Skip to content
Malpractice Center

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA (2026)

To rank Philadelphia malpractice firms for 2026, this evidence-based list weighs practice focus against published results, while also considering client reviews and professional recognition.

Sources checked

5 lawyers and firms

Philadelphia skyline from the Schuylkill River
Photo: 颐园居, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

The firm leading this list is Wapner Newman Attorneys At Law. It has practiced since 1978, with published results involving birth injury and delayed diagnosis. Before calling, make sure the firm handles injuries like yours. Find out who'd work on your file, then ask how you'd pay the fees. Don't leave the filing deadline for later: see the rules in the Pennsylvania malpractice guide.

At a glance

  1. 1Wapner Newman Attorneys At LawFree consultation4.7 out of 5
  2. 2Law Offices of Judy Greenwood PCFree consultation4.9 out of 5
  3. 3Eisenberg Winkler Jeck Schwartz Schoenhaus & Sherry, PCFree consultation4.5 out of 5
  4. 4Kline & Specter, PCFree consultation4.3 out of 5
  5. 5Pond Lehocky4.7 out of 5

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia

  1. Open spot. Feature your firm in PhiladelphiaFor lawyers
  2. 1

    Wapner Newman Attorneys At Law

    4.7226 Google reviewsRated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 226 reviews

    Best for: Birth injury and delayed diagnosis

    Among Wapner Newman Attorneys At Law's listed results are $8.4 million for brain injury after a delayed diagnosis and $7 million for birth trauma causing brain damage. Its place here reflects those results, along with a practice history that reaches back to 1978. On the firm's site, you'll find discussions of infant hypoxic brain injury and injuries during delivery.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for its years of experience and the results it publishes.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  3. Law Offices of Judy Greenwood PC logo2

    Law Offices of Judy Greenwood PC

    4.988 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 88 reviews

    Best for: Delivery injuries and hospital errors

    According to families, Judy Greenwood's team takes time to answer questions and is approachable. You'll also find substantial medical malpractice results published by the firm. Among Law Offices of Judy Greenwood PC's listed results are $6 million for brain damage after a delayed C-section and more than $7 million for failure to properly treat pre-eclampsia.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and the results it publishes.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  4. Eisenberg Winkler Jeck Schwartz Schoenhaus & Sherry, PC logo3

    Eisenberg Winkler Jeck Schwartz Schoenhaus & Sherry, PC

    4.534 Google reviewsRated 4.5 out of 5 on Google from 34 reviews

    Best for: Serious injuries from diagnostic delays

    The largest malpractice result published by Eisenberg Winkler Jeck Schwartz Schoenhaus & Sherry, PC is a listed $54 million medical malpractice settlement. Its reported results also include $14 million for a woman paralyzed after a hospital delayed an MRI, plus an $11.2 million verdict involving an undiagnosed brain tumor. The attorneys it names include Nancy J. Winkler and Daniel Jeck.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and the recognition it has earned.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  5. Not sure who to call first?

    Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Philadelphia can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.

  6. 4

    Kline & Specter, PC

    4.3474 Google reviewsRated 4.3 out of 5 on Google from 474 reviews

    Best for: Families considering catastrophic injury litigation

    The Legal Intelligencer's 2018 Litigation Department of the Year award for Medical Malpractice and Product Liability/Mass Torts went to Kline & Specter, PC. You can read about birth injuries and medication errors on its site. Tom Kline and Shanin Specter are among the attorneys it names.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and what its clients say.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  7. Pond Lehocky logo5

    Pond Lehocky

    4.73,151 Google reviewsRated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 3151 reviews

    Best for: Medical injuries within broader claims

    Although Pond Lehocky's 3,151 Google reviews give you plenty of public feedback to read, clients don't all describe the same experience. You'll find praise for prompt updates and attentive service, but also accounts of unanswered messages and feeling unsupported. A multimillion-dollar settlement for severe complications caused by a medical error appears on the firm's site.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and what its clients say.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

Where they are in Philadelphia

What clients say about these Philadelphia lawyers

Google reviews of the firms on our lists, quoted as their clients wrote them and linked to where they were posted. We don't write, edit or pick reviews for pay.

  • Barbara

    August 2026 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    “I'd been searching for a medical malpractice attorney and of the list I was calling, several of them turned me down right away or never returned my call because my case wasn't catastrophic enough, like did I lose a limb, or eye. I guess they considered my case not big enough. I left a message at the Law Offices of...”

    About Law Offices of Judy Greenwood PCGoogle reviewRead it on Google

  • Aly C.

    October 2026 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    “I want to sincerely thank the entire team at Kwartler Manus for all the work they put into my case. Throughout the process, I truly appreciated their professionalism, dedication, communication, and support. They worked hard on my behalf and helped me navigate the process from beginning to end. I’m very grateful for...”

    About Kwartler Manus, LLCGoogle reviewRead it on Google

  • Kristen H.

    April 2026 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    “When we were in need of an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice and wrongful death in Philadelphia we conducted a thorough search. Attorney Hoover and his team were far and away the best prepared to answer our questions and provide an opinion. They handled our case with professionalism, dedication and an...”

