Freundlich & Littman, LLC
Legal Insights
Practical guidance from our attorneys on the matters we handle every day.
Our attorneys write about the cases, questions, and legal developments we see most often across personal injury, employment, insurance litigation, business, and real estate matters, along with firm news and recent results. Browse by topic below, or use the practice area pages if you’re looking for something specific to your situation.
Is Your Neighbor Liable for Water Damage to Your Property in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, a neighbor can be held liable for water damage when their actions redirect or concentrate water onto your property unnaturally. Learn how the state's modified civil law rule determines legal responsibility.
Landlord Responsibilities During Inclement Weather in Philadelphia
Philadelphia landlords have specific snow-removal deadlines and minimum-heat requirements. Here's what the code actually requires, and what happens when a landlord doesn't comply.
Documenting Property Damage From a Neighbor's Renovation: Evidence You'll Need for a Claim
When a neighbor's renovation or excavation damages your home, your claim's success hinges on documentation quality. This guide covers every piece of evidence you need, in order, for Pennsylvania and Philadelphia-area property damage claims.
What is the Pennsylvania Party Wall Act and How Does It Affect My Property?
The Pennsylvania Party Wall Act gives you enforceable legal rights when a neighbor's construction damages your home. Learn what the law covers, who is liable, and how to protect your property.
Suing a Contractor for Property Damage in Pennsylvania: A Complete Guide
If neighbor construction damaged your house in Pennsylvania, you have enforceable rights under negligence law, the lateral support doctrine, and local codes. This guide explains who is liable and how to build your case.
Your Legal Rights When a Neighbor's Construction Damages Your Philadelphia Rowhome
When neighbor construction damages your Philadelphia rowhome, Pennsylvania law gives you enforceable rights under party wall doctrine, strict excavation liability, and common-law negligence. Learn which legal theory applies to your situation.
Understanding 'Reservation of Rights' Letters from Your Insurance Company
A reservation of rights letter is not an outright denial, but it signals your insurer may contest coverage later. Pennsylvania and New Jersey policyholders must act quickly to protect their rights.
How to Negotiate with an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident in New Jersey
A denied homeowners insurance claim in PA can feel overwhelming, but you have options. Learn the key steps to dispute the decision and fight for fair compensation.
My Homeowners Insurance Claim Was Denied in PA. What Are My Next Steps?
A denied homeowners insurance claim in PA does not have to be the final word. Pennsylvania policyholders have legal rights to appeal, request independent appraisals, and pursue bad faith claims against insurers who wrongfully refuse to pay.
Common Examples of Insurance Bad Faith Tactics and How to Document Them
Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurer wrongfully denies, delays, or underpays a valid claim. This guide explains common bad faith tactics used in PA and NJ and how to document them effectively.
What Constitutes Insurance Bad Faith in Pennsylvania? A Legal Analysis of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8371
Insurance bad faith in Pennsylvania occurs when an insurer denies or delays a legitimate claim without a reasonable basis, knowingly or recklessly. Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8371, policyholders can recover punitive damages, attorney's fees, and interest.
Navigating FMLA and NJFLA: A Guide to Family and Medical Leave in New Jersey
New Jersey and Pennsylvania employees are protected by both federal FMLA and the NJFLA, but the two laws differ in key ways. Learn how a wage and hour lawyer can help if your employer violates your leave rights.
Are You an Employee or an Independent Contractor? The Legal Test in PA and NJ
Being called an independent contractor does not make it legal. A wage and hour lawyer in Philadelphia explains the PA and NJ tests for worker classification and what misclassification costs you.
Wage and Hour Lawyer in Philadelphia? Understanding the PA Minimum Wage Act
Pennsylvania workers denied overtime may recover back wages, liquidated damages, and attorney's fees under the PMWA and FLSA. Learn how misclassification strips earned pay and when to contact a wage and hour lawyer in Philadelphia.
