James J. McEldrew, III
Top rated Transportation & Maritime attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
McEldrew Purtell
Practice areas: Transportation & Maritime, Medical Malpractice; view more
Licensed in Pennsylvania since: 1982
Education: Widener University – Delaware Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2023, 2025 Call today:
215-545-8800
McEldrew Purtell
1845 Walnut St18th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103 Visit website
As a founding partner at McEldrew Purtell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, James J. McEldrew III, brings over 40 years of trial experience to his practice. He focuses on complex transportation, maritime and railroad Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) claims, alongside high-stakes medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neonatal birth injuries. A formidable advocate, Mr. McEldrew dedicates his career to securing justice for families and victims of catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
A nationally known dedicated ally of labor, Mr. McEldrew serves as national counsel for the Transport Workers Union of America’s FELA program and designated counsel for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers' railroad division. His career spans high-stakes arbitrations, contract negotiations and a fierce commitment to railroad safety. Frequently appearing on television and radio to discuss train accidents, he provides powerful, insightful advocacy for workers and the public.
With countless legal victories, Mr. McEldrew has secured landmark results across a wide variety of practice areas. A small sampling of his successes includes a remarkable $13.3 million verdict for twins born prematurely at 26 weeks with chorioamnionitis. This outcome highlights his steadfast commitment to quality service, as he fights tirelessly to ensure vulnerable clients receive top-notch representation, compassionate support and the compensation required for their long-term care.
Mr. McEldrew earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University before completing his legal education at Widener University Delaware Law School. Admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1982, he has spent more than four decades utilizing this strong academic foundation to navigate complex legal landscapes. His extensive educational background and decades of practical experience enable him to deliver sophisticated, highly analytical representation for clients facing catastrophic losses.
Practice areas
Transportation/Maritime, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: PlaintiffFocus areas
Birth Injury, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Medical Malpractice, Railroad Accident, Transportation Law
- 50% Transportation/Maritime
- 50% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1982, Pennsylvania
Professional Webpage: https://mceldrewpurtell.com/our-firm/team/james-mceldrew/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Academy Of Rail Labor Attorneys, President
- Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
- Pennsylvania Association of Justice
- Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
- American Association of Justice
- US Supreme Court
- Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, President
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Egan V Multiple defendants 7,000,000 in verdicts and settlement. Plaintiff was a police officer for Bristol Twp who was investigating a car struck by a drunk driver and lost his leg below the Knee. As a result of this accidet 8 differet suits were pursued; dram shop case, UIM, Third party against driver, UIM against the fleet policy of employer, a fraud action against the insurer and agent of the Employer for backdating The waiver of stacking forms and a case against the truck co employer of the driver for a hours of service violation., 2014
- Thomas v SEPTA- 1.8 million settlement for a SEPTA conductor who received an electric shock from a railing while discharging patients, 2016
- Newton v Duodenoscope Mfgr 4000,000 products liability claim for redesign failure that did not allow for proper sterilization causing a drug-resistant bacterial infection, 2016
- Zaloga v Septa et al 1.85 verdict for a 60 yo man who developed a herniated disc as a result of snow and ice that was allowed to accumulate around Mr Zalogas work area., 2016
- Best v Septa 1,125,000 verdict for coach cleaner exposed to cleaning chemicals causing kidney injury.FELA (2011), 2011
- Minor v Howard Johnson 3,800,000(Palmetto County, Fla). Settlement for a 2-year-old child who slipped through the rungs of a railing and fell 20 feet and surviving with a mild brain injury(2011)
- In RE: Tax Lien litigation: 14 million dollars settlement class action dealing with bid rigging in New Jersey County Tax Lien County Auction, 2016
- K.W., a minor v XXX Hospital 4,500,000 Downs syndrome baby in the hospital for leukemia who had a stroke as a result of various monitoring failure issues, 2015
- Blackburn v Duodenoscope Mfgr 375,000 products liability claim for redesign failure that did not allow for proper sterilization causing a drug-resistant bacterial infection, 2016
- McGovern v Path: 225,000 verdict, Essex County. Injured track worker fell while climbing off heavy equipment and injured his Knee. He had knee surgery and lost 4 months of work FELA, 2012
- Willow v Septa 1,200,000 settlement for a mechanic who was performing a task analysis on a bumper repair and the spring initially stuck then sprung loose causing severe chest and neck injuries, 2015
- Vivian v SEPTA 1.12 settlement in a FELA matter for a B&B worker who was injured while placing conduits under the rail at Powelton Yard, 2014
- In Re Salix- 54,000,000 settlement Qui Tam /anti kickback off label marketing In SDNY where Pharmaceutical Co was promoting Rifaxamin, an antibiotic for off label use of IBC, 2016
- Pasternick v Duodenoscope Mfgr 275,000 products liability claim for redesign failure that did not allow for proper sterilization causing a drug-resistant bacterial infection, 2016
- Ellison v PATH 550,000 verdict in Essex County for a track worker who slipped on grease from leaking equipment, which caused a back injury. Plaintiff had back surgery, was out of work for 3 months, and then died from unrelated causes, 2013
- SL and AL, twins v Abington Hosp et al(EDPA) 13,600,00 verdict in a medical malpractice stemming from a failure to recognize an infection leading to a preterm birth and brain injuries, 2009
Representative Clients
- Zaloga v SEPTA ET AL, 1,865,000 verdict, 2017
Educational Background
- Georgetown University, BS, 1979
White Papers
- Superbug EBOOK, Plaintiff Attorney, 2016
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- George Meany School of Labor Relations, Guest Lecturer –Defending Employees in “Injury Prone” cases, lecturer, Defending Injury Prone Cases, Railroad Union, 2008
- Luncheon Lecture – Venue – Practical Tips, Presenter, PTLA, Plaintiff Attorneys Only, 2011
- Plane, Train and Bus Accident Litigation, PBI, Plaintiff And Defense Attorneys, 2015
- Updates on Transportation Law, Lecturer, PBI, Plaintiffs And Defense Attorneys, 2016
Honors
- I received a pro bono award during my PTLA presidency for supporting VIP with accepting 100 cases during this year, Pro bono award, VIP
- Practical pointers on cross-examining expert witnesses; Moderator: Harris Bock, PBI, 2010
- Award given by the president of PTLA to the person who helped him during his presidency, Presidents award, PTLA, 2016
Industry Groups
- IBEW
- TWU
- UFCW
Office location for James J. McEldrew, III
1845 Walnut St
18th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-545-8800
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2023, 2025
