Corry Memorial Hospital and later transferred to UPMC-Hamot where he is listed in serious condition.

Police say the driver of the truck is Trisha Malyuk, 23, of the 100 block of West Church Street in Corry. According to police, Ms. Malyuk left the scene of the Erie hit-and-run crash and lied when police confronted her after finding the vehicle in her backyard. According to police, Ms. Malyuk claimed the truck had been stolen and also tried to explain away damage to the front of her vehicle by claiming the truck had struck a deer earlier that same morning. Ms. Malyuk has been charged with multiple offenses arising from both the accident and her statements afterward. Also charged is Nicole L. McDonald, 24, of Airport Road. Police believe Ms. McDonald was a passenger in the truck and also lied to them when questioned about the accident.

Our hopes are with the injured man and his family for a complete and speedy recovery.

Help for People Injured by Hit and Run or "Phantom" Drivers

Generally, people who are victims of Pennsylvania hit-and-run accidents should be aware both that there is a possibility of recovery from the hit-and-run driver and their own Pennsylvania car insurance. There are special time limits, however, that sometimes apply in hit-and-run or phantom vehicle accidents and so people injured in these Pennsylvania collisions should waste no time in consulting with an experienced Erie hit-and-run lawyer (particularly because most Erie injury lawyers charge nothing for an initial consult).

Contact an Erie "Hit and Run" Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania pedestrian accidents or hit-and-run accidents, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about car and truck accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Harborcreek Taxi Accident Injures 2: Erie Injury Lawyer News

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

October 3, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Two Maine men were injured as passengers in an Erie taxicab accident. The Erie County accident happened on Interstate 90 in Harborcreek Township near Mile Marker 30.5 near 2:30 p.m. yesterday.

According to early reports, the taxicab driver was eastbound when he lost control on the wet pavement, slid through the median and crossed into the westbound lanes. The passengers in the Pennsylvania taxi accident were two men from Portland, Maine whose identities were not released. The two men were injured as a result of the Erie car crash and taken to UPMC-Hamot hospital. Their conditions were not available but some reports described their injuries as moderate.

A second vehicle involved in the Pennsylvania Interstate collision appeared to have been westbound but its driver and passengers reported no injuries, fortunately.

The taxi driver was also injured and taken to UPMC-Hamot. He was arrested upon being released from the hospital for charges unrelated to the Interstate accident.

It is our hope that the two Maine men are soon out of the hospital and back with their families.

Taxi Passengers Entitled to Special Legal Status

Passengers in taxis may be entitled to special legal status that lessens the burden of proving liability. Unfortunately, the corporate/lessor structure of many taxi-cab companies and their drivers sometimes makes finding the full insurance coverage a challenge. People injured in Pennsylvania taxi-cab accidents should call an experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyer who knows how to find insurance coverage despite a complicated relationship between taxi-driver and cab company.

Consumer Website for Pennsylvanians Looking to Hire an Injury Lawyer

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 28, 2011, ERIE, PA -- People looking for Pennsylvania injury lawyers have a new resource available to them. Thumbtack.com is the latest consumer oriented website to help people find the best Erie injury attorney for their case.

Purchase & George is pleased to have a featured listing for their Pennsylvania accident and injury legal services on the new site, which you can find by clicking HERE.

Erie County Motorcycle/Van Crash Injures 6: Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer News

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 26, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Six people were injured in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident at the intersection of Route 98 and the Interstate 90 on-ramp last night. Early reports indicate that a couple from Ohio were operating their motorcycle on Route 98 in Fairview when a van turned in front of them, causing the Erie motorcycle crash.*

Both of the occupants of the motorcycle were seriously injured and were taken to UPMC-Hamot. The motorcycle driver suffered a serious head injury as a result of the bike crash. The passenger is in serious condition with a leg injury.

The driver of the van was apparently attempting a left turn onto the I-90 ramp and failed to see or yield to the motorcycle. The Pennsylvania van/motorcycle wreck caused severe damage to both the van and the motorcycles involved.

In addition to the two occupants of the motorcycle, the driver of the van, his wife and their twin 6-year-old sons were all injured and received treatment for their Pennsylvania accident injuries at UPMC-Hamot.* Early indicators suggest that the people in the van did not suffer life-threatening injuries in the Erie County crash.

First responders at the scene included Pennsylvania State Police; West County Paramedics and the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department.

Our hopes and prayers are with the two injured motorcyclists still at Hamot.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities

It can be difficult, sometimes, to sort out the respective rights and liabilities that attach when there is a motorcycle accident but the early reports in this case strongly suggest that the driver of the van was at fault. If true, then everyone injured in the accident, except perhaps the driver of the van, will have claims to make against both the insurance company who insured the van's driver and any insurance company who provided uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to the people injured. However, determining the precise coverage available and how to allocate the available coverage among all those harmed will almost certainly require a detailed legal analysis of both facts of the Erie motorcycle collision and the particular coverage provided by each Pennsylvania motor vehicle insurance policy.

We Want to Help

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, we can help. Our experienced Erie injury lawyers understand how an injury can disrupt a family with the stress of recovery, the cost of medical bills and the loss of earning power and potential. In the difficult aftermath of an Erie County motorcycle accident, we understand that the survivors can be overwhelmed by their problems, as well as the fear and uncertainty of the injury process. We want to help. We'll investigate the case when you can't and we'll help you obtain compensation and resources to pay medical costs, replace lost wages and make up for losses for which there are no other remedies.

For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Pennsylvania bike accident lawyers, fill out the on-line consult form or call today. Local calls (814) 833-7100. Toll free (888) 870-3499.

* Purchase & George, P.C. is a Pennsylvania injury law firm headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of Pennsylvania motorcycle accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Pennsylvania Car Horse Crash Lawyer: Erie County Man Hurt

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 24, 2011, CORRY, PA -- A Pennsylvania motorist was injured in a Pennsylvania horse collision in Wayne Township Thursday. The Erie County car/horse accident happened near 11 p.m. on Route 426. A Corry man driving a southbound Chevrolet Impala was unable to avoid a horse that ran in front of his car.*

The force of the Pennsylvania horse/car crash was significant. The horse crushed the car's roof before landing in the road. The driver of the car was takento Corry Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries arising from the collision with the horse. A passenger in the car was, at least by report, not injured.

Pennsylvania Horse/Property Owners

Pennsylvania owners of horses (indeed, any domesticated animal) have a duty to keep the animals confined. Confinement of domesticated animals is important for the safety of the animal and others. When the owner or custodian of a horse fails to keep the animal confined, that person's insurance company may be responsible for compensating anyone injured by the loose animal.

People injured in collisions with unconfined domesticated animals in Pennsylvania should contact an experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyer.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car crash lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Summit Township Car Accident on Route 19: Springboro Woman Charged

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 21, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A Pennsylvania car crash on Route 19 in Summit Township has put one woman in the hospital and another facing a traffic citation for following too closely. The Erie County car accident happened last night about 6:20 p.m. when a Springboro woman driving a Ford F-150 south on Route 19 failed to stop for traffic in front of her and rear-ended a 2003 Buick Century.

The driver of the Buick was taken to UPMC-Hamot for her Pennsylvania car accident injuries.* The driver of the Ford and other occupants in both vehicles were reportedly not injured in the Erie auto collision. State police cited the driver of the Ford.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car crash lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Warren County Crash Sends Two to Erie Hospital

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 21, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A Pennsylvania car accident on Cobham Park Road in Glade Township, Warren County has left two people seriously injured and in an Erie hospital. The one car accident happened last night near 10:20 p.m. when a teen driver with four teen passengers lost control on the wet road.

Police say that Jarrett M. Woodward, 19, of Warren may be charged in the Warren County car crash. According to the Erie Times News story of the accident, Mr. Woodward was southbound on Cobham Park Road and traveling too fast for conditions when his Ford Explorer dropped off the left shoulder of the road. The SUV then rolled on its passenger side, dropped off a steep embankment and turned on its roof, coming to rest in a stream.

Mr. Woodward was not injured in the Warren County accident but all four passengers were initially taken to Warren General Hospital and two of them have since been transported to UPMC-Hamot and are listed in serious condition.*

Our hopes are with the injured passengers and their families for quick and complete recoveries.

We know that passengers injured in one-car accidents in Pennsylvania are frequently reluctant to speak with lawyers soon after an accident. Often, the passengers know the driver well and feel that the insurance company will be fair with them or perhaps they worry about getting the driver in trouble. Unfortunately, these circumstances can often cause trouble down the road, particularly if passengers try to protect the driver. Often, a consult with an experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyer can mean the difference between complete and fair resolutions and years of unnecessary litigation.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car crash lawyers representing people injured in Warren County Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Warren injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Warren County, Crawford County, Erie County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Pennsylvania Home Care Nursing Malpractice Lawyer Verdict: $23 Million

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 19, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A $23 million Pennsylvania malpractice jury verdict highlights the tragic consequences that result from Pennsylvania nursing carelessness. The Pennsylvania jury found that a home care nursing company was responsible for causing a woman to lose portions of both legs to infection in the significant Pennsylvania nursing negligence verdict.

The victim had been receiving home health care nursing services for complications from Crohn's disease. A bacterial infection developed in her feeding tube but her home health care nurse failed to report the infection. The delay in addressing the problem caused the victim to develop a life-threatening blood infection. Although doctors were able to save the woman's life, they had to amputate portions of both of her legs.

The Pennsylvania nursing malpractice verdict was intended to compensate the victim for medical expenses, lost earnings and pain and suffering. Plaintiff's counsel, Atty. Matt Casey, said the victim hoped the verdict would cause the Pennsylvania nursing company to increase safety efforts. Interestingly, however, the home healthcare nursing company continued to deny responsibility, even after the verdict, causing doubt about whether they intended to do anything to better their care.

The victim lost her legs over three years ago and the nursing company has never admitted responsibility. This pattern of delay and deny is typical in Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases. Most malpractice defendants, indeed most health care providers, see Pennsylvania juries and the civil justice system as the problem. Rarely do malpractice defendants or other health care industry players admit that the real problem is carelessness by professional and paid care providers.

We Can Help

At Purchase & George, our Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers recognize the challenges faced by people who have suffered injury or loss as a result of medical mistakes. We perform a thorough investigation at the outset of a case using leading experts in the relevant medical field to help us ensure that the case is built solidly from the ground up. If you would like a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie medical malpractice lawyers, call today at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Lawyers Support Erin Carlisle Scholarship Fund

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 18, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Erie injury lawyers at Purchase & George are proud to announce that they were major sponsors the inaugural Hertel & Brown Memorial Golf Tournament benefitting the Erin Carlisle Scholarship Fund. The Tournament was held yesterday at Whispering Woods Golf Course and appeared to have been a great success.

Erin Carlisle was a young woman who obviously inspired a great deal of love from those who knew her. She was killed this past summer in a well-publicized Erie boating accident when a boat fueling at the Erie Yacht Club exploded. The event was initiated in her memory and benefits a scholarship fund in her name for students at Gannon University.

Personally, it was bittersweet to meet her family on the course this weekend. Her husband, parents and extended family were all there, greeting golfers and participants throughout the day. It was moving to hear their stories of Erin and heartbreaking to think of their loss.

But the family is strong and is channeling their grief in positive directions, keeping Erin's memory alive and using their loss to benefit others. The Pennsylvania accident lawyers at Purchase & George were pleased to help support this cause. As a major corporate sponsor of the Erin Carlisle Memorial Golf Tournament we were able to do just that and enjoy an afternoon of golf with others who are similarly committed to supporting and contributing to our Erie community.

Contributions can still be made to the fund, even though the tournament has ended. Contact Doug Robinson at 814-873-1513, Ryan Munson at 814-504-2064 or Shari Robinson at 814-873-5195.

Trucking Speed Governors: PA Semi Accident Lawyers on NHTSA Study

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 17, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration has decided to study a recommendation that all heavy commercial vehicles be fitted with speed governors that would limit the maximum speed of the truck to 68 mph.

Speed governors in heavy commercial trucks have been a recurring issue in truck safety discussions. Semi-trucks come from the factory equipped with such speed limiting devices but the devices are frequently disabled by trucking companies who want to maximize speed.

With the exception of the United States, the world's leading developed nations all require speed governors in big rigs. Speed governors are required in Japan, Canada, the European Union and Australia and limit speeds to somewhere between 55 and 65 mph. RoadSafe America reports that fatal commercial truck accident rates in those countries are lower than those in the United States.

Contact an Erie Truck Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania heavy truck accidents, visit our commercial truck accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are northwest Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about truck accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie truck accident lawyers, call today locally at 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Pennsylvania Truckers & Phones - NTSB Recommends Ban

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 15, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that all truckers be banned from talking on the phone and/or texting while driving. The NTSB trucking safety recommendation was delivered at a hearing in Washington and appeared to have been prompted by a tragic trucking accident that was linked to truck driver cell phone use.

The accident in question occurred in Kentucky on Interstate 65 on March 26, 2010. The trucker, Kenneth Laymon, had been talking and texting while driving, including a one second call that occurred at the time of the fatal truck accident. Eleven people died in the Kentucky semi-truck crash.

Contact an Erie Truck Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania heavy truck accidents, visit our commercial truck accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are northwest Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about truck accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie truck accident lawyers, call today locally at 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Pennsylvania Tort Reform: More on a Conversation Between Lawyer and Accountant

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 13, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Earlier this week, I posted a copy of an e-mail I'd sent to my accountant after she'd written and asked about Pennsylvania's new law which largely abolished joint and several liability. She'd wanted to know how I thought the change in Pennsylvania law would affect her. I told her it wouldn't affect her (probably), largely because the greatest impact of Pennsylvania's new liability law will be borne by the relatively small number of people who are seriously injured as a result of the combined negligence of two or more other people.

She patiently read through my rant and then sent me a reply. She was surprised by my response. Apparently, people lobbying for the new law (the "Fair Share Act" or "Wrongdoer Protection Law") had told accountants that the changes were important and necessary to protect them from unfair liability. She'd been told that the new law would help her with her malpractice insurance premiums.

Well, the new law was effective June 28, 2011. I asked her if she'd received a rebate yet from her Pennsylvania malpractice insurance carrier. "Ha, ha," she replied, "a rebate from an insurance company? You've got to be kidding."

It is funny, I suppose, to ask whether anyone has received the promised discount on Pennsylvania insurance premiums. It's funny because noone really ever expected that the promises were real. I'm not sure I understand it yet but it's nevertheless true that the current crop of tort reformists has had great success in convincing the public to support their anti-civil justice measures with promises of reduced insurance costs even though everyone knows that Pennsylvania insurance companies are not going to reduce their premiums!

I'm not sure how to end this but I would encourage readers to report to me if they receive any notice of a rebate or premium reduction related to the changes in Pennsylvania's joint and several liability law. I promise I will investigate and report on any claims here. Frankly, I'll be surprised if I hear a single report of discount or rebate from a Pennsylvania insurance company but we'll see.

Contact An Experienced Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer

The Erie injury attorneys at Purchase & George have an established track record of trying civil cases. To meet with Tim George or Eric Purchase and discuss your Erie injury case, call today: 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499. The consult is free and we won't charge a fee in your injury case unless we recover money for you.

Erie Lawyers Host Injury and Accident Radio Show

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 10, 2011, ERIE, PA -- You'll see in our latest news update that WJET-1400 AM has decided to add the Erie injury lawyers (that's us) to its Monday morning talk show lineup. Our Erie radio legal question call-in show starts this Monday at 9 a.m. Radio law is a first for for us and we're looking forward to it but there's a little anxiety, too. So, be gentle when you call, loyal readers. At least for the first couple of shows.

Our hope is to be an interesting source of information about Pennsylvania accident and injury law. Listeners will be encouraged to call in and get free advice. We'll do our best to answer the questions that callers pose but the advice we give on-air can only be general in nature. To get advice tailored to your individual needs and case, you'll need to enter into an attorney-client relationship with an attorney.

If you'd like to call and air your questions, call Mondays between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at 814-451-1400.

Contact the Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Who Host Their Own Radio Law Show

At Purchase & George we are local Erie injury attorneys who are committed to educating people about Pennsylvania injury law, including car accident, medical malpractice and other cases. In addition to the weekly radio show that we host, we've also authored a book that we offer for free to people who've been injured in Pennsylvania car crashes. In "The Ultimate Guide to Pennsylvania Car Accident Cases: A Roadmap to Justice" we explain all the ins and outs of Pennsylvania car accidents, from the insurance you buy, to what to do after an accident to how to choose the right Pennsylvania lawyer for you and your case.

Click on the link above to order your free copy. For a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Purchase & George to Host Erie Radio Accident and Injury Law Show

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 9, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The founders of Purchase & George, a leading Pennsylvania injury law firm, have been tapped to host a weekly radio show featuring Pennsylvania accident and injury law. The Erie lawyers will appear weekly on WJET 1400 AM on Mondays at 9 a.m. and will field calls about Pennsylvania car accidents, injury law, medical malpractice and Pennsylvania civil trial matters.

The Erie law firm, known for handling catastrophic Pennsylvania injury cases, has demonstrated a commitment to educating the public about Pennsylvania accident and injury law. In addition to the legal call-in radio show, the founders of Purchase & George have authored consumer books on multiple subjects, including The Ultimate Guide to Pennsylvania Car Accident Cases. The Erie injury law firm offers the book free to families who have been injured in Pennsylvania car accidents.

If you'd like to call Erie lawyers Eric Purchase and Tim George on the air, call the radio station Mondays between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at 814-451-1400.  Questions that will be fielded include questions about:

     * Pennsylvania Car Accident Law

     * Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accidents

     * Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice, Hospital Errors and Nursing Home Negligence

     * Pennsylvania Truck Accident Law

     * Pennsylvania Dog Bite and Animal Attack Law

     * Pennsylvania Premises Liability Law

     * Other Pennsylvania Injury Law Topics

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

The Erie injury law firm wants everyone to know that on-air advice can only be general in nature. To get legal advice about your injury case tailored to your specific needs you should call and schedule a free consultation.

Purchase & George, P.C. is a Pennsylvania law firm representing people injured in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog attacks, slip and falls, medical mistakes and other personal injury accidents. Purchase & George, P.C. represents people in Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mercer and Venango Counties.

For more information about your personal injury claim, call Purchase & George today for a free, no-strings attached consultation. Call locally (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Pennsylvania Falling Objects Lawyer: Corn Thrown From Meadville Bridge at Traffic

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 5, 2011, Meadville, PA -- State Police are looking for suspects who threw corn cobs from an I-79 overpass at passing cars in Hayfield Township. According to police, the windshield of a Ford Explorer was shattered and a KIA SUV was damaged in the incident, which occurred near 9:04 p.m.

People with information about the incident are asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police at (814) 336-6911.

It appears that noone was injured in this incident and I don't imagine that the people responsible thought that anyone would be injured. Throwing things from a bridge at cars traveling at highway speed, however, is incredibly dangerous. This is more than, "Someone could have lost an eye!" The risk presented by this activity is extreme. Aside from the forces involved when a falling object of only a few pounds is struck by a four thousand pound car going 65 mph (I'll leave the calculation to you engineers out there), driver reactions at that speed can be erratic and tragic.

Pennsylvania Falling Object Injury Lawyer

The law of falling objects is surprisingly well-developed (law in the legal sense, not the physics sense). There are many instances of people injured by objects thrown from overpasses or dropped from above at construction sites. Naturally, when you have a mode of injury that continues to recur you also have a body of caselaw that has developed to address how liability is to be assigned in those circumstances. If you have been injured by a falling object, you can have a free consult (no-strings attached) with one of our experienced Pennsylvania falling object injury attorneys by calling (814) 833-7100 or toll free (888) 870-3499.

Contact Experienced Meadville Car Accident Lawyers

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car accident attorneys headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania. We help people in Crawford, Venango, Warren, Mercer and Erie Counties who have been seriously injured.

If you'd prefer to simply get your free information right from the source, call today and schedule a free, no strings attached consultation with one of our experienced Meadville injury attorneys: toll free at (888) 870-3499 or (814) 833-7100. If your injuries keep you from travelling, we'll come to you.

Breaking Erie Car Crash News: Rollover at West 38th and Ellsworth

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 2, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Details are still sketchy, but there is breaking news about a car accident on Erie's west side. According to early news reports, a Saturn Vue and a Mercury Mariner collided at the intersection of West 38th Street and Ellsworth Avenue near 6:30 a.m. this morning.

The Erie car accident caused the Mariner to roll over onto its roof. A woman driving the Mariner had to be removed by Erie firefighters. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment and diagnosis of her Pennsylvania car crash injuries.

There is still no information available as to how the Erie intersection collision occurred or the condition of the people injured in the Erie auto wreck.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions and injury cases, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car crash lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Pennsylvania Police Seek Info in Fatal Erie Truck Hit-and-Run

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

September 2, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Pennsylvania State Troopers are continuing their investigation into a fatal I-90 hit-and-run truck accident that occurred August 20, 2010 and are encouraging anyone with information about the Pennsylvania truck accident, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, to call them and share it.

The Pennsylvania Truck Accident

As documented in earlier blog entries here, Mr. Fengming Liu and his wife, Xiaoxia Zhang, were eastbound on Interstate 90 in North East Township, Pennsylvania. They were with their children in a family station wagon. A large blue truck or tractor trailer attempted to pass them on the left and struck the station wagon in the rear. The collision with the truck caused the station wagon to spin out of control.

Ms. Zhang was ejected from her vehicle and another large truck struck her as she lay on the highway. Reportedly, she was killed instantly in the Pennsylvania truck crash.

Both commercial truck drivers fled the scene of the Erie semi crash and have not yet been identified, despite vigorous investigation and rewards offered for information about the Erie County hit-and-run truck crash.  A sketch (see above) has been provided of one of the truckers believed to have been involved in the Erie truck accident. The description is of a man in his 40s, with dark hair and eyes, who spoke with an accent, who stands about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds.

Investigators also have released information on the blue truck involved in the Pennsylvania truck wreck. It may have been a blue International 9000 series truck with mirrors mounted on the fenders. It is believed to have been damaged in the area of  the right front fender and grill.

How to Help

Witnesses to the Pennsylvania semi-truck crash (or anyone else with information about the accident) can report information anonymously, if they wish, and are encouraged to contact authorities at www.eriealert.com (click on the "Crime Stoppers" button") or (800) 472-8477 or (814) 898-1641. Reward money is available, including a reward offered by Mr. Liu of $20,000 and another reward offered of $2,000.

Help for People Injured by Hit and Run or "Phantom" Drivers

Pennsylvania hit-and-run accident victims should know that there is a possibility of recovery from their own Pennsylvania car insurance but that there may be special notice requirements of such coverage when "phantom vehicles" are involved. If these notice requirements are not met then the injured person can lose their right to recover. People injured in Erie County "phantom vehicle" or hit-and-run accidents should waste no time in consulting with an experienced Pennsylvania hit-and-run injury lawyer (particularly because most Erie injury lawyers charge nothing for an initial consult).

Contact an Erie "Hit and Run" Accident Lawyer

For more information on commercial truck accidents, visit our truck accident page or for Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about car and truck accident injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury attorneys, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Warren County Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Car Accident in Triumph Township

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 31, 2011, WARREN COUNTY, PA -- A Tidioute woman who was walking in the roadway in Triumph Township, Pennsylvania last Thursday died from injuries suffered in a Warren County pedestrian accident.* The woman, who had been walking in the 7200 block of Route 127 near 6 a.m. was struck by a 1999 Plymouth that was northbound on Route 127. The driver in the Warren County car accident, James Berkhous, 22 of West Hickory, reported that he failed to see the pedestrian.

The injured pedestrian was flown from the scene of the Pennsylvania crash to UPMC Hamot. She unfortunately succumbed to her injuries Monday evening.

Our thoughts are with her family as they grieve in this difficult time.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury and wrongful death lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Warren County, Erie County, Mercer County, Crawford County, and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of Pennsylvania car accident victims will generally not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Pennsylvania accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Erie Motorcycle Accident Attorney News: Bayfront & Cranberry Crash

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 31, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A man was injured in an Erie motorcycle accident near the intersection of the Bayfront Parkway and Cranberry Street yesterday.* The Pennsylvania motorcycle crash happened near 1:40 p.m. when the driver of a Kia minivan attempted to turn left from the West Bayfront Parkway onto Cranberry Street. The van passed directly into the path of a man on a Honda motorcycle who was eastbound on the Bayfront Parkway.

Witnesses to the Erie motorcycle crash report that the motorcyclist fell from his bike and was hit by the van. The motorcyclist was taken from the scene of the Erie bike wreck by EmergyCare Ambulance to the hospital. No information is currently available on his condition.

Our hopes are with the Erie motorcyclist and his family for a speedy recovery.

Erie Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Offer Safety Information

On our motorcycle accident page, we offer tons of free safety information for motorcyclists and car operators. You can find Ten Things All Car and Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles and the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator's Manual and these are just a sampling of what's available to you free on our site. Our goal is to provide as much meaningful information as possible for people, both after and before accidents.

We Want to Help

If you've been injured in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, or lost a loved one, we can help. Our experienced Erie injury lawyers understand how an injury can disrupt a family with the stress of recovery, the cost of medical bills and the loss of earning power and potential. In the tragic aftermath of a fatal motorcycle accident, we understand that the survivors can be overwhelmed by grief, fear and uncertainty. We want to help. We'll investigate the case when you can't and we'll help you obtain compensation and resources to pay medical costs, replace lost wages and make up for losses for which there are no other remedies.

For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Erie bike accident lawyers, fill out the on-line consult form or call today. Local calls (814) 833-7100. Toll free (888) 870-3499.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury and wrongful death lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Warren County, Mercer County, Crawford County, and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of Pennsylvania car accident victims will generally not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Pennsylvania accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Erie Insurance Claims Lawyer News: $1,760,000 Award Upheld on Appeal

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 31, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A Pennsylvania appeals court has upheld a ruling that found a Pennsylvania insurance company failed to live up to its promises and now must pay at least $1.7 million to make up for it. A nearly unanimous nine judge panel of the Superior Court upheld the ruling of local judge Michael Dunlavey that Penn-America Insurance Company failed to do the minimum things it promised to do to protect an Erie insurance customer.