Breach of Contract vs. Bad Faith: Understanding What Is Insurance Bad Faith in New Jersey
In New Jersey, a breach of contract claim and an insurance bad faith claim are separate legal theories with different standards of proof and damages. Understanding the distinction is essential to maximizing your recovery.
Your Rights: Requesting Reasonable Accommodations for a Disability in the Workplace (PA & NJ)
Employees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have strong legal protections when requesting disability accommodations. Learn how federal, state, and local laws apply to your situation and what to do if your employer refuses.
Wrongful Termination in Pennsylvania: What It Is and How to Prove It
Pennsylvania's at-will employment law doesn't protect employers who fire workers for illegal reasons. Learn how a workplace discrimination lawyer in Philadelphia can help you prove wrongful termination under federal, state, and local law.
What Constitutes a Hostile Work Environment in New Jersey? Legal Standards and Examples
New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination sets a broader legal standard for hostile work environment claims than federal law. Learn what conduct crosses the legal threshold and when to consult a workplace discrimination lawyer.
How to File an Employment Discrimination Claim in Pennsylvania: A Step-by-Step Guide to the PHRC and EEOC
Pennsylvania employees facing workplace discrimination must file with the PHRC or EEOC before strict deadlines - or lose the right to sue. This step-by-step guide covers the laws, timelines, and filing process for Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
When is a Business Liable for an Assault on Their Property? Understanding Negligent Security in PA & NJ
Businesses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey can be held liable for assaults on their property when foreseeable security failures led to harm. Learn how negligent security claims work and when you may be owed compensation.
Philadelphia Rowhome Damage: Your Legal Options for Neighbor Disputes and Contractor Negligence
Philadelphia rowhome owners facing neighbor negligence or contractor misconduct have real legal remedies - from premises liability claims to contractor lawsuits. Learn how Pennsylvania law protects you before damage gets worse.
Proving a Slip and Fall Case in Pennsylvania: What Evidence Do You Need?
Winning a Pennsylvania slip and fall case requires proving duty, breach, causation, and damages - all backed by solid evidence. Learn what a premises liability lawyer in Philadelphia needs to build your strongest possible claim.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (2026 Update)
Pennsylvania and New Jersey both impose a two-year filing deadline for personal injury claims, but tolling rules and exceptions can shift that window dramatically. Learn what a car accident lawyer in Philadelphia needs you to know before time runs out.
How are SEPTA Bus and Trolley Accident Claims Different from Car Accidents in Philadelphia?
SEPTA bus and trolley accident claims follow stricter rules than standard car accident cases in Philadelphia, including shorter notice deadlines and statutory damage caps. Here's what injured riders must know before filing.
Understanding Pennsylvania's 'Choice No-Fault' Insurance: Full vs. Limited Tort Explained
Pennsylvania's choice no-fault system forces drivers to pick Full or Limited Tort - a decision that can eliminate your right to sue for pain and suffering. Learn what Philadelphia accident victims need to know before and after a crash.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Philadelphia: A 10-Step Legal Checklist for 2026
After a Philadelphia car accident, the steps you take in the first 72 hours determine the strength of your claim. Follow this 10-step legal checklist to protect your rights and maximize compensation.
Why 75% of Workplace Sexual Harassment Goes Unreported - And What Victims in PA and NJ Can Do About It
Most workplace sexual harassment goes unreported, and the psychological and career toll on victims is well documented. Here's what the data shows and what to do if it's happening to you.
Clergy Sexual Abuse Claims in Pennsylvania: Current Deadlines and Pending Reform
Pennsylvania's filing deadlines for childhood sexual abuse claims are longer than most people expect, and a proposed two-year revival window has repeatedly passed the state House.
Freundlich & Littman Wins 2026 'Philly Fave' Award - Twice
Firm news: Freundlich & Littman was recognized with the 2026 Philly Fave award in two categories.
