The dedicated legal team of Caputo & Mariotti
Injured at Work? What a Workers’ Comp Attorney Can Do For You
February 12, 2026
Why You Need an Expert Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident
After a serious accident, you face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and a confusing legal system. When an injury is caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. However, insurance companies often deny valid claims or offer low settlements to protect their profits, making experienced legal representation essential.
A personal injury lawyer is your advocate, helping you navigate the complex claims process to secure the full compensation you deserve. An attorney will:
- Investigate your accident and gather evidence to prove liability
- Handle all communication with insurance companies
- Calculate the full value of your damages, including future costs
- Negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries
- Represent you in court if a trial becomes necessary
- Work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win
I’m Chris Caputo, and since 2007, I’ve focused my practice on representing injured individuals in Northeastern Pennsylvania. My experience as a former prosecutor provides the litigation skills needed to stand up to powerful insurance companies and fight for clients navigating the personal injury system.
Understanding Personal Injury Law: Your Rights and Potential Compensation
When you’re injured due to someone else’s carelessness in Pennsylvania, personal injury law provides a path to hold the responsible party accountable. Unlike no-fault systems, a personal injury claim is typically based on proving negligence. The goal is to secure compensation, known as damages, to cover the losses you have suffered. As experienced personal injury lawyers in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, we know how crucial this compensation is for your recovery.
The main types of damages available in a personal injury claim include:
- Economic Damages: Compensation for measurable financial losses, including all past and future medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity.
- Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases of extreme or malicious conduct, these may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
What Types of Injury Cases Do We Handle?
Personal injury law covers a wide range of incidents where negligence leads to harm. Our personal injury lawyers regularly assist clients with:
- Car Accidents: Collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Injuries caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property (premises liability).
- Medical Malpractice: Harm caused by the negligence of a healthcare professional or facility.
- Dog Bites: Injuries resulting from a dog attack where the owner is held liable.
- Wrongful Death: Claims filed by surviving family members when a loved one’s death is caused by negligence.
Our firm is experienced in handling complex cases, including those involving catastrophic injuries that require lifelong care.
The First 30 Days: Critical Steps After an Accident
The actions you take immediately after an accident are critical to protecting your health and the success of your potential legal claim. Insurance companies begin building their case against you right away, so acting promptly and correctly is essential to protecting your rights.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
Your health is the top priority.
- Get Emergency Care if Needed: For severe injuries, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- See a Doctor Promptly: Even if your injuries seem minor, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some serious injuries have delayed symptoms.
- Inform the Doctor How the Injury Occurred: Ensure your medical records accurately document the accident. This creates a crucial link between the incident and your injuries.
Step 2: Report the Accident
Officially document the incident.
- Call the Police: For any motor vehicle accident, a police report is a vital piece of evidence.
- Notify the Property Owner: For a slip and fall, report the incident to the store manager or property owner and ensure they create an incident report.
Step 3: Document Everything
Strong documentation builds a strong case.
- Take Photos and Videos: Capture the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, and any contributing factors (e.g., a wet floor, an obstructed stop sign).
- Get Witness Information: If anyone saw the accident, get their names and contact information.
- Keep a Journal: Record your symptoms, pain levels, and how the injury affects your daily life. Also, track all expenses and lost time from work.
For more guidance, consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Why You Need One of Our Personal Injury Lawyers for Your Claim
While you can try to handle a claim yourself, doing so puts you at a significant disadvantage against professional insurance adjusters. Our 55+ years of experience as personal injury lawyers in Northeastern Pennsylvania have shown that legal representation is key to a fair outcome.
