Ben Baer is a personal injury attorney who focuses on helping catastrophically injured clients. He has successfully handled cases involving construction and workplace accidents, auto and crashworthiness accidents, aerial lift tip overs, electrical accidents, and defective or malfunctioning products. Ben has obtained significant seven, eight, and nine-figure verdicts and settlements, with recoveries totaling nearly $200 million.
In 2018, Ben was a vital part of the team that obtained an unprecedented $160,000,000 record settlement for individuals burnt and killed in the Philadelphia Food Truck Explosion. The tragedy was caused when an over-filled propane cylinder ruptured. Flames shot more than 200 feet into the air. One individual represented by Ben and SMBB received more than $69.17 million. This is the largest individual pre-verdict settlement in the history of Pennsylvania state court.
Aerial Lift/Scissor Lift Accidents
Products Liability
Electrical Injuries
Workplace Accidents
Structural Collapses
Crane Accidents and Tip-Overs
Construction Accidents
Brain Injuries
Trucking Accidents
Wrongful Death
Vehicle Accidents
Amputations
Spinal Cord Injuries
Industrial Accidents
Victims of Crimes
In 2016, Ben was instrumental in securing what was at that time, the largest reported settlement for a single plaintiff in the history of Philadelphia County. Ben fought diligently for his client, a landscape worker who was rendered quadriplegic after an auto accident because those responsible for maintaining his work truck failed to remove dangerous tires. The case resulted in a $26.55 million recovery.
Ben also represented the family of a two year old child who was tragically killed after falling into an animal exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo. This case received both national and international media attention. It resolved confidentially.
Ben has been recognized as a Rising Star in the annual Pennsylvania SuperLawyers ratings. This peer-selected honor is reserved for the top 2.5 percent of all Pennsylvania attorneys under 40 years old.
After graduating with honors with an LLM from the nationally-ranked Temple University Beasley School of Law Trial Advocacy program, Ben was invited to join Temple's faculty. He currently lectures in the program and teaches both JD and LLM students.
Ben holds his Powered Access Licensed-Registration (PAL) from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) as a Certified Operator of Mobile Vertical Lifts (3a) and Mobile Boom Lifts (3b). Ben is also a Certified Forklift Operator who has received his OSHA 29 CFR 19120.178 Forklift Operator Qualification and Certification. Obtaining multiple certifications to operate heavy machinery has allowed Ben to better represent his clients injured by aerial lifts and forklifts.
Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia District Attorney's Office
More than 15 jury trials as lead counsel and hundreds of bench trials in both Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court
Prosecuted major felony crimes including shootings, stabbings, attempted murders, robberies, kidnappings, and other violent crimes.
Clerk, Honorable Ralph J. Cappy, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Certified Aerial Lift Operator
Passed written examinations and practical testing on both mobile vertical scissor lifts and mobile boom lifts.
Winner of the Murray S. Love Mock Trial Competition and recognized as the tournament's best advocate.
Presented with an individual award recognizing Ben as the top overall student in Advanced Trial Advocacy
Pennsylvania SuperLawyers Rising Star
Admissions
Pennsylvania, 2007
United States District Court of Pennsylvania, Eastern District, 2013
United States District Court of Pennsylvania, Middle District, 2013
Temple University Beasley School of Law, LLM, 2016
Honors Graduate
University of Pittsburgh School of Law, JD, 2007
John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate, 2007
University of Michigan, BA, 2003
American Association of Justice
Pennsylvania Association of Justice
Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
Future Leaders Executive Committee
Philadelphia Bar Association
Brandeis Law Society