Business Separation Between Partners: What Minority and Majority Owners Need to Know
A business divorce plays out differently depending on which side of the table you're on. Here's how inspection rights, fiduciary duties, and dissolution actually work in Pennsylvania.
Railing Failure Claims Under the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code
Beyond building-code standards for new construction, Philadelphia's Property Maintenance Code separately requires landlords to keep existing railings and exterior structures safe and sound.
Freundlich & Littman Named to AIOPIA's 2026 "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys List in PA
Firm news: the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys named Freundlich & Littman to its 2026 client satisfaction honors for Pennsylvania.
Railing Failure Accidents: What Philadelphia Victims Need to Know
A collapsed balcony railing or a broken staircase banister is a premises liability claim with its own building-code evidence and comparative-negligence rules.
Slips and Falls in Philadelphia: What to Do
Slip and fall injuries fall under premises liability law - and the rules differ sharply depending on whether you fell on private or city property.
Workplace Sexual Harassment: The Legal Standard and What to Do First
Sexual harassment becomes unlawful when it is severe or pervasive. Here's what that standard means, who can be held liable, and how to protect a claim.
Philadelphia Workplace Discrimination Lawyers
What discrimination lawyers actually do, the deadlines that govern your claim, and the damages available under federal and state law.
Philadelphia Defective Vehicle Lawyers: When the Car Itself Is the Problem
Not every crash is about driver error. A design defect, a manufacturing flaw, or a failure to warn can make a manufacturer liable under product liability law.
A Guide to Employment Agreements & Breach of Contracts
What an employment agreement actually covers, how to respond to a suspected breach, and the defenses that can defeat a claim.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in PA and NJ
Motorcyclists face injury risks a car occupant doesn't, and insurers routinely lean on rider bias to undervalue a valid claim.
Philadelphia Nursing Home Wrongful Death Attorneys
When a nursing home resident dies due to preventable neglect, families have the right to hold the facility accountable.
$1.5 Million Insurance Settlement Recovered for a Small Retail Business
Firm news: after a burst pipe destroyed a retail store's inventory and the carrier denied the claim, we recovered a $1.5 million settlement.
I Was Injured in a Car Accident - Do I Need an Attorney?
Why insurance adjusters move fast after a crash, and what having an attorney changes about the outcome of your claim.
Gregory C. Littman Named One of the Top 10 Attorneys in PA
Firm news: founding partner Gregory C. Littman was recognized by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of Pennsylvania's top 10 personal injury attorneys.
Uber & Lyft Accidents: What Injured Passengers and Drivers Need to Know
Rideshare accidents involve layered insurance coverage that depends on what the driver's app status was at the moment of the crash.
Philadelphia Dog Bite Lawyer: Know Your Rights
Pennsylvania's dog bite laws and what an injured victim needs to document to pursue a claim against an owner or their insurance.
Navigating Business Partnership Disputes in PA and NJ
When business partners disagree on direction, finances, or an exit - the operating agreement usually decides more than either side expects.
What to Do When Your Row Home Is Damaged by Neighboring Construction
Philadelphia's rowhome stock means construction next door can crack foundations and walls - here's how property damage claims work.
Breach of Contract Defenses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Being sued for breaching a contract does not mean the claim will hold up. Here are the affirmative defenses that can make a contract void or unenforceable in PA and NJ.
What to Do If You're Sexually Harassed at Work
What to do first if you're being harassed, how to document it, and when reporting to HR or talking to an employment lawyer makes sense.
Slip and Fall vs. Trip and Fall: Why the Legal Distinction Matters
It sounds like splitting hairs, but slip and fall and trip and fall claims turn on different hazards, and sometimes different evidence.
Freundlich & Littman Launches Social Fundraising Initiative for Share Food Program
Firm news: in November 2020, we launched a social media donation drive to benefit Share Food Program, the region's largest hunger relief organization, as pandemic food insecurity surged.