In its ruling, the Pennsylvania Superior Court employed strong language that was harshly critical of the Pennsylvania insurance company, saying, "We find Penn-America's argument tendentious, noteworthy more for its concern with the company's financial interest than its recognition of Pennsylvania law."

The case has its origins in a tragic St. Patrick's Day accident in 2006 that left two young women and a young man dead and four children motherless. The driver who caused the accident had been served past the point of visibile intoxication at Peccadillo's nightclub in Erie and was then thrown out of the club by bouncers for fighting. The drunk driver had a blood alcohol content of .22 percent, nearly three times the legal limit, when he struck a car on Route 97 in Summit Township and killed the two young women who occupied it. The drunk's friend and passenger was also killed.

Pennsylvania law holds bars liable for the harm caused when they serve visibly intoxicated patrons and those drunk people then go out in the community and harm innocents like the victims in this case. When the surviving family members hired a Pennsylvania wrongful death lawyer, the lawyers appropriately sued Peccadillo's.

Peccadillo's had an insurance policy with Penn-America Insurance Company and they asked the Pennsylvania insurance company to live up to its promises. In this case, the insurance company's promises included a promise to defend Peccadillo from lawsuits like this one and, for covered losses, to pay compensation to victims on behalf of Peccadillo's.

However, the insurance company, according to the Superior Court, ignored Pennsylvania law and the promises it made as part of an effort to avoid paying the large amounts of money involved in the case.

Fortunately for the surviving family members, their lawyers were dogged in their pursuit of justice and, ultimately, it was the lawyers for the victims who sued and were successful in forcing Penn America to make up for the harm it caused when it broke its own promises. Congratulations to Pennsylvania insurance lawyers Alan Pepicelli, Barbara Welton and Mark Homyak.

Contact a Pennsylvania Insurance Claims Attorney

The Pennsylvania insurance lawyers at Purchase & George have experience in fighting for our clients' rights and have demonstrated an ability to successfully go toe-to-toe with large insurance companies. If you're looking for an experienced Erie insurance claim lawyer to help you with your Pennsylvania insurance case, call for a free consult at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3400 or fill out our on-line consult form.

Mercer County Accident Lawyer News: I-80 Pennsylvania Rollover From Tire Failure

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 28, 2011, Mercer, PA -- A terrible Pennsylvania car accident with the potential for tragic results has put two people in the hospital but, reportedly, their injuries are not life threatening. The Mercer County car accident occurred last night on Interstate 80 in Pine Township when the tread of a Ford Explorer's tire separated, causing the driver to lose control.

The Ford Explorer was being driven by a 36 year old Monaca man.* A 38 year old woman, also from Monaca, was a passenger in the vehicle. The Explorer was apparently westbound in a passing lane when the tire tread separated. The vehicle spun, hit a guardrail and became airborne before flipping on its roof. The driver in the Pennsylvania tire tread failure accident was taken to UPMC Presbyterian where he is listed in fair condition. The passenger was ejected, according to reports. Amazingly, however, her injuries are reported only as moderate.

Having seen the consequences of ejection in many Pennsylvania car accidents like this one, we are grateful and amazed that the injuries are not worse than are being reported. Still, even though the injuries might have been much worse, moderate injuries are still painful and recovery can be difficult and uncertain. Our hopes and wishes are with both of the injured parties for a quick and complete recovery.

Pennsylvania Product Defect Contributes to Accident/Complicates Injury Case

With advances in tire technology, tire failure is an increasingly uncommon event. When tires do fail, particularly when they fail at high speed and in a vehicle with a high center of gravity, Pennsylvania tire failure accidents like this one are often the result.

The causes of tire failure can range from design or manufacturing defects to installation defects to owner misuse like over-inflation or under-inflation. When there is a defect in the tire itself or when it has been defectively installed, it is important to preserve the tire remnants (as well as the entire vehicle) and have the case investigated by a Pennsylvania injury lawyer with experience in Pennsylvania products liability cases, particularly those involving tire failure related accidents and injuries. An experienced Mercer car accident lawyer will understand that the evidence must be immediately preserved and then reviewed by qualified forensic examiners to determine whether the manufacturer or installer may have been responsible for the tire failure that caused the Pennsylvania car crash.

Contact Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Who Help People in Mercer, Pennsylvania

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car accident attorneys headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania. We help people in Mercer, Venango, Crawford, Warren and Erie Counties who have been seriously injured.

If you'd prefer to simply get your free information right from the source, call today and schedule a free, no strings attached consultation with one of our experienced Mercer injury attorneys: toll free at (888) 870-3499 or (814) 833-7100. If your injuries keep you from travelling, we'll come to you.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Mercer County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of Pennsylvania car accident victims will generally not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Pennsylvania accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Erie Lawyer Asked to Serve Second Consecutive Term

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 25, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Eric J. Purchase has been asked by the Erie County Bar Association to chair the organization's Civil Litigation Section for a second consecutive year. The section is responsible for providing education, programs and services to Erie County lawyers who represent clients in civil cases in the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

This is the third time Mr. Purchase has been named by his peers to act as Chairman of the Erie County Bar Association's Civil Litigation Section. Mr. Purchase also serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, as a delegate in the Pennsylvania Bar Association's House of Delegates and as the Zone 7 Representative to the PBA's political action committee.

Mr. Purchase is one of the co-founders of Purchase & George, P.C., an Erie law firm representing people injured in Pennsylvania accidents and as a result of medical mistakes. He has personally represented hundreds of clients in Pennsylvania injury and wrongful death cases and trials since beginning his practice in 1991.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer

Whether you are looking for an Erie injury lawyer who can help you with a car accident injury claim, car insurance disputes, medical malpractice claim, wrongful death case; or other injury claim, you will find experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyers at Purchase & George who are committed to doing their best to help you. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Erie Injury Lawyer to Lead Seminar on PA's New Joint and Several Liability Law

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 24, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We tell people all the time that they should ask Erie injury lawyers about whether they stay up to date on Pennsylvania injury and insurance law. Even better, we suggest that people ask whether an Erie lawyer has actually taught other lawyers and insurance professionals and, if the lawyer has, will the lawyer provide them with the details? Well, we've done that HERE about our past seminars, but here's a chance for you to see one live. Eric Purchase will be leading a panel discussion of Pennsylvania's newest tort reform statute, S. B. 1131, Act 30, the legislation passed this summer which largely abolished Joint and Several Liability in Pennsylvania.

The event is designed as continuing legal education for lawyers, is sponsored by the Erie County Bar Association and is approved for 1.5 credits by Pennsylvania's Supreme Court. The panel includes experienced Erie civil trial lawyers representing both injured people and insurance companies in Pennsylvania. In addition to Mr. Purchase, lawyers S. E. "Tim" Riley and Craig Murphey will participate on the panel and will offer insight into the implications of the new law in Pennsylvania car accident, medical malpractice and other injury cases.

The seminar is scheduled for August 30, 2011 beginning at 11:45 a.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center. Cost of admission is $48 for Erie County Bar Association members; $72 for non-members; and $34 for judges.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Attorney Who Teaches Other Lawyers About Injury Law

At Purchase & George we are local Erie injury lawyers who are committed to educating people about Pennsylvania injury law, including car accident and medical malpractice cases. In addition to the articles and videos that are available to you here on our site we've also authored a book that we offer for free to people who've been injured in Pennsylvania car crashes. In "The Ultimate Guide to Pennsylvania Car Accident Cases: A Roadmap to Justice" we explain all the ins and outs of Pennsylvania car accidents, from the insurance you buy, to what to do after an accident to how to choose the right Pennsylvania lawyer for you and your case.

Click on the link above to order your free copy. For a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Bus Accident Lawyers: Pennsylvania Back to School Safety Tips

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 24, 2011, ERIE, PA -- My children went back to school today. They're mostly happy about it. They get to see their friends and they like school. The excitement made for a chaotic morning as kids used to lazy summer days suddenly had to have lunches packed, hair brushed (the girls, not Sam...we're just glad if the boy doesn't have anything stuck in his hair), bags made ready and rides given by 7:30 a.m.

In the melee of all the personal complexity involved in the return to school, it can be easy to lose sight of what it means for drivers. Perhaps you've forgotten all the school zones on your route to work. Perhaps you've grown accustomed to pulling around slow moving or stopped traffic. Prepare yourselves, Pennsylvania drivers! School zones and school buses are back in play.

To remind drivers in northwest Pennsylvania, we offer our "Back to School" driving tips:

Pennsylvania School Bus Stop Law

     * Drivers must stop 10 feet away from a school bus with its red lights flashing and cross arm extended

     * The law does not only apply to drivers who are behind the bus. It also applies to drivers meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. It also applies to motorists in oncoming lanes or in adjacent lanes who are traveling alongside the bus! The only time the law does not apply is if there is a grassy median, guide rails or concrete barriers that separate the bus and oncoming traffic.

     * Do not proceed until the red lights have stopped flashing AND all children have reached a place of safety.

Don't Forget Pennsylvania School Zone Speed Limits

Remember that there will be special 15 mph speed limits in place around schools at times of the day when children are coming and going. The law requires that you obey the limits and it imposes sanctions, including a fine and three points on your license. More important, though, is the fact that the school zone area is a hub of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Excited and distracted kids (and parents) are coming and going. They're carrying backpacks. They're paying attention to many things other than traffic. As a driver in a Pennsylvania school zone, it's your duty to proceed slowly and safely and to stay alert to avoid Pennsylvania school zone injuries.

Contact a Pennsylvania School Bus Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were injured in a school bus or school zone accident in Erie, Warren, Crawford, or Venango Counties, call for a free consultation with one of our experienced Pennsylvania school zone accident attorneys. There are no strings attached to our Erie school bus crash attorney consultations and, if your injuries keep you from coming to us, we'll come to you. Call today locally at 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499 or use the on-line inquiry form to your right. We don't charge a fee in our Pennsylvania school zone accident injury cases unless we recover money for you!

     *

Erie Lawyer to Give Supreme Court Approved CLE Presentation

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 23, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Erie lawyer Eric J. Purchase will lead a panel discussion of Pennsylvania lawyers addressing Pennsylvania's new Joint and Several Liability reform legislation. The panel of Erie attorneys will address S. B. 1131, Act 30, Effective June 28, 2011, the Pennsylvania legislation that dramatically altered the law of accident victim compensation in Pennsylvania. Specfic topics the panel will address include:

     * The implications of the new Act for Pennsylvania attorneys handling motor vehicle, medical malpractice, products liability and other personal injury cases;

     * How the new Act compares to Act 57, a 2002 statute that struck down joint and several liability but which was declared unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court;

     * The circumstances in which joint and several liability is still applicable in Pennsylvania;

     * The potential for constitutional flaws in the current statute; and

     * Other arguments that may be used to avoid application of the Act to a client's Pennsylvania injury case.

The panel of Pennsylvania injury lawyers also includes Erie attorneys Tim Riley and Craig Murphey.

The event, approved for 1.5 Continuing Legal Education credits by Pennsylvania's Supreme Court, is scheduled for August 30, 2011 beginning at 11:45 a.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center. Cost of admission is $48 for Erie County Bar Association members; $72 for non-members; and $34 for judges.

Erie Car Crash Lawyer News: Man Jailed in Peach Street Hit and Run

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 23, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A unidentified person was injured by a hit and run driver on Peach Street Friday night. The Erie car accident happened at the intersection of 26th Street and Peach Street near 11:20 p.m. Witnesses say that the driver of a Ford Ranger pick-up was northbound on Peach Street when he attempted to make a left turn onto 26th Street and struck a pedestrian who was in the crosswalk.

The driver, Craig Marshall Stout, 26, of Jeannette, Pennsylvania, then allegedly drove away. Witnesses followed Mr. Stout and told police where he parked his truck in the 1100 block of Peach Street. Mr. Stout was found a few blocks from his car and arrested for his conduct in the Erie hit and run accident. Police report that Mr. Stout had a suspended license. Mr. Stout is in the Erie County Prison on a $50,000 bond.

No information is available about the victim or the extent of the victim's injuries and we are hopeful that the victim of the Erie hit and run accident is out of the hospital and on the road to recovery from whatever injuries were suffered in this Pennsylvania car accident.

Help for People Injured by Hit and Run Drivers In Pennsylvania

People who are victims of Pennsylvania hit-and-run accidents often face unique challenges in getting compensation for their harm. Often, the driver is uninsured because they've allowed their insurance to lapse, because they didn't have permission to use the vehicle or because they are never found. Even if they are insured, the insurance is often inadequate.

Fortunately, Pennsylvania hit-and-run victims may have other remedies available to them. For example, if they are an insured on a Pennsylvania auto policy, there is a possibility of recovery from their own underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage.

Determining whether a Pennsylvania accident victim has a right to recovery and how to best protect and advance those rights often requires the advice and guidance of an experienced Pennsylvania accident attorney. People injured in hit-and-run accidents should waste no time in consulting with an experienced Erie hit-and-run lawyer (particularly because most Erie injury lawyers charge nothing for an initial consult).

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car crash lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Lawyers: Vote Your Favorite Erie Attorney for 2011 Erie's Choice Award

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 21, 2011, ERIE, PA -- So, this is a little fun. I've been listed on the ballot for the Erie's Choice Awards contest sponsored by the Erie Times News. For reasons that are not clear to me, the ballot only lists a small fraction of the lawyers in Erie and includes at least one Erie lawyer who is no longer practicing and more than one injury lawyer who isn't even an Erie attorney.

Still, it would be fun to see a small firm lawyer snag the award from the giant firms who usually win these things and it would be even more fun (for me, at least) if I was the one to do it. To be more accurate, it would be more fun for me if you made me the winner.

So, if you're inclined to vote for Eric Purchase as your favorite Erie attorney, there are easy ways to do it. You can text "Purchase" to 814-799-0914 or you can go to www.erieschoice.com and vote for "Eric Purchase" in the category of "Lawyers."

Thanks to all of you who took the time out of your busy day to cast a vote in the Erie's Choice Awards lawyer category. And to those of you who couldn't be bothered, well, I don't blame you. There are plenty more important things to do with your day. Thanks for reading this far, though.

Next year, we're hoping to add our firm to the balloting. It's not clear to me exactly how you get your business listed on the ballot but we've "claimed" the Purchase & George listing on GoErie.com and we're hoping that'll do it. If anyone out there knows definitively how to get on the ballot, please drop me a line.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer

Whether you are looking for an Erie injury lawyer who can help you with a car accident injury claim, car insurance disputes, medical malpractice claim, wrongful death case; or other injury claim, you will find experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyers at Purchase & George who are committed to doing their best to help you. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Pennsylvania Article Notes 1 in 5 Cases Pay

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 20, 2011, ERIE, PA -- It's no surprise to regular readers. Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases are risky and uncertain. But an article in the Erie Times this week announced the news with great fanfare: "Study: Only 1 in 5 Medical Malpractice Cases Pay."

The Erie article was reporting on a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study reported that 80% of medical malpractice cases fail to produce a payment to the injured party. That's an astonishing medical malpractice failure rate when considering that almost all cases are first reviewed by independent physicians to certify that the case has merit and further considering that no medical malpractice lawyer in his or her right mind would knowingly invest time and money in a frivolous case.

The New England Journal of Medicine study actually acknowledges evidence that at least 60% of the filed claims involved known medical errors. What does this mean? If the study authors accept that 60% of filed claims involve actual malpractice but only 20% of filed claims result in payment then at least 40% of patients who file claims and who were legitimately wronged were denied justice.

And these numbers don't even begin to scratch the surface of medical malpractice injustice. As the Erie Times noted, an influential study on the subject of medical malpractice demonstrated that only a tiny fraction of patients harmed by medical errors ever file suit. All of which means that there are countless patients and their families who are entitled to some measure of compensation for harm that could and should have been avoided but who will never receive justice because they never sought a legal consultation.

No Medical Malpractice Crisis

The story might have been given its breathless headline because the editors were surprised by the notion that doctors and hospitals win most medical malpractice cases. After all, the media isn't immune from the constant myth that doctors and health insurance are suffering from a medical malpractice crisis. Contrary to the common perception that doctors are sued over nothing and juries give big verdicts to undeserving plaintiffs, the truth is that even when plaintiffs have good cases, they often lose to juries who are worried about hurting doctors and, even when they win, the verdicts are often small.

As a consequence, lawyers are taking fewer cases. As one of the study authors noted, "A lawyer would have to be an idiot to take a frivolous case to court." Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys are accepting only those cases where the injuries are catastrophic and the liability almost indisputably clear.

We Can Help

At Purchase & George, our Pennsylvania medical malrpactice lawyers recognize the challenges faced by people who've suffered injury or loss as a result of medical mistakes. We perform a thorough investigation at the outset of a case using leading experts in the relevant medical field to help us ensure that the case is built solidly from the ground up. If you would like a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie medical malpractice lawyers, call today at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Lawyers Featured in National Catalog

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 19, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We thought our Pennsylvania injury lawyer logo was pretty cool from the day we first picked it. Finally, national design leaders are seeing the light.

In our Erie injury lawyer news section, we are happy to report that Land's End, the national retailer famous for quality and value, has decided to feature the Purchase & George logo in its August 2011 catalog. You can see our classic orange and green Pennsylvania law firm logo gracing a navy sweater by clicking HERE and turning to page 30 of the catalog.

It's fun for us to have a little levity in the office and this sort of thing is just what the doctor ordered. We and our employees love the Land's End P & G logo wear and it's a blast to see it featured nationally. Unfortunately, our Erie injury law firm logo wear isn't available for purchase on the Land's End site or anywhere else, for that matter. We make it available only for employees, clients and supporters of our Pennsylvania injury law firm.

Of course, there's one other way to get some of that much sought after P & G swag. You can patronize local charity events sponsored by Purchase & George. Distinctive "P & G" Land's End items such as logo blankets, caps, coolers and other memorabilia can be had by lucky supporters of Pennsylvania charities like the New Blossoms New Life Charity Tournament, among others.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Attorney

Purchase & George, P.C. is a Pennsylvania law firm representing people injured in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog attacks, slip and falls, medical mistakes and other personal injury accidents. Purchase & George, P.C. represents people in Erie, Crawford, Warren and Venango Counties.

For more information about your personal injury claim (or to see how you can become a client and P & G swag recipient), call Purchase & George today for a free, no-strings attached, consultation. Call locally (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Lawyers Featured in National Retail Publication

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

The Pennsylvania injury law firm of Purchase & George, P.C. has been featured in a recent national retail catalog. The Erie lawyers' logo appears in the August, 2011 Land's End catalog. The Erie law firm known for handling catastrophic injury cases had its logo selected to highlight a woman's "Performance Fine Gauge Cardigan in a Classic Tie Front Style." You can see the classic orange and green logo on a true navy sweater by clicking HERE and turning to page 30.

Visitors to the offices of the Erie injury and medical malpractice lawyers have long observed "P & G" wear on casual Fridays. Distinctive "P & G" Land's End items such as logo blankets, caps, coolers and other memorabilia are often seen at charity events sponsored by the Erie lawyers, including the New Blossoms New Life Charity Tournament, among others.

Purchase & George logo wear isn't available for purchase through Land's End and is generally only given away by the prominent Erie law firm to clients, supporters and charities in the Erie and northwest Pennsylvania area. If you'd like more information about P & G logo wear or the Erie law firm, call 833-7100 or toll free at 888-870-3499.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

Purchase & George, P.C. is a Pennsylvania law firm representing people injured in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog attacks, slip and falls, medical mistakes and other personal injury accidents. Purchase & George, P.C. represents people in Erie, Crawford, Warren and Venango Counties.

For more information about your personal injury claim, call Purchase & George today for a free, no-strings attached, consultation. Call locally (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie County Injury Lawyers: Millcreek Car Accident on 12th Street Injures 2

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 17, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Two women were injured in Erie yesterday when a car pulled in front of them on West 12th Street in Millcreek Township.* The Erie car accident involved four vehicles, including two vehicles parked at a Millcreek car dealership.

According to early reports, the Pennsylvania car accident occurred near 4:30 p.m. when a sport utility vehicle exiting the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant at 2656 West 12th Street entered the roadway directly into the path of a westbound Honda Accord. The Honda then veered off the road and struck two parked vehicles in Tim Deluca's Auto Service and Sales, 2670 West 12th Street.

Both women injured in the Erie car wreck were passengers in the Honda Accord. Volunteers from West Lake Fire Department freed one of the two women who were trapped in the wreckage following the Pennsylvania auto crash.

The women were taken to UPMC Hamot with Erie car accident neck and back injuries. No other information was available as to their condition. The driver of the SUV reported no injuries from the collision.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car crash lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Erie Car Crash Injury Lawyers Report Settlement of Post-Concussion Syndrome Case

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 17, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A settlement recently posted in our results section illustrates the challenges faced by people with head injuries from Pennsylvania car accidents. The case (details of which are posted HERE) involved a simple Erie car accident. Our driver was struck by a snow plow that had failed to stop for a STOP sign. Fault was easy.

The problems with the case came from the injuries themselves and the status of our client. The injuries were Pennsylvania car crash head injuries and, like most such injuries, had taken time to diagnose. Any delay in treatment and diagnosis complicates a case because the Pennsylvania car insurance companies who defend these cases use the delay to create confusion and doubt.

The status of our client was a problem, too. She had elected limited tort on her auto insurance polciy and, as regular readers know, that is not a good thing in a Pennsylvania car accident case. Further complicating things was the fact that the snowplow was a government vehicle and such drivers get special protection as set forth in the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act.

The client originally went to see another Erie car accident lawyer. The complications of the case caused that lawyer to refer the case to Purchase & George. We've handled a large number of Pennsylvania post-concussion syndrome cases and other Pennsylvania car accident head injuries and were convinced we could help. We took the case.

You're reading this and so you probably suspect the case ended well. You're right, it did. You can read all about it in our Pennsylvania Injury Case Results section.

But it wasn't easy. Whenever an Erie injury lawyer refers a Pennsylvania injury case to us from the outset (usually they wait until they can't get the case resolved on their own), you know the case presents with challenges. Some of the challenges in this case were outside the control of our client. For example, she didn't choose to have a head injury and she didn't choose to be struck by a careless government driver. However, she should have promptly sought medical attention for her Pennsylvania car accident head injury and, as we've said here before many times, no one should elect the limited tort option (in our humble opinion).

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions and the injuries that result from them, visit our auto accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free consumer book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania auto wreck injury lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about Erie County car accident injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Pennsylvania Car Crash Attorney: Teen Drives Through Erie Liquor Store

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 14, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A teen on a learner's permit accidentally drove through the front window of a Pennsylvania state liquor store and injured a customer. The Erie car accident happened yesterday afternoon near 4:40 p.m.

According to Erie police, the 16 year old was with his mother when he attempted to pull into a parking space at 737 East 38th Street (the intersection of East 38th & Parade). The young man apparently panicked and hit the gas instead of the brake, causing his car to hurtle through the plate glass window in front of the Erie store.

A 24 year-old customer in the store during the Erie car crash received injuries to her foot, including cuts from the shattered glass.* She was taken to UPMC-Hamot for treatment and care. It was reported that her injuries were not life-threatening.

Erie police have not yet decided whether or not to press charges against the teen for the Erie car wreck. He could face summary traffic violations including careless driving.

Legal Rights of Pennsylvania Accident Victims

As a legal matter, the injured customer has a right to have her medical bills paid by her own car insurance policy, if she has one. If she does not then the first party benefits on the 16 year-old's car insurance policy should pay her medical bills. She also has a right to be compensated for any medical bills, lost wages and other inconvenience and suffering. These payments should come from the 16 year-old's Pennsylvania car insurance liability coverage and, if necessary, from any applicable Pennsylvania underinsured motorist coverage. She may have other rights that would require a more extensive interview and analysis with an Erie auto accident injury lawyer.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are car accident attorneys in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them.

If you'd prefer to simply get your free information right from the source, call today and schedule a free, no strings attached consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers: toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of Pennsylvania car accident victims will generally not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Pennsylvania accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Pennsylvania Truck Accident Lawyers: Erie Train Crash Training Tool

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 13, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Every three hours there is a collision between trains and motor vehicles. 25% of those collisions involve tractor-trailers. The risk of fatality is five times greater in a Pennsylvania train crash than in any other Pennsylvania motor vehicle collision. In short, the numbers point to one inescapable conclusion: train crashes should be avoided.

One public safety group is doing its part to diminish the number of Pennsylvania truck/train collisions. Operation Lifesavers, Inc., is offering a short, free, interactive on-line safety course designed to help professional truck drivers avoid train collisions in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Interested in taking the free on-line course? Go to www.oli.org/ProDriver

Contact an Erie Truck Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania heavy truck accidents, visit our commercial truck accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are northwest Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about truck accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie truck accident lawyers, call today locally at 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Car Accident Lawyer: New PennDOT Driver's License Center Announced

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 12, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced that the longtime driver's license and photo center on Buffalo Road in Harborcreek Township will be closing and a new center will open in Summit Township.

The former Pennsylvania Driver License Center in the Eastway Plaza (4221 Buffalo Road) will stay open until August 20, 2011. The new Erie Driver License and Photo Center opens August 23, 2011 in the Summit Towne Center (7200 Peach Street). For more information on the hours of operation, check out PennDOT's website HERE.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Pennsylvania car accident, you should contact a Pennsylvania injury lawyer. The Erie injury lawyers at Purchase & George help people injured in Northwest Pennsylvania, including Erie County, Crawford County, Venango County and Warren County. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and contingency fees (no fee if no recovery) for injury cases.

Contact us today at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we'll come to see you.

