Charles Kannebecker, Esq.
at The Law Offices of Sobo & Sobo LLP

His practice areas include:

• Personal Injury Cases: Charles has extensive experience with cases involving motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, trip and falls, and construction accidents. His ability to hold negligent parties accountable has led to significant settlements and verdicts that have helped clients rebuild their lives.
• Class Action Lawsuits: In class action litigation, Charles has developed groundbreaking legal theories that have resulted in large financial recoveries for class members. His work has addressed unlawful practices by insurers, improper billing, and misconduct in personal injury protection (PIP) medical exams, among other issues.
• Landmark Legal Achievements: Charles’s legal accomplishments include precedent-setting cases that have expanded legal protections for individuals. These cases have addressed issues such as insurer liability, punitive damages for distracted driving, and the rights of workers under various benefit programs.

Charles Kannebecker’s legal career is marked by his unwavering commitment to his clients. After earning his law degree summa cum laude from Temple Law School and completing his undergraduate studies at Juniata College with cum laude honors, Charles embarked on a career focused on making a difference.

He initially developed a personal injury practice that grew to become the largest and most successful in the region, spanning 20 counties. His work has not only achieved significant financial recoveries for clients but has also resulted in precedent-setting changes in the law that have expanded the rights of injured individuals.

Some of his most significant achievements include:

• High-Stakes Negotiations: In multiple cases where the defense initially offered modest settlements, Charles’s skilled negotiation tactics led to recoveries many times greater than the initial offers. For example, a rejected defense settlement offer resulted in a final recovery that was 21 times larger for one of his clients.
• Strategic Litigation Against Insurers: Charles is known for his ability to place insurers at risk when they adopt unreasonable settlement positions. This approach has been critical in cases where there is limited coverage, ensuring that clients receive compensation that reflects the full extent of their injuries. In one instance, Charles obtained a settlement nine times greater than the insurer’s original offer.
• Class Action Settlements: Through innovative legal strategies, Charles has won substantial recoveries for members of class action lawsuits. These cases often involve large groups of people affected by the same unlawful practice, such as underpayment of insurance claims or improper medical billing practices.

Some of the key precedents he has helped establish include:

• Sayles v. Allstate (Pennsylvania Supreme Court): Established that a PIP insurer’s policy-based demand for medical exams is unlawful, setting new standards for PIP exams in Pennsylvania.
• Expanding Liability for Political Subdivisions: Charles helped broaden the legal bases for recovering damages beyond statutory caps when government entities are involved.
• Heart & Lung Benefits and Subrogation: His advocacy clarified that Heart & Lung benefits cannot be subjected to subrogation.
• Bad Faith and Punitive Damages Against Workers’ Compensation Insurers: He has paved the way for insurers to be held accountable for bad faith conduct.
• New Jersey Anti-Subrogation Law: Charles helped establish that New Jersey’s anti-subrogation law is protected under federal law, ensuring that insurers cannot override state protections.
• Combining UIM and Tortfeasor Claims (Koken Joinder): He successfully argued for the joinder of Underinsured Motorist (UIM) and tort claims in a single lawsuit, streamlining the legal process.
• Punitive Damages for Distracted Driving: Established liability for punitive damages against drivers who engage in dangerous behavior like cellphone use while driving.
• New York Anti-Subrogation Law: Charles established that New York school districts demand for subrogation against school district employees personal injuries recoveries is unlawful.

Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, especially when facing large corporations or insurance companies. Hiring an attorney like Charles Kannebecker, who has a proven track record of success, ensures that your case will be handled with the skill and tenacity it deserves. Charles’s ability to anticipate and counter defense strategies significantly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome for his clients.

Personal injury law serves a crucial role in society by holding negligent parties accountable and compensating victims for their losses. Charles Kannebecker’s experience has taught him that personal injury cases are not just about financial recovery—they are about restoring dignity and quality of life to those who have suffered due to another’s wrongdoing. This area of law covers a wide range of accidents, including:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: From car crashes to motorcycle collisions, these incidents often result in severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Dangerous conditions on someone else’s property can lead to serious falls, particularly for older adults.
• Construction Accidents: The construction industry is one of the most dangerous, with workers frequently exposed to risks that can lead to life-threatening injuries.