Police Officers’ Rights to Underinsured Motorists Benefits. |
| Posted Nov 01st 2011 |
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court handed down 2 decisions on 10/19/11, relating to police officers’ rights to underinsured motorists benefits.
In Williams v. GEICO the Court decided the validity of an exclusion in trooper Williams’ personal automobile insurance policy that denied his claim for underinsured motorists benefits because he was injured while occupying an automobile that he regularly used but don't own, i.e. his police vehicle. Freeburn & Hamilton filed an amicus brief in support of trooper Williams’ appeal on behalf of Pennsylvania State Troopers Association. We argued that this exclusion should be invalidated because it effectively denies Pennsylvania State Police troopers the opportunity to obtain underinsured motorist coverage when they are in their police vehicles. Unfortunately, this exclusion had been previously upheld on numerous occasions on the basis of insurance cost containment, and the Supreme Court upheld the exclusion again in this case. The opinion was authored by Orie Melvin and was joined by Castille,Eakin and Baer. Saylor, Baer and Todd filed concurring opinions. McCaffery joined Todd's concurring opinion.
In Heller v. Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities the Court went our way. This case involved a police officer with Sugar Creek Borough police department who was injured in the course of his employment. The underinsured motorist coverage provided by his employer contained an exclusion if the claimant was eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In other words, under this exclusion, the perpetrator in the back seat of the police vehicle would be eligible for underinsured motorists benefits because he would not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, but the but the officer would not be entitled to underinsured motorists benefits because he was eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The Court held that this exclusion violated public policy and was invalid. This opinion was authored by Orie Melvin, joined by Eakin, Baer, Todd and McCaffery. Saylor dissented and Castille joined the dissent.
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Child Flown to Hershey Medical Center after Crash |
| Posted Aug 05th 2011 |
A young child was flown to Hershey Medical Center and two others were treated for injuries following a two-vehicle accident in Gettysburg, PA. The accident occurred at the intersection of Broadway and Carlisle Streets, near the Gettysburg Borough boundary, Cumberland Township. It involved a Gettysburg College van and a Ford Escort which contained three people, including two children ages one and two. Three individuals suffered injuries and the one year old was airlifted to Hershey Medical Center. The driver of the Gettysburg College van was not injured. According to the Gettysburg Police Department, the cause of the accident remains under investigation. As Gettysburg, PA Auto Accident Attorneys, Freeburn & Hamilton hopes for a safe and swift recovery for all the individuals injured in this accident. Personal injuries are complex and difficult, if you or anyone you know has suffered an injury contact Freeburn & Hamilton. Freeburn & Hamilton, your Gettysburg, PA Auto Accident Law Firm is committed to providing excellent legal service in the pursuit of the maximum compensation permitted by law. |
Man Killed in Morning Motorcycle Crash |
| Posted Jul 27th 2011 |
A 56-year old man was killed when his motorcycle collided with a truck at Days Mill and Indian Rock Dam roads in North Codorus Township in the morning hours of July 27, 2011. As York, PA Motorcycle Accident Attorneys, Freeburn & Hamilton’s heart goes out to the victim’s family. We are truly saddened by this horrible tragedy. Personal injuries and wrongful death cases are complex and difficult. If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to a personal injury contact Freeburn & Hamilton. Freeburn & Hamilton, your York, PA Personal Injury Law Firm is committed to providing excellent legal service in the pursuit of the maximum compensation permitted by law. |
2 Woman Struck by a Car at the Gas Pump |
| Posted Jul 18th 2011 |
Two women suffered injuries when they were struck by a car at the gasoline pumps of a York County, PA convenience store. Police said, both women were sent to York Hospital for treatment following the accident at the Rutter’s Farm Store on Haines Road July 14, 2011. The women were pinned between their vehicle and a car driven by an elderly woman. As York, PA Auto Injury Attorneys, Freeburn & Hamilton hopes for a safe and swift recovery for both women who were injured during this accident. Personal injury cases are complex and difficult, if you or anyone you know has suffered a personal injury contact Freeburn & Hamilton. Freeburn & Hamilton, your York, PA Personal Injury Law Firm is committed to providing excellent legal service in the pursuit of the maximum compensation permitted by law. |
Fatal Motorcycle Crash |
| Posted Jul 15th 2011 |
A motorcyclist from McHenry, Maryland died after his bike was struck from behind in the morning hours of July 15, 2011. Investigators say the man was wearing a helmet. The accident occurred in Silver Spring Township, PA about two miles north of Route 11 exit. As Carlisle, PA Motorcycle Accident Attorneys, Freeburn & Hamilton’s heart goes out to the victim’s family. We are truly saddened by this horrible tragedy. We hope for a safe and swift recovery for anyone else who was involved and who may have suffered an injury. Personal injury and wrongful death cases are complex and difficult. If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to a personal injury contact Freeburn & Hamilton. Freeburn & Hamilton, your Carlisle, PA Personal Injury Law Firm is committed to providing excellent legal service in the pursuit of the maximum compensation permitted by law. |