Millcreek Car Accident Lawyer News: Emergency Vehicle and Ambulance in Crash

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 11, 2011, ERIE, PA -- An emergency medical services vehicle and a Union City Ambulance were involved in a three car crash last night on Glenwood Park Avenue in Millcreek. The Pennsylvania car accident occurred as the two emergency vehicles were southbound on Glenwood Park Avenue and a third vehicle reportedly pulled in front of them from the parking lot of the Glenwood Towers at 4601 Glenwood Park Avenue.

The two emergency vehicles were transporting a patient from Union City to the hospital near 2:15 a.m. when the Erie car crash occurred. At least two people were subsequently transported to an Erie hospital for evaluation of their Pennsylvania auto accident injuries. The patient who was being transported was taken by separate ambulance to the hospital.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our auto accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free consumer book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania auto wreck injury lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about Erie County car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Car Accident Lawyer News: East 38th and Davidson Accident Closes Road

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 8, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A car accident on Erie's east side closed East 38th Street and Davidson Avenue for about an hour Monday night and hospitalized three people*, although Erie Fire Department authorities report that none of the three faced life threatening conditions as a result of the Erie car accident.

According to official reports, the Pennsylvania car accident occurred when a Honda CR-V collided with a Pontiace Sunfire at the intersection near 7:20 p.m. Three people were taken to UPMC Hamot for treatment of their Pennsylvania car accident injuries.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car crash lawyers in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers headquartered in Erie who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Erie Auto Injury Lawyer News: Corry Car Thief Crashes, Injures Woman

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 10, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A Corry man is reported to have stolen a pickup and then causd a head-on Pennsylvania car collision that seriously injured a young woman from Fredonia, Pennsylvania.*

Police have arrested Shawn Stroup, 21, and placed him in the Crawford County jail. Stroup is reported to have stolen a 1994 Dodge pickup truck from a residence in Bloomfield Township Monday night. He was driving the stolen pickup east on Route 77 in Sparta Township near 7:40 a.m. when the Pennsylvania car accident occurred. Reportedly, the hood of the stolen vehicle flew open, blocking Stroup's vision. Stroup then drove the vehicle into the westbound lanes and struck a 1994 Geo Prism being driven by the victim of the PA car crash.

The Pennsylvania accident victim's injuries are not known but are reported to be serious. She was taken by ambulance to UPMC Hamot. Hospital officials have not yet confirmed her presence at the hospital or the condition of her car crash injuries.

As a result of the Pennsylvania auto accident, Stroup was charged with unlawful taking or disposition and with Pennsylvania accidents involving death or serious personal injury while not properly licensed.

Our hopes and prayers are with the young Fredonia woman for a quick and complete recovery.

Pennsylvania Stolen Car Accidents Present Legal Challenges

The young woman who was injured in this accident faces more challenges than she knows. Unlike most car accidents, in which the at-fault driver has insurance which should pay to compensate the innocent injured party, Pennsylvania stolen auto crashes often involve drivers who are uninsured. This means that the injured person's only source of compensation may be from their own Pennsylvania car insurance policy's Uninsured Motorist Coverage.

A prompt consult with a good Erie car accident attorney or Pennsylvania insurance claims lawyer would be helpful for the young woman from Fredonia (or a concerned family member) to make sure that proper notice is provided to the relevant Pennsylvania car insurance companies and that all appropriate measures are taken to identify available sources of insurance coverage.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are car accident attorneys in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Injured Pennsylvania Motorcycle Passengers Are Entitled to Insurance Funds

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 5, 2011, ERIE, PA -- People injured as passengers in Pennsylvania motorcycle accidents often have unique concerns. Like most people injured in motor vehicle accidents, they worry about how they're going to pay their medical bills, when they'll be able to return to work, and of course they hurt and wonder whether they'll be the same after they've healed. Often, though, they also worry about whether they have any rights, even though they weren't the driver of the motorcycle (they do). And frequently they worry about the driver, who is usually a close friend or relative. "If I sue or make a claim" they worry, "will it hurt my friend/relative?"

Injured motorcycle passengers in Pennsylvania absolutely have rights and are usually entitled to first party insurance benefits that will help them pay bills and recover wage loss. Motorcycle passengers with injuries are usually also entitled to money settlements from insurance companies to compensate them for losses that are in excess of first party medical benefits.

The money that is usually used to pay injured motorcycle accident victims does not come from the driver of the motorcycle. These payments are made by insurance companies who are in the business of collecting premiums in exchange for a promise to pay for harm that results from Pennsylvania bike crashes. While true that the accident may cause an increase in the driver's premium, that would be true even if the injured motorcycle passenger didn't make a claim if the Pennsylvania motorcycle accident was the driver's fault.

If you were injured as a passenger in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, you should at least get a free, no strings attached evaluation of your case.

Erie Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Offer Safety Information

On our Pennsylvania motorcycle accident page, we offer lots of free safety information for Pennsylvania motorcyclists and car operators. You can find Ten Things All Car and Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles and the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator's Manual and these are just a sampling of what's available to you free on our site. Our goal is to provide as much meaningful information as possible for people, both after and before accidents.

We Want to Help

If you've been injured as a passenger in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, or lost a loved one, we can help. Our experienced Erie injury lawyers understand how an injury can disrupt a family with the stress of recovery, the cost of medical bills and the loss of earning power and potential. In the tragic aftermath of a fatal motorcycle accident, we understand that the survivors can be overwhelmed by grief, fear and uncertainty. We want to help. We'll investigate the case when you can't and we'll help you obtain compensation and resources to pay medical costs, replace lost wages and make up for losses for which there are no other remedies.

For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Pennsylvania bike accident lawyers, fill out the on-line consult form or call today. Local calls (814) 833-7100. Toll free (888) 870-3499.

PA Wrongful Death Lawyer: Fatality on Route 8 in Amity Township

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 4, 2011, Union City, PA -- The Erie Times-News has reported that a local businessman was killed in an Erie County car accident yesterday.* The Pennsylvania car crash occurred on Route 8 in Amity Township when a Mercedes-Benz E320 left the roadway while negotiating a curve, hit a ditch and flipped. The vehicle then hit a utility pole.

The fatal Erie wreck happened near 10:30 p.m. last night. The driver, owner of a local vacuum cleaner business, was pronounced dead at the scene approximately one hour after the Erie accident.

There are no reports yet about road conditions or the utility pole placement. In one car accidents of this sort, officials sometimes blame the driver without considering other factors such as road defects or dangerous roadside hazards (like negligently placed utility poles). No information was available about this particular car accident that would shed light on these issues one way or another.

Our condolences are with the family of the victim.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are car accident attorneys in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Erie Injury Lawyer News: EMT Classes in Townville

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 4, 2011, ERIE, PA -- People interested in serving the northwest Pennsylvania community as an Emergency Medical Technician can apply for classes being held in Townville, Pennsylvania this September.

The Townville Ambulance Service is accepting applications now for EMT classes that will be held at the Townville Volunteer Fire Department (33441 North Main Street). Classes for the Pennsylvania public safety position begin September 19 and run through February. Classes will held each Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 6 to 10 p.m.

The Erie injury and trauma training classes cost $125 and applicants are expected to bring both a CPR mask and a copy of the text "AAOS Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured (Ninth Edition)." More information can be had by contacting Sue Brown at (814) 967-2068 or by registering on-line at the Community College of Allegheny County website.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For free information on Pennsylvania injury law, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are car accident attorneys in Erie, Pennsylvania who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie County injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Purchase & George is now on Google+

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

Purchase and George is now on Google+!!

For over a year, Purchase & George has been using Facebook and Twitter to provide helpful tips and information to our clients and friends. We hope that you have been able to take advantage of these sites but if you haven’t, here are links to "follow us" on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook: P&G Twitter and P&G Facebook . Today, Purchase & George is pleased to announce that we are now on Google+!

You may be asking “What is Google+?”. In a nutshell, it is Google’s answer to facebook. You make a profile, find your friends, and post what is going on in your life with pictures and videos. There are a few minor differences, but for all intents and purposes, it is Google’s version of facebook.

Right now, Google is trying it out with a limited number of users and the only way to get on is if you are invited by someone who is already a member of Google+, and even then, there is no guarantee that they will have room for you yet.

Luckily we received an invitation and have since created our own Google+ page which you can view by clicking here: P&G Google+ Page. As Google+ becomes available to more people, we hope that we will be able to keep you informed though this new social networking site.

If you would like to join Google+, we would be happy to send you an invitation. Just send an email with your name and email address to nkelly14@me.com and we will promptly send you an invitation. *We will not sell or give out your email address.

Pennsylvania Bicycle Accident Lawyers: Erie Article Highlights Helmet Use

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 2, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Erie Times ran a front page story today that every parent should read. The article highlights the importance of wearing a helmet while biking in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania passed a law in 1995 that requires children under age 12 to wear a helmet but the article notes that enforcement is lacking or non-existent. What police officer wants to cite a child for not wearing a helmet? No, getting kids to wear bike helmets is a parent's job.

Having trouble getting your kids to wear helmets? See our Ten Tips to Get Your Kid to Wear a Bike Helmet.

The article also highlights some common misconceptions about Pennsylvania bicycle accidents, like the popular notion that the accident is always the bicyclist's fault. "Nine times out of 10, it's not the child who is at fault," says Patty Puline of the Erie Safe Kids program, "[it's] the drunk driver, or the person who's on their cell phone who doesn't see the kid, or is speeding and doesn't see them."

Hit By a Car While Riding Your Bike?

If you or your child has been in a Pennsylvania bicycle accident, we've got helpful information for you in our Pennsylvania injury law articles section. Pennsylvania bike crash victims should read Six Tips If You've Been Hit By a Car While Running, Cycling or Walking.

Above all else, do not sign any papers until you've had a free consult with an experienced Erie bicycle injury attorney. Do not accept a settlement offer from the driver's insurance company. Do not give a recorded statement to the other insurance company.

Learn Your Legal Rights - Contact Us Now

The Pennsylvania bicycle accident lawyers at Purchase & George want to help you. Call us today for a free, no-strings attached evaluation of your case. Call locally at 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499. No fee if no recovery.

Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyers: Avonia Road Crash Sends 2 to Hospital

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 2, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Two women were injured in a violent Pennsylvania car crash at the intersection of Avonia Road and Sterrettania Road in Fairview Township yesterday.* Police had few details about the accident itself but both drivers, a 58-year-old woman from Cranesville and a 20-year-old woman from Erie, were taken by ambulance to local hospitals.

Firefighters from Fairview, Lake Shore and Girard asisted at the scene of the Erie car accident. Reportedly, one woman had to be freed from the wreckage of her vehicle.

A photo of the vehicles after the PA car wreck can be viewed HERE. Video of the Fairview car crash scene can be viewed HERE.

We hope the two Erie car accident victims are home soon. The wreckage of the vehicles certainly suggests there was a lot of violence in the crash but both drivers were reportedly wearing their seatbelts. We're hoping for the best.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Erie car accident attorneys who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of Erie accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Erie Wrongful Death Accident Lawyer: Teen Killed in Peach Street Crash

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 1, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We are saddened to report that an Erie car accident on Peach Street has taken the life of a well-liked teen.* Authorities say that an Eagle Talon northbound on Peach Street struck the rear of a Jeep near the intersection with New Road close to midnight last night. The Jeep was also northbound on Peach Street but stopped waiting to make a left turn. The young woman who was killed had been a passenger in the Eagle Talon.

The Jeep's driver had intended to make a left turn onto New Road and was stopped waiting for southbound traffic to clear. The Eagle Talon failed to stop and smashed into the rear of the Jeep in the fatal Erie car wreck. From initial reports, the force of the impact was significant. All occupants of both vehicles were injured, some were taken to UPMC Hamot and at least one remains in serious condition.

The young woman, a 17 year-old Strong Vincent High School student, soccer player and volunteer at Family Day Care West, suffered fatal chest injuries. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether she was seat-belted at the time of the Erie car crash.

Our sincerest condolences go the family of the young woman and our hopes are with those who were seriously injured in the Erie car crash.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of Erie accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Crawford County Car Accident Lawyer: 3 Hospitalized in Venango Township Crash

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 1, 2011, Venango Township, PA -- Three victims* of a Crawford County car accident Friday remain hospitalized. The Venango Township car wreck occurred on Route 8 when the driver of a southbound Ford Ranger veered into the northbound lane and struck a Toyota Yaris. It is believed that the driver of the Ford Ranger was trying to avoid a collision with other southbound traffic that was stopped to make a left turn.

The driver and a passenger in the Ford Ranger were taken to UPMC Hamot Friday night where they remain in fair condition after the Crawford County car crash. The driver of the Toyota Yaris was also taken to UPMC Hamot where he remains in serious condition.

Our hopes are with the victims of this serious Pennsylvania car accident for rapid and complete recoveries.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of Pennsylvania accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

Crawford County Injury Lawyer News: Linesville Car Crash Puts 3 in Hospital

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

August 1, 2011, Linesville, PA -- A Sunday morning car accident in Crawford County has three people in an Erie hospital today. Early reports are that the driver of a 1997 Ford Explorer was going too fast on Townline Road between Wheeler Road and Dicksonburg Roads in Conneaut Township and lost control, striking a parked platform trailer.

The driver of the Explorer is in fair condition at UPMC Hamot (after first being seen at Meadville Medical Center) and one passenger reportedly suffered only a minor injury in the Crawford County car wreck. Unfortunately, two other passengers, including a teenager, are in serious condition at UPMC Hamot.*

It appears that the injured teen may have been related to the driver in the Pennsylvania car crash.

One car accidents in Pennsylvania, particularly when there are family ties between driver and injured passengers, can present problems when dealing with the insurance companies. Insurance companies know that relatives and friends can be reluctant to bring claims against one another and the insurance companies sometimes use that relationship to reduce the amount they have to pay to compensate the injured passenger. The truth, however, is that family connections should not have any bearing on the value of the claim and an experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyer should be able to get past the tactics of a Pennsylvania insurance company who tries to suggest otherwise.

Contact a Pennsylvania Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania car accident attorneys who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Crawford County injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

* Purchase & George, P.C. are Pennsylvania injury lawyers who are committed to educating the public about accidents and injuries in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County. Beginning August 1, 2011, Purchase & George, P.C. has determined that names of car accident victims will not be published out of respect for the victim and their family. Accident victim names may be published here in those circumstances where the victim is a public figure or the victim's identity is important for reasons of story or message.

McKean Lawyer: Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Help Lancers

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 31, 2011, McKean, PA -- Yesterday I used a chance visit from a website optimization salesman to blog about my ties to Edinboro. (Yes, it's true. Sometimes I blog about things just because it helps my Pennsylvania injury law website). Today, I thought, why shouldn't I blog about my ties to my hometown, McKean, Pennsylvania? After all, if someone searches for "McKean Lawyer" I definitely want our Pennsylvania accident website to make the first page.

I live in the City of Erie now, but I grew up in McKean (right behind the Shur-Fine and Matz's gas station) and my ties to the community run deep. I went to McKean Elementary School, James W. Parker Middle School, and General McLane High School (Class of 1984...yup, that's me in the color picture second from the top on the GM alum website). My parents (John and Olivia Purchase) served on the borough sewer authority and the McKean borough council. In fact, my father was part of the controversial movement to bring water treatment to McKean back in the late '70s. (Look, I think it was the right thing to do but if you still think septic tanks are the best thing since sliced bread, well, we're going to have to agree to disagree on that).

My friends and I played in Lamson's Run when we were little and graduated to Middlemeyer's swimming hole in Elk Creek when we got to middle school. By high school, we were camping in the woods along Elk Creek and looking for trouble, although there was precious little of it to find out there in those days.

Seriously, if you're a McKean resident and you think you might have a Pennsylvania injury case (car accident, motorcycle accident, dog bite, truck accident, slip and fall or other accident case) or if you wonder if a serious injury or loss may have been caused by medical or hospital mistakes, then you can get help from someone with real ties to the McKean Community.

Working With Eric Purchase & Tim George

Purchase & George are Pennsylvania accident attorneys with a strong commitment to making things right for our clients. We get to know each one of our clients, and their families, and we limit the number of cases that we take in order to give each client the personal attention that he or she deserves.

If you'd like more information, call the Pennsylvania injury lawyers at Purchase & George toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100 for a free consultation.

Edinboro Lawyer: Pennsylvania injury Attorneys Help Lancers

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 30, 2011, Edinboro, PA -- The other day I was visited by a salesman who promised to "optimize" my Pennsylvania injury law website. I confidently told him that I relied on "organic results" and didn't pay for web optimization. He was prepared for this and said, "Oh, do you? How do you do with searches for "'Edinboro Lawyer?'"

Looking back on it now, I suppose I should have realized he already knew the answer to that question. At the time, however, I figured I'd do pretty well. After all, I grew up in McKean, went to McKean Elementary School, James W. Parker Middle School, and General McLane High School (Class of 1984...yup, that's me in the color picture second from the top on the GM alum website). I'm a regular at Pat Crawford's Jukebox for July 4th festivities. General McLane was part of my "web profile." I figured my Edinboro bona fides were pretty much foolproof.*

Imagine my surprise when a search for "Edinboro Lawyer" didn't return a result with our Pennsylvania accident law website on the first page! Well, perhaps I won't stay on the first page for long but I resolved that I was going to remedy my first page absence problem tout suite (to borrow a phrase from the '80s).

Hence this article.

Seriously, if you're an Edinboro resident and you think you might have a Pennsylvania injury case (car accident, motorcycle accident, dog bite, truck accident, slip and fall or other accident case) or if you wonder if a serious injury or loss may have been caused by medical or hospital mistakes, then you can get help from someone with real ties to the Edinboro Community.

Working With Eric Purchase & Tim George

Purchase & George are Pennsylvania accident and injury lawyers with a strong commitment to making things right for our clients. We get to know each one of our clients, and their families, and we limit the number of cases that we take in order to give each client the personal attention that he or she deserves.

If you'd like more information, call the Pennsylvania injury lawyers at Purchase & George toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100 for a free consultation.

* Did I neglect to mention that Purchase & George, P.C. also employs General McLane kids in summer intern positions? For the last 3 years, Nathan Kelly has been a stalwart of our summer crew, working in every position from receptionist to parking lot crew to internet marketing guru. Nathan began with us as a General McLane High School student and is now going into his sophomore year in College. We couldn't be happier with Nathan or prouder of his accomplishments.

Erie Lawyers Post Blast from the Past Video

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 25, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We were playing with our new "Do it Yourself" video up-load module and decided we'd experiment with my old TV commercial. Yes, it's the one playing above this message right now.

Sure, the video quality isn't so great and I was a little younger and not so comfortable on camera, but it was my maiden video production effort. Anyhow, it was meant to inform the community that I'd left behind my comfortable big firm practice for the world of solo Pennsylvania injury law. And I haven't looked back with regret. It's been a privilege and a pleasure to help the people who've come to my office with problems caused by the big insurance companies who just won't play fair with injured people.

Of course, since that decision to go solo a lot has happened. The practice has grown. I got lucky and got a great partner in Tim George. Together, we've been lucky to add extremely talented and committed staff. The sum and substance of it all is that we're doing more and better work for our clients.

So, enjoy my old video. You can even make fun of me, if you like. But we're pleased to be able to tell you that we've come a long way since those early days of our Pennsylvania injury practice and we're committed to continued growth and improvement. We will never stop striving to be the best Pennsylvania injury lawyers we can be and to obtain the best Pennsylvania injury settlements and verdicts we can for our clients.

The Bottom Line

If you or a family member has been the victim of someone else's carelessness, the personal injury lawyers at Purchase & George can help. Explore our site for more information or call (814) 833-7100 or toll free (888) 870-3499 for a free consultation with an experienced Erie injury lawyer.

Erie Lawyers: August 2011 PA Injury Law Newsletter Now Online

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 24, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Yes, it's coming in the mail soon. But you know you can't wait. The August 2011 edition of the Purchase & George newsletter is out and you can get a free preview on line HERE, a week or more before it arrives in mailboxes!

This edition of our Erie injury law newsletter is, admittedly, a special one for me. Not only does it mark the premier of our first "Keeping it Local" feature, but it also marks the first time my children have appeared in the newsletter. They're just window dressing for the dog we're introducing but it's still their first big break in the media empire that is P & G.

You'll also find our feature on Stanganelli's Italian Foods, the local business we chose to pioneer our "Keeping it Local" column; Steps to Protecte Yourself from Identity Theft; Pennsylvania Underinsured Motorist Insurance Insight; Secrets of Smoke Detectors; Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law Resources; and Tips to Protect Your Children from School Violence.

You can subscribe to our Newsletter for free by using our handy on-line inquiry form. Just fill it out and, in the "Tell us More" section, indicate you'd like to subscribe to our newsletter. Or call 814-833-7100 and give Marie your info.

Get More Free Pennsylvania Injury Law Information

If you haven't been to our site before and you're interested in Pennsylvania injury, insurance or medical malpractice law, you should really look around. We've got tons of free information for each of our practice areas, including

      * Pennsylvania Car Accidents
      *  Commercial Truck Accidents
      * PA Motorcycle Accidents
      * Pennsylvania Insurance Claims
      * Pennsylvaia Dog Bites
      * Pennsylvania Slip and Falls/Premises Liability
      * Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice
      * Other Personal Injury Cases

Contact An Experienced Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer

The Erie injury attorneys at Purchase & George have an established track record of trying civil cases. To meet with Tim George or Eric Purchase and discuss your Erie injury case, call today: 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499. The consult is free and we won't charge a fee in your injury case unless we recover money for you.

Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawyers Review Best Hospitals Article: 2 Near Erie

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 20, 2011, ERIE, PA -- U. S. News is well known for publishing their "Best of" articles. I am a little conflicted about these sorts of articles. On the one hand, they are fun to read and helpful in the sense that they try to use measurables to identify the "Best of" in any category. On the other, the process of selecting criteria is subjective and the criteria themselves can be, too. The results, therefore, can be misleading.

This mixed bag of responses is well illustrated in the article released today. Today's "Best of" article purports to list the 17 best hospitals in the United States. I'm pleased to note that two hospitals within an easy drive of Erie, Pennsylvania made the list: The Cleveland Clinic is listed at #4 and UPMC-University of Pittsburgh comes in at #12

On the other hand, the methodology used to produce this list intentionally skewed in favor of high-risk procedures or those requiring unusual skills. Interesting, but most patient needs are, by definition, more mundane.

The point, I suppose, is what we've stressed here before. When considering where you should go for treatment of your condition (or whom you should see), you should perform research that is specific to your needs.

Contact an Erie Medical Mistake Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered because a medical mistake, you should contact an experienced Erie medical malpractice lawyer. The Erie hospital error attorneys at Purchase & George have experience in the investigation, preparation and trial of complicated medical cases and want to help. Call today for a free evaluation of your case at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use our on-line consult form.

Erie Car Wreck Injury Lawyers Post New Limited Tort FAQ

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 19, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We've spoken of the scourge of Pennsylvania car wreck injury victims called limited tort in these pages before. But I was stunned to realize that we'd never posted a FAQ on "What is Limited Tort?" Well, I remedied that this weekend and now readers can go directly to a summary of limited tort by clicking the link above. Hope noone was too confused when reading our limited tort stories, including:

     *  the policeman who was injured in a car accident and suffered chronic shoulder injuries but wasn't permitted to recover because he'd chosen limited tort;

     * a real life Q & A about the limited tort threshold in Pennsylvania;

     * a Pennsylvania insurance company who intentionally misled their own insured about her limited tort status.

Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

If you've been hurt in a Pennsylvania car accident, we can help. Call us today for a free consultation with one of our helpful Erie injury lawyers. Call 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499.

Erie Car Accident Settlement Driven by Lost Wages

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 18, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A recent addition to our case results section illustrates both how important it can be to quantify the economic losses, like lost wages, that stem from Pennsylvania car accident injuries and how troublesome the limited tort option can be.

The Erie car accident settlement is reported in our case results section, but in a nutshell it was an accident case in which the injuries, at first glance, did not appear to be life-altering and it was a case in which our client had elected the limited tort option. The insurance company saw these circumstances and shut down negotiations. They weren't paying, they said. You've got limited tort. You're out of luck.

In fact, our client didn't have limited tort. At least not under the facts of the case. And his most significant loss was his lost wages, which would have been recoverable even if he did have limited tort. The insurance company should have been fair with him and should have offered him a fair settlement. They didn't, of course, and that brought him to Purchase & George.

Needless to say, we got him a fair settlement of the claim against the careless driver ($75,000) and now we're working on his claim for under-insured motorist benefits. We'll report on the outcome of that part of the case in the next several months.

But the case is another illustration of how troublesome the limited tort option can be. Anyone buying Pennsylvania car insurance should think long and hard before signing away their full tort rights. And the case illustrates how important it is to figure out the economic losses of a case. This case was probably one whose value was a fraction of what it is now because we took the time to build and quantify the lost wage component of the case.

Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

If you've been hurt in a Pennsylvania car accident, we can help. Call us today for a free consultation with one of our helpful Erie injury lawyers. Call 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499.

Erie Lawyers Review Pennsylvania Supreme Court Disciplinary News

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 16, 2011, ERIE, PA -- This morning I was reading my monthly copy of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's feature magazine, The Pennsylvania Lawyer. Every month there is a column entitled, simply, "Discipline." In this column, the Pennsylvania Bar Association catalogues the month's disciplinary action taken by the Supreme Court toward Pennsylvania lawyers.

Typically, I give this column nothing more than a cursory glance. This month, however, the column referenced a local Erie lawyer who was disbarred for tax evasion. I read the entry, more with a sense of sadness than anything else. The lawyer had been widely regarded as an excellent practitioner who was honest with the Court, clients and other lawyers. His crime related to a chronic problem with taxes and he'd received the full punishment the law provides and was serving time in a federal correctional facility. Still, the criminal punishment wasn't all that he suffered. On top of his criminal sentence, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court levied its harshest professional discipline: disbarrment. No longer would this capable and otherwise well-regarded practitioner be permitted to use the skills he'd earned and learned to help clients or make a living.

