Pennsylvania Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation & Medical Malpractice Law Firm

Law Firm Overview FREE CONSULTATION

At the Law Offices of Dallas W. Hartman we focus on obtaining exceptional results for victims of automobile accidents, medical malpractice, defective products and workplace injuries in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. We also hold attorneys accountable for negligence in cases of legal malpractice. Attorney Dallas W. Hartman and his associates are ready to help you receive the answers you need and the compensation you deserve.

For over 25 years, our experienced attorneys have provided dedicated guidance and representation to clients seeking financial compensation for their injuries or the loss of a loved one. Our comprehensive personal injury practice addresses the needs of injured individuals and their families who are facing the financial pressure of unpaid medical bills and lost earning capacity.

We know recovery is possible because under the leadership of Dallas W. Hartman, our team of experienced lawyers has obtained some of the largest personal injury verdicts in the history of Pennsylvania. Dallas personally oversees all of our cases and sees to it that every case is prepared to go to court. Unlike some lawyers, we are not afraid to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve, at trial.

Areas of Law

Areas of Law Description

Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. offers legal representation in the following practice areas:

- Defective Products/Product Liability

When you suffer a serious injury caused by a defective product, the experience can be extremely traumatic. No one can reverse the past, but Dallas can help you obtain a fair recovery. The personal injury lawyers at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. are experienced in handling many types of product liability cases. The attorneys at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. have helped hundreds of people who have been injured due to the negligence of a product or another party. Almost any product can be defective. Some common products that have been known to be defective can include: Heavy Equipment; Bobcats; Car Seats; Baby Equipment; Tools; Saws; Automobiles; Lawn mowers; Escalators; Elevators; Dangerous Drugs; Space Heaters; Electrical Devices; Work Related Equipment; Treadmills; Gym Equipment; Toys; Medical Equipment.

- Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Abuse in nursing homes can take many forms. It can include assault, battery, sexual assault, unreasonable physical constraints, prolonged deprivation of food and water, and unauthorized use of chemical restraints and drugs. By law, nursing home neglect is defined as the negligent failure of any person having the care or custody of an elder or dependent adult to exercise that degree of care which a reasonable person would exercise in a like position. Neglect also comes in many forms, and it can strike where you least expect it – even in New Castle, Boardman, Butler, Erie, Kittanning, Youngstown, Pittsburgh, Sharon, Altoona or other places that otherwise seem perfectly safe. Neglect can include failure to assist in personal hygiene; failure to provide adequate food and clothing; failure to give medical care for physical and mental health needs; failure to protect from health and safety hazards; and failure to provide adequate nutrition.

- Social Security Disability

The law offices of Dallas W. Hartman P.C. offer services to help people file initial claims for Social Security Disability benefits as well as appeals for denied claims. If you have paid into the national Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) plan through payroll deduction or direct payment over the past 10 years, you are entitled to seek disability payments if you are no longer able to work. Unfortunately, obtaining benefits can be a complex and frustrating process. As much as 80 percent of all initial claims for physical and mental disabilities are rejected. Many claimants simply quit trying and give up. Others appeal unsuccessfully because they don't understand the requirements or successful strategies for the hearing board.

- Workers Compensation

Many accidents happen while at work. In Pennsylvania and Ohio alone, thousands are hurt every year while they are at work. Every business in Pennsylvania and Ohio is required to carry Worker's Compensation insurance in case of an accident. Workers Compensation is designed to recover an employee's economic loss during their period of recovery. Our Pennsylvania Workman Compensation Attorneys and Ohio Workers Comp Lawyers can help you get the benefits you are entitled under Pennsylvania and Ohio worker's compensation law, help you understand the workers comp process in either PA or OH, review prior action taken by the workers compensation insurance company and the insurance company doctors, gather evidence including reports and medical records, and represent you at your workers compensation hearings.

- Wrongful Death

It is important for you to understand that filing a wrongful death claim will require us to determine the price you have had to pay for another's carelessness in financial terms. Treating a loved one's death as a monetary issue is emotionally hard for some of our clients. Our respected wrongful death attorneys have the experience and skill to handle the complicated and often unpleasant legal details while you focus on holding your life and your family together. Our commitment is to see to it that you receive the maximum fair compensation for your loss so that you can provide for your needs. Our hope is that, with our help, you will be in a position to once again build a life of happiness.

