Charles Kannebecker, Esq. is a distinguished personal injury and class action attorney at Sobo & Sobo LLP. With over 31 years of legal experience, Charles is a seasoned advocate for individuals who have suffered harm due to negligence, misconduct, or corporate wrongdoing. His dedication to securing justice and substantial compensation for his clients sets him apart as a leader in the field of personal injury and class action law.
Why Charles Kannebecker Chose Sobo & Sobo LLP
Charles joined Sobo & Sobo LLP to bring his experience to a team that shares his passion for helping victims of personal injury and corporate misconduct. Sobo & Sobo’s collaborative and client-centered approach perfectly aligns with Charles’s commitment to thorough preparation, creative strategies, and aggressive advocacy.
As a key member of the firm, he continues to champion the rights of individuals while contributing to the ongoing growth and success of Sobo & Sobo’s legal practice.
Practice Areas
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.
A Career Defined by Excellence
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.
Notable Case Outcomes
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.
Bar Admissions and Legal Memberships
Mr. Kannebecker is admitted to practice law in:
- Pennsylvania State Courts
- Federal District Court – Middle District of PA
- Federal District Court – Eastern District of PA
- New Jersey State Courts
- Federal District Court of New Jersey
- New York State Courts
- Federal District Court – Southern District of NY
- Federal District Court – Middle District of NY
Charles has also served as a member of the prestigious Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, where he contributed to policy development and advocacy efforts that benefit injured plaintiffs.
Legal Precedents Established
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.
Awards and Recognitions
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum: Recognition as a member of an elite group of trial lawyers who have achieved million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum: Charles’s outstanding results for clients have earned him membership in this exclusive group, reserved for attorneys who have obtained multi-million dollar outcomes.
- Super Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania: Acknowledgment as one of the top legal practitioners in Pennsylvania, based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
The Importance of Hiring an
Experienced Attorney
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.
Contact Charles Kannebecker, Esq. Today
If you or a loved one has been injured or affected by corporate misconduct, don’t hesitate to reach out to Charles Kannebecker for a free consultation. You can contact Sobo & Sobo LLP at 855-468-7626, or schedule an appointment online here. Let Charles’s experience and dedication work for you in your pursuit of justice.
The Impact of Personal Injury Law
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.
Class Action Lawsuits:
An Essential Tool for Justice
Common issues that may give rise to class actions include:
- Consumer Fraud: When companies mislead customers or sell defective products.
- Insurance Misconduct: Unlawful practices by insurers, such as underpaying claims or improperly conducting medical examinations.
- Unlawful Billing Practices: Companies that engage in overcharging or deceptive billing schemes can be held accountable through class action litigation.