I read the other entries in Discipline. Between February 19 and April 18 the Supreme Court disciplined ten lawyers. The circumstances that led to this discipline included criminal offenses like drug trafficking and professional no-nos, including one lawyer who failed to return an unearned retainer in a timely fashion, another who misappopriated client funds and another who was practicing under a suspended license.

I suppose that some people will read this and think, "Ten lawyers disciplined in two months? I'm surprised it's that few. They're all liars and cheats. The only reason there aren't more being disciplined is that most of them are too smart to get caught."

I have a different view. It's a remarkable commentary on our profession that we publicly discipline our own. It's remarkable, too, that we will discipline lawyers for conduct that is not directly related to the practice of law. We are a profession that, contrary to popular belief, depends on honesty in all matters and that harshly punishes those who fail to measure up to that standard, even when the failure is a personal one that does not directly implicate one's service as a lawyer.

Contact an Erie Lawyer with the Highest Possible Peer Ethics Ratings

The highest ethical standards are the minimum you should expect from your lawyer. At Purchase & George, our lawyers have consistently received the highest ethical rating review from peers. For a free consult about your injury or medical malpractice case, call today: 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499.

Erie Lawyers Support Our Lady of Peace - Charity Golf Tournament

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 15, 2011, ERIE, PA -- There was a time in my life when, by mid-July, I'd have an established handicap and already played in about a dozen tournaments. Not that I was ever a good golfer. I wasn't. But I was an enthusiastic golfer and certainly always happy to take the afternoon off.

Kids changed all that. Now, I rarely get out on the course and, when I do, it's with the kids down at J.C. Martin for a slow but fun nine holes. But today marks the beginning of a stretch of charity tournaments. At the urging of our newest employee, Mark Harrington, Tim and I committed to get out into the community more often. Specifically, we agreed to golf more during the summer in tournaments. So, today we'll be golfing in the Our Lady of Peace tournament at Whispering Woods Golf Club. Next on the list is The Early Connections tournament at Lakeview on July 25. After that....well, after that we kind of ran out of steam. We won't be in any other charity tournaments until we get to our major commitment of the summer, the New Blossoms New Life Tournament. Still, three tournaments in a summer is something of a victory for the workaholics at Purchase & George.

So, back to today's tournament. Today will be the first time I've golfed with an adult this summer. Joining me will be Tim George, Mark Harrington (surprised that the guy who had the idea to golf more has somehow made his way on the team?) and trusted friend and advisor, Mike Bishop. It's a scramble and, honestly, we don't figure to contend for anything. But it ought to be a hoot and I'm looking forward to it.

For more information on the Early Connections tournament, go their page HERE. For more information on the New Blossoms New Life tournament or to become a sponsor, contact Eric Purchase at 814-833-7100 or Janet Jaskiewicz at janjask@yahoo.com You can also find the golf registration and sponsor form by clicking HERE.

Purchase & George Supports Local Charities

All kidding aside, Purchase & George is proud to support local Erie charities. The Erie injury lawyers support charities that are uniquely local and that contribute substantially to the fabric of the community. They are proud to be a supporter of Our Lady of Peace, New Blossoms New Life, Early Connections and many, many other deserving local charities.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in northwest Pennsylvania, you may need assistance from a local injury lawyer. How can you tell the difference between lawyers who live, work and raise families in Erie and those who merely purchase ads in the phone book? How do you find the lawyer who is right for you and your case? We provide answers to these questions and more in our website and we're happy to answer any questions you may have in a free personal injury consultation. Call today locally at 833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499.

Erie Motorcycle Lawyers Warn "Roar on the Shore" Means Be Alert for Bikers

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 14, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Roar on the Shore starts today. This great Erie summertime event can be a ton of fun. The "Bringing the Roar" motorcycle parade kicks things off today and there are literally loads of collateral events all over the city. My father, for example, tells me he will head to the Maennerchor for their traditional pig roast to mark the big event and I know we'll be taking the kids downtown to see and hear the thousands of bikes that will be touring the area.

Naturally, though, the Erie accident and injury lawyer in me can't help but be reminded that every year this event draws thousands of bikers to the city for the weekend and every year there is a spike in Erie motorcycle accidents, injuries and deaths because motorists aren't looking for these bikes. I said to my wife this morning, as I read the paper, "Remember, it's Roar on the Shore weekend. Be alert for those bikes." Her response, "I know. They can be really hard to see."

She's right, of course. Motorcycles can be hard to see. But they can be seen, if you look. That's why it's important to remember that they are there, remember to look for them and take the extra moment for someone else's safety.

Let's make this the first year of "Roar on the Shore" when, despite the presence of thousands of bikers, there was not a single fatal Erie motorcycle accident.

Erie Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Offer Safety Information

On our motorcycle accident page, we offer tons of free safety information for motorcyclists and car operators. You can find Ten Things All Car and Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles and the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator's Manual and these are just a sampling of what's available to you free on our site. Our goal is to provide as much meaningful information as possible for people, both after and before accidents.

We Want to Help

If you've been injured in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, or lost a loved one, we can help. Our experienced Erie injury lawyers understand how an injury can disrupt a family with the stress of recovery, the cost of medical bills and the loss of earning power and potential. In the tragic aftermath of a fatal motorcycle accident, we understand that the survivors can be overwhelmed by grief, fear and uncertainty. We want to help. We'll investigate the case when you can't and we'll help you obtain compensation and resources to pay medical costs, replace lost wages and make up for losses for which there are no other remedies.

For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Erie bike accident lawyers, fill out the on-line consult form or call today. Local calls (814) 833-7100. Toll free (888) 870-3499.

How to Choose an Erie Injury Lawyer: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 11, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We've posted a new article that outlines the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a Pennsylvania injury lawyer. Click on, "The Five Biggest Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer" to read the entire article.

But for those of you who want just the summary version, here they are:

1. Don't Hire an Erie Injury Lawyer Who Won't Tell You His Fees, In Writing, In Advance.

2. Don't Hire a Pennsylvania Injury Attorney Without Making Sure He Has the Resources Necessary To Handle Your Case.

3. Don't Choose an Erie Lawyer Based On Someone Else's Experience Without Doing Your Own Homework.

4. Don't Hire a PA Accident Lawyer Just Because He was the First One to Call You Back (or heaven forbid, he called you first).

5. Don't Hire an Inexperienced Injury Lawyer.

Contact An Experienced Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer

The Erie injury attorneys at Purchase & George have an established track record of trying civil cases. To meet with Tim George or Eric Purchase and discuss your Erie injury case, call today: 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499. The consult is free and we won't charge a fee in your injury case unless we recover money for you.

Erie Lawyers Post the Top Pennsylvania Injury Verdicts of 2010

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 6, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Faithful readers of this blog know that we try to publish helpful information about personal injury cases. We recently thought it would be an interesting excercise to compile the top personal injury verdicts in Pennsylvania in 2010 and it was. (You can read about those verdicts in our Top Pennsylvania Injury Verdicts Article:  Part 1 and Part 2.)

We expected to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the injuries involved in top verdicts and we were. At the heart of the largest verdicts are the greatest tragedies: senseless violence; horrific injuries to children; massive manufacturers foisting defective and harmful products on an unknowing public...these are the makings of large verdicts.

One surprising element was a repeat player that, perhaps in retrospect, we should have predicted. Several of the verdicts involved cases in which the defendant was either unrepresented, failed to appear or was essentially helpless to defend itself. Sometimes these defendants were in jail or on the run. Sometimes they may have been defunct corporations. Either way, when the defendant's conduct was egregious, the harm great and no one appeared on behalf of the defendant, the jury returned a huge verdict.

Why should we have been so surprised? We're considering just that sort of action in at least one case. Sometimes as a trial lawyer you invest time and money in a case even though there is no reasonable hope of a return. Consider, for example, the case brought by the estate of a woman shot dead by her estranged husband. The estranged husband is currently on the run from the law, is probably out of the country and may never be found and tried in a criminal court. Is there any reasonable chance this desperado will ever pay a dime? No.  Is it still important to the family to get their trial? To hold the man accountable in civil court even if he may never be tried in a criminal court?  Perhaps it is important to them. Kudos to the lawyers who were willing to give them their trial, even if there was no reasonable likelihood of a fee.

We know (and our readers should know, too) that one case is not predictive of the outcome in another. Even when the facts seem remarkably similar, the truth is that each case is unique and only an experienced trial lawyer can offer meaningful analysis of the value of the case. So, don't reach the conclusion that the case results we post here are indicators of how much your case is worth. If you'd like a consult about the value of your case, call an experienced Pennsylvania trial lawyer. Even better, call two or three. Remember, we all offer free consults. It's worth it to shop around and find the lawyer with whom you are most comfortable.

Contact An Experienced Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer

The Erie injury attorneys at Purchase & George have an established track record of trying civil cases. To meet with Tim George or Eric Purchase and discuss your Erie injury case, call today: 814-833-7100/toll free 888-870-3499. The consult is free and we won't charge a fee in your injury case unless we recover money for you.

Erie Lawyers: Truck Hit and Run Accident Victim Offers $20,000 Reward

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 3, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A man who lost his wife in a high-profile Erie County commercial truck hit-and-run accident on I-90 is continuing to pursue the drivers responsible for the accident. Fengming Liu has offered all the money he has, $20,000, for infomation leading to the identification of the drivers who were involved in the accident that killed his wife and forever altered his family.

As documented in earlier blog entries here (See blog entries 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5, and 6) Mr. Liu and his wife, Xiaoxia Zhang, were traveling east on I-90 with their children in their family station wagon. A large blue truck or tractor trailer attempted to pass them on the left and struck the station wagon in the rear, spinning it out of control and causing Ms. Zhang to be ejected.

Another large truck struck Ms. Zhang as she lay on the highway. Reportedly, she was killed instantly.

Both commercial truck drivers fled the scene and have not, to date, been identified. A sketch (see above) has been provided of one of the truckers believed to have been involved in the Erie truck accident. The description is of a man in his 40s, with dark hair and eyes, who spoke with an accent, who stands about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds.

Investigators also have information on the blue truck involved in the Erie semi crash. It may have been a blue International 9000 series truck with mirrors mounted on the fenders. It is believed to have damage to the right front fender and grill.

How to Help

Mr. Liu's reward money brings the total reward available to $22,000. Mr. Liu got the $20,000 from an insurance settlement and says that if he could get more money, he'd offer that, too. Witnesses can report information anonymously, if they wish, and are encouraged to contact authorities at www.eriealert.com (click on the "Crime Stoppers" button") or (800) 472-8477 or (814) 898-1641.

Help for People Injured by Hit and Run or "Phantom" Drivers

Generally, people who are victims of Pennsylvania hit-and-run accidents should be aware both that there is a possibility of recovery from their own Pennsylvania car insurance and they should also know that there may be special notice requirements of such coverage when "phantom vehicles" are involved. If these notice requirements are not met in a prompt manner then the injured person can lose their right to recover. People injured in "phantom vehicle" or hit-and-run accidents should waste no time in consulting with an experienced Erie hit-and-run lawyer (particularly because most Erie injury lawyers charge nothing for an initial consult).

Contact an Erie "Hit and Run" Accident Lawyer

For more information on commercial truck accidents, visit our truck accident page or for Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about car and truck accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Fireworks Injury Lawyers Offer Safety Information

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 3, 2011, ERIE, PA -- It's the July 4 weekend and last night I saw the beginning of what I'm sure will be a weekend full of homemade fireworks displays. As Pennsylvania injury lawyers, we know well how dangerous fireworks can be, particularly when handled improperly or when children are involved.  We also know that it can sometimes be difficult to find good safety information about fireworks.

There is a disconnect between local laws (which prohibit most fireworks) and the actual practice of many Pennsylvanians (who get fireworks from other jurisdictions). The result is that the locally available information starts with "Don't use illegal fireworks" and offers very little else that is helpful.

There are a lot of safety resources available on the internet, of course, but one caught our eye because of the presentation. You can find a video safety course on fireworks use HERE. The video offers an object lesson in the dangers of fireworks, a brief history of fireworks, a review consumer fireworks and regulation, and safety lessons in the use of consumer fireworks.

Now, we will also echo the conventional wisdom. Obey local laws. You should. We advocate that you should. Don't be confused about our position on whether or not you should obey the law. However, we know that many of you won't and we believe that you ought to have helpful safety information available to you. So, in addition, we offer these general suggestions:

     * Only use fireworks outdoors.

     * Always have water handy (hose or bucket).

     * Don't alter or combine fireworks. Use them only as intended by the manufacturer.

     * Don't let children use fireworks. In fact, even sparklers should be limited to children age 12 or older.

     * Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water.

     * Use common sense. Spectators and others should keep a safe distance from the fireworks and the person lighting the fireworks should wear safety glasses.

     * Drinking and fireworks do not mix. Have a "designated shooter."

     * Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.

We hope you and your family have a safe and fun Fourth of July.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of careless fireworks use in northwest Pennsylvania, we can help. Contact us today for a free consult. We'll tell if you have a case and whether we can help you. Call 833-7100 locally or 888-870-3499 toll free.

Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawyers Report $1.97 Million Verdict in Gynecological Surgery Case

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST

July 2, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Juries are reluctant to hold doctors responsible, even when the evidence of their carelessness and the tragedy of the resultant harm is great. Still, when the case is thoroughly prepared and well-tried, the plaintiff has a chance. Unfortunately, for many injured patients, the justice available in a courtroom comes far too late.

Such was the case in a Luzerne County courtroom. In Zawatski v. Valenta, (Court of Common Pleas, Luzerne County, April 19, 2011), a jury of twelve found that a gynecologist had said he'd removed a cancerous ovary and fallopian tube when, in fact, he'd negligently left the diseased tissue behind, ultimately leading to the otherwise avoidable death of Sharon Zawatski.

The details of the case can be found in our Articles section HERE, but the gist of the case was that the surgeon told the patient he'd removed the diseased tissue and the patient believed she needed no other treatment. In fact, the jury found that the doctor had negligently failed to remove the left fallopian tube and ovary and, within a year, the cancer was back.

Nearly two years after the cancer's return, the patient started a medical malpractice lawsuit against the surgeon. She believed, based on the evidence available to her, that the surgeon had not removed the left fallopian tube and ovary, despite what she'd been told. Predictably, the doctor and his lawyers denied responsibility and suggested the case was "ridiculous" and "fanciful."

After the litigation wore on for more than two years, Sharon Zawatski succumbed to her cancer. The autopsy revealed that the left fallopian tube had NOT been removed, just as she'd claimed in her lawsuit. Still, the defendant doctor refused to acknowledge fault. Instead, the defendant doctor claimed that the pathologist who performed the autopsy had made a mistake. There was no fallopian tube, the defendant doctor claimed. The pathologist had confused a ureter for a fallopian tube.

Three years after Sharon Zawatski died, the jury agreed with her and awarded her surviving family members almost $2 million in damages. The defendant doctor and his lawyer remain defiant. They have filed post-trial motions and promise to appeal. Still, for the family, the Pennsylvania medical malpractice verdict must offer some vindication and, hopefully, some comfort.

The defense strategy of deny, delay and defend to the end is nothing new, of course. It is the typical approach we see in even the most egregious of Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases. Nevertheless, it must have been an injury unto itself that Ms. Zawatski, during her last days, and then her surviving family after were forced to fight with the surgeon for five years to acknowledge the truth of the tragic surgical mistake and the responsibility that he bore for her death.

Congratulations to Lawyer David Selingo who represented Ms. Zawatski's family.

More Cancer Mistake Resources

You can find more cancer mistake information in our medical malpractice library, including articles on:

* Cancer Misdiagnosis

* Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis/Delay in Diagnosis

* Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer and Colorectal Cancer

* Pediatric Misdiagnosis

Contact a Pennsylvania Cancer Mistake Attorney

The Erie surgical mistake lawyers at Purchase & George have the knowledge and experience to accurately assess and thoroughly prepare your case. You may be entitled to compensation and we'd like to help you. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use our online contact form.

Erie Injury Lawyers: Chronic Pain Article Raises Awareness

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 30, 2011, ERIE, PA -- An article in today's Erie Times reports that nearly a third of Americans have experienced chronic pain, lasting from weeks to months or longer. Still, the article notes, chronic pain patients are more often stigmatized than they are treated in today's health system.

The article resulted from a recent study by the Institute of Medicine. The study, which can be purchased in full HERE or read in brief HERE, found that over 116 million Americans had suffered from chronic pain. It cost the nation an estimated $558 billion in medical bills, sick days and lost production, more than the cost of heart disease.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that chronic pain is a condition that is real, destructive and costly, many health care professionals continue to react with prejudice and superstition to chronic pain sufferers, the report found. Dr. Phillip Pizzo, Dean of Medicine for Stanford University and chair of the study, said that too many doctors view pain, "...with some prejudice, a lot of judgment and unfortunately not a lot of informed fact." The report concludes that effective pain management is "a moral imperative" and urges the players in health care reform to transform the field of pain management.

As Erie injury lawyers, we see too often the effects of ignorance among health care professionals. Perhaps nowhere is it more evident than among the doctors who choose to offer their services to insurance companies as "Defense Medical Examiners." These doctors frequently examine injured people involved in lawsuits, confirm that there are no broken bones or freshly torn soft tissues and then write reports that say, in effect, "There's nothing wrong with this person that I can find." Of course, these same doctors ignore or minimize the reports and findings of treating physicians, the evidence of impact on the patient and the patient's own reports of ongoing pain and limitation.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

If you suffer from chronic pain that was caused by a Pennsylvania car accident or other trauma, an experienced Erie injury attorney can help. Call today for your free consult with one of our experienced Pennsylvania injury professionals. We can offer you advice about what to expect, whether you have a case and how to best handle the challenges associated with personal injury litigation. Call locally at 833-7100 or toll free at 888-870-3499.

Pennsylvania Lawyer Ethics: Direct Solicitation of Erie Client

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 24, 2011, ERIE, PA -- I suppose it's no surprise to anyone that competition among Erie personal injury lawyers is fierce. You see lawyers buying big ads in the phone books, on billboards and on TV. There are even some who put a ton of effort into web blogs, ahem.

And I suppose that where there is competition there will also be cheaters. We've certainly seen evidence of that before with rumors of "Runners" in Erie. Today I learned of another form of the same sort of competitive cheating that I've often suspected of occurring but never before had such direct confirmation. It's called in-person solicitation and it's prohibited by the Pennsylvania Attorneys' Rules of Ethics.

What is "in person solicitation?" It's when a lawyer (or someone acting at a lawyer's direction) contacts someone who is not yet a client and attempts to persuade them to hire that lawyer. The idea is that clients should not be pressured by "ambulance chasers" to sign up with a lawyer. Rather, the hope is that prospective clients will take their time, research the available lawyers and choose the one that is right for the client and the case.

This sort of client chasing is prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. The rule carves out certain exceptions. For example, it is allowable for a Pennsylvania lawyer to directly solicit former clients, relatives and close personal friends. Pennsylvania attorneys may also send direct written communications and they are permitted to solicit directly so long as their own pecuniary gain is not "a significant motive." Otherwise, however, no direct calls or approaches are permitted.

So, what did I recently learn? I represent a man who is, by nature, private. He had a terrible medical result that we believe was caused by the negligence of a local physician. His friends and family know about his condition. They don't know that he has already hired the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers at Purchase & George.

Apparently, a well-meaning friend mentioned the man's condition to a local, well-known Erie injury attorney and that lawyer has been calling our client regularly for weeks. According to my client, the other Erie injury lawyer has been calling so often that our client felt harassed. Does this lawyer have a family, close personal or former professional relationship with our client? Not that we can tell.

The calls have now stopped but the message is clear. In today's personal injury world, there are lawyers who are willing to take ethical shortcuts to get ahead.

What every prospective client should know is at least this: 1. Pennsylvania lawyers who directly solicit (without a prior relationship) are cheating and 2. they should not hire a cheating lawyer unless they're comfortable with putting their best interests in the hands of a cheat.

Believe me when I say that I have no objection to competition. If you're reading this, you no doubt know that we put a lot of effort into competing in the relevant marketplace. I want clients to know about us and about the alternatives available to them. However, we will always pay attention to the rules and do our best to make sure that our marketing is ethical, dignified and helpful. We'll leave the shortcuts to others.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer

If you've been injured in northwest Pennsylvania, you should contact at least a couple of experienced injury lawyers. Almost all of us offer free consults and it is well worth the investment of your time to make sure you're comfortable with your prospective lawyer before you make the commitment of entrusting your case to that lawyer.

For a free consult with a Purchase & George lawyer, call 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499. We'll set a time that is convenient for you and if your injuries keep you from traveling, we'll come to you. Like most every other injury lawyer, we offer contingent fee agreements, which means you won't have to pay a fee unless we obtain a recovery for you.

New Parking Lot

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

WE’RE GETTING A NEW PARKING LOT!

Right now the parking lot in the front of our building is all torn up and blocked off. While this is a terrible inconvenience for everyone, we think you will appreciate the new parking lot that we will have when it is complete. Unfortunately, due to the heavy rains that we have had lately, it looks like it will be a few days before we have the new one down.

For the next few days, to get into the office you can park in the back parking lot and come in through the back door. When you come in, go downstairs, through the conference room and out to the reception area. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thanks,

Purchase & George

Pennsylvania Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers: Portable Pools A Threat

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 21, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A study published in the journal Pediatrics reveals that a child dies in a portable pool accident every five days during the warm weather months. Most of the children (94%) were under age 5 and 81% of the accidents happened in the summer months.

The findings reveal considerable risk associated with these pools, not least because they are so easily obtained and frequently parents do not consider the risk associated with them. Consumer education is critical to avoid portable kiddie pool accidents and injuries. Barrier protection is part of what is required but even more important is vigilant adult supervision.

Drowning and Swimming Pool Accidents Can Be Prevented

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children age 1 to 14 (traffic accidents are first). Drowning and swimming pool accidents are preventable. Proper swim and safety training can and will prevent most accidents.

We offer a library of safety materials for parents and swimming pool owners. Here's a quick index with hyperlinks to each of them. Just click on the link to be taken to the article.

     * General Pool Safety Tips

     * The Consumer Product Safety Commission Backyard Pool Guide

     * The CPSC Guide to Pool Entrapment Hazards

     * The CPSC Guide to Preventing Child Drownings

     * Swimming Pool Safety Barrier Guidelines

     * Simple Pool Safety Steps

     * Spa, Hot Tub and Whirlpool Safety Alert

Outdoor swimming is a seasonal pleasure in Pennsylvania and one that can be enjoyed safely with just a little preparation and forethought. If you own a pool (even if it's just a portable kiddie pool), you absolutely should read and follow all of the relevant safety guidelines that came with your pool and that are required by your local municipal guidelines and read and consider the guidelines and tips we post here.

Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Swimming Pool Accident Attorney

If your loved one was injured or, worse, killed in a swimming pool accident in Erie County, Crawford County, Venango County or Warren County, you will have many questions. How and why did this happen? Was there anything that should have been done that would have prevented this terrible loss? Should we do something about this? Can we do anything to prevent this from happening to others? A consultation with an experienced Pennsylvania injury attorney can answer your questions.

The Erie pool injury lawyers at Purchase & George can help. We offer free, no-strings attached consults to injured people and grieving families. To get the answers to your questions, call today locally at 814-833-7100 or toll free at 888-870-3499 or use our convenient on-line form on the right side of this page. We'll answer your questions and, if appropriate, we'll help you to recover the compensation necessary to make things right and deter accidents like this from happening to others.

Call today. Our consults are free and convenient and we won't charge a fee unless we obtain a recovery for you.

Crawford County Motorcycle Accident Lawyers: Lippert Road Accident

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 20, 2011, Cochranton, PA -- A depressingly familiar Pennsylvania motorcycle accident scenario was reported in the Erie Times News today. According to the Times, Randy Jay Galmish, 42, of Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, was injured when he dumped his motorcycle trying to avoid an accident with an inattentive driver.

Mr. Galmish was southbound on Route 173 near Lippert Road in Wayne Township at the time of the accident. An unidentified northbound car driver turned left in front of him, apparently to enter a private driveway. To avoid the impact, Mr. Galmish laid down his 2003 Suzuki Intruder Boulevard but was injured in the process. Initial reports at the scene were that Mr. Galmish's injuries were not life-threatening.

We're pleased that Mr. Galmish's injuries are reported as moderate (although they probably don't seem moderate to Mr. Galmish). However, this scenario is exactly the sort of situation we see summer after summer in countless motorcycle accident cases. Car drivers turn left in front of motorcyclists and afterwards say, "I never saw him. It was like he appeared out of nowhere."

We've gone on here before about this but it's summer folks and if you're driving a car you need to be aware that you share the road with motorcyclists. They can be hard to see, true. But they don't appear out of nowhere and if you're looking for them then you ought to be able to avoid turning left in front of them.

Crawford County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Offer Safety Information

On our motorcycle accident page, we offer tons of free safety information for motorcyclists and car operators. You can find Ten Things All Car and Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles and the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator's Manual and these are just a sampling of what's available to you free on our site. Our goal is to provide as much meaningful information as possible for people, both after and before accidents.

We Want to Help

If you've been injured in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, or lost a loved one, we can help. Our experienced Crawford County injury lawyers understand how an injury can disrupt a family with the stress of recovery, the cost of medical bills and the loss of earning power and potential. In the tragic aftermath of a fatal motorcycle accident, we understand that the survivors can be overwhelmed by grief, fear and uncertainty. We want to help. We'll investigate the case when you can't and we'll help you obtain compensation and resources to pay medical costs, replace lost wages and make up for losses for which there are no other remedies.

For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Meadville bike accident lawyers, fill out the on-line consult form or call today. Local calls (814) 833-7100. Toll free (888) 870-3499.