- Legal Malpractice

A lawyer commits malpractice when he or she fails to provide quality legal services to a client. If the attorney, through an error or omission, fails to provide services that meet the minimum standard of care of a licensed attorney, then that lawyer has committed malpractice. That sounds like a complicated thing, but sometimes it is very simple – and very harmful to you. If, for example, another lawyer in either Pennsylvania or Ohio fails to file your case within the proper legal time limits, you might have a claim for legal malpractice.

- Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice can happen anywhere: in a doctor's office, at the emergency room, during surgery, in the delivery room or even at a laboratory. Any type of physician, radiologist, anesthesiologist, gynecologist, or nurse can make a mistake. If you have been injured or you have lost a loved one and feel that a medical professional may be responsible, you may have a medical malpractice case. Our firm handles the following issues regarding medical malpractice:

* Cerebral Palsy or Erb's Palsy

Birth is a very vulnerable time for both the mother and the child. That is why doctors, OBGYNs and delivery room nurses take such extraordinary measures to ensure that nothing goes wrong. But mistakes do happen, and families are left with a lifelong struggle to provide and care for a child who was injured at birth. At the Law Offices of Dallas W. Hartman, our respected Pennsylvania and Ohio medical malpractice and birth injury attorneys have the extensive experience and reputation you can trust to guide you through the process of obtaining the financial and health care support you need.

* Cancer Misdiagnosis

With a history of service to victims of medical malpractice stretching back over 24 years, our respected attorneys here at the Law Offices of Dallas W. Hartman have the skill and experience to handle a wide variety of claims relating to cancer, including: Delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer caused by errors in lab work; Proctologist error in failing to conduct or accurately interpret a colonoscopy to check for signs of colon or colorectal cancer; False positive misdiagnosis resulting in unnecessary surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy; Radiological error, or missing the signs of cancer on x-rays and CAT scans, especially in cases of chest x-rays that miss signs of lung cancer; Medical negligence on the part of a general practitioner (GP) who ignores the signs and symptoms of early stage cancer; OBGYN negligence or mammogram error resulting in missed diagnosis of breast cancer.

* Emergency Room Errors

Emergency rooms are frequently understaffed and underfunded. The ER doctors and nurses are usually overworked, creating an environment where serious errors can, and do, occur. Who should pay when an emergency room error causes you and your family to suffer? Our experienced attorneys here at the Law Offices of Dallas W. Hartman have a proven track record in holding hospitals, doctors and emergency medical technicians (EMT) accountable when their negligence or malpractice harms someone in Pennsylvania or Ohio.

* Heart Attacks or Strokes

Time is of the essence when it comes to treating a heart attack or stroke. In many cases, permanent damage to the heart or brain, or death can be prevented if doctors and paramedics act quickly. If symptoms of a heart attack were ignored or potentially life-saving drug therapy was delayed because of a doctor's negligence or emergency room error, you may be able to obtain compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

* Medication Errors

Our attorneys, independent investigators and medical experts can step in immediately when a patient is harmed or dies because a doctor, nurse, hospital or pharmacy makes a serious medication error, such as: Anesthesia error; Overdose or underdose; Misfilled prescription; Drug interaction caused by the administration or prescription of contraindicated medications; Complications arising from failure to take proper medical history, especially in pregnant women and diabetics; Administration of blood thinners without checking surgical history.

* Obstetrician Negligence and Gynecological Malpractice

Like other doctors, gynecologists can be held liable for the harm they cause when they make a mistake during a procedure or fail to pay attention to signs of a serious condition. Our attorneys can help you seek compensation for the damages you suffered due to OBGYN negligence, including: Postoperative bleeding; Infection or other complications caused by negligent postoperative care; Laparoscopic surgery errors resulting in sterility tissue or nerve damage; Unnecessary hysterectomy; Cancer misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, cervical cancer or ovarian cancer; Any OBGYN negligence or error resulting in infertility.

