Personal Injury FAQs

Q: How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

A: If you sustained a bodily injury due to another's fault, you may have a personal injury claim for which you can seek monetary compensation.  Examples of personal injury cases include motor vehicle accidents, defective prodcuts, fall down incidents and medical malpractice.

Q: How soon after I am injured do I have to file a lawsuit?

A: In Pennsylvania, there is a deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit known as the “statute of limitations.”  If you miss this deadline, your claim may be forever lost.  As a result, it is imperative that you speak with an attorney as soon as you realize you are injured.

Q: What should I do to protect my rights if injured?

A: There are a number of things you can do to strengthen your right to pursue compensation for an injury due to another's fault.  For example, it is always a good idea to: (1) write down as much as you can about the accident, your injuries and any other losses; (2) take photographs of your property damage and injures; (3) keep receipts of any out-of-pocket expenses; (4) identify people who witnessed the accident; and (5) contact a personal injury attorney to evaluate your situation.

Q: What kind of compensation am I entitled to if injured?

A: If injured due to another's fault, you may be entitled to compensation for "damages" including property loss, bodily injury, disfigurement, disability, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, out-of-pocket expenses, and other losses.

Q: Can I afford to hire a personal injury attorney?

A: The Law Office of George J. Costopoulos does not charge a “retainer” or any up front fees in personal injury cases.  Instead, we charge on a contingency fee basis, which means our office only gets paid if we are successful in obtaining a recovery for our personal injury clients.