Can You Sue a Corporation in Pennsylvania?

February 18, 2026 | Personal Injury

Can You Sue a Corporation in Pennsylvania?

When a company causes someone to suffer an injury through its negligence, many people wonder whether they can take legal action in response. The short answer is yes. Under Pennsylvania law, you can sue a corporation for personal injury damages just as you could an individual.

Corporations are considered “legal persons” in the eyes of the law, which means they can be held liable for harm they cause. If a business’s actions (or the actions of its employees) result in your injury, you may have a valid personal injury claim.

However, suing a corporation can be more complex than suing an individual. Large companies often have dedicated legal teams and substantial resources to defend against lawsuits. Read on to learn more about how these cases work so that you can protect your rights.

When Can You Sue a Corporation for Personal Injury?

You can file a personal injury lawsuit against a corporation when its actions (or inaction) cause an injury. 

Common scenarios include:

In each of these cases, you must generally prove the same legal elements as any personal injury claim:

  • The corporation owed you a duty of care.
  • It breached that duty.
  • The breach caused your injuries.
  • You suffered damages as a result.

For instance, if you slipped on an unmarked wet floor in a grocery store, the corporation that owns the store could be held liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.

Vicarious Liability and Corporate Responsibility

In Pennsylvania, corporations can also be held accountable for the actions of their employees under the doctrine of vicarious liability (also known as respondeat superior).

This means that if an employee was acting within the scope of their job duties when the injury occurred, the corporation can be held financially responsible. For example, if a delivery driver for a shipping company causes a crash while making deliveries, the company may share liability for the resulting injuries.

However, if the employee was acting outside the scope of their job duties (such as driving home after work), the company might not be responsible.

How Long Do You Have to Sue a Corporation in Pennsylvania?

If you plan to sue a corporation for personal injury in Pennsylvania, you must act quickly. The statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the injury, as stated in 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Failure to file your lawsuit within this time period will likely result in your case being dismissed, regardless of the strength of your evidence.

There are limited exceptions to this rule, such as cases involving injuries that were not immediately discoverable. Reaching out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can is the best way to ensure your lawsuit is filed correctly and on time.

Suing a corporation after an injury can seem intimidating, but you have the right to hold them legally responsible when their behavior causes your harm. An experienced Lancaster personal injury lawyer can help you identify who is liable and pursue fair compensation on your behalf from there.

Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates today to schedule a free consultation.

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