* Pulmonary Embolism

When a blood clot forms in the legs or at the site of an injury or surgery, it can break loose and travel to the lungs. The sudden blockage of blood supply to the lungs can cause permanent damage to the lung tissue. It can also lower the level of oxygen in the blood to dangerous levels and cause damage to the brain and other organs. If the clot is very large, if there are multiple clots or if any clot goes untreated, the result can be death.

* Surgical Errors

We have the experience, knowledge and resources to conduct a thorough investigation into your case and to document any evidence that your injury or loss was a result of a surgical error or postsurgical negligence, such as: Anesthesia mistakes and anesthesiologist negligence (see medication error); Complications from bariatric weight loss surgery; Plastic surgery mistakes resulting in scarring and disfigurement; Surgical instruments or sponges left inside a patient; Wrong site surgery (wrong knee replaced, wrong kidney removed, etc.); Wrong surgery performed, such as unnecessary hysterectomy; Nicked organs and damaged nerves during surgery; Improper care after surgery resulting in pulmonary embolism.

- Personal Injury

Our personal injury attorneys have the experience and reputation you can trust to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve in a wide range of injury cases, including:

* Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

In Pennsylvania and Ohio, dog owners are legally responsible for the behavior of their dogs. A pet owner must keep control of their dog at all times. If a dog was not on a leash, was not properly secured on the owner's premises, or the dog owner knew that his or her dog was prone to violence yet didn't take the proper safety measures to prevent someone from being bitten, mauled, or killed, the owner can be held financially liable by a Pennsylvania or Ohio court. Sometimes, a pet sitter or "keeper" can also be held liable for the actions of a dog in their care. Speak to a lawyer today to find out if someone else is financially responsible for your injuries.

* Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident

The law in both Pennsylvania and Ohio follows a concept known as comparative negligence (modified comparative fault or, simply, the 51% rule). Basically, as long as the court decides that you were 50 percent or less responsible for your pedestrian or bicycle accident, you can still recover damages. Even if you were jaywalking or riding your bike on the sidewalk or the wrong side of the road, an experienced personal injury attorney at our firm can help you get financial compensation for your injuries.

* Boating Accident

Many boating accidents are caused by the negligence of the operator. Sometimes, laws are violated. In Pennsylvania, for instance, piloting a boat while under the influence of alcohol (a.k.a. Drunk Boating or BUI) carries a minimum fine of $500, a two day jail sentence and a one year suspension of boating privileges. Ohio also has strict penalties for this offense. If you were injured as the result of someone driving a boat while drinking, you may be entitled to a financial recovery.

* Passenger Boat Accidents

The captain or operator of sailboats, motorboats, or charter fishing boats are responsible for the safety of those on board. The decision to take a group of friends out in Lake Eire, Raystown Lake, Treasure Lake or up the Ohio River can sometimes result in serious injury. Collisions with other boats commonly lead to serious injury or death when occupants fall or get tossed overboard. Still other injuries occur when a boat runs into a dock, bridge or other fixed object.

* Jet Skis and Wave Runners

Built for speed and intended for fun, Jet Skis, Wave Runners and other recreational watercraft are inherently dangerous. The vehicles do not have brakes and cannot be reliably steered when the operator lets go of the throttle. The personal watercraft injury attorneys at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. have handled many jet ski accidents including collisions with other watercraft, passengers thrown off or struck when their jet ski flips and lands on top of them, swimmers run over, or operators crashing into obstacles.

* Car Accidents

Car accidents can be devastating physically and emotionally, and it is important in this difficult time for you to retain a top-notch personal injury attorney to help you obtain a fair recovery. At the Law Office of Dallas W. Hartman, P.C., you will find an automobile accident lawyer who will aggressively pursue your claim. Dallas and his associates have experience getting optimal results for their clients for injuries that occurred in car wrecks and auto accidents throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio.

* Construction Accident

While accidents can happen at any workplace, working on steel beams, scaffolding and around heavy equipment make construction accidents all too common. Construction sites can present hazards such as falls, falling objects, industrial machinery, malfunctioning tools, and more. In fact, construction accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and ten percent of construction workers endure a construction accident injury every year.

