Personal Injury Attorney Serving Lehigh County – Michael A. Snover, Esq.
If you have been injured in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, call Michael A. Snover, Esq. at (484) 821-1005 for a free consultation. Attorney Snover has served injury victims throughout Lehigh County for over 37 years from his Bethlehem office. He earned his Juris Doctor from Dickinson School of Law at Pennsylvania State University in 1987 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar that same year. Since 1997, he has operated his own practice, representing clients in personal injury, workers compensation, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. He works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless he recovers compensation for you.
Quick Facts: Michael A. Snover, Esq.
- Attorney: Michael A. Snover, Esq. – JD, Dickinson School of Law, Penn State (1987); BA, Moravian College (1984); PA Bar 1987; NJ Bar 1988
- Experience: Over 37 years practicing law; sole practitioner since 1997
- Phone: (484) 821-1005
- Office: 2571 Baglyos Circle, Suite B25, Bethlehem, PA 18020
- Fee Structure: Contingency fee basis – no fee unless you recover compensation
- Service Area: Lehigh County including Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Whitehall Township, Catasauqua, and Coopersburg
Why Lehigh County Injury Victims Choose Michael A. Snover
Lehigh County residents face serious legal challenges after an injury. Pennsylvania law imposes strict deadlines and procedural requirements that can affect your right to compensation. Attorney Michael Snover brings over 37 years of legal experience to every case he handles for Lehigh County clients.
His undergraduate education at Moravian College in 1984 gave him strong roots in the Lehigh Valley community. After earning his law degree from Dickinson School of Law at Penn State, he built a career representing injured people in eastern Pennsylvania. His admission to the New Jersey Bar in 1988 also allows him to assist clients with cross-border matters, which is valuable for Lehigh County residents who travel to New Jersey for work or were injured there.
The office at 2571 Baglyos Circle, Suite B25 in Bethlehem is accessible to clients throughout Lehigh County. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, and free consultations are available.
Personal Injury
Personal injury claims in Lehigh County arise from car crashes, slip and fall incidents, defective products, and other situations where someone else’s negligence causes harm. Under Pennsylvania law, you have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline comes from 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5524, and missing it typically means losing your right to pursue compensation.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can recover damages if you were not primarily responsible for the accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards $100,000 but finds you 20% at fault, your recovery would be $80,000.
Attorney Snover handles personal injury cases for Lehigh County residents on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless your case results in compensation.
Workers Compensation
Injured workers in Lehigh County are covered by the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act. This system provides benefits regardless of who caused the workplace accident. In exchange, employees generally cannot sue their employers in civil court for workplace injuries.
Workers compensation benefits in Pennsylvania include:
- Payment of all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the work injury
- Wage loss benefits, typically calculated at 66.67% of your average weekly wage
- Specific loss benefits for permanent injuries such as loss of a limb or loss of use
- Death benefits for families of workers killed on the job
Many Lehigh County workers face disputes with insurance carriers who deny claims, delay treatment authorizations, or attempt to terminate benefits prematurely. Michael Snover represents injured workers in Lehigh County who need help obtaining the benefits they deserve under Pennsylvania law.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence causes injury to a patient. Pennsylvania has specific procedural requirements for these cases. Before filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, you must obtain a Certificate of Merit signed by a licensed medical professional. This requirement comes from Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1042.3.
The Certificate of Merit must state that there is a reasonable probability that the care provided fell below acceptable professional standards and caused the harm you suffered. This requirement exists to ensure that medical malpractice claims have merit before they proceed through the court system.
Lehigh County has several hospitals and medical facilities. If you believe you were harmed by medical negligence at a Lehigh County healthcare provider, the two-year statute of limitations under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5524 applies to most cases. Contact Attorney Snover at (484) 821-1005 to discuss your situation during a free consultation.
Auto Accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injury claims in Lehigh County. The county’s highways, including I-78, Route 22, and I-476 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike extension), carry heavy traffic that creates dangerous conditions.
Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state for auto insurance. When you purchase car insurance, you select either limited tort or full tort coverage. This choice significantly affects your legal rights after an accident.
Limited Tort vs. Full Tort in Pennsylvania
| Limited Tort | Full Tort |
|---|---|
| Lower insurance premiums | Higher insurance premiums |
| Can recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) | Can recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) |
| Cannot sue for pain and suffering unless injury is serious | Full right to sue for pain and suffering |
| Must prove serious impairment of body function to recover non-economic damages | No threshold requirement for non-economic damages |
| Exceptions apply: drunk drivers, out-of-state drivers, intentional acts | No restrictions on claims |
If you chose limited tort and were injured in an accident in Lehigh County, you may still have options. Attorney Snover can review your insurance policy and the circumstances of your accident to determine what compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners in Lehigh County have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. When they fail to address hazards like wet floors, icy sidewalks, broken stairs, or poor lighting, serious injuries can result.
Pennsylvania premises liability law considers the status of the injured person. Business invitees, such as customers in a store, receive the highest level of protection. Property owners must regularly inspect their premises and fix or warn about dangerous conditions.
