Benjamin J. Baer
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
Selected to Rising Stars: 2017
Ben Baer is a partner at SMB who focuses his practice 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. In under ten years, Ben has obtained significant seven, eight, and nine-figure verdicts and settlements, with recoveries totaling nearly $300 million.
In 2018, Ben was a vital part of the team that obtained an unprecedented $160 million 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 SM&B received more than $69.17 million. This is the largest individual pre-verdict settlement in the history of Pennsylvania state court.
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 named to Pennsylvania’s “Top 40 under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Membership into the “Top 40 under 40” is by invitation only and is extended exclusively to an elite group of the top trial attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications as a young trial lawyer. Ben has also been recognized as a Rising Star in the annual Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 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 LL.M. 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 J.D. and LL.M. students.
In 2020, Ben was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to the Pennsylvania Civil Rules Committee, which assists the Supreme Court in the preparation, revision, publication, and administration of the rules of civil procedure. Ben also serves on the Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania Association for Justice. Ben is a member of the University of Pennsylvania Law School Inn of Court. Ben volunteers his time to working as Judge Pro Temp for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. At the request of the Court, Ben works with opposing counsel to mediate pending cases and also attempts to resolve discovery disputes. Originally from Pittsburgh, Ben came to Philadelphia in 2007. He now lives in South Philly with his wife and three kids.
- 100%Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Wrongful Death, Dram Shop Laws, Construction Accident, Brain Injury, Trucking Accidents, Premises Liability - Plaintiff
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2022
- Rising Stars: 2017
Additional Sources of Information About Benjamin J. Baer
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About Benjamin J. Baer
First Admitted: 2007, Pennsylvania
Professional Webpage: http://www.smbb.com/attorneys/benjamin-j-baer
Special Licenses/Certifications
- Ben obtained a Master's degree in Trial Advocacy from the Temple University Beasely School of Law, LL.M. (Master's of Law), where he graduated with Honors., 2016
- John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate Program with a concentration in civil practice, 2007
Educational Background
- Temple University Beasely School of Law, LL.M. (Master's of Law) in Trial Advocacy, with Honors (2016). Ben graduated, with Honors, from the nationally ranked Temple Law Trial Advocacy program. After graduating, Ben has been invited back to guest lecture Temple Law students., 2016
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., (2007). Ben graduated from Pitt Law in 2007. He obtained the John P. Gismondi Civil Litigation Certificate. Ben was on Honor Roll multiple semesters. He was also a member of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy. , 2007
- University of Michigan, B.A., (2003). Ben is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. , 2003
Verdicts/Settlements
- Ben was part of the team that obtained a record setting $160 million settlement for individuals burnt and killed in the Philadelphia Food Truck Explosion. One individual represented by Ben more than $69 million. This is the largest individual pre-verdict settlement in the history of Pennsylvania state court., 2018
- Ben resolved a case where his client was injured in a trucking accident. The matter resolved confidentially after selecting the jury. , 2021
- A client received fatal burn injuries from an electrical arc flash on a construction site. Ben and SMB reached a partial settlement with some of the defendants. The case did not settle and continues against the defendant who manufactured the product that caused the arc flash. , 2021
- A mason working on a construction site fell from a foundation wall to the concrete floor one story below. He suffered a severe orthopedic injury that prohibited from returning to work. Ben handled this case. It was resolved in a confidential settlement. , 2020
- Ben handled a case where a vehicle with bald tires hydroplaned on ponding water on the street. Two children were in the back seat. One child was injured and the other child was killed. This case was resolved confidentially., 2020
- Two workers received electrical burns when the ladder they were moving made contact with an overhead powerline. Ben handled this matter and negotiated a confidential settlement on behalf of both of his clients. , 2019
- A worker was conducting a wildlife survey in the woods in central Pennsylvania. Overgrown tree limbs were touching a powerline. The worker's equipment touched a part of the energized tree and he was electrocuted. This case settled for $1,050,000 at mediation. , 2019
- Ben represents a woman who was in her apartment building when the roof collapsed, trapping her inside. A partial confidential settlement was reached in this matter as to one of the defendants. , 2019
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
- Ben served as the course planner and moderator and lead an engaging conversation with four of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices, including Chief Justice Saylor, Justice Baer, Justice Dougherty, and Justice Updyke Mundy. The Justices shared candid observations and practice tips regarding numerous topics, including: Allocatur/acceptance; Argument; Voting; Decision-making; the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s relationship with other governmental units; and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s relationship with lower Pennsylvania Courts. , Moderator and Course Planner, An Evening With the Supremes: Modern Voices From America's Oldest Court", 2019 Philadelphia Bench-Bar & Annual Conference, The Philadelphia Bar Association, 2019
Honors/Awards
- Ben was named to Pennsylvania's "Top 40 under 40" list of attorneys., Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2020
- Ben was named to Pennsylvania's "Top 40 under 40" list of attorneys. , Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2019
- Ben was named a Super Lawyer Rising Star. , Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2017
- Recognized as the most outstanding student in Advanced Trial Advocacy. , CALI Award Winner for Advanced Trial Advocacy , University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2007
- Ben was recognized as the winner and top overall advocate for the University of Pittsburgh School of Law's mock trial tournament., Murray S. Love Mock Trial Competition Champion , University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2007
Pro bono/Community Service
- Ben volunteered his time as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Ben conducted numerous settlement conferences and discovery hearings to address the backlog of issues created by the COVID-19 Pandemic. , 2020
- Ben volunteered to help prepare local high school students for a regional mock trial tournament. Ben enjoys sharing his experience with students and is looking to continue his involvement in the upcoming academic year. , 2021
Representative Clients
- Ben only represents plaintiffs in personal injury matters. His clients are people who are horribly injured or the families of those who are killed. Some of the people that Ben is currently representing are people who: where in aerial lift equipment that tipped over; in a building that collapsed; crushed by mining equipment; had a load dropped on them; and those involved in motor vehicle and trucking accidents., 2021
Bar/Professional Activity
- The Pennsylvania Civil Rules Committee., 2021
- Pennsylvania Association of Justice, Board of Governors, 2021
- Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, Future Leaders Executive Committee Member , 2021
- The University of Pennsylvania School of Law Inn of Court, Member, 2021
- Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, Member , 2021
Last Updated: 5/15/2022