| Feature | Handling Claim Alone | With a Personal Injury Lawyer |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence Gathering | You are responsible for proving negligence, often without knowing what evidence is needed. | We conduct a thorough investigation to secure police reports, medical records, and expert testimony. |
| Legal Knowledge | You must learn complex liability laws and civil procedures on your own. | We have in-depth knowledge of Pennsylvania negligence law and court rules to build a strong case. |
| Negotiation Power | You negotiate with experienced adjusters whose goal is to minimize your payout. | We leverage evidence and legal precedent to demand a settlement that covers your total damages. |
| Liability Disputes | You must counter the insurer’s attempts to blame you for the accident. | We fight back against unfair allegations of fault to protect the value of your claim. |
| Court Representation | You represent yourself in a formal legal setting, which can be intimidating and complex. | We are experienced litigators who prepare and present your case effectively in court. |
| Time & Stress | You spend hours on paperwork and calls, hindering your recovery. | We handle all legal burdens, allowing you to focus on getting better. |
Why Legal Help is Crucial
Insurance companies have teams dedicated to protecting their bottom line. A personal injury lawyer levels the playing field, navigating complex PA laws to maximize your settlement and help you avoid critical mistakes. We calculate the true value of your claim—including future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering—so you don’t accept a lowball offer.
When to Hire an Attorney
While it’s always wise to consult an attorney early, legal help is essential if:
- The insurance company denies liability or blames you.
- The settlement offer is too low to cover your bills.
- Your injury is severe, permanent, or requires surgery.
- The case involves multiple parties or complex legal issues.
- You want peace of mind that your rights are protected from the start.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Navigates the Legal Process
The personal injury claims process is a maze of legal procedures, deadlines, and strategic negotiations. Our role as your personal injury lawyer is to be your guide, handling every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing. We manage the entire legal journey, from initial investigation to final resolution.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Fight Insurance Companies
A low offer or denial from an insurance company is not the end of the road. We have a clear strategy for fighting back:
- Review the Insurer’s Position: We analyze the insurance company’s reasons for denying liability or making a low offer.
- File a Lawsuit: If negotiations fail, we file a formal complaint in civil court to pursue your claim through litigation.
- Conduct Discovery: We use legal tools like depositions and requests for documents to gather evidence from the defendant and strengthen your case.
- Represent You in Court: We are skilled trial attorneys prepared to advocate for you before a judge and jury to secure the verdict you deserve.
The Role of a Lawyer in Settlement Negotiations
Our goal is to secure the right settlement, not just a quick one. We do this by:
- Calculating Your Claim’s True Value: We assess all past and future economic and non-economic damages to determine the full compensation you are owed.
- Negotiating Aggressively: We present a powerful, evidence-based demand to the insurance company and push back against their attempts to undervalue your claim.
- Advising You on a Final Decision: We provide the information and guidance you need to decide whether to accept a settlement or proceed to trial, ensuring your long-term financial security is protected.
Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury Lawsuits
Here are answers to some of the most common questions our personal injury lawyers receive from clients in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
- No Upfront Costs: You pay nothing out of pocket to hire us.
- You Only Pay if We Win: Our fee is a percentage of the compensation we successfully recover for you. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing for attorney fees.
- Aligned Interests: This arrangement ensures our goals are aligned with yours: to secure the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.
What is my personal injury claim worth?
Every case is unique, so there is no simple formula to determine its value. The worth of your claim depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the total amount of your medical bills and lost wages, the impact on your future earning capacity, and the extent of your pain and suffering. An experienced attorney can evaluate these factors to give you an informed assessment of what your case may be worth.
How long do I have to file a claim in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this two-year window, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever. There are some exceptions to this rule, but they are rare. It is crucial to contact a lawyer well before the deadline to ensure your rights are preserved.
Caputo & Mariotti: Your Trusted Personal Injury Advocates in Northeastern PA
After a serious injury, you need a dedicated partner to fight for your rights. At Caputo & Mariotti, we bring over 55 years of combined experience to every personal injury case. Our firm is built on an unwavering commitment to securing justice for injured individuals and their families throughout Northeastern PA, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton.
We understand the stress of mounting medical bills and lost wages. That’s why we handle all the legal burdens—from investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies—so you can focus on your recovery. Let our experienced personal injury lawyers stand by your side.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our team today to discuss your case and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