Erie Lawyers Announce New Blossoms New Life Golf Tournament

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 14, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The New Blossoms New Life Foundation is holding its annual "Fairways for Families" Charity Tournament this August 27, 2011 at Elk Valley Golf Course. This event is a fun and affordable ($70 per golfer) scramble format tournament. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Purchase & George will again be a major sponsor of the event and would encourage all our friends, clients, vendors and family to get involved and help. Golfers are welcome, of course, but so is anyone who'd just like to sponsor a hole, contribute a prize or otherwise volunteer and help.

More information can be found at the New Blossoms New Life website or by going to the organization's facebook page. We've also posted the tournament registration form on our website. Also, anyone interested in golfing or otherwise helping the event (by being a hole sponsor or contributing prizes or in some other fashion) can contact Eric Purchase directly at (814) 833-7100.

The New Blossoms New Life Foundation was started by Christopher and Renea' Kovski, with the help of their family and friends, in loving memory of their daughter, Maggie. Chris and Renea' experienced infertility issues and the impact this has on a couple. They had to endure many tests, surgeries and multiple IVF procedures before they were finally blessed with a beautiful daughter they named Margaret Amelia Carey Kovski. Tragically, Maggie and her playmate and friend, Jenna Walker passed away on May 30, 2007.

Chris and Renea' chose to create the New Blossoms New Life Foundation as a living legacy for the girls and the joy they brought to so many. The Foundation provides funding for IVF or adoption expenses to qualfied couples who need help to grow into what is so important to all of us - a FAMILY.

Purchase & George Supports New Blossoms

Purchase & George has supported the New Blossoms New Life Foundation since its inception. Atty. Eric Purchase is one of the original Directors of the Foundation, continues to serve on the Board of Directors and the firm or its founders have been major sponsors of the golf tournament every year it has existed. The Erie injury lawyers support charities that are uniquely local and that contribute substantially to the fabric of the community. They are proud to be a supporter of New Blossoms New Life.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in northwest Pennsylvania, you may need assistance from a local injury lawyer. How can you tell the difference between lawyers who live, work and raise families in Erie and those who merely purchase ads in the phone book? How do you find the lawyer who is right for you and your case? We provide answers to these questions and more in our website and we're happy to answer any questions you may have in a free personal injury consultation. Call today locally at 833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499.

Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorneys Post Smart Phone Car Accident Info

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 16, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Just in a Pennsylvania car accident? There's an app for that!

That's right, your smartphone could be your very own car accident assistant, helping you to organize, collect and record evidence; call for a tow truck; alert emergency authorities; and accomplish other important post-accident tasks.

To find out more about how your smartphone can help after a Pennsylvania car crash, see our article on the subject by clicking HERE.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorney

For even more information on Pennsylvania car crash information, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Erie car accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Pennsylvania car crash lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Burn Injury Attorneys Warn of Fire Pot Dangers

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 16, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned that outdoor ceramic firepots and tiki torches pose serious safety hazards in common useage. The Commission warns that a gel fuel commonly used with both can explode when poured into or on already lit fires.

The Commission said it had at least eight reports of injuries from firepots or related gel fuel since April. The Commission also cautioned consumers to store the fuel for the firepots out of the reach of children.

Two incidents in New York may have prompted the attention to the firepot/gel fuel issue. Two men, a teenager and a man in his twenties, were seriously injured in separate incidents when firepots exploded as gel fuel was being poured into them. Both incidents involved pots and/or fuel from Napa Home & Garden, Inc. The company has placed a "precautionary hold" on sales of its firepots and fuel although the company also issued a statement, "We have sold tens of thousands of Fire Burners and fuel during the last two years and have always considered them safe products."

Fire Safety

Dangerous products can cause serious injuries, just like those in New York with the firepots. But campfires and barbecues can be dangerous, too. It's summer in Pennsylvania and that means people will be spending more time outdoors, likely enjoying a fire at night or barbecuing. Outdoor fires can be fun for the whole family but it bears remembering that they can pose significant hazards. Following a few simple safety tips can be the difference between a great summer evening and a summer marked by injury or tragedy. For tips on outdoor fire safety, click HERE.

Contact a Pennsylvania Fire Loss Attorney

If you or your family has suffered loss as a result of a fire, including personal injury, death or catastrophic property loss, contact the Purchase & George Pennsylvania fire loss lawyers who help people in northwest Pennsylvania, including Meadvillle, Erie, Franklin and Warren, at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the contact form at the right side of this page.

Erie Lawyers Support New Blossoms New Life Charity Tournament

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 15, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Erie injury lawyers at Purchase & George, P.C. are pleased to continue their tradition of being the major sponsor for the New Blossoms New Life Golf Tournament to be held at Elk Valley Golf Course on August 27, 2011. The annual charity event benefits the New Blossoms New Life Foundation which offers support to families in need who seek fertility treatment.

New Blossoms has its roots in the tragic death of Maggie Kovski, daughter of Atty. Chris and Renea Kovski. Maggies was conceived with the help of fertility treatment and, after her death, her parents founded New Blossoms in her memory to support families who need fertility treatment.

The New Blossoms cause is worth supporting. The treatments are not covered by most insurance plans and there are families who could not afford them without help but who, with a little help from the community, can and will make lasting contributions to the greater Erie community.

New Blossoms has no fixed overhead and pays no salaries. 100% of funds raised goes to the mission of the organization. Moreover, all recipients are required to contribute to their treatment costs commensurate with
their financial ability and to give back to the organization via volunteer activity. The strongest and most committed volunteers NBNL has are former recipients.

The Erie accident lawyers at Purchase & George are pleased to support the New Blossoms New Life Foundation. As the major corporate sponsor of the 3rd Annual New Blossoms New Life Tournament we are able to do just that and enjoy an afternoon of golf with others who are similarly committed to improving the lives of families in Erie.

For more information on the tournament or to become a sponsor, contact Eric Purchase at 814-833-7100 or Janet Jaskiewicz at janjask@yahoo.com You can also find the golf registration and sponsor form by clicking HERE.

Erie Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers Encourage Swim Lessons

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 15, 2011, ERIE, PA -- When I was a kid growing up, I remember that my summer swimming lessons were a big subject of conversation with my grandmother. When my grandmother was a child, her parents had been afraid of drowning and they forbade their children from learning to swim. The thinking, I suppose, was that if the kids didn't know how to swim, they'd stay away from water. She made it clear that she thought this thinking was wildly wrong-headed and she was glad that I was learning to swim.

Today I read that the local YMCAs had participated yesterday in "The World's Greatest Swimming Lesson," a nationwide effort designed to make people aware of the importance of teaching children to swim. The YMCAs had offered swim lessons to local kids as part of an effort to set a world record. I wish I'd known about the event in advance (we'd have published it here in time to notify readers) but I thought it worthwhile to mention even after the fact.

As Karen Harvey of the YMCA said, "The main message of today is that swimming lessons save lives." Well, we agree and it won't hurt to keep broadcasting that message, even the day after "The World's Greatest Swimming Lesson."

Drowning and Swimming Pool Accidents Can Be Prevented

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children age 1 to 14 (traffic accidents are first). Drowning and swimming pool accidents are preventable. Proper swim and safety training can and will prevent most accidents.

We offer a library of safety materials for parents and swimming pool owners. Here's a quick index with hyperlinks to each of them. Just click on the link to be taken to the article.

     * General Pool Safety Tips

     * The Consumer Product Safety Commission Backyard Pool Guide

     * The CPSC Guide to Pool Entrapment Hazards

     * The CPSC Guide to Preventing Child Drownings

     * Swimming Pool Safety Barrier Guidelines

     * Simple Pool Safety Steps

     * Spa, Hot Tub and Whirlpool Safety Alert

Outdoor swimming is a seasonal pleasure in Pennsylvania and one that can be enjoyed safely with just a little preparation and forethought. If you own a pool, you absolutely should read and follow all of the relevant safety guidelines that came with your pool and that are required by your local municipal guidelines and, by all means, read and consider the guidelines and tips we post here.

Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Swimming Pool Accident Attorney

If your loved one was injured or, worse, killed in a swimming pool accident in Erie County, Crawford County, Venango County or Warren County, you will have many questions. How and why did this happen? Was there anything that should have been done that would have prevented this terrible loss? Should we do something about this? Can we do anything to prevent this from happening to others? A consultation with an experienced Pennsylvania injury attorney can answer your questions.

The Erie pool injury lawyers at Purchase & George can help. We offer free, no-strings attached consults to injured people and grieving families. To get the answers to your questions, call today locally at 814-833-7100 or toll free at 888-870-3499 or use our convenient on-line form on the right side of this page. We'll answer your questions and, if appropriate, we'll help you to recover the compensation necessary to make things right and deter accidents like this from happening to others.

Call today. Our consults are free and convenient and we won't charge a fee unless we obtain a recovery for you.

Erie Lawyers Review Erie County Court of Common Pleas 2010 Annual Report

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 14, 2011, ERIE, PA -- One of the issues we have addressed here is the diminishing number of civil trials in Pennsylvania and the inordinate statistical advantage enjoyed by the defense. This year's annual report of the Erie County Court of Common Pleas demonstrates that 2010 was no exception to the ongoing trends of low numbers of civil trials and strong defense results. You can read the report yourself HERE.

Once again in 2010, the number of civil trials was astonishingly small. Nineteen civil cases were tried to verdict in Erie County in 2010 and only 11 of those were tried to a jury. The other 8 were bench trials. While the Court did not track the results of all the civil filings, there were statistics kept of the outcome of Erie County medical malpractice trials. In Erie County in 2010, there were three Pennsylvania medical malpractice trials. Of these, the defense won 2 and the plaintiff prevailed in 1.

Actually, compared to the rest of Pennsylvania, Erie County in 2010 was a relatively favorable venue for plaintiffs. Allegheny County, for example, had 14 medical malpractice trials and the defense won 12 of those. Montgomery County was even worse, trying 17 medical malpractice cases, all of them resulting in defense verdicts.

As the number of personal injury trials decreases, so too does the number of Pennsylvania injury lawyers with meaningful trial experience. You might ask, "So, what?" If so few cases try then why does it matter if my lawyer has trial experience?

It matters because insurance companies carefully track information about trials and the Pennsylvania attorneys who will make the investment of time, money and risk necessary to conduct them. If your lawyer is known to the insurance company as one who absolutely will not make that investment then you can reasonably predict that the insurance company will not offer as much in settlement to resolve your case. It may even be that the insurance company will be willing to push your case far harder and further than they might otherwise, simply because they know that once the case gets close to trial there is a near perfect likelihood that the inexperienced lawyer will cave in.

Contact An Experienced Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer

The lawyers at Purchase & George have an established track record of trying civil cases. To meet with Tim George or Eric Purchase and discuss your Erie injury case, call today: 814-833-7100/toll free 888-870-3499. The consult is free and we won't charge a fee in your injury case unless we recover money for you.

Pennsylvania Pool Accident Lawyer: Erie Attorney Swimming Safety Tips

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 13, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Friday was the last day of school for the children in my house and it reminds me that Pennsylvania people are going to be spending a lot of time in and around swimming pools. Summer's a great time in Pennsylvania and pools are a lot of fun. Unfortunately, as Pennsylvania injury lawyers who have handled far too many tragic pool accidents, we know too well how dangerous they can be.

If you've got a pool (or even if you have children who may play in a neighbor's pool) now is a good time to brush up on the swimming safety tips we offer on our website. Here's a quick index with hyperlinks to each of them. Just click on the link to be taken to the article.

     * General Pool Safety Tips

     * The Consumer Product Safety Commission Backyard Pool Guide

     * The CPSC Guide to Pool Entrapment Hazards

     * The CPSC Guide to Preventing Child Drownings

     * Swimming Pool Safety Barrier Guidelines

     * Simple Pool Safety Steps

     * Spa, Hot Tub and Whirlpool Safety Alert

Outdoor swimming is a seasonal pleasure in Pennsylvania and one that can be enjoyed safely with just a little preparation and forethought. If you own a pool, you absolutely should read and follow all of the relevant safety guidelines that came with your pool and that are required by your local municipal guidelines and, by all means, read and consider the guidelines and tips we post here.

Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer

If your loved one was injured or, worse, killed in a Pennsylvania swimming pool accident, you will have many questions. How and why did this happen? Was there anything that should have been done that would have prevented this terrible loss? Should we do something about this? A consultation with an experienced Pennsylvania injury attorney can answer your questions.

The Erie pool injury lawyers at Purchase & George can help. We offer free, no-strings attached consults to injured people and grieving families. To get the answers to your questions, call today locally at 814-833-7100 or toll free at 888-870-3499 or use our convenient on-line form on the right side of this page. We'll answer your questions and, if appropriate, we'll help you to recover the compensation necessary to make things right and deter accidents like this from happening to others.

Call today. Our consults are free and convenient and we won't charge a fee unless we obtain a recovery for you.

PA Medical Mistake Lawyer: Article Offers Tips to Avoid Hospital Errors

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 10, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Men's Health recently published an article on avoiding injuries from hospital mistakes. In typical fashion, they almost jocularly observe that 98,000 Americans die every year from medical mistakes and more are injured. As they said, "Others survive their [hospital] stays but don't walk out on their own two feet because one was --oops!-- accidentally amputed."

Sure, it's all fun and games as long as it's somebody else's foot that was wrongly amputated.

Still, the article offers some basic and helpful tips to avoid the worst sort of hospital errors and those tips are worth reprinting here. To read the whole article (and to learn about an interesting hospital where health care professionals can practice on sophisticated dummies instead of live patients) click HERE.

Here are the tips from Men's Health that will help you avoid being the next victim of a pointless medical error:

1. If You're Having Surgery

     * Ask about how many operations just like yours your surgeon has performed. Quantity matters when it comes to surgical skill. One study of gallbladder removal surgeries demonstrated that surgeons did not reach a "steady state of quality" until they'd done 50 gallbladder removals. You don't want to be one of those first 49.

     * Is your doctor board certified? Ask. If he/she is not then ask to speak to another surgeon who is.

     * Can everyone tell their right from their left? This one really isn't a joke. Wrong site surgery persists, despite the fact that this ought to be one of the most easily avoidable errors. Men's Health recommends that you take a magic marker and write on your body, "cut here" or "this knee." We think it may be even more effective to write on the other side of the body "Don't Cut Here!" Men's Health also recommends that you ask, just as you're being wheeled into the O.R., "What operation am I here for?" If they give you the wrong answer, you've got to speak up loud and clear.

2. You're Getting A Central Line

Intravenous medication administration is common and central lines are particularly troublesome, accounting for 20,000 fatal infections every year. Men's Health recommends:

     * Ask for the hospital's central line infection rate. If it's less than 1 in 1000, that's pretty good. If it's between 1and 3 in 1000, they can do better but it's not horrible. if it's above 3, go to another hospital.

     * Ultrasound imaging increases accuracy and safety. Ask if they're going to use it. Hospitals that rely on feel and experience have less ideal outcomes. Insist on the use of ultrasound imaging to guide placement of the line.

     * Doctors and nurses should wash and put on sterile gloves and a mask before placing a central line. If they touch other things in the room, they should wash and glove up again. Insist on it. Also, don't hesitate to object to bracelets, watches, long sleeves, dangling ties and other such items. These are bacterial breeding grounds.

     * Make sure the line is in. Some drugs can be toxic to surrounding tissue. You should see blood in the syringe when the nurse draws back the plunger. Also, ask the nurse to run saline as a test before using the medication. If the sking around the injection site appears to bulge with fluid then the IV is not in correctly.

     * Is the line still necessary? The longer the line is in place the greater your risk of infection. Ask your doctor regularly, "Are the benefits of the line still worth the risks?"

To be continued....check back tomorrow for tips when you're in the E.R.; when you're having a baby and when a parent is in the hospital.

Contact an Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyer

The Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys at Purchase & George have the knowledge and experience to accurately assess and thoroughly prepare your case. You may be entitled to compensation and we'd like to help you. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use our online contact form.

Erie Medical Mistake Attorney: Pennsylvania Safety Tips from Men's Magazine

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 11, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Yesterday, I began a blog that summarized the hospital safety tips offered in a recent issue of Men's Health. Today, we offer the balance of those helpful safety tips:

3. You're in the E.R.

      * Are you at a Level 1 trauma center? According the Centers for Disease control, emergency care at a Level 1 trauma center entails 25% lower risk than care at facilities that are not similarly equipped. To see the latest trauma center information, click HERE. Erie, incidentally, has only one trauma center currently. UPMC Hamot is rated as a Level 2 trauma center. The nearest Level 1 trauma center is St. Elizabeth in Youngstown, OH.

     * Check your wristband. Your wristband should have important identifying information about you and, if it's wrong, you could accidentally receive harmful treatment and medication. Check your wristband to make sure your name, birthdate and other information (like medication allergies) is accurate.

     * Is this medication correct? The most common error in a busy E.R. is the administration of the wrong medicine. Ask your nurse three questions: What is this medication? Who is it for? Why am I getting it?

4. You're Having a Baby!

     * Have a backup plan. Doctors take vacations, too and they can't always be available. They'll have a replacement and you should meet with that person to make sure you're comfortable with the backup.

     * Most births are routine but when problems arise it can be chaotic and dangerous. Make sure the team works well together. Listen for office gossip, note whether doctors and nurses call each other by their first name, trust your gut. You want a "flat hierarchy" of mutual respect.

     * Make yourself useful. You can ask a nurse how to read the fetal heart monitor. The monitor squiggles a lot but some deviations are worth noting for the staff.

     * Ask questions. The most important? Say, "What's going on now?" You might get annoyed responses but you'll keep people on their toes and you'll stay informed.

5. Your Loved One is in the Hospital

     * Make sure the documents clearly identify you as the patient advocate and that your loved one has told hospital staff to share information with you.

     * If your family member is in ICU, does the hospital have a critical care specialist on the floor? Only 25% of hospitals have these specialists but studies show they have a significant statistical impact, reducing mortality risk by 30%. If your hospital doesn't have one, you may want to consider using a different hospital.

     * Ask whether blood clot protection is needed. Blood clots are a major risk of most surgery, broken bones, cancer treatments and even long term bed rest. There are medications that can reduce the risk of clotting but many patients don't receive it without asking.

     * Where are you taking him and why? Always ask questions but particularly if your loved one is being moved. Hospitals often use volunteers or poorly trained staff to transport patients. Make sure you know that they've got the right patient and are doing the right thing. Go with them if possible.

     * Can you review everything one more time? Patients often don't follow instructions and sometimes it is because they didn't understand them in the first place. Make sure you understand all instructions before you let your doctor leave.

Contact an Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If your loved one was injured as a result of a medical mistake, you probably want answers. Why did this happen? Was there a mistake made that was avoidable? Do we have a case? The Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys at Purchase & George have the knowledge and experience to accurately assess and thoroughly prepare your case. You may be entitled to compensation and we'd like to help you. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use our online contact form.

Erie Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyer Adopts Dog, Posts Dog Safety Materials

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 11, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Our family adopted a dog from the pound last week. Summer was coming and my kids made the cogent argument that summer was the right time to add a canine family member because they'd have the time to socialize and train the dog before school started again and the family was gone for most of the day. We searched for weeks until we found the dog we thought would be right for our active family. Finally, we found "Butch" (see above) at the ANNA Shelter and he is now part of the Purchase clan.

Well, now school is over and the training has begun. It's been fun for the whole neighborhood. Butch has turned out to be a great dog with exactly the temperament necessary to live in a neighborhood full of kids who wander in and out of the yard all day. We feel very lucky that Butch has turned out to be exactly the dog we thought he was.

But the Erie injury lawyer in me can't help but think about other dogs who aren't so lucky to be trained and socialized appropriately and other owners who fail to take the necessary measures to keep their dogs confined. And I'm reminded that summer is the time of year that we see so many Pennsylvania dog bite tragedies in our office because this is the time of year when both children and dogs are outside together all day.  As a result, I thought it would be a good time to re-post an index to the dog safety materials we provide on this site.

Erie Dog Bite Lawyer Safety Articles

You can quickly go to the Dog Safety articles on our site by clicking on the title you want to read:

     * Pennsylvania Dog Bites and Animal Attacks - An Overview

     *  How to avoid a dog attack

     * What to do if you've been bitten

     * Dog safety tips for kids

     *  How to prevent your dog from biting

The Bottom Line

If you or your child has been the victim of a dog bite, the Pennsylvania dog attack lawyers at Purchase & George can help. Explore our site for more information or call (814) 833-7100 or toll free (888) 870-3499 for a free consultation with an experienced Erie dog bite lawyer. We never charge a fee to dog bite victims unless we recover money and we'll do our best to help you make things right.

Pennsylvania Injury Lawyers Post Newest Client Review

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 10, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We've written here before about the importance of client reviews. We think they may be the single most important criteria upon which we base our own assessment of our performance. Don't get us wrong. We're pleased to get professional honors and it's great to be highly rated by independent agencies like AVVO.com but there is nothing more important to us than what our clients think at the end of their case.

That's why we ask all of our clients to fill our a performance evaluation and to offer comments. Not all of our clients want their comments published. After all, many would prefer that their matter remain confidential. And not all of our clients are willing to write their own comments. But when we get a client who is willing to write something on their own and give us permission to publish their comments, well...that's a pretty cool thing.

That's why we're eager to point out that we've posted some new testimonials from satisfied clients and referring lawyers. You can find the latest HERE.

Contact the Pennsylvania Injury Lawyers Who Get Raves From Their Clients

If you've been hurt in Northwest Pennsylvania, including injuries and accidents in Erie County, Crawford County, Warren County and Venango County, we can help. Call today for a free consultation. It won't cost you a thing and, if your injuries keep you from traveling, we'll come to you. Call locally at (814) 833-7100 or toll free (888) 870-3499.

Remember, we are Erie injury attorneys who won't charge you a fee unless we recover money for you.

Pennsylvania Car Accident Attorneys: Erie Article Lists Safe Cars for Teens

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 6, 2011, ERIE, PA -- An Erie Times article today reported that Consumer Reports announced the top three new cars for teen drivers. According to the Times article (an AP contribution), Consumer Reports has determined that the three best new cars for teen drivers are the VW Jetta, the Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata. The article briefly explains that each car is reasonably priced, has reasonable fuel costs and has good safety features.

I was a little surprised. I'm a regular reader of Consumer Reports and I find that they usually offer more detail in their reports. I figured the news article was just a summary and so I went to Consumer Reports to find the original report. Unfortunately, my brief review did not reveal the report that was featured in the Erie Times article.

However, I did find a host of helpful resources for people thinking about buying their teen driver a car. There is a helpful article (including a video) on used cars for teens as well as an index of used cars for teens recommended by CR. And there other resources for teen drivers as well, including: a survey on common driver errors in teen car accidents; teen driving tips; and other helpful information.

Car Accidents Are the Number One Killer of Teens

It's hard to imagine but your teen faces no higher risk than that posed by driving. Car accidents are the number of one killer of teens. In 2009, car crashes killed 3000 teens age 15 - 19 and sent more than 350,000 to emergency rooms. According to the Center for Disease Control, teen drivers are four times more likely than older drivers to crash. There is no more important consideration when picking a car for your teen than safety.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Pennsylvania car accident, you should contact a Pennsylvania injury lawyer. The Erie injury lawyers at Purchase & George help people injured in Northwest Pennsylvania, including Erie County, Crawford County, Venango County and Warren County. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and contingency fees (no fee if no recovery) for injury cases.

Contact us today at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we'll come to see you.

Erie Injury Lawyers: Pennsylvania Accident Victim Speaks to Tort Reform

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

June 7, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We've written here before about the vigorous efforts by some in the Pennsylvania legislature to destroy the centuries old legal concept known as joint and several liability. Now, a Pennsylvania accident victim has joined the tort reform discussion with a video just posted on YouTube.

Check out Kyle Hoff's "Campaign For Justice." Kyle was paralyzed in a construction accident and his family was able to find help in part because of the joint and several liability concept. Kyle may never be able to leave his wheelchair but the Pennsylvania courts were at least able to give him some measure of justice. Getting rid of joint and several liability in Pennsylvania won't hurt Kyle. He's already had his day in court. But Kyle is fighting to help the next Pennsylvania accident victim.

Listen to his story and decide for yourself. If you decide to weigh in on the joint and several liability debate, use this link to go to the Pennsylvania General Assembly site. You can enter your address or click on your county to find your legislator. From there, most legislators have e-mail and other contact information. Write them or call them and tell them you oppose the repeal of Joint and Several Liability. Tell them you want to make sure that innocent injured people can find some measure of justice in Pennsylvania courts.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Pennsylvania accident, you can get a free consultation with an experienced Erie injury attorney. Call Purchase & George today locally at (814) 833-7100 or toll-free at (888) 870-3499. We offer consults for Pennsylvania injury victims without charge and contingent fees on Pennsylvania accident and injury cases.

Erie Car Wreck Lawyer: Police Look for 2nd Vehicle in Erie Hit and Run

Wed, 25 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

May 25, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Erie Police are asking that people with information about a hit and run accident come forward to help identify one of the drivers involved. Originally relayed in our blog posts of April 6, 2011 and April 5, 2011, the Erie hit and run pedestrian accident occurred at the intersection of 12th Street and German Street on April 4, 2011. Trey Moffett, 18, was crossing East 12th Street when he was struck by an eastbound motorist. The impact knocked him into the westbound lanes where he was struck by a second vehicle.

Police have identified and spoken to the driver of the first vehicle but they have not yet identified the driver of the second. Anyone with information is asked to contact Erie Police Sgt. Jeff Annunziata at 814-870-1419.

Help for People Injured by Hit and Run or "Phantom" Drivers

Generally, people who are victims of Pennsylvania hit-and-run accidents should be aware both that there is a possibility of recovery from their own Pennsylvania car insurance and they should also know that there may be special notice requirements of such coverage when "phantom vehicles" are involved. If these notice requirements are not met in a prompt manner then the injured person can lose their right to recover. People injured in "phantom vehicle" or hit-and-run accidents should waste no time in consulting with an experienced Erie hit-and-run lawyer (particularly because most Erie injury lawyers charge nothing for an initial consult).