    About Hoover Medical Malpractice Law FirmGoogle reviewRead it on Google
See all reviews

A few minutes that might help

Questions about your own case?
How a malpractice claim usually moves in Pennsylvania

  1. 1.Something went wrong

    Write down dates and names while they're fresh.

  2. 2.Get your records

    Ask for your full chart and test results.

  3. 3.Free case review

    A lawyer looks at what happened, free.

  4. 4.Medical opinion

    A doctor checks whether the care fell short.

  5. 5.File before the deadline

    Your lawyer starts the claim before the deadline.

  6. 6.Settlement or trial

    Many claims settle. Some go to a judge or jury.

Your deadline: 2 years from when you found outRead the Pennsylvania law guide

Each step in more detail

  1. Check the filing deadline

    When you speak with the lawyer, give the treatment date and explain when you learned about the injury and its cause. You generally have 2 years to file in Pennsylvania, subject to the discovery rule. Find out which date governs your claim.

  2. Review the medical records

    To assess whether care fell below the expected standard, the lawyer looks at what happened during treatment. Bring any records you've already got. Before the firm decides whether to take your claim, find out what other charts or medical opinions it needs to see.

  3. Prepare the certificate of merit

    For each defendant, you'll need a certificate of merit in Pennsylvania. It states that an appropriate licensed professional provided a written statement finding a reasonable probability that the care fell below the standard.

  4. File the complaint

    The court claim begins when you file the complaint. You must include the certificate of merit or file it within 60 days. If a child is involved in the claim, find out how the filing date is affected by the 7-year or twentieth-birthday rule.

  5. Work toward resolution

    You'll find both settlements and jury verdicts published by firms on this list. Find out what your lawyer still needs to establish and how your claim might reach either outcome. You can't predict your case's outcome from those published results.

Malpractice claims in Philadelphia: the rules that matter

The filing deadline in Pennsylvania
  1. The clock startsWhen you found out, or should have
  2. Time to start a claim2 yearsMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
Limits on damages in Pennsylvania
  • Pain and sufferingNo cap
  • All damages togetherNo overall cap
  • Expert paperworkFile a certificate of merit for each defendant with the complaint or within 60 days, stating an appropriate licensed professional has given a written statement that there is a reasonable probability the care fell below the standard.

Read the Pennsylvania law guideWork out your own deadline

Local hospitals

Star ratings from CMS Care Compare. Look up a hospital

Filing deadline for most malpractice claims in Pennsylvania
2 years
Source
Hospitals near Philadelphia with a CMS star rating
6
Source

What a malpractice lawyer costs in Philadelphia

  1. The first callOften free. Ask before you book.
  2. A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
  3. If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
  4. If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.
Working on contingency is something several firms on this list say they offer. If there's a recovery, the lawyer takes a share; if the claim fails, there's no lawyer's fee. Keep questions about expenses separate. Those expenses can cover obtaining records and medical opinions, with court fees added as well. Ask who pays those costs up front and who owes them without a recovery (the fee arrangement won't necessarily tell you). Request written fee terms before you agree to sign. How would expenses change what's left for you? Ask. Even after a free consultation, the firm hasn't necessarily agreed to take your case.

Eight of the ten listed firms say a consultation is free. Working on contingency is something seven report offering.

What to bring to your first call

  • Any medical records you've got, with delivery notes included if relevant
  • When treatment happened, and when you learned about the injury and its cause
  • The hospital's name and the names of treating providers
  • Bills for medical care, plus other expenses tied to the injury
  • Letters or messages you've received from the hospital or insurer
  • Photos related to the injury, if you have any
  • What happened, written out as a brief timeline
  • If a child is involved, the date of your child's birth

Questions to ask a lawyer

  1. 1What claims have you handled involving treatment or injuries like this?
  2. 2Who would work on my file, including reading my medical records?
  3. 3When would I need to file my claim?
  4. 4To obtain the certificate of merit, how would you arrange the required professional opinion?
  5. 5If there's a recovery, how would you work out your fees?
  6. 6If the claim fails, who pays the case expenses?
  7. 7How would I contact whoever handles my case, and how would updates reach me?
  8. 8Before the deadline, would you have time to review my claim?

Choose around your injury, not a headline result

Start by identifying the treatment you're worried about. If you have questions about a delayed C-section, they won't be the same as questions about a missed cancer diagnosis or dental anesthesia injury. The claims these Philadelphia firms handle aren't all alike. Find out whether the lawyer has handled cases involving that treatment and what records they'd need to look at yours. An unrelated case's large result can't tell you that.

Ask who will read the chart

When you first speak with the firm, ask who'd read the hospital chart and talk with your family. Would you keep talking to the lawyer you're meeting? Although reviews can point out communication problems, they can't tell you how the firm would handle your file. If reviewers mention unanswered calls, be sure to ask how you'd receive updates.

  • How would the firm decide whether the care fell below the expected standard? Ask.
  • Ask how the firm obtains the licensed professional's written opinion that the certificate of merit requires.
  • Before the filing deadline arrives, would the firm have time to review your claim?
  • Would you meet in Philadelphia or somewhere else, or talk by phone?