* Drunk Driving Accident

Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 32 minutes, and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes. Last year alone, over one million people nationwide were injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes. In Pennsylvania and Ohio, thousands were hurt by a drunk driver. If you or someone you love have been injured as a result of a drunk driving accident, whether as a passenger or as a pedestrian, the most important step you can take toward preserving your rights to full recovery and compensation is to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case. When a drunk person gets behind the wheel of a car, truck, motorcycle or boat the results can be tragic.

* Dram Shop Liability

Dram shop liability refers to the responsibility of the tavern, restaurant or other business that sells or provides alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person or a minor who then causes harm to another. A party host or a person who provided alcohol to a party can also be held liable for injuries suffered by a victim of a drunk driver. Dram shop liability laws vary widely by state in regards to serving alcohol to an intoxicated person. Most states hold the retailers who know or should have known they are selling alcohol to obviously intoxicated people or minors accountable.

* Heavy Equipment Accidents

By their very nature, accidents involving construction equipment, farm machinery or any other heavy equipment are extremely likely to result in serious injury or wrongful death. We represent independent farmers, farm employees and construction workers in Pennsylvania and Ohio who suffered a serious injury in any sort of accident involving heavy equipment. Whether it's John Deere, Bobcat, Caterpillar or any other producer of heavy equipment, manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure that their products are reasonably safe for their intended use, including: Cranes; Forklifts; Backhoes; Loaders; Bulldozers; Tractors; Combines; Dump trucks.

* Injured Passengers

Whether the driver responsible for your injuries was driving the car that hit you or the car you were riding in, you have a right to pursue all your legal options in seeking the full and fair compensation you are due. Most of the injured passenger cases we have seen boil down to an issue of insurance coverage. That is where our experience is a tremendous advantage. Our lawyers know precisely how to deal with the insurance companies in these cases to make certain that they don't try to short-change you in an unfair settlement.

* Motorcycle Accident

It is very important to retain experienced counsel if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys protect the interests of their employer - the insurance company - rather than your interest. They are trained to persuade you to settle your claim for a low amount. Insurance companies retain experienced counsel to protect their own interests.

* Paralysis

Our lawyers have the powerful negotiation skills and proven trial experience you can trust to help you recover full and fair compensation when another's negligence results in any type of paralysis, such as: Paraplegia (paralysis from the waist down); Quadriplegia (paralysis of both arms and legs); Partial paralysis with loss of function and limited mobility; Chronic pain, also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD); Facial paralysis resulting in difficulty speaking or swallowing.

* Slip and Fall

The Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers and Ohio Accident Attorneys at The Law Office of Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. have helped people that have been hurt recover for their personal injuries. A slip and fall can result in a serious injury - back pain, spinal cord injury, broken bones, lost wages, perhaps even permanent disability. The Law Office of Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. pursues cases all over PA and Ohio.

* Back, Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries

Because spinal cord injuries often occur in adolescence and early adulthood, survivors frequently face decades of living with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of severe disability. You have the right to seek compensation for the loss of the ability to lead and enjoy a normal life in the past and in the future and to secure payment for your future medical expenses.

* Truck Accident

We understand the importance of our involvement early in the investigation process. We can act immediately to secure vital evidence that can make all the difference in the outcome of your claim. We also know all the tricks that the insurance companies may use to try to pressure you into settling for less than you deserve.

More Information on Dallas W. Hartman P.C.

Personal Injury Attorneys in New Castle, PA
Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers
Legal Malpractice Attorneys in New Castle, PA
Pennsylvania Nursing Home Litigation Lawyers
Defective Product Attorneys in New Castle, PA
Pennsylvania Social Security Disability Lawyers
Medical Malpractice Law Firm in New Castle, PA
Dallas W. Hartman P.C. Blog
Dallas W. Hartman P.C. News and Publications

Office Locations

• USA - Pennsylvania, Butler
• USA - Pennsylvania, Erie
• USA - Pennsylvania, Hermitage
• USA - Pennsylvania, New Castle - Main Office