Contact an Erie "Hit and Run" Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Pennsylvania pedestrian accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

PA Car Accident Lawyers: Erie Injury Attorneys Warn of Spring Deer

Sat, 14 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

May 14, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission this week reminded drivers to be aware of increased deer activity near Pennsylvania roads. In the spring, deer are active along the roadways where they can find an abundance of fresh grass. Also, yearling deer are leaving their mothers and traveling to seek new territory. The increased deer activity near the roads means collisions with deer are inevitable.

As Pennsylvania car accident lawyers, we know that the worst deer-related tragedies come not from hitting deer but from recklessly swerving to avoid them. Motorists who are unprepared for deer on the roads will sometimes swerve into oncoming traffic or off the road and into dtiches and trees. The results of such reckless avoidance maneuvers sometimes include serious Pennsylvania car accident injuries and even death.

Tips for Motorists

The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers recommendations for drivers:

     * Stay Alert. Don't depend on deer whistles or adjacent fences to keep deer from crossing roads.

     * Watch for silhouttes and the reflection of eyes near the shoulder of the road.

     * Slow down in areas known for large deer populations, especially between dusk and dawn.

     * Remember that deer are unpredictable. They will sometimes stop in the middle of the road. Sometimes they will cross the road and then double back and cross again. Do not expect the deer to behave rationally. Slow down. Stop if the deer stays in the road and blow your horn to encourage it to move. Don't try to go around the deer.

Our advice? If a deer jumps out in front of you and you have little or no time to react, do not panic! No one wants to accidentally injure or kill a deer and certainly you don't want to damage your car, but the greatest risk posed by deer is driver reaction. As unfortunate as a collision with a deer may be, it pales in comparison to the violence and Pennsylvania personal injuries that result from collisions with on-coming traffic, trees and ditches.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

If you were injured in a car accident in Erie, Warren, Crawford, or Venango Counties, call for a free consultation with one of our experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorneys. There are no strings attached to our consultations and, if your injuries keep you from coming to us, we'll come to you. Call today locally at 814-833-7100 or toll free 888-870-3499 or use the on-line inquiry form to your right. We don't charge a fee in car accident injury cases unless we recovery money for you!

Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyers: Erie Dog Attack Attorneys: Tips for Kids

Fri, 13 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

May 13, 2011, ERIE, PA -- National Dog Bite Prevention Week is next week (May 17 - May 23) and to help get the week started we've posted new tips for kids on how to avoid being the victim of a Pennsylvania dog attack. See our new article: Tips for Kids: Dog Safety.

Of course, dog safety is not a new subject on our site. As much as we love dogs (my family lost our beloved Louisiana this year but have a long and affectionate history of dog ownership) we also know the harm that irresponsible owners can cause when they fail to adequately care for and control their animals. As a result, we've made it a point to post helpful dog safety materials over the years, including information on how to avoid a dog attack, what to do if you've been bitten, dog safety tips for kids, and information for owners on how to prevent your dog from biting.

For even more information, go to our article: Pennsylvania Dog Bites and Animal Attacks: An Overview.

Purchase & George Can Help

If you or your child has been the victim of a Pennsylvania animal attack, the Erie dog bite attorneys at Purchase & George, P.C. can help. Our Pennsylvania lawyers have experience representing people who've been injured in dog and animal attacks. We work to make sure our clients and their families receive the compensation and resources they need to treat and manage their injuries and to compensate them for their losses.

As skilled Erie injury lawyers who have helped injured clients who have been attacked by dogs, we understand how to evaluate these cases and help you obtain the funds necessary to pay for your son or daughter's medical care and compensate them for their losses.

Contact a Pennsylvania Dog Bite Lawyer

Call Purchase & George today, locally at (814) 833-7100 or toll free (888) 870-3499 to schedule your free and confidential consultation with an Erie Dog Attack Lawyer. Our consults come without strings and we won't charge a fee in a dog bite case unless we recover money for you or your child

We will fight for your legal rights to the money and resources you need to fix what can be fixed, help what can be helped and make up for what cannot be fixed or helped.

Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyers Post Nurse Award Info

Mon, 02 May 2011 08:00:00 EST

May 2, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Every day, committed health care professionals care for us in our most vulnerable moments. Frequently, the health care professionals with whom we spend the most time are nurses. If you know a nurse who has impressed you with his or her compassion and dedication, you can do more than just say, "Thank You." The Pennsylvania Nightingale Awards are seeking nominations for exceptional nurses in six categories: Advanced Clinical Practice, Clinical Practice RN, Clinical Practice LPN, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Nursing Education.

You can find more information about the awards by going to their website, www.nightingaleawards.org and you can download or fill out on-line a nomination form HERE.

Seem strange to find a medical malpractice lawyer publicizing awards for nurses? It shouldn't. We're big fans of the community's health care team. At Purchase & George we have high regard for the many professional, compassionate, dedicated people who serve as physicians, nurses and other health care providers. As I've blogged about here before, many of my family members are or have been doctors, nurses and health care administrators.

Our goal is not to demonize the health care profession but rather to recognize that sometimes avoidable mistakes are made and that the victims of those mistakes deserve to be compensated.

So, if you know of a nurse deserving of recognition, contact the Nightingale Awards and make a nomination.

We Want To Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury as a result of a medical mistake in northwest Pennsylvania, we'd like to know about it. If our Pennsylvania medical malpractice investigation reveals that the injury was avoidable and was caused by medical negligence or carelessness, we'll help your family to get the compensation the law requires. For a free consultation with an Erie medical malpractice lawyer, call toll free (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Car Crash Attorneys: Teen Driver Safety Championship

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 27, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Fifth Annual Erie County Teen Driving Championship was held in McKean yesterday and the community is a better place for it. Limited to teens who've had a safe driving record for at least one year, the contest combines written, virtual and actual driving tests to measure a teen driver's performance in the competition.

Teen drivers account for a disproportionate number of fatal accidents every year. Although they make up only 6% of the driving population, teen drivers account for 19% of all national traffic fatalities. The Erie County safe driving championship is one method for helping to emphasize the importance of safety and safe driving tips with local teens.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer

If you've been injured in an Erie County car accident, you may have questions. For a free, no-strings attached consultation with an Erie car accident lawyer, call Purchase & George today. We'll meet with you at your convenience and there won't be a fee unless we recover money for you. Ask about our "Client Friendly" fee agreement. Call locally at 833-7100 or toll free (888) 870-3499.

Erie Injury Lawyers: 29th & Glenwood Hit and Run

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 27, 2011, ERIE, PA -- An Erie boy is in critical condition after being struck as a pedestrian by a hit and run driver. The 14-year-old boy, who has not been identified, was crossing Glenwood Avenue near 29th Street when he was struck by a northbound 2004 Dodge Stratus. The driver then left the scene.

Police have recovered the vehicle involved but continue their investigation to identify the driver in this Erie hit and run accident. The vehicle was found parked in the 100 block of West 18th Street and has since been towed to the Erie police station.

The boy was taken to UPMC Hamot after the accident. No details about the boy's injuries were available at time of posting this blog.

Our hopes are with the young man and his family that he has a quick and complete recovery. If you have information about the identity of the driver who is responsible for the accident, call Erie police at (814) 870-1125.

Help for People Injured by Hit and Run or "Phantom" Drivers

Generally, people who are victims of hit-and-run accidents should be aware both that there is a possibility of recovery against their own insurance and they should also know that there may be special notice requirements of such coverage when "phantom vehicles" are involved. If these notice requirements are not met in a prompt manner then the injured person can lose their right to recover. People injured in "phantom vehicle" or hit-and-run accidents should waste no time in consulting with an experienced Erie hit-and-run lawyer (particularly because most Erie injury lawyers charge nothing for an initial consult).

Contact an Erie "Hit and Run" Accident Lawyer

For more information on Erie car collisions, visit our car accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are Erie pedestrian accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about car accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer: Easter Weekend Accident Info

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 27, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Pennsylvania State Police have released the Pennsylvania car crash statistics for the Easter holiday. Two people were killed and 196 people were injured statewide in 527 accidents investigated by State Police. Thirty of those accidents were investigated by Troop E, the division of the state police charged with policing Erie, Crawford, Warren and Venango Counties. Twelve people were injured in the accidents investigated by Troop E.

The statistics represent improvement from last year, when eight people were killed and 247 were injured in 561 Pennsylvania auto accidents.

In addition to the traffic accident statistics, the State Police also issued traffic citation information. Pennsylvania Troopers issued 3,463 speeding tickets. 251 people were charged with drunk driving and 396 were charged with failure to wear a seat belt.

The Pennsylvania car crash statistics do not reflect car accidents that were investigated by police agencies other than the Pennsylvania State Police.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

You may be looking for a Pennsylvania injury lawyer with experience in handling Pennsylvania car accident injury claims and Pennsylvania car insurance disputes. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Pennsylvania injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right. We will meet with you at your convenience and we never charge a fee for injury cases unless we recover money for you. Ask about our "Client Friendly" fee agreement.

Pennsylvania Medical Mistake Lawyers: Learn to Give Your Doctor Orders

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 24, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Maureen Dowd of the New York Times wrote a great column recently on one of the most vexing problems in American health care: how do you get your doctor or nurse to do the little things they hate to do but must do to provide top-notch care? You can find that column HERE.

Ms. Dowd relayed a personal story about her brother who suffered from hospital acquired infections and ultimately died from them. She told of trying to be liked by the hospital staff in hopes they would take better care of her brother. One doctor, she recalled, told her the infections could be from ties and other (pointless) clothing that dangled near the patient and that often bore infectious bacteria. The doctor who told her this was wearing a tie. And it draped across her brother as he spoke of it. "Why?" Ms Dowd wondered, "do you wear a tie?" The doctor just shrugged.

Today, just a few years later, studies have proven that ties, labcoats and other such dangling clothing items are major sources of infectious pathogens. Four years ago, the British health care system initiated a "bare below the elbow" requirement that bans ties, labcoats, jewelry and other such items.

But loose clothing wasn't the point of Ms. Dowd's article. She spoke of the need and challenge for patients to speak up. We know doctors and nurses are supposed to wash their hands before they treat us. Still, we frequently fail to ask them to wash when they come in our room (or in the room of a loved one). We don't want to be pushy. We don't want to appear difficult. Above all, we don't want to alienate the people we depend upon so much for important care.

But we should be pushy. Patients who are actively involved in their own health care have a statistically demonstrable increase in the likelihood of a positive outcome (as we've written about here before). Doctors and nurses are people, just like us. They're going to have bad days. They're going to get lazy and inattentive. And they probably won't like being questioned and held to an exacting standard. But if you want to avoid being the patient who suffers from their momentary lapse then you had better be the patient who makes them wash their hands when they walk in your room; who double checks the medication they want to put in your IV; and who constantly asks questions and holds them to their answers.

We Want To Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury as a result of a medical mistake in northwest Pennsylvania, we'd like to know about it. If our Pennsylvania medical malpractice investigation reveals that the injury was avoidable and was caused by medical negligence or carelessness, we'll help your family to get the compensation the law requires. For a free consultation with an Erie medical malpractice lawyer, call toll free (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Medical Malpractice Verdict: $1.8 Million

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 22, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A Sheffield woman died from otherwise curable lung cancer because her doctors carelessly failed to diagnose her cancer for almost three years. Yesterday, an Erie jury reached a verdict in favor of her estate and against those doctors in the amount of $1.8 million.

Carolyn Champlin was a widowed mother of six when she began seeking treatment in 2000. X-rays and tests done at the time showed that she had lung cancer that was treatable. However, her physicians didn't pay close attention to the diagnostic tests and failed to identify the cancer until 2003, by which time the tumor had grown and spread to the point that it was no longer curable. Ms. Champlin died from the cancer in April of 2005.

The jury found Dr. Renato Campo, formerly of Kane and now retired, and Dr. Wilfredo Tan, of Erie, to be negligent in their care of Ms. Champlin. Dr. Campo was determined to be 60% negligent and Dr. Tan was determined to be 40% negligent.

All of the named defendants denied any responsibility but several of them settled prior to the Pennsylvania medical malpractice verdict, including Dr. Campo, Kane Memorial Hospital, Hamot Medical Center and Warren General Hospital. The jury's verdict will be reduced by the percentage of negligence attributed to the settling defendants.

As is typical in medical malpractice, the Erie cancer misdiagnosis case followed the usual course of deny, delay and defend to the end. The lawsuit was filed in 2005 and was defended in litigation for approximately six years, forcing Ms. Champlin's children to fight with the doctors and hospitals over that period of time to acknowledge the truth of their mother's misdiangosis and the responsibility that each of them had for her death.

Congratulations to Lawyer David Paul who represented Ms. Champlin's children.

More Cancer Misdiagnosis Resources

You can find more cancer misdiagnosis information in our medical malpractice library, including articles on:

       *     Cancer Misdiagnosis

       *     Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis/Delay in Diagnosis

       *     Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer and Colorectal Cancer

       *     Pediatric Misdiagnosis

Contact a Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney

The Erie cancer misdiagnosis lawyers at Purchase & George have the knowledge and experience to accurately assess and thoroughly prepare your case. You may be entitled to compensation and we'd like to help you. Contact us today for a free evaluation of your case at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use our online contact form.

Large Erie Medical Malpractice Verdict: $21.6 Million

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 21, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Yesterday a jury returned the largest Erie County medical malpractice verdict ever. In Graham v. Hamot, et al., the jury determined that Hamot Hospital's nursing staff carelessly caused a baby to suffer a brain injury known as cerebral palsy and awarded the child $21.6 million dollars in damages. The damages awarded are entirely for past and future medical expense and lost earning capacity.

The condition, a permanent and, in this case, profoundly disabling one, will cause little Ja'Kareon Graham to require lifelong and intensive nursing care. He is fed through a tube, cannot utter intelligible words and is impaired in processing visual images. The child's lawyer wrote in the pre-trial memorandum that Ja'Kareon "...will never be a normal little boy. He will never play Little League or read a book. He will never have a girl-friend, go to a prom or graduate from high school. He will never walk or run."

Cerebral palsy is an avoidable brain injury whose symptoms may include lost or impaired movement and cognitive dysfunction. The condition results from injury to the brain during birth. There are many potential causes of cerebral palsy, including the improper use of forceps; birth asphyxia; failure to detect fetal distress; and allowing the baby to remain for too long in the birth canal. The condition is not a progressive one but is permanent.

In the Graham case, the jury found that the nursing staff at Hamot failed to properly monitor fetal heart rates and other vital signs during Ja'Kareon's birth. An emergency caeserian section was performed but it was too late for young Ja'Kareon, who had already suffered significant brain damage.

Hamot denied that it was responsible for the harm. Hamot also contested the baby's damages, arguing (among other things) that the baby's projected life span was actually much shorter because of his injuries and therefore the jury should not find that he really needed the full amount claimed for future medical care.

Aside from its size, the Erie birth injury verdict is noteworthy for the absence of any compensation for pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. While the jury found that Hamot was negligent and caused the baby to have a terrible injury and while the jury was willing to award sizeable compensation for past and future medical expense and future lost earnings, the jury also apparently found that the baby did not deserve a penny for the loss of the ordinary pleasures of life. The jury's reasoning in this regard was not apparent from the verdict.

Also noteworthy is that Hamot allegedly made no offer of settlement in the Pennsylvania birth injury case prior to trial. This is increasingly typical in Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases. Even in cases where the defendant hospital is at-fault and even when the harm is great, medical malpractice defendants play hard-ball to the very end. This deny, delay and defend at all costs approach makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for injured patients to obtain justice. In a case like this one, it caused the injured baby and his parents to engage in an uncertain, stressful and costly process that took 4 1/2 years from the time of the injury before they finally got a penny of compensation for his harm.

Congratulations to lawyer Shanin Specter, who represented Ja'Kareon and his parents in this Erie cerebral palsy case.

We Want To Help

If your child has suffered a birth injury in northwest Pennsylvania, we'd like to know about it. If our investigation reveals that the injury was avoidable and was caused by medical negligence or carelessness, we'll help you and your child to get the compensation the law requires. For a free consultation with an Erie birth injury lawyer, call toll free (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Injury Lawyers Change Approach to Accident News

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 16, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Observant readers have noticed a change in our accident blog. It's true, we've decided to take a different approach to recording northwest Pennsylvania's accident news.

In the past, we've tried to document all the relevant accident news for Erie, Crawford, Warren, Forest and Venango Counties. We've provided brief summaries of the Pennsylvania car accidents and the reported car accident injuries. Our purpose was three fold. First, we wanted to collect in one place the accident history of the region. Second, we wanted to preserve that history over time so that the sheer volume of accidental injuries could be appreciated in a way that is lost by simply observing the news on a daily basis. Third, we wanted to ensure that there was a human and individualized connection to the information.

We think we've accomplished our purposes over the last nine months. In that relatively brief span, we've documented literally hundreds of Pennsylvania car crashes, commercial truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and other accidental injury cases. Now, we're going to take a more focused approach.

We're still going to report on all hit and run collisions. We think there is a value to the community in publicizing Pennsylvania hit-and-run accidents and, if even one hit-and-run driver is caught with our help, the effort will have been worth it. We will also publicize stories that illustrate fundamental safety lessons. Regular readers know that we strongly encourage seat belt use, child safety restraints, motorcycle awareness and motorcycle helmet use. When stories present themselves that allow us to reinforce those messages, we will take the opportunity to use the story.

We do not, however, plan to publicize every accidental injury story as had been our practice in the past.

Still, if you know of a story that you think needs to be publicized in our blog, let us know. You can call in and report the story at (814) 833-7100 or use the web contact form on the right side of this page.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer

If you've been injured in a Pennsylvania car accident and would like a free, no-strings attached consultation with one of our Pennsylvania accident lawyers, call today. Call 833-7100 (local) or toll free (888) 870-3499. We'll schedule a consultation that is convenient for you. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we'll come to you. And as always, you won't pay a fee unless there is a recovery.

Erie Injury Lawyers Sponsor Charity Run

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 15, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Purchase & George, P.C. is proud to be a sponsor of the Erie County Bar Association's Eighth Annual Law Day 5k Run/Walk.

Funds from the event benefit homeless children through the the Attorney & Kids Together (AKT) program. The race provides more than 50% of all funding for AKT, which contributes to serving the educational needs of homeless children and youth living in Erie County, Pennsylvania.

The event will be held on April 30, 2011 beginning at 9 a.m. in front of the Erie County Courthouse, 140 West Sixth Street, Erie, PA. Registration is available on the day of the race beginning at 8 a.m. at the Perry Square Gazebo. Entry fees are $20 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer Who Supports the Erie Community

If you've been injured and want to be represented by lawyers with longstanding ties to the Erie community, call the Erie accident attorneys at Purchase & George. We'll be pleased to meet with you at your convenience and offer you a free, no-strings attached consultation. As always, there is no fee to you unless we earn you a recovery.

Erie Injury Lawyer in Atlantic City Joint Meeting with NJAJ

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 14, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The Pennsylvania Association for Justice and the New Jersey Association for Justice are holding a joint meeting of their leadership in Atlantic City today. The subject? Tort reform dominates the landscape.

As readers of this blog and injured people across Pennsylvania know, a Pennsylvania personal injury lawsuit is not akin to winning the lottery, contrary to popular belief. People who have been injured by someone else's misconduct must fight in a system that is increasingly stacked against them just to get some fair measure of compensation. Even when there is absolutely no question as to the fault of the wrongdoer, people injured in Pennsylvania are increasingly finding that insurance companies are unwilling to pay anything close to fair value.

Now, the legislature is poised to enact new measures to make it easier for insurance companies and wrongdoers to avoid responsibility.

I'm pleased to be an Erie injury lawyer here in Atlantic City with the leading Pennsylvania injury lawyers and our colleagues from New Jersey. Together, we will continue to fight for our clients' rights in the courtroom, in the hallways of the legislature and in the all-important arena of public opinion.

Pennsylvania Insurance Lawyers Post New Policy Cancellation FAQs

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 12, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Recently had a Pennsylvania automobile insurance policy cancelled or non-renewed? We've got answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Pennsylvania car insurance at our Insurance Claims FAQs section.

The most recent FAQs address cancellation:

       1. Is there a grace period for payment of Pennsylvania car insurance premiums?

       2. Can a PA auto policy be cancelled for a DUI?

       3. What to do if your Pennsylvania auto insurance policy is cancelled or non-renewed and you disagree with the company's decision.

Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Insurance Lawyer

If you're looking for an Erie insurance lawyer for help with an underinsured motorist or uninsured motorist claim, or if you have other Pennsylvania auto insurance law concerns, contact us today for a free consultation. Call (814) 833-7100 or (888) 870-3499.

Pennsylvania Injury Lawyers: Spring Bicycle Helmet Reminder

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 10, 2011, ERIE, PA -- It's warm. It's the first warm weekend day we've had here in northwest Pennsylvania and I'm planning to sweep the garage, pull out the porch furniture and tune up my childrens' bikes. I'll grease the chain, inflate the tires, check the brake pads...you know, the usual.

But as I'm thinking this, I'm also thinking that I need to make sure they all have helmets that still fit. And thinking that makes me think I'd better post a reminder to our readers that spring is here, kids are going to ride their bikes and all parents need to remember to make sure their children wear bicycle helmets.

Having trouble getting your kids to wear helmets? See our Ten Tips to Get Your Kid to Wear a Bike Helmet.

Hit By a Car While Riding Your Bike?

If you've been hit by a car while riding your bike in northwest Pennsylvania, we've got helpful information for you in our articles section. Pennsylvania bicycle accident victims should read Six Tips If You've Been Hit By a Car While Running, Cycling or Walking.

Above all else, do not sign any papers until you've contacted an experienced Pennsylvania bicycle injury attorney. Do not accept a settlement offer from the driver's insurance company. Do not give a recorded statement to the other insurance company.

Learn Your Legal Rights - Contact Us Now

The Pennsylvania bicycle accident lawyers at Purchase & George want to help you. Call us today for a free, no-strings attached evaluation of your case. Call locally at 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Injury Lawyers: Joint and Several Liability is in Danger (And Why You Should Care)

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 7, 2011, ERIE, PA -- New extremist majorities in the Pennsylvania legislature are poised to hand out heaping gobs of subsidies to large corporations and insurance companies that will be paid by taxpayers and injured individuals. Don't believe it? Here are the details.

Legislation pending before both houses, known by its proponents as the "Fair Share Act" but more accurately described as the "Wrongdoer Protection Law" would eliminate joint and several liability, a centuries old legal concept. The idea behind "Joint and Several Liability" is simple. When two or more Pennsylvania wrongdoers combine to hurt someone each is responsible for fixing the harm caused. They each have to pay their fair share but if one doesn't have enough money to fix the harm then the other has to make it right with the injured person.

The Joint and Several Liability Scenario

Consider this scenario. Your daughter is out on a date with a young man. He's taking her home on Greengarden and approaching 12th Street. Coming down 12th Street is a drunk going 75 mph, well over the posted speed limit. The young man driving your daughter goes through a red light and into the path of the drunk on 12th Street who's going too fast and who is too drunk to stop or avoid the Erie car accident.  Your daughter is badly injured and has $100,000 in medical bills. Each driver is 50% responsible: your daughter's date for not paying attention and going through the red light, the drunk for speeding and driving while intoxicated.

Your daughter's date has only the minimum insurance ($15,000) but the drunk has $100,000 in insurance coverage. Under joint and several liability, your daughter will get all of her medical bills paid. The insurance company for your daughter's date will pay $15,000 and the insurance company for the drunk will pay $85,000. The drunk and his insurance company can, if they choose, try to recover the extra $35,000 they paid from your daughter's date.

Your Daughter Gets Stuck With the Bill if Joint and Several Liability Is Abolished

If joint and several liability is abolished, however, the situation changes. If there is no joint and several liability then your daughter's date (and his insurance company) pay the $15,000 he has in insurance coverage. The drunk only has to pay 50% so, even though he has plenty of insurance, he only has to pay $50,000. Who pays the extra $35,000 in medical bills? Your daughter does. Or you do. Or Medicare or some other benefit plan. Or the bills don't get paid, in which case the doctors and the hospital absorb the loss and pass it on to other patients, thereby increasing health care costs.

Why Does the Pennsylvania Legislature Want to Hurt Your Daughter and Make Health Care More Expensive?

If you follow the money trail, it is clear that there are only two groups of people who benefit from the abolition of joint and several liability: wrongdoers and insurance companies.  Who are the people routinely causing harm? Well, large corporations are the repeat offenders here. Merck, for example, knew its drug Vioxx was causing heart attacks and death but denied it for years before litigation threats forced it to pull the drug from market.  Tobacco executives lied, under oath and to Congress, about the addictive qualities of their product. Locally, Unicredit abused citizens with a fake courtroom, a fake judge and fake deputies. Yup, the repeat players with the swing to make new law are the corporations.

Insurance companies, of course, are a special class of corporation in that they openly acknowledge a mission to deprive injured people of compensation. Any law that protects wrongdoers from paying for the harm they cause is a law the insurance industry will gladly embrace (and profit from).

I don't know why some of the extreme elements currently in control in Pennsylvania want to help harmful corporations and insurance companies. I do know that people with significant corporate interests have been disproportionately responsible for funding many of the recent political campaigns. Whether that connection exists as a quid pro quo or because the contributors and Gov. Corbett are just like-minded is something that only they can know.

Harder to explain is what these Pennsylvania politicians have against your daughter or any of the other Pennsylvanians who are injured as a result of someone else's wrongdoing. It seems unlikely that the current crop of politicians is motivated by a desire to hurt injured people. However, there is a strong sentiment popular among many politicos today that lawyers need to be restrained and limited. Perhaps the animus is not directed at injured people but at the lawyers who represent them. What a shame. At the end of the day, the abolition of joint and several liability will have very limited impact on today's successful lawyers. It will, however, undoubtedly hurt many innocent injured people.

Regardless of the real motives of these Pennsylvania politicos and their big business buddies, the net effects of the abolition of joint and several liability include relieving wrongdoers and injurious corporations of responsibility; helping insurance companies avoid paying benefits they promised to pay; and foisting the cost of injury upon the innocent injured, their families and the health care system.