Hurricane Isaias: Storm Preparedness and Protecting Your Insurance Claim
Ahead of Hurricane Isaias, here's how to protect your property and your insurance claim if the storm causes damage.
COVID-19 and Early Release From Pennsylvania Correctional Facilities
During the pandemic, Pennsylvania weighed a narrow early-release framework for nonviolent offenders nearing the end of their sentences, given the heightened health risk of incarceration in overcrowded facilities.
COVID-19 Worker Rights in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
During the pandemic, workers had specific paid-leave, accommodation, and anti-retaliation rights under federal and Philadelphia-specific law. Here's how they applied.
Can an Employment Lawyer Help With My Hostile Work Environment Claim?
Under EEOC standards, a hostile work environment requires conduct severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would find it intimidating or abusive. Here's how liability actually works.
Preparing for an Insurance Examination Under Oath
An examination under oath is a formal, recorded fact-finding session your insurer can require after you file a claim. Here's what to expect and why representation matters.
Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Benefits in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania only requires drivers to carry minimal liability coverage. UM/UIM benefits fill the gap when the at-fault driver's policy isn't enough.
Full Tort or Limited Tort? What Your Pennsylvania Auto Policy Choice Actually Means
Limited tort auto insurance is cheaper, but it can cost you the right to recover pain and suffering damages after a crash that isn't life-altering.
6 Guidelines to Prevent Workplace Slips, Trips, and Falls
Most workplace slip, trip, and fall injuries are preventable. These six housekeeping and safety practices address the most common causes.
University City Ceiling Collapse and Injury Settlement
Firm news: after repeated complaints about a water leak went unaddressed, our client's apartment ceiling collapsed while she slept. We negotiated a settlement within three months.
Is My Landlord Liable for My Injury? The Four-Element Test in PA and NJ
Landlord liability for a tenant or guest injury turns on notice, reasonableness of repair, and causation. Here's how that four-part test actually works.
Union Life Insurance Benefits Wrongly Denied: A Settlement Worth Double the Policy
Firm news: two other law firms turned this case down. We recovered a settlement worth more than double the policy amount for a family denied union life insurance benefits.
Policy Limits Obtained After a Woman Was Struck by a Car Exiting a SEPTA Trolley
Firm news: after our client was struck by a car illegally passing a stopped SEPTA trolley, we recovered the driver's full policy limits plus underinsured motorist benefits.
Winter Storm Jonas Property Damage: Three Steps for a Homeowners Insurance Claim
Winter Storm Jonas brought coastal flooding worse than Hurricane Sandy to parts of the region. Here's how to protect a property damage claim that follows a storm like it.
Austin R. Freundlich & Gregory C. Littman Honored as Super Lawyers Rising Stars
Firm news: both founding partners were recognized as Super Lawyers Rising Stars, an honor given to roughly 2.5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania, across 2014, 2015, and 2016.
$300,000 Settlement for a Client Injured in a Hospital Slip and Fall
Firm news: after our client slipped on an unmarked wet floor at her workplace hospital, we recovered a $300,000 third-party settlement alongside her workers' compensation benefits.
Balcony and Structural Collapse Claims: What Philadelphia Property Owners Owe Guests
A Philadelphia balcony collapse tied to dry rot and improper installation is a reminder of just how seriously landlords must take structural inspection duties.
Freundlich & Littman Obtains Full $250,000 Policy Limits in Hurricane Sandy Bad Faith Suit
Firm news: after a carrier denied a Hurricane Sandy property claim and altered an engineering report, we secured the full $250,000 policy limit for our client.
Freundlich & Littman Named "Awesome Attorneys" by Suburban Life Magazine
Firm news: Austin R. Freundlich and Gregory C. Littman were recognized as "Awesome Attorneys" by Suburban Life Magazine.
Ready to talk to an attorney?
Every case review is free and confidential. Reach out today, there's no obligation to hire us.