Separate the lawyer's fee from case costs

If the consultation is free, you won't pay for that first conversation. That doesn't mean the firm has taken your case. If you agree to a contingency arrangement, the lawyer receives a share of a recovery but no lawyer's fee when the claim fails. Find out about court fees separately, along with what medical records and professional opinions would cost. Who pays those expenses up front, and would you owe them even without a recovery?

If someone promises a result or won't explain the written fee agreement, be wary. Published settlements come from other people's claims. You can't use them to value your claim. Before signing, ask for time to read through the terms. This information isn't legal advice; ask a Pennsylvania lawyer to explain the deadline for your situation and the fee terms that would apply to you.

Questions people ask

Which Philadelphia malpractice firm leads this list?
The ranking's first firm is Wapner Newman Attorneys At Law. Among its published results are $8.4 million for brain injury after delayed diagnosis and $7 million for birth trauma causing brain damage. Its founding dates to 1978. If you're deciding whether it fits your family's needs, find out who'd work on your file and ask about the treatment involved.
How long do I have to file a malpractice claim in Pennsylvania?
The filing period is generally 2 years. Under the discovery rule Pennsylvania courts apply, the clock starts when you knew or reasonably should have known about the injury and its cause. Figuring out that date may require a careful review. Ask a Pennsylvania lawyer to explain how the rule fits your treatment and what it means given when you learned what happened.
Can I speak with a Philadelphia malpractice lawyer for free?
A free consultation is offered by eight firms on this list, they say. When you speak, describe the treatment and find out whether they handle claims like yours. That conversation doesn't establish that they'll represent you. If the firm hasn't stated its consultation terms, make sure you ask about any charge before you meet with it.
Will I owe a lawyer's fee if my claim fails?
Contingency work is offered by seven listed firms, they say. Under that arrangement, a recovery gives the lawyer a share, but a failed claim means there's no lawyer's fee. Expenses aren't necessarily included. What would records and medical opinions cost? Ask. Have the firm explain in writing which expenses you'd owe even if there's no recovery.
What is a certificate of merit?
For each defendant in a Pennsylvania malpractice claim, this filing is required. The filing states that an appropriate licensed professional provided a written statement finding a reasonable probability that the care fell below the standard. File it alongside the complaint or within 60 days after filing the complaint. Find out how the firm would set up that professional review.
Are the deadlines different for a child's injury?
Yes. The deadline for a child to sue is within 7 years of the malpractice or before the twentieth birthday, whichever is later. Among the listed firms showing birth injury work are Wapner Newman Attorneys At Law and Law Offices of Judy Greenwood PC. Have a Pennsylvania lawyer work out which date applies to your claim. There's no reason to assume you should postpone asking for a review.
Does Pennsylvania limit the amount recovered in malpractice cases?
Compensatory damages, intended to compensate for harm, aren't capped in Pennsylvania. The limits apply only to punitive damages against individual physicians. You can't tell what a claim is worth just because compensatory damages have no cap. Ask a Pennsylvania lawyer to explain what the damages rules mean for your injury and for the defendants involved in your case.
How long will a Philadelphia malpractice case take?
You can't count on one fixed length for a case. Find out what the firm must do before filing and how it'd keep you informed about progress afterward. The certificate-of-merit deadline in Pennsylvania requires filing with the complaint or within 60 days after the complaint is filed. You can't judge how long your claim would take by looking at other people's settlements and verdicts.
What should I do if a loved one died after medical treatment?
Collect whatever records you've already got. When you write down treatment dates and provider names, include when you learned about the possible cause of death. Wrongful death claims are handled by several firms listed here. Find out from a Pennsylvania lawyer who can bring the claim and what filing deadline applies. You can't tell from a firm's past result whether malpractice was involved in your loved one's death.

Sources

  1. Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Laws and Statutory Rules, AllLaw (Nolo)
  2. Yanakos v. UPMC (Pa. 2019), Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
  3. State Enactments of Selected Medical Liability Reforms (as of 8/27/2026), Medical Professional Liability Association
  4. Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States (updated 6/10/2026), Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C.
  5. Hospital General Information, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  6. Malpractice Center methodology, Malpractice Center

Nearby cities

Hurt by medical care in Philadelphia? Let's talk it through.

Most people who reach out aren't sure yet, and that's fine. Share a few lines and a malpractice lawyer near you can look at it with you, at no cost.

  • It's free, and talking to a lawyer doesn't commit you to anything.
  • Where we know the local rules, you'll see your likely filing deadline right away.
  • Your answers are encrypted and never sold or used for ads.

Start with one question

Get the top spot in Philadelphia

The featured spot on this page is open. Whoever takes it is the first lawyer people see when they come here looking for help.

  • One featured spot per list, so you're never one of several
  • Shown first and labeled Featured, for a year
  • Your photo, your bio, a call button and case review requests

From $4,800a year, major metro city list

Every plan and market or ask to be considered for the list itself, which is free.

Ask about this spot

  • Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia, PA (2026)

A flat yearly fee, labeled Featured on the page. Never a share of any case.

Hurt by medical care?Talk it through with a lawyer, free.