Do Something to Help Yourself, Protect Your Rights and Help Health Care

Call your local legislator today. Tell them that you oppose the abolition of joint and several liability.  Tell them you oppose the "Fair Share Act." You should contact the following Erie area legislators:

Hon. John R. Evans
123 Meadville Street
Edinboro, PA 16412
(814) 734-2793
Fax: (814) 734-4534

Hon. Curtis G. Sonney
4457 Buffalo Road
Erie, PA 16510
(814) 897-2080
Fax: (814) 897-2083

Hon. Jane Earll
200 West Eleventh Street
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 453-2515

Hon. Mary Jo White
464 Allegheny Boulevard
Franklin, PA 16323
(814) 432-4345

Erie Injury Lawyer News: Police Speak to Alleged Driver in 12th Street Hit and Run

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 6, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Yesterday we posted news about an Erie hit and run pedestrian accident at the intersection of East 12th Street and German Street. You can find that post HERE. Today, police released additional details and report that they have spoken with a woman who claims to have been the driver involved in the accident.

According to police, the victim in the accident is Trey Moffet, 18, of the 200 block of East Seventh Street. He was walking north across East 12th Street when struck by an eastbound vehicle Monday night near 9 p.m. Police believe Mr. Moffet was then knocked into the westbound lanes where he may have been struck by another vehicle.

Mr. Moffet's injuries, while severe, are not life threatening, according to police. Initial reports indicate that Mr. Moffet suffered a fractured leg and perhaps facial fractures although later reports have not been as specific.

A woman came forward today and gave a statement to investigators in which she claims to have been the driver of the first vehicle to have struck Mr. Moffet. Police have not identified this woman but have released her version of the accident. According to police, the woman claims that she had the green light at the intersection; that Mr. Moffet was wearing dark clothing and running across the street; and that she stopped to check on Mr. Moffet but left after an ambulance crew arrived.

Police have not closed the investigation of this Erie car accident. They continue to seek information and witnesses who can help them to complete their analysis of the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Erie police Sgt. Jeff Annunziata at 814-870-1419.

The Erie injury lawyers at Purchase & George wish Mr. Moffet a speedy recovery.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

You may be looking for an Erie injury lawyer with experience in handling Pennsylvania car accident injury claims and Pennsylvania car insurance disputes. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Lawyer Eric Purchase Named Chair of Erie County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

Eric J. Purchase was selected by the Erie County Bar Association to chair the organization's Civil Litigation Section. The section is responsible for providing education, programs and services to Erie County lawyers who represent clients in civil cases in the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

This is the second time Mr. Purchase has been named by his peers to act as Chairman of the Erie County Bar Association's Civil Litigation Section. Mr. Purchase also serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice and a delegate in the Pennsylvania Bar Association's House of Delegates.

Mr. Purchase is one of the co-founders of Purchase & George, P.C., an Erie law firm representing people injured in accidents and as a result of medical mistakes. He has personally represented hundreds of clients in Pennsylvania injury and wrongful death cases and trials since beginning his practice in 1991. He is also the proud father of three children and an avid Steeler fan.

Erie Injury Lawyers: 12th Street Pedestrian Struck by Hit and Run Driver

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 5, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Police are looking for a hit and run driver who struck a pedestrian on East 12th Street in Erie last night. Witnesses describe the vehicle as a dark colored Jeep or Dodge Magnum with heavy front-end damage and a deployed air bag. If you have any information about the driver or the vehicle involved, call Erie police at 814-453-4444.

The Erie hit and run accident happened near 9:10 p.m. near the intersection of East 12th Street and German Street. The victim, an unidentified 18-year-old man, was crossing 12th Street when he was struck. He was taken to UPMC Hamot by Emergycare. Initial reports indicate that the pedestrian's injuries are not life threatening but are serious and include a fractured leg and perhaps facial fractures.

Our thoughts are with the injured Erie pedestrian and his family for a quick and complete recovery.

Contact an Erie Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been seriously hurt in a car accident in northwest Pennsylvania, you should contact an experienced Pennsylvania accident lawyer for a free, no-obligation consultation. To meet one of our Erie attorneys, call (814) 833-7100 or toll free (888) 870-3499.

Pennsylvania Truck Accident Lawyers: Heavy Commercial Vehicle Safety Initiatives

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 5, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Opened mail today from Road Safe America, one of those private organizations laboring away to try to make our roads safer. The Co-Founders of Road Safe America lost their son when he was hit from behind by a heavy truck that was speeding and using cruise control set over the speed limit. They've dedicated their energies since to saving lives and reducing injuries from heavy truck crashes.

Their current initiatives are directed at the adoption of common sense rules for all heavy commercial vehicles and the professionals who drive them, including:

       * Require speed limiters to be set at 65 mph or lower

       * Require electronic logging to track hours driven - the current manual system can be easily manipulated

       * Increase insurance requirements for trucking companies to more appropriate coverage for the extensive damages these vehicles cause in crashes (insurance requirements for trucking companies nationwide have not changed since 1980)

       * Keep the maximum weight of trucks at 80,000 lbs (there are proposals now to increase the weight limit to 97,000 lbs)

       * Reduce the number of hours a truck driver can drive in a day - current rules do not provide adequate sleep time for drivers

       * Advocate for professional wages commensurate with the responsibility truck drivers bear for all hours worked, including overtime after 40 hours

You can help by educating yourself about the issues. Go to RoadSafeAmerica.org and learn about the issues.

Contact an Erie Truck Accident Lawyer

For more information on Pennsylvania heavy truck accidents, visit our commercial truck accident page or take advantage of our offer to give you a free book, "The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Cases in Pennsylvania: A Roadmap to Justice." We are northwest Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers who believe in providing free information to the public about truck accident injuries and the cases that result from them. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie truck accident lawyers, call today locally at 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Injury Attorney News: $1.8 Million Verdict in Chester County

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 5, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A Chester County jury returned an unusually large verdict last week. In Evans v. Behrmann, the jury heard evidence about a Pennsylvania auto accident case in which the "at fault" driver went through a red light and struck the plaintiff's van on the driver's side. The injured driver suffered injuries to his right elbow and shoulder, including extensive ligament damage.

The injured driver was physically unable to work. He lost his job and struggled with limitations, including an inability to life more than five pounds with his right arm. The injured driver's limitations posed a particular challenge for him because he was a parent of a child with cerebral palsy, who required particular care and attention.

The jurors awarded $1,550,000 to the injured driver and $325,000 in lost consortium damages to his wife.

The plaintiff lawyer, Gerald F. McCormick of West Chester, said the at-fault driver had always accepted responsibility for the crash and that the only question was how much his client should receive as compensation for his injuries. Still, Atty. McCormick was surprised at the size of the verdict in light of the county's historically low verdicts. Speaking of his clients' reaction, Mr. McCormick said, "They were flat-out overwhelmed...They were reduced to tears."

Congrulations to Atty. McCormick for his excellent work and the oustanding result for his clients.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

You may be looking for an Erie injury lawyer with experience in handling car accident injury claims and car insurance disputes. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Pennsylvania Insurance Lawyers: You Cannot Trust Your Insurance Company

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 5, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We often write here about the adversarial relationship between people and their insurance companies. For those of you who are regular readers, it might sound like we're something of a one note band. The problem, though, is that we keep running into people who trust their insurance companies to be fair with them...with depressingly predictable results. So, until we stop meeting people who've been cheated by their own insurance companies, we're going to keep beating that tired old drum.

The Latest Case of a Pennsylvania Insurance Company Behaving Badly

The latest example is a case we wrote about in our Case Results and Verdicts section. You can get all the details HERE. The short version, though, goes like this.

A man was badly hurt in a car accident. The at-fault driver had no insurance and so the man's only recourse was to make a claim with his own insurance company for his Pennsylvania uninsured motorist benefits. He had only $100,000 in coverage and his case was plainly worth far more than that. The man didn't talk to a lawyer first. He trusted his insurance company. Guess what? They told him his Pennsylvania uninsured motorist claim was worth less than his full coverage and persuaded him to accept a check for less than the full amount!

Purchase and George Helped

Fortunately, the man came to us for a different problem and, in the course of our investigation, we uncovered what his own insurance company had done. When we made it clear that we were going to expose their dirty little trick, the insurance company caved in and paid our client the balance of what they owed him.

We've said it before and we'll say it again: You cannot trust your Pennsylvanina auto insurance company to be fair with you! If they think they can get away with paying you less than what your claim is worth then they will try to pay you less than what your claim is worth. It's that simple. Unless you know what you're doing, unless you've got a wealth of experience valuing and handling insurance claims and unless you're prepared to prosecute your claim through litigation, you should contact an experienced Pennsylvania insurance claim lawyer for a free consultation. At a minimum, the Pennsylvania lawyer ought to be able to tell you whether or not he can help you with your case.

Contact a Pennsylvania Insurance Claims Attorney

The Pennsylvania insurance lawyers at Purchase & George have experience in fighting for our clients' rights and have demonstrated an ability to successfully go toe-to-toe with large insurance companies. If you're looking for an experienced Erie insurance claim lawyer to help you with your Pennsylvania uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist case, call for a free consult at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3400 or fill out our on-line consult form.

Marcellus Shale Explosions: Pennsylvania Lawyers Warn of Danger

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 5, 2011, ERIE, PA -- It's no secret. The rush to access the natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale formation is going to cause injury. The negligence of people and companies involved may even cause deaths and has already led to environmental contamination.

Still, Pennsylvania, under the leadership of new Governor Tom Corbett, seems unwilling to provide meaningful oversight of the wildcat drillers and others who are using explosives and high pressure drilling techniques. Instead, the natural gas industry is rushing in to grab as much of the Marcellus Shale resource as they can, largely untroubled by state oversight or concern for the environment or the people in the vicinity of these drilling operations.

You might expect plaintiff lawyers to wait quietly for the inevitable injuries and deaths and then swoop in for a profit. That's certainly the image projected by our critics who accuse us of doing little to warn or help and much to take profit. Instead, Pennsylvania plaintiff lawyers are ringing the bell to warn citizens of the danger.

In a recent article, Pennsylvania lawyer Michael Rozensweig warned, "The Marcellus Shale creates horrendous injuries because you have all this liquid and gas at high pressure being carried over pipelines, being stored in million gallon ponds and tanks and being injected into the ground at high pressure...The failure scenarios are quite robust."

Still, Pennsylvania's government, under the leadership of Republican Governor Tom Corbett, seems unwilling to listen to the obvious and it seems likely that the industry will pay attention only if plaintiff lawyers are able to hold careless drillers responsible for the harm they cause. Of course, at the same time that Corbett is taking a "hands off" approach to Marcellus Shale drillers (from whom he accepted large campaign contributions) he's actively interjected government into the long held rights of citizens to seek just compensation for harm caused.

Corbett calls it tort reform. I say we ought to call it what it is. It's big government taking away individual rights for the benefit of large corporations and insurance companies.

Speak up, folks. Your legislators need to know that you know what's going on. Tell them two things. First, The Marcellus Shale is a great natural resource that should be responsibly exploited but responsibility means being careful to look out for others. We should not accept injury, death and toxic contamination just because it's quicker and cheaper to act carelessly.

Second, in our nation's history, the courtroom has been the one place where the average guy (or gal) can go and be on equal footing with the biggest corporation or insurance company. The average guy can't compete at high-priced cocktail fundraisers. The average guy doesn't stroll country-club golf courses with the most powerful politicians. The one place where the average guy can be heard by a jury of his peers is the courtroom. Let your legislator know that you won't stand for any obstacles being placed between you and the one place where you can stand toe-to-toe with anyone who hurts you or your family. Tell your legislator that you oppose "tort reform."

Erie Car Accident Lawyers : Highway Deaths Hit 60-Year Low

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

April 2, 2011, ERIE, PA -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported Friday that car accident deaths have fallen to their lowest rate since 1949. The numbers reflect an ongoing trend nationwide. Motor vehicle accident deaths fell 3% since last year and a whopping 25% since 2005.

Even accounting for fewer miles being driven (as a result of the recession) the rate of traffic deaths has plummeted. When measured as a ratio to miles driven, the rate last year was 1.09 deaths per 100 million miles driven. In 2005 the rate was 1.46 per 100 million miles and in 1949 the rate 7.13 per 100 million miles.

Officials attribute the drop in rate to various reasons, including improved safety technology; the increased use of seat belts and child safety seats; and improved highway safety measures (such as rumble strips and median separators). Still, it is apparent that there is still room for improvement. The United States has not improved as much as many other western nations; the northeast region of the United States has seen an increase and Pennsylvania in particular saw an increase in traffic fatalities of 5.4% last year.

An estimated 32,788 people were killed last year in traffic accidents. Ray Lahood, Transportation Secretary, noted, "Still, too many of our friends and neighbors are killed in preventable roadway tragedies every day. We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first."

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

If you need help protecting your legal rights after a Pennsylvania car accident, contact an experienced Pennsylvania injury attorney. Free consults are available for people seeking legal advice after a car accident in Northwest Pennsylvania. Call today (814) 833-7100/toll free (888) 870-3499 for a consult with one of our Erie injury lawyers.

Erie Injury Lawyer: Injury Calculator

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 30, 2011, ERIE, PA -- This morning I was doing my usual cruise through the internet searching for new personal injury information (yep, I know how that sounds). I started to type in the Google search box, "personal injury..." and Google suggested, "Personal Injury Calculator."

That got my attention. An on-line calculator for judging the value of a Pennsylvania injury case? I had to see this.

And so I did. The result was a new article reviewing these on-line calculators which you can find HERE. Not really interested in reading a whole article on personal injury calculators? Here's the skinny:

1. These injury case calculators simply multiply your medical bills by a number between 1.5 and 5 and then add your repair costs and wage loss.

2. This calculation is relevant but it's a long way from accurate and may sometimes be wildly misleading.

3. You should go see at least one experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyer (remember, we all offer these consults for free so you might as well talk to a couple of lawyers).

Contact an Experienced Erie Injury Lawyer

If you want a meaningful answer to the question, "How much is my Pennsylvania injury case worth?" call today (814) 833-7100 or (888) 870-3499. We'll schedule a free, convenient no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced injury lawyers. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, just let us know and we'll come to you.

Erie Car Crash Attorneys : Cop Loses Rights Because of Limited Tort

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 30, 2011, ERIE, PA -- We watch the news of trials and judgment from other counties carefully. Unfortunately, when we see cases from other areas that involve limited tort, it's almost never good news for injured people in Pennsylvania. The latest case from Monroe County was no exception.

In Stout v. Deleo, a Monroe County judge threw an injured policeman out of court because the policeman had elected limited tort on his Pennsylvania car insurance policy. The policeman, who'd been injured through no fault of his own, and who'd claimed chronic injuries to his shoulder, neck and back, was not permitted to recover a penny for his pain and suffering.

We profile the case in our articles library and you can read more about it HERE. The takeaway, however, ought to be clear. Limited tort might save you a few dollars now but it can cost you much more when you really need it. For that reason, we strongly encourage all of our clients, family and friends to elect to have Full Tort coverage. If you've already elected limited tort, call your insurance agent now (and follow with a letter confirming) and tell your agent you want to change all of your Pennsylvania car insurance policies to FULL TORT COVERAGE.

If you or someone in your family has been hurt in a Pennsylvania car accident, call us today for a free consultation. We'll do our best to help you. Call 814-833-7100 or 888-870-3499.

Erie Accident Lawyer: Man Hurt by Farm Tractor

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 27, 2011, Portland, NY - A Westfield man was seriously injured when struck by a farm tractor Saturday afternoon. The operator of the tractor had difficulty seeing as a result of the sun in his eyes and struck James R. Weary, 50. Mr. Weary was taken to Hamot UPMC Hospital in Erie. No information was available on his condition.

Farm equipment is part of spring and summer in northwestern Pennsylvania. The Erie accident lawyers at Purchase & George caution all our readers to be alert for the presence of slow moving vehicles in rural areas.
For more information on how to avoid Pennsylvania farm equipment accidents, read Farm Vehicle and Equipment Accidents: Staying Safe on the Road.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

You may be looking for an Erie injury lawyer with experience in handling car accident injury claims and car insurance disputes. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Erie Wrongful Death Lawyers: AAA Reports Spike in Highway Fatalities

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 26, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Highway fatalities in Pennsylvania rose in 2010 after several years of steady decline. AAA Mid-Atlantic reported that there were 1,324 fatalities in 2010, 64 more than in 2009, an increase of 5.4 percent.

Factors contributing to the increase include increased volume of drivers associated with the nation's economic rebound and increased risky behavior, particularly among teen drivers. The report indicated that the number of people who died while not wearing seatbelts increased 16 percent and deaths involving 16 and 17-year old drivers increased more than 40 percent.

As Erie lawyers representing people in Northwest Pennsylvania who've lost loved ones in car accidents and other tragic events, we know the devastation, confusion and loss that a family suffers. We encourage all who will listen to wear their seatbelts and avoid risky behaviors like texting while driving.

Purchase & George Will Help

If you've lost a loved one, we can help. We'll do the investigation necessary to find the facts and preserve the evidence; we'll ensure that responsible parties are held liable; and we'll find the insurance and other assets necessary to pay for medical and other costs, replace lost earnings and help make up for the losses that cannot be fixed or replaced.

Contact a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Attorney

You may be looking for a northwest Pennsylvania lawyer with experience in wrongful death cases. For more information about wrongful death cases, read our article on Pennsylvania Wrongful Death law. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Pennsylvania injury attorneys, call today toll free at (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100 or use the on-line consult form on the right side of this page.

Erie Injury Lawyers Announce New Column: Keeping it Local!

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 25, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Tim and I are always looking for new things to put in our Pennsylvania personal injury law newsletter. There are a lots of choices among personal injury topics but even we have to admit that a newsletter composed entirely of Pennsylvania personal injury information starts to have a "one note" feel to it after a while.

So, what to add that is different from our standard fare but still pertinent? Tim walks into my office the other day and says, "What do you think about profiling some of our friends and clients? We've got a ton of cool local businesses in Erie that some people know about but a lot don't. What if we were to feature one in each of our newsletters?"

Well, like most of Tim's ideas, this one was great. We believe in supporting local businesses (ask my kids, who don't understand why I buy from local pizza shops instead of the chains they know from advertising and school). Obviously, we're inclined to encourage people to come to us or other local Erie personal injury attorneys instead of the huge mills from out-of-town. Plus, we could help our friends and clients who own or work for the unique small businesses that make Erie a special place.

So, we announced that starting next month we'll be featuring a local small business in our "Keeping it Local" column in the newsletter. If you know of a local business we should feature, give us a call. 833-7100.

Erie Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Warn Motorists to Look Twice for Motorcycles

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 19, 2011, ERIE, PA -- It's not quite spring yet but the Erie region has already seen the first serious motorcycle accident of the year. The accident, in the 2600 block of West 12th Street, appears to be one of those too familiar scenarios in which the driver of a car doesn't look carefully enough and pulls into the path of a defenseless motorcyclist. Now there are people suffering from injuries that are reportedly grave. It's time to remind motorists that bikers will be sharing the road more and more as the weather turns and everyone needs to be alert to their presence.

The Erie Motorcycle Accident

The accident happened Friday afternoon at about 2:30 p.m. Kenneth Gross, of Erie, was driving a Buick sedan and attempted to make a left turn out of the Aldi's parking lot onto West 12th Street. Eric Adams, also of Erie, was operating a motorcycle eastbound on 12th Street. Mr. Adams' passenger was Saverio Russio, of Erie.

Mr. Gross apparently didn't see Mr. Adams and Ms. Russio and pulled in front of them. Mr. Adams was unable to stop and collided with the sedan. All three are now in the hospital. Mr. Adams is reportedly in serious condition. Both Ms. Russio and Mr. Gross are in fair condition at UPMC Hamot.

Depressingly Familiar Words

We don't know what Mr. Gross will say, but as Erie motorcycle accident lawyers who've conducted countless witness exams after these tragic events, we can predict it will be something like, "I never saw him." Motorcycles can be hard to see. They are smaller, after all. But we all know that motorcycles are going to be on the road with us, especially as the weather warms. And we know that the risk of harm is great if we fail to take account of their presence. Motorcyclists are not protected from accident injury and depend on car drivers to be reasonably careful and alert.

Erie Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Offer Safety Information

On our motorcycle accident page, we offer tons of free safety information for motorcyclists and car operators. You can find Ten Things All Car and Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles and the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator's Manual and these are just a sampling of what's available to you free on our site. Our goal is to provide as much meaningful information as possible for people, both after and before accidents.

We Want to Help

If you've been injured in a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident, or lost a loved one, we can help. Our experienced Erie injury lawyers understand how an injury can disrupt a family with the stress of recovery, the cost of medical bills and the loss of earning power and potential. In the tragic aftermath of a fatal motorcycle accident, we understand that the survivors can be overwhelmed by grief, fear and uncertainty. We want to help. We'll investigate the case when you can't and we'll help you obtain compensation and resources to pay medical costs, replace lost wages and make up for losses for which there are no other remedies.

For a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Erie bike accident lawyers, fill out the on-line consult form or call today. Local calls (814) 833-7100. Toll free (888) 870-3499.

Erie Injury Lawyers Post Updated Info on Harborcreek Hit and Run

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 19, 2011, ERIE, PA -- More information is available on a Harborcreek hit and run accident reported here yesterday. Police have advised that the vehicle involved was not a pick-up but was a Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger, probably dark in color.

Michael Biletnikoff is the victim of this hit and run accident. He was a pedestrian struck by an east bound motorist as he attempted to cross Route 5 near Baker Street in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania near midnight Thursday night/Friday morning. The driver fled the scene. Mr. Biletnikoff is reportedly in fair condition at UPMC Hamot.

Police recovered a passenger side mirror and are asking that anyone with information about the accident call the Pennsylvania State Police at 898-1641.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

You may be looking for an Erie injury lawyer with experience in handling car accident injury claims and car insurance disputes. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Erie Dog Bite Lawyers: Man Attacked by 2 Dogs on West 12th Street

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 19, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Not everyone sees spring the same way as Erie injury lawyers do. Sure, we love the warmth and the fresh smell in the air just like everyone else. But we also know that spring in Erie County means warm weather related injuries, including dog bites. Sure enough, today's newspaper brings a story about an Erie man attacked by two stray dogs on West 12th Street.

The Dog Attack

At 1:40 p.m. yesterday, Erie Animal Enforcement officer Rob Culbertson responded to a report of two stray dogs in the 400 block of West 12th Street. He found a pit bull and a red chow mix. Both dogs approached him aggressively and attacked.

Officer Culbertson used an entire can of pepper spray on the dogs but the attack continued. He called for assistance and Erie police officers arrived and shot the pit bull once in the neck. Both the pit bull and the red chow ran off after the shot.

Both dogs have been recovered. The pit bull, whose injuries are not life threatening, is at the A.N.N.A. shelter in Erie. It's owner has not yet been identified. The red chow is with its owner in the 600 block of Downing Court in Erie. The owner has not been identified but police say he will face charges stemming from the attack.

No information is available on Officer Culbertson's injuries.

Dog Safety Resources

We believe in offering free information to people both after and before an injury. At our dog bite and attack page, you can find free safety resources, including information on how to avoid a dog attack, what to do if you've been bitten, and information for owners on how to prevent your dog from biting.

We Can Help

If you or your child has been the victim of a Pennsylvania dog attack the Erie personal injury lawyers at Purchase & George can help. Explore our site for more information or call 833-7100/toll free (888) 870-3499 for a free consultation with an experienced Erie dog bite lawyer.

Erie Injury Lawyers Post Info on Harborcreek Hit and Run

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 18, 2011, Harborcreek, PA -- A man is in fair condition at UPMC-Hamot after being struck by a hit and run driver in Harborcreek shortly after midnight today. Michael Biletnikoff, no name or address available, has been identified as the victim/pedestrian in the Erie County car accident.

Mr. Biletnikoff was struck by an east bound pick-up truck as he attempted to cross Route 5 near Baker Street in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania.

Police recovered a passenger side mirror from what is believed to be a Dodge or Chrysler pick-up. Anyone with information about the accident is encouraged to contact the Pennsylvania State Police at 898-1641.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

You may be looking for an Erie injury lawyer with experience in handling car accident injury claims and car insurance disputes. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Pennsylvania Lawyers Taking Fewer Medical Malpractice Cases

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 15, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A leading Pennsylvania legal newspaper published this week a story about Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers. The story, headlined "Plaintiffs Firms Tightening Scrutiny of Med Mal Cases" reported that plaintiffs are winning fewer verdicts around the state and lawyers are getting more and more picky about the cases they'll take.

According to the story, Atty. Alan M. Feldman, of Philadelphia, reported that his firm was being more careful about which medical malpractice cases they would take in light of "very disappointing results" in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

Atty. Tim Conboy, of Pittsburgh, was quoted as saying that his firm receives many calls from clients with cases pertaining to hospital acquired infections but his firm will not take such cases because they are "not viable...because of the difficulty of actually proving how the infection is acquired."

No Medical Malpractice Crisis

The story might come as a surprise to a public accustomed to hearing the constant myth that doctors and health insurance are suffering from a medical malpractice crisis. Contrary to the common perception that doctors are sued over nothing and juries give big verdicts to undeserving plaintiffs, the truth is that even when plaintiffs have good cases, they often lose to juries who are worried about hurting doctors and, even when they win, the verdicts are often small.

As a consequence, lawyers are taking fewer cases. Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys are accepting only those cases where the injuries are catastrophic and the liability almost indisputably clear. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts reported that medical malpractice filings have declined 42% between 2000 and 2009 and are at a new low.

