Best Personal Injury Lawyers Pittsburgh, PA Of 2024

Written By

Valerie Catalano, J.D.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s second-largest city, has a rich industrial heritage, multiple major league sports teams and a history of innovative medical and technological advancements. If you get injured in Pittsburgh, sifting through the websites of all the attorneys in the metropolis can be overwhelming.

Our list explores the best personal injury lawyers in Pittsburgh so you can be on your way toward finding the best advocate for your circumstances. We’ll also break down the key Pennsylvania laws that apply to personal injury cases so you stay informed while kicking off your legal process.

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Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Pittsburgh

• Edward J. Balzarini Sr.

Laura D. Phillips

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

2006

Law School Attended

Georgetown University Law Center

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Richard M. Rosenthal

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1978

Law School Attended

Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Edgar M. Snyder

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1966

Law School Attended

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Mitchell H. Dugan

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1988

Law School Attended

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Laurence B. Green

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1971

Law School Attended

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

John P. Gismondi

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1978

Law School Attended

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Richard J. Schubert

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1980

Law School Attended

Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Kenneth J. Nolan

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1980

Law School Attended

Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Joshua L. Berger

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1986

Law School Attended

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Edward J. Balzarini Sr.

PA Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to PA Bar

1956

Law School Attended

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Practice Areas

Compare Our Top Personal Injury Attorneys in Pittsburgh

Lawyer Name PA Bar Association Status Year Admitted to PA Bar Law School Attended Learn More CTA text Learn more CTA below text

Laura D. Phillips Active 2006 Georgetown University Law Center

Edgar M. Snyder Active 1966 University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Mitchell H. Dugan Active 1988 University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Laurence B. Green Active 1971 University of Pittsburgh School of Law

John P. Gismondi Active 1978 University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Richard J. Schubert Active 1980 Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Kenneth J. Nolan Active 1980 Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Joshua L. Berger Active 1986 University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Edward J. Balzarini Sr. Active 1956 University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If you’ve been injured and feel that the settlement offer you’ve been provided is insufficient, or if your claim was denied, you may need to file a personal injury claim to receive fair compensation. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases

The statute of limitations determines how long you have to file a lawsuit after an incident. In Pennsylvania, the statute for personal injury cases is two years. If your accident occurred more than two years ago, you may no longer be eligible to file a lawsuit. However, you should always consult an attorney to discuss your case.

Pennsylvania Personal Injury Laws

• Modified comparative liability rule. In Pennsylvania, each person in an accident can be assigned a portion of the fault—the modified comparative liability rule. For example, if a car is rear-ended and its brake lights are out, the court may determine the driver of the car that was hit is 30% responsible because of the brake lights, while the person who hit them is 70% responsible for the accident. Consequently, if the court awards damages, they reduce the amount by the percentage of fault ascribed to the driver who was hit. In this example, the driver receives no more than 70% of the final damages.
• The 51% rule. Pennsylvania law states that a plaintiff can collect damages if their negligence is not greater than that of the other party. For example, if both parties are found equally guilty, both may be able to collect 50% of their damages. However, if the court determines that the plaintiff bears 51% or more of the responsibility, they cannot collect any damages.
• Damage caps. A damage cap is the maximum amount a plaintiff can collect after an injury. Pennsylvania has no damage caps except for lawsuits against the Commonwealth itself, which are capped at $250,000, and local agencies, which are capped at $500,000.

Personal Injury Settlement Considerations

Consider the following factors when determining whether to pursue a personal injury case.

• Average lawsuit timeline. The length of time it takes to resolve personal injury cases varies widely. If you agree to a settlement early in the process, your case can end in a matter of weeks. However, more complicated cases, including situations where one or both parties will not negotiate, can last for multiple years.
• Punitive damages. Most damages courts award are compensatory damages, which are meant to cover the cost of the actual harm. The court may also award punitive damages in cases where one party behaved egregiously—for example, by performing no maintenance on a property for multiple years, thus rendering the property unsafe. There is no cap on punitive damages, which can sometimes be larger than the total compensatory damages. Punitive damages are taxable.
• Tax rules for personal injury settlements. Most personal injury settlements are not taxed at the state or federal level. However, Pennsylvania does tax certain parts of settlements and awards, including:

• lost wages
• emotional distress
• interest
• attorneys’ fees

This list is not exhaustive. If you receive a personal injury award or settlement, consult an accountant or a tax expert.

How Can An Attorney Help You?

Hiring an attorney for your personal injury case can offer multiple benefits.

• Help negotiate a fair settlement. The first step lawyers often take is sending demand letters to responsible parties or their insurance companies. These documents indicate your willingness to negotiate settlement amounts. Sometimes, once companies realize an attorney is involved, they will offer victims a more attractive settlement.
• Answer questions. The personal injury process is complicated. Having a lawyer means you can get quick, accurate answers to questions about your case.
• Help with paperwork. Lawsuits typically require extensive paperwork and filing procedures. Your lawyer can help ensure you fill out this paperwork correctly and meet important deadlines.
• Represent you in court. If your case goes to court, your attorney can represent you and your interests. An experienced professional in the courtroom can help you achieve a favorable outcome.

How To Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA

There is no “best” lawyer for every personal injury case. As you research personal injury attorneys, keep the following information in mind.

• Ask for recommendations. Ask friends and family if they’ve worked with a lawyer before. Do they recommend these legal professionals? Testimonies from people you trust can provide valuable insights about which attorney to choose.
• Take advantage of initial consultations. Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations. Don’t feel obligated to work with the first lawyer you meet.
• Make sure you feel comfortable with and respected by your attorney. Your lawyer works for you. That doesn’t mean they won’t ever disagree with you, but if you feel disrespected or your personalities clash, consider a different attorney.

Our Methodology for Finding the Best Pittsburgh Personal Injury Attorneys

Forbes Advisor ranked attorneys offering services in personal injury law within a 50-mile radius of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania using data points across the categories of qualifications, experience, reputation, client experience and diversity and inclusivity. We pulled data for these categories from reliable, third-party resources such as state bar associations and individual firm websites. Data is accurate as of June 2024.

We evaluated attorneys based on the following metrics.

Qualifications (15%):

• Active business license
• Public records check
• Practice areas
• Overall reputation of law school

Experience (15%):

• Years of membership in state bar
• Ethics and bar disciplinary history

Reputation (30%):

• High regards in top legal publications
• Positive reviews
• Accolades from colleagues

Client Experience (25%):

• Free consultations

Diversity and Inclusivity (15%):

• Bilingual services

We considered only attorneys without disciplinary history who have been licensed for at least five years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Personal Injury in Pittsburgh

Am I required to have an attorney for a personal injury case in Pittsburgh, PA?

How can I pay for my case?

How much does a personal injury lawyer charge in Pittsburgh, PA?

The information on this page does not constitute legal advice, nor does use of or access to this page create an attorney-client relationship between any parties. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for informational purposes only. Your legal situation is unique and the attorneys and services we rank may not be right for your circumstances. Consult with an attorney to obtain advice on your particular legal matter.

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Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.