Scherline Injury Law is a personal injury law firm located at 902 Hamilton Street, Suite 120, in downtown Allentown, Pennsylvania. The practice concentrates on civil claims brought by people who have been hurt because of someone else's negligence, including motor vehicle collisions, workplace injuries, slip and fall incidents, and related insurance disputes. The firm serves clients throughout Lehigh County, Northampton County and the wider Lehigh Valley region, with additional reach into surrounding counties in eastern Pennsylvania.
The office sits in Allentown's central business district, within a short distance of the Lehigh County Courthouse and the county's government offices, which places the firm close to the venues where much of its litigation is filed and heard. The firm can be reached by telephone at +1 610-437-1100, and general information is available through its website.
Areas of Practice
Personal injury law covers a broad range of claims, and the firm's caseload reflects that variety. Common matters handled by practices of this type in the Lehigh Valley, and reflected in the firm's client work, include:
- Car, truck and motorcycle accident claims, including disputes over Pennsylvania's limited tort and full tort insurance selections
- Pedestrian and bicycle collision cases
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, where an at fault driver carries no coverage or too little coverage to compensate the injured person
- Premises liability matters such as falls caused by unsafe walking surfaces, poor lighting or uncleared ice and snow
- Workplace injury matters and workers' compensation questions
- Product liability and defective equipment claims
- Wrongful death actions brought on behalf of surviving family members
- Insurance bad faith issues that arise when a carrier delays or denies a legitimate claim
Because Pennsylvania applies a statute of limitations to most personal injury actions, generally two years from the date of injury, the firm encourages potential clients to make contact early rather than waiting until deadlines approach. Early involvement also allows evidence such as surveillance video, vehicle data and witness recollections to be preserved before it disappears.
How the Firm Works With Clients
The practice operates on a team model. Each file is handled by an attorney supported by paralegals and legal assistants who manage day to day contact, medical record collection, billing coordination and scheduling. Clients typically work with the same small group of people from the first meeting through resolution, which keeps case knowledge consistent and reduces the need to repeat details.
A significant portion of the firm's work involves coordination with the medical side of a case. Injured people often need treatment before any money changes hands, and the firm assists with locating appropriate treating physicians, physical therapists and specialists, tracking treatment records, and organizing the documentation that insurers require. Medical billing after a crash in Pennsylvania can involve several layers, including first party medical benefits under the injured person's own auto policy, health insurance, and liens asserted by Medicare, Medicaid or private plans. Sorting out those obligations is part of the closing process on most files.
Fee arrangements in personal injury work are ordinarily contingent, meaning the attorney's fee is drawn from the recovery rather than billed by the hour. Prospective clients should confirm the specific fee terms, cost advancement policy and expense handling during an initial consultation.
Attorneys and Staff
Several attorneys practice at the firm, among them Mark D. Crossley, Edith Rysdyk and Melissa Schwartz, each of whom handles injury and accident matters. The firm's paralegals and support staff, including team members identified in client feedback such as Donna, Carolyn, Rosa, Abigail, Michelle, Valeen, Jessie and MaKayla, carry much of the ongoing communication and administrative work that moves a case forward. The Scherline name has been associated with legal practice in the Allentown area for decades, and the current firm continues that local presence from its Hamilton Street office.
Visiting the Office
The Hamilton Street location is set up for in person meetings and offers a number of practical features:
- On site parking is available, and paid street parking can be found along Hamilton Street and adjacent blocks
- A wheelchair accessible entrance, accessible restroom and accessible parking
- Restroom facilities on site
- Onsite services for consultations, document signing and case meetings
Appointments are required, and scheduling in advance is recommended so that an attorney or staff member with knowledge of the relevant practice area is available. The firm also offers online appointments, which is useful for clients who are still recovering, who lack transportation, or who live outside Allentown. Communication by telephone, text message and email is part of the routine workflow, so clients who cannot travel can still stay current on their matters.
What to Bring to a First Meeting
Coming prepared shortens the intake process. Useful items include:
- The police report or incident report number, if one was created
- Photographs of the scene, vehicle damage and visible injuries
- Declarations pages for all applicable auto insurance policies, including household policies
- Names and contact details for treating doctors, hospitals and clinics
- Medical bills, explanation of benefits statements and correspondence from insurers
- Employment information and documentation of missed work or lost wages
- Any letters, emails or recorded statement requests received from an adjuster
Clients are generally advised not to give recorded statements to an opposing insurer or to sign broad medical authorizations before speaking with counsel, since those materials can shape a claim's value.
Service Area and Practical Notes
The firm's primary service area covers Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and the surrounding boroughs and townships of the Lehigh Valley, with cases also arising in Schuylkill, Berks, Carbon, Monroe and Bucks counties. Matters may be filed in county courts of common pleas, resolved through pre suit negotiation with carriers, or handled in arbitration depending on the amount in controversy and the procedural posture of the case.
Timelines vary considerably. Straightforward claims with clear liability and completed treatment can resolve in a matter of months, while disputed liability, serious injuries requiring extended care, or claims that proceed to litigation may take a year or longer. The firm typically advises clients to reach maximum medical improvement, or a clear prognosis, before valuing a claim, since settling too early can leave future treatment costs uncovered.
Consultations for new injury matters are generally offered without charge. Anyone considering a claim can call the office at +1 610-437-1100 to discuss the circumstances, confirm current availability and arrange either an in person meeting in Allentown or a remote appointment.