Man Dead, 11-Year Old Boy Seriously Injured in Franklin County |
| Posted Jul 13th 2011 |
Three vehicles collided on Route 30, Lincoln Highway West in Chambersburg, PA on July 9, 2011. Investigators report that a Dodge Stratus headed eastbound crossed into opposing lanes and hit a Dodge Dynasty head-on. The Dynasty spun into a Volvo. The driver of the Dynasty died. An 11-year old boy and a 30-year old man in the Stratus were air lifted to Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Their injuries were moderate to serious. The couple in the Volvo were not hurt. As Chambersburg, PA Auto Accident Attorneys, Freeburn & Hamilton’s heart goes out to the victim’s family. We are truly saddened by this horrible tragedy. We hope for a safe and swift recovery for everyone else who was involved and who has suffered an injury. Personal injury and wrongful death cases are complex and difficult. If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to a personal injury contact Freeburn & Hamilton. Freeburn & Hamilton, your Chambersburg, PA Personal Injury Law Firm is committed to providing excellent legal service in the pursuit of the maximum compensation permitted by law. |
Tower City Woman Attacked by Pit Bull |
| Posted Jul 06th 2011 |
Tower City, PA Borough Police said a pit bull crashed through a screen door and attacked a 47-year old woman on July 28, 2011. The victim’s injuries were not serious. The attack falls on the heels of two pit bull attacks in Pottsville in the week prior. The victim was walking in an alley near Fourth Street when the pit bull ran through the door and attacked her. The victim was transported by Tower City EMS to a local hospital for treatment. As Pottsville, PA Dog Bite Attorneys, Freeburn & Hamilton hopes for a safe and swift recovery for the dog-bite victim. Personal injury cases are complex and difficult, if you or anyone you know has suffered a personal injury contact Freeburn & Hamilton. Freeburn & Hamilton, your Pottsville, PA Personal Injury Attorneys are committed to providing excellent legal service in the pursuit of the maximum compensation permitted by law. |
School Bus Crash Sends 16 Children to Hospital |
| Posted Jul 01st 2011 |
16 children between the ages of eight to twelve, and seven adults were taken to two Franklin County, PA hospitals Sunday after a two vehicle crash on interstate 81 northbound in Franklin County, PA. According to Pennsylvania State Police, the bus belonged to Cumberland Valley Christian School, Open Door Church and was headed to Quakertown, Bucks County where the children were to attend summer camp at Men ‘O Lan Camp. Police said a second vehicle, belonging to a 79-year old gentleman attempted to pass the bus, but as he was trying to get back in his lane, he narrowly missed a second vehicle. He tried to swerve out of the way and lost control. In the process, the 79-year old tried to recorrect, and was hit sideways by the oncoming bus. Both vehicles ended up in a nearby ditch, the bus rolled and landed on its roof. Even though several of the children had to be extracted from the bus, police report there were no serious injuries and everyone was taken to area hospitals. Exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, and charges may be file against the 79-year old man who police said was the “at fault driver”. As Chambersburg, PA Auto Accident Attorneys, Freeburn & Hamilton hopes for a safe and swift recovery for everyone involved. Personal injury cases are complex and difficult, if you or anyone you know has suffered a personal injury contact Freeburn & Hamilton. Freeburn & Hamilton, your Chambersburg, PA Personal Injury Attorneys is committed to providing excellent legal service in the pursuit of the maximum compensation permitted by law.
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York County Man Killed in Lancaster Trench Collapse |
| Posted Jun 24th 2011 |
A trench collapsed killing a 27-year old York County construction worker in Manheim Township, Lancaster County at Worthington at Township Square along Oregon Pike at Royer Road. The construction worker was laying residential water lines in the 10-foot deep trench when it caved in. The worker was employed by York Excavating Company in Windsor Township. Co-workers tried to free him but were unsuccessful. They were barred from the area when emergency crews arrived because of the instability of the trench. |
Man Led Officers on High-Speed Chase, Caused Crash |
| Posted Jun 23rd 2011 |
A man led police in a high-speed chase that ended in a crash with another vehicle. Police stopped a vehicle for speed violations on the westbound lane of I-78 in Lebanon County. He was investigated for drug and DUI-related offenses. That’s when the driver of the vehicle turned off his vehicle lights to conceal the car and started the high-speed chase. He spun out of control and drifted across the center median into the eastbound lane, where he was hit by a passing pick-up truck. He was finally subdued with a stun gun after engaging officers in a physical struggle following the crash. He faces charges that include DUI, recklessly endangering another person and resisting arrest. |