We Can Help

At Purchase & George, our Pennsylvania medical malrpactice lawyers recognize the challenges faced by people who've suffered injury or loss as a result of medical mistakes. We perform a thorough investigation at the outset of a case using leading experts in the relevant medical field to help us ensure that the case is built solidly from the ground up. If you would like a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie medical malpractice lawyers, call today at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Injury Attorneys Announce Pennsylvania Injury Law "Microsite"

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 13, 2011, ERIE, PA -- One of northwest Pennsylvania's leading injury law firms has announced its latest internet offering. Purchase & George, P.C., already known for its education-based internet marketing, has launched a new "microsite," designed to get consumers quick, helpful information about Pennsylvania injury law.

Microsites are one page sites that offer consumers the basics about the subject matter. The new Pennsylvania injury law site from Purchase & George offers readers the basics about Pennsylvania personal injury cases, including "How Do I Figure Out Who Is At Fault?" "What's My Case Worth?" and "How Long Do I Have to File My Personal Injury Claim?"

You can see the new Microsite by clicking HERE.

Purchase & George, P.C. is a Pennsylvania law firm representing people injured in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog attacks, slip and falls, medical mistakes and other personal injury accidents. Purchase & George, P.C. represents people in Erie, Crawford, Warren and Venango Counties.

For more information about your personal injury claim, call Purchase & George today for a free, no-strings attached, consultation. Call locally (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Injury Lawyers Launch Pennsylvania Personal Injury Microsite

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 13, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Not everyone with an Erie personal injury claim wants all the information that we provide on our injury law website, YourErieAccidentLawyers.com. For some people, we've just included way too much information to process.

So, we've launched a "Microsite." Our microsite is a one page site with just the basics about Pennsylvania personal injury cases, including "How Do I Figure Out Who Is At Fault?" "What's My Case Worth?" and "How Long Do I Have to File My Personal Injury Claim?"

You can see the new Microsite by clicking HERE.

Or, call us today for a free consultation with our team of experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyers. Call locally at 814-833-7100 or toll free at 888-870-3499 and you'll get a quick, no-strings attached, free consult at your earliest convenience.

Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Night Time Birth Linked to Brain Injury?

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 11, 2011, ERIE, PA -- If you'd like to know the latest information about injuries from careless medical care generally, you can find it in our Medical Malpractice Library. We recently posted an article summarizing the results of a California study that followed two million full term babies and found compelling evidence of a link between night time births and increased risk of brain injury. Also linked to increased risk of brain injury were births in rural hospitals.

The study stopped short of explaining the root causes of the increased risk but the study's authors and others are confident that night time birth, by itself, does not cause brain injury. Instead, reports are that the authors link the increased risk of harm to lower quality of care associated with staffing in rural hospitals and night time shifts.

We Want To Help

If your child has suffered a birth injury in northwest Pennsylvania, we'd like to know about it. If our Pennsylvania medical malpractice investigation reveals that the injury was avoidable and was caused by medical negligence or carelessness, we'll help you and your child to get the compensation the law requires. For a free consultation with an Erie birth injury lawyer, call toll free (888) 870-3499 or locally at (814) 833-7100.

Erie Injury Lawyers Reveal Latest Insurance Company Dirty Tricks

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 12, 2011, ERIE, PA -- Regular readers know that we try to publicize helpful information about Pennsylvania injury cases and the insurance companies who work to prevent injured people from getting full compensation. This latest insurance company trick is something I knew I had to get out in the public eye as soon as possible.

The other day, a client walked in with a story of a new variation on an old insurance trick. I wasn't sure I believed it until I saw the paperwork myself to make sure it was true.

The Client's Story

Here's what my client told me. He said that he was hurt in a car accident that wasn't his fault. His injuries were bad enough that he was out of work for several weeks after the accident. He got a call from the other driver's insurance company. The insurance adjustor on the phone told him that he knew my client had been pretty badly injured. The insurance adjustor asked him how much money he'd lost from missing work. My client told him (it was about $2,000 at that point). The adjustor told my client, "I'll send you a check for that right now. I know how hard it is when you've been hurt and can't work and I don't want it be any more difficult for you than it has to be."

Sure enough, my client got a check in the mail within a couple of days. The check came with some paperwork with dense type (legal fine print). He didn't pay too much attention to it and he certainly didn't sign anything (he knew from all those lawyer ads that you're not supposed to sign anything). But he did cash the check. "Why not?" He thought.

When he continued to miss work during his recovery, my client called that nice insurance adjustor. My client told the nice insurance adjustor that he'd missed more work and wondered if he could get another check. "Another check?" The insurance adjustor asked. "I'm sorry, sir, but you released your rights to seek any other compensation when you accepted our first check. We're not going to pay you any more and you can't sue us or the driver who hurt you because you cashed our check." In other words, you screwed up, pal. You trusted me.

The Old Trick (Or, Pay 'Em a Little Now, Save a Lot Later)

It's long been known that some insurance adjustors will go to see injured people soon after an accident, before the injured people know the full extent of their injuries and losses and before the injured people get lawyers. These adjustors offer money to the injured person, who often is scared to death about lost wages and big medical bills. The insurance adjustor says, "All you have to do is sign here." The insurance adjustor shows the injured person a legal document called a release that, if signed, forever waives any claims the injured person might have, even if they didn't get fair compensation for their losses, even if they have more medical bills, even if they lose more wages.

Fortunately, injured people have started to figure out that they shouldn't sign such documents, at least not without talking to a lawyer. This lesson is one of the good things to emerge from all that lawyer advertising you see. As a consequence, the tactic of getting people to sign an early release has grown less and less successful.

The Variation on the Old Trick

This new tactic is a variation on the old one. No longer does the insurance company insist that the injured person sign anything. Instead, they have a real nice conversation over the phone in which they promise to help by sending a check. They don't say anything about a release in the conversation. They don't tell the injured person anything about waiving their rights. Then they send a check along with a letter and release and write that if the person cashes the check they've waived all their rights, even if they don't sign the documents. And unless the recipient of the check reads all that dense legalese or sees a lawyer, they don't know what they're doing when they accept the check.

Purchase and George Are Going to Help

Well, we're going to fight this tactic in court. We don't think it's fair to consumers and we don't think the courts will think it's fair, either. But we can't guarantee that we'll win. Our client is, at minimum, going to have the face the delay and uncertainty of the legal fight about this latest insurance company dirty trick.

So, if you've been injured in a Pennsylvania car accident, please be careful before accepting any checks from the other guy's insurance company. In fact, before you talk to the insurance company, call an experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyer for a free consultation or, maybe even better, order our free book, 'The Ultimate Guide to Pennsylvania Car Accident Cases."

We Can Help You

If you suspect that an insurance company may be trying to take advantage of you (or if you want help before you even talk to an insurance company), consider a consultation with an experienced Pennsylvania injury attorney. For a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury lawyers, call today locally at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (814) 870-3499.

Erie Lawyer on Disney, Problem Solvers and Client Service

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

March 6, 2011, Erie, PA -- So, I'm back from my Florida vacation with Tammy and the kids. We had a blast. We visited Disney World and, as always, I return completely astounded at the managment of that place. The grounds are meticulously maintained, massive crowds are masterfully handled and, perhaps most impressively, the employees are unfailingly polite and helpful. I come away from these visits determined to personally do a better job servicing my clients and to take steps to ensure that our staff (as able and helpful as they all are) does an even better job, too.

There was one instance that I thought illustrated both the difficulties we all face in striving to provide the best possible service to our customers and the outcome we all hope to achieve. Here is what happened.

The Disney Coffee Shop Story

I went to a coffee shop in the Magic Kingdom. I was pleased to arrive there when no one else was in line. I ordered two iced lattes (no, they weren't both for me. Tammy loves 'em, too). I told the man at the counter that I didn't want any sweetener in the drinks.

     Disney Employee 1: "No flavoring, right?"

     EJP:  "That's right. No extra flavors and no sugar. Just expresso and milk."

     Disney Employee 1: "They all have sugar, sir."

     EJP: "I understand. Can you just have them skip the sugar, though? Just pour expresso and milk over ice. No sugar, ok?"

     Disney Employee 1: "I'm sorry, sir. The iced lattes are pre-made. They all have sugar."

     EJP: "Oh, I get it." I didn't really. After all, I could see that they offered regular hot lattes. Why not just pour a hot latte over ice, like I asked? But I'm not going to argue with the guy. So, instead I say: "Tell you what, how about you just give me two hot lattes, no sugar?"

     Disney Employee 1: "OK. I'll have to cancel your order first."

     Disney Employee 1 (Calling to someone behind him): "Cancel those two iced lattes."

Almost immediately, a second Disney Employee comes to the ordering window. She asks (very nicely) about why I've cancelled the order and I explain. She says, "So, you just want us to make a hot latte and serve it to you on ice?" "Yup," I say. She says, "No problem. We can do that." And she turns to the first employee and says, "Just ring it up as a regular latte." The first guy looks perturbed but does as she asks. She tells me, "Go down to the pick-up window and I'll meet you there."

So, down to the pickup window I go. There I find a third Disney Employee and two iced lattes waiting on the counter. I'm surprised that the two lattes could have been made so quickly (the pick-up window was only a couple of steps away). So, I say to the third Disney employee,

     EJP: "Wow. That was quick. Are these the two iced lattes with no sugar?"

     Disney Employee 3: "All the iced lattes have sugar, sir."

     EJP: "Oh. I understand. I ordered mine without sugar and was told to come here to pick them up."

     Disney Employee 3: "Well, these are already made."

...a brief awkward pause ensues until the 2nd Disney Employee shows up...

    Disney Employee 2 (to the 3rd Employee): "Don't worry, honey. He wants it without sugar so make him a couple of cappucinos and pour them over ice."

     Disney Employee 3 responds with apparent confusion. She's not getting it and she's resisting the 2nd Employee. The 2nd Employee tries to explain it again. Employee 3 still doesn't seem to get it. Employee 2 says, "Watch." And then two things happen. First, the 2nd employee starts to make the drinks right in front of me. Second, the third employee turns to me and rolls her eyes, as if to say, "This co-worker of mine does this stuff all the time. She is so pushy." Apparently, Disney Employee 3 expected me to sympathize with her. In fact, I'm grateful that Disney Employee 2 took the time to listen to what I wanted and then figure out how to give me what I wanted, even though the drink I wanted didn't neatly fit into their established categories.

Real Life

Don't we all encounter this scenario outside Disney all the time? We go to someone who offers products or services and we try to tell them what we want. Sometimes, they don't really listen. They just give you what they have, even if it isn't really what you asked them for. (That's what Employee 1 tried to do, at first).

Sometimes, they listen enough to identify a problem but that's as far it goes.  "We don't have what you want."  So, you end up either not doing business with them or accepting something other than what you really want. That's what would have happened to me at Disney had it not been for Disney Employee 2.

Sometimes, people actively resist solving the problem, even when the solution has been explained to them.  Neither Disney Employee 1 nor 3 were happy about the solution that Disney Employee 2 identified. I could tell that the guy at the ordering counter was faintly perturbed that his co-worker had stepped in and solved a problem that he'd addressed by telling me I couldn't have what I wanted. And Disney Employee 3 plainly didn't get it at all. She didn't want to listen and acted like Disney Employee 2 was the problem.

Wouldn't it be great if the people you did business with acted like they cared about what you wanted? Wouldn't it be great if there was someone who listened to you and then figured out a way to get you what you needed? Wouldn't it be great if there was a place where everybody was a problem solver?

Welcome to Purchase & George.

Purchase & George: We Listen and We Solve Problems

Admittedly, what we do at Purchase & George is a little more complicated than selling coffee. After all, the facts of every case are different, every client has unique needs and wants and there is no magic wand for many of the problems our clients face. Also, importantly, in every case there is at least one lawyer or insurance company with tons of resources on the other side doing their level best to prevent us from succeeding. If we were to analogize our office to a coffee shop, the customers might ask for drinks that quite literally are impossible to make and the shop would have to deal with a linebacker trying to tackle its barristas and slap the coffee from its customers' hands.

Despite the differences, though, the lessons of the Disney coffee shop nevertheless apply to us just as they should to any business that cares about doing the best it can for its customers. At Purchase & George, all of us are committed to listening to you; to solving your problems; and to improving on our service at every turn. No matter how complicated or difficult your case may be, if we take your case you'll find that the people at Purchase & George are committed to being problem solvers for you.

Contact an Erie Injury Lawyer

Whether you are looking for an Erie injury lawyer who can help you with a car accident injury claim, car insurance disputes, medical malpractice claim, wrongful death case; or other injury claim, you will find experienced Pennsylvania injury lawyers at Purchase & George who are committed to doing their best to help you. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Aggressive Erie Injury Lawyer: Isn't There More to it?

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

February 27, 2011, Daytona Beach, FL - Yes, I'm on vacation. And yes, it's a little pathetic that I'm writing for the website while sun and surf await. But it is what it is, you know?

Today's topic is aggressive lawyers. In a new article posted in our library, you can find a more complete review of aggressive personal injury lawyers in Pennsylvania. In summary, however, I take issue with the aggressive lawyer myth (you know, the one that says that the best lawyer for your case is the most aggressive lawyer you can find) even though I am frequently characterized as one of the more aggressive Erie injury lawyers. Essentially, I recognize that aggression can be a necessary tactic in a Pennsylvania injury lawyer's bag of tricks but I think it is over-used and over-valued.

As I was looking for information for the article, I googled the the phrase "aggression defined." The definitions I found were less interesting than the fact that a number of the search results included google advertising for, you guessed it, lawyers. Our profession has so associated itself with a term that is synonymous with intentional harm that we now pop up on advertising associated with the word.

Contact a Pennsylvania Injury Attorney

If you're looking for more than aggression, if you want a lawyer who understands that the best results are achieved via the use of varying tactics, then read the article, "So, You Want an Aggressive Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer" or call today for a consultation with one of our experienced Erie injury attorneys. Call locally at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Millcreek Township Pedestrian Accident Injures Teen: Erie Injury Lawyers

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

February 16, 2011, ERIE, PA -- A teenage boy was injured while walking on Martin Road in Millcreek Township Tuesday morning. The young man, who has not been identified, was reportedly walking on the outside of the southbound lane near 6:45 a.m. Some reports indicate he crossed into the roadway where he was struck by a southbound motorist.

The driver of the car, Ken Gordon of Wesleyville, was not injured in the accident.

The young man was taken to UPMC Hamot where he was treated and released.

The Erie injury lawyers at Purchase & George wish the young man a full and speedy recovery.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

You may be looking for an Erie injury lawyer with experience in handling car accident injury claims and car insurance disputes. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Pennsylvania Protects Doctors Who Admit Fault : Erie Malpractice Lawyer News

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

February 18, 2011 - The Pennsylvania legislature can't do enough to line the pockets of big insurance companies at the expense of average citizens. The latest? House Bill 495 aims to prevent Pennsylvania medical malpractice juries from knowing when a doctor or hospital admits to wrongdoing.

Pennsylvania has made medical malpractice cases against health care providers (and nursing homes and hospitals) progressively more difficult for injured people or surviving families. This latest bill is one of the more extreme examples. Apparently afraid that a jury might figure out the truth if the jury was allowed to hear all of the evidence, House Bill 495 makes it illegal to tell a jury that a hospital (or doctor, nurse or other health care provider) has admitted wrongdoing.

So, imagine this scenario: a doctor with a drug or alcohol problem performs surgery while high and accidentally kills your loved one. After the surgery, in a fit of guilt and compassion, the doctor confesses: "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have been doing surgery. I'm an alcoholic. I just had a couple of drinks to steady my nerves. I'm sorry. I made a mistake. I never thought this would happen."

Years later, your lawsuit has progressed. The doctor's tune has changed. Now, he denies that the death was his fault. Now, he wants to pretend that he's a competent doctor and that your loved one's death was "just one of those things." He denies fault. He denies that he was drunk. His insurance company refuses to pay the medical bills or the funeral costs or provide any other compensation. You'll have to go to trial and refute the doctor's lies.

Now, imagine you are in your lawyer's office the night before trial. Imagine listening to your lawyer telling you that you are not allowed to tell the jury that the doctor admitted the death was his fault, that the doctor admitted he'd been drinking. Does that feel right to you? Does it feel fair? If you lose your trial (and you might) do you imagine that you'll feel that you had a fair trial?

You can read the bill yourself. We've posted it on our website in our Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Library HERE.

We are opposing the bill and the statewide injury lawyers are going to oppose it. You can help by calling your state representative or state senator and telling them you do not approve of the legislature keeping important, truthful evidence from our juries.

Contact an Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you or someone in your family has suffered a serious injury (or death) as a result of what you suspect may have been negligent medical care in a northwest Pennsylvania hospital, an experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney can help you find out what happened and, if appropriate, to obtain some measure of compensation for your harm. For a free consultation with one of our Pennsylvania injury lawyers, call locally (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyer : E.R. Refuses Treatment to Dying Man

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

There to Help

Portland Adventist Medical Center is a large hospital in Portland, Oregon. In many respects, it is not unlike our own regional hospitals Hamot/UPMC and Saint Vincent. It holds itself out as providing essential health care services to the community, including emergency medical services. It is particularly proud of the expertise it provides "when time is critical" and calls itself a "leader in treatment of cardiac arrest patients." According to its website, Portland Adventist is one of only two accredited chest pain centers in all of Oregon and it offers "the area's shortest wait times."

What Portland Adventist Medical Center says about itself is no doubt true. Similarly, the community it serves has likely come to depend on the hospital for the care of its sick and vulnerable. A hospital like this is surely immune from negligence, right? A hospital like this would never act out of foolish adherence to bureaucratic guidelines in the face of someone's imminent death, right?

Looking for Help

Birgilio Marin-Fuentes couldn't sleep. The 61-year-old man had been coughing and couldn't stop. He decided to drive himself to the hospital. Shortly after midnight, Mr. Marin-Fuentes pulled into the parking garage for Portland Adventist Medical Center. He approached the "Emergency Parking Only" sign. This may have been the last conscious act Mr. Marin-Fuentes would ever take.

According to news reports, Mr. Marin-Fuentes crashed into a pillar under the "Emergency" sign, a mere 125 feet from the emergency room entrance. He was left there, unattended, for 20 minutes until someone alerted people in the emergency room.

The Witnesses

Police officers in the E.R. were the first to respond. Officers Angela Luty and Robert Quick found Mr. Marin-Fuentes. They immediately recognized his peril and began CPR. A third officer, Andrew Hearst, went back in the E.R. for medical help.

Officer Hearst went to the E.R. intake desk. Officer Hearst told the personnel there that Mr. Marin-Fuentes was outside in the garage, that other officers were administering CPR, that Mr. Marin-Fuentes needed help.

What happened next is the reason you're reading about Mr. Marin-Fuentes. You might imagine that an emergency team sprang into action. You might imagine that the much-touted cardiac arrest team from Adventist Medical Center was shortly on the scene. Or perhaps you are more the realist. Perhaps, you say, cardiac specialists aren't just lingering in the E.R. The experts to rush to the scene would have been emergency medicine doctors and staff.

But none of that happened, according to news reports. Instead, Officer Hearst was told: Call 911.

The officers did the best they could until the ambulance arrived. The ambulance crew put Mr. Marin-Fuentes on a gurney. The ambulance crew rolled Mr. Marin-Fuentes the 125 feet into the E.R. By that time, it was too late. Mr. Marin-Fuentes died that night, just feet away from one of Oregon's best cardiac care centers.

The Protocol Excuse

"The officers recognized this man needed medical attention immediately, and two officers began CPR immediately, and a third offier went to ask for assistance, and they were told they had to wait until an ambulance arrived," said Sgt. Pete Simpson, a Portland Police Bureau spokesman. "It's a traumatic experience to give CPR and have a person not survive, especially to be that close to a hospital with trained medical personnel right there who could have assisted," Simpson said.

The hospital's explanation? Judy Leach, a hospital spokeswoman, said emergency room staff was told it was a car crash and they were following the proper protocol by instructing police to summon an ambulance crew. "With an automobile accident you don't know if the patient needs to be extricated or transported," Leach said Friday. "There are protocols in place to ensure the right thing is done for the right patient at the right time."

Ms. Leach claims the hospital did dispatch hospital security staff to the scene and that the hospital sent a mobile defibrillator. But her accounts are contradicted by police on the scene. "It is particularly disturbing that the hospital has given an account which is directly contradicted by the officers at the scene," said Atty. Mark McDougal, a Portland Attorney representing Mr. Marin-Fuentes' family.*

The Lingering Questions

Local politicians are calling for investigations and the Marin-Fuentes' family is represented by a local malpractice lawyer. It seems likely that more details will emerge and that Mr. Marin-Fuentes' family will at least have the benefit of what remedy our civil justice system can provide. But lingering questions remain.

What would we know if those officers hadn't responded at the scene? What would we know if hospital security had been the first responders? Would hospital security have admitted that they failed to notice the accident in their emergency parking garage for 20 minutes? Would hospital security have blown the whistle on their co-workers and employer and admitted that Mr. Marin-Fuentes died from lack of care when the region's most expert cardiac care team was literally feet away and knew, KNEW, of his danger but refused to help because of protocol?

The Search for Answers

As Erie medical malpractice attorneys, we know that one of the the most common motives for coming to see us is the need for answers. Tragedies happen in hospitals and sometimes tragedies are "just one of those things." But malpractice happens in hospitals, too. And when malpractice happens, families are not always told that malpractice was to blame. Sometimes, they're just told, "We did everything we could. It was just his/her time."

And who's to know the difference? Hospital staff doesn't talk, perhaps out of fear of losing their job or loyalty to co-workers. There are rarely independent witnesses on the scene. When doctors and hospitals won't tell the truth or hide the evidence, the only hope for answers is a medical malpractice lawyer with the diligence and resources to dig for the truth.

Contact an Erie Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you or someone in your family has suffered a serious injury (or death) as a result of what you suspect may have been negligent medical care in a northwest Pennsylvania hospital, an experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney can help you find out what happened and, if appropriate, to obtain some measure of compensation for your harm. For a free consultation with one of our Pennsylvania injury lawyers, call locally (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499.

* Information for this blog was derived from multiple sources, including the Portland Adventist Medical Center site; an Associate Press report; and a KOIN Local 6 report.

Pennsylvania Fire Loss Lawyers : One Dead in Downtown Meadville Fire

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

February 9, 2011, Meadville, PA -- An early Tuesday morning fire in Meadville took the life of a 55-year-old man, left others homeless and destroyed two businesses.

William Gerritsen, who lived alone at 899 Market Street, has been identified as the man who was killed in the fire. Seven other residents escaped, reportedly without serious injury, but are now homeless. Two businesses were also destroyed, including "The Whole Darn Thing," a popular sub shop.

Fire investigation officials have initially determined that "(T)he cause of the fire was accidental and improper use of supplemental heating appliances." In other words, it appears a space heater is to blame, perhaps because someone used it improperly.

Having handled multiple fire loss claims, we can tell you that the key to successful handling of civil litigation arising out of a fire is prompt investigation and preservation of evidence. Fire officials often sweep in and do a fine job, for their purposes. However, public fire officials aren't always concerned with preserving evidence for a civil trial that may come years later. Experienced Pennsylvania fire loss lawyers know that it is critical to get a trained forensic fire examiner on the scene as soon as possible.

Contact a Pennsylvania Fire Loss Attorney

If you or your family has suffered loss as a result of a fire, including personal injury, death or catastrophic property loss, contact the fire loss lawyers who help people in northwest Pennsylvania, including Meadvillle, Erie, Franklin and Warren, at (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the contact form at the right side of this page.

Meadville Wrongful Death Attorney News: Police ID Victim of Route 98 Crash

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

February 7, 2011, Meadville, PA -- Details continue to emerge about a fatal Crawford County car accident that occurred Saturday on Route 98 between Middle and Van Horn Roads. See the first blog entry HERE. Police have identified Marcus David Manning, 39, as the man killed in the accident. Mr. Manning was a passenger in a car driven by his wife, Mary Manning. Mrs. Manning was taken to UPMC Hamot where she is in serious condition.

The driver of the other vehicle, a pickup truck, has not yet been identified nor has there been information released about the details of the accident. However, it has been reported that the driver of the pickup truck was not seriously injured.

The Pennsylvania injury lawyers at Purchase & George would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marcus David Manning and wish Mrs. Manning a quick and full recovery from the injuries she sustained in this Pennsylvania auto accident.

Erie Trial Lawyers Post Jury Duty FAQs

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

February 7, 2011, ERIE, PA -- I read today about a judge in McKean County who has observed that fewer jurors are showing up for jury duty and who wants to impose stiffer penalties for those who shirk their duty.

It made me think about how important jury duty is to our society and how the failure to participate, if it becomes the norm, will ultimately doom our system. Fortunately, most people still participate voluntarily and, after serving, most people report that serving as a juror was an interesting and uplifting experience. Unfortunately, a lot of people still don't know much about jury service.

I thought it might be helpful to post some FAQs about jury duty in Erie County. If you're interested in details of jury duty in Erie County, Pennsylvania, you can find more information in our articles library in "Frequently Asked Questions About Jury Duty."

Contact an Erie County Trial Lawyer

You may be looking for an Erie injury lawyer with experience in trials, including trials of car accident injury claims, car insurance disputes, health care malpractice, and other injury cases. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.

Erie Injury Law News: Injuries in Accident at 24th and Ash

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

February 7, 2011, ERIE, PA -- At least one person, and likely one other, was injured in an Erie car accident at 24th and Ash Streets Sunday afternoon. Apparently, a driver backing out of a parking lot near the northeast corner struck a parked vehicle, resulting in the Erie car crash injuries.

An occupant from the parked vehicle was taken to St. Vincent Health Center via Emergycare ambulance. A pedestrian who was also allegedly hit in the accident was allegedly taken to the hospital via private vehicle.

No information as to the identities of the people involved or the condition of the injured is yet available.

Contact a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer

You may be looking for an Erie injury lawyer with experience in handling car accident injury claims and car insurance disputes. For a free, no-obligation consult with one of our Erie injury attorneys, call today (814) 833-7100 or toll free at (888) 870-3499 or use the on-line consult form to the right.