Slip and fall cases often involve disputes about whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard. Evidence preservation is critical. If you fell on someone else’s property in Lehigh County, document the scene with photographs, report the incident to the property owner or manager, and seek medical attention promptly.
The two-year statute of limitations applies to slip and fall cases in Pennsylvania. Contact Attorney Snover’s Bethlehem office to discuss your potential claim.
Wrongful Death
When negligence causes a fatal injury, Pennsylvania law allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim. The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate files the lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family.
Wrongful death damages in Pennsylvania may include:
- Loss of the deceased person’s earnings and benefits the family would have received
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and society
- Other damages the family suffered due to the death
A separate survival action allows the estate to recover damages the deceased person could have claimed if they had survived, such as pain and suffering between the injury and death.
Losing a family member is devastating. If your loved one died because of someone else’s negligence in Lehigh County, Attorney Michael Snover can explain your legal options during a free consultation.
How to Start Your Case
- Call (484) 821-1005 for a free consultation. Attorney Snover offers free initial consultations to Lehigh County injury victims. Describe what happened and bring any documents you have.
- Gather your records. Collect medical records, accident reports, photographs, witness information, and insurance policies. These documents help evaluate your claim.
- Receive a case evaluation. Attorney Snover will review the facts, explain the applicable Pennsylvania law, and discuss your options.
- Sign a contingency fee agreement. If you decide to proceed, you sign an agreement that ensures you pay no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered.
- Investigation and claim filing. Your attorney investigates the facts, gathers evidence, and pursues your claim through negotiation or litigation as appropriate.
- Resolution. Your case may settle through negotiation or proceed to trial at the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in Allentown if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Serving All of Lehigh County
Attorney Michael Snover represents clients throughout Lehigh County from his Bethlehem office. He handles cases for injury victims in:
- Allentown (the Lehigh County seat)
- Bethlehem
- Emmaus
- Whitehall Township
- Catasauqua
- Coopersburg
- All other Lehigh County municipalities
Cases filed in Lehigh County are heard at the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in Allentown. For clients in nearby Northampton County, the Court of Common Pleas is located in Easton.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is established by 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5524. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation through the court system. Certain exceptions may apply in limited circumstances, but you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after an injury to protect your rights.
What does it cost to hire Attorney Michael Snover?
Attorney Michael Snover handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless he recovers compensation for you. There is no upfront cost to hire him, and you do not pay hourly rates. If your case is successful, the attorney fee is a percentage of the recovery. If no compensation is obtained, you owe no attorney fees.
What is the difference between limited tort and full tort in Pennsylvania?
Limited tort and full tort are auto insurance options in Pennsylvania. Full tort gives you the complete right to sue for pain and suffering after an accident. Limited tort costs less but restricts your ability to recover pain and suffering damages unless your injury qualifies as serious. If you have limited tort coverage, you may still recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages, but non-economic damages require proof of serious impairment.
Can I sue my employer if I was injured at work in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania workers compensation law generally prevents employees from suing their employers for workplace injuries. Instead, injured workers receive benefits through the workers compensation system, including medical expense coverage and wage loss benefits at approximately 66.67% of their average weekly wage. In rare cases involving intentional harm or third-party liability, other legal options may exist.
What is a Certificate of Merit in Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases?
Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1042.3 requires a Certificate of Merit before filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. A licensed medical professional must sign a written statement indicating there is a reasonable probability that the healthcare provider’s conduct fell below acceptable professional standards and caused the patient’s injury. This certificate must be filed with the court, typically within 60 days of filing the complaint.
Where is the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas located?
The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County. Personal injury lawsuits, workers compensation disputes, and other civil matters involving Lehigh County residents are typically heard at this courthouse.
What is Pennsylvania's comparative negligence rule?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages in a personal injury case if you were not primarily responsible for the accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be primarily at fault, you cannot recover any damages from the other parties.
Does Attorney Snover handle cases outside of Lehigh County?
Yes. Attorney Michael Snover represents clients throughout eastern Pennsylvania from his Bethlehem office. He is admitted to both the Pennsylvania Bar (1987) and New Jersey Bar (1988), which allows him to handle matters in both states. This is valuable for Lehigh County residents involved in accidents in New Jersey or dealing with cross-border legal issues.
How do I contact Attorney Michael Snover for a free consultation?
Call (484) 821-1005 to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Michael Snover. The office is located at 2571 Baglyos Circle, Suite B25, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. You can also reach the office by email at snoverlaw@aol.com or visit the website at https://snoverlaw.com.
Read What Our Clients Say About Us
A History of Success
I just signed myself up with attorney Snover and had previously hired a different attorney but wasn’t satisfied with him. I then went to attorney Snover and he took my car accident case and is now helping me with my injury settlement. He is extremely knowledgeable at what he does, takes the time to talk with you and to fully understand your case. I highly recommend this place for your attorney needs.
