E. Richard Ogrodowski

The son and grandson of coal miners from Washington County, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh attorney Rich Ogrodowski represents individuals and families in Pennsylvania and West Virginia in admiralty & maritime, railroad - FELA, oilfield and gas explosions, serious personal injury and wrongful death, and product liability lawsuits.

Rich grew up in Scenery Hill, Washington County, Pennsylvania.  From the time he was a fifth grader until he went to college, he helped his mother clean offices in nearby Washington, Pennsylvania, including those of law firms.  He helped make his way through college with part time work as a warehouseman — unloading tractor trailers and sweeping floors. Rich’s father was a coal miner for Beth Energy at the Mariana Mine until it caught fire and closed in the late 1980s, when he became an electrician. His maternal grandfather and his three great uncles spent their entire worklives at the Mariana Mine. Rich’s grandfather contracted black lung disease working there. At one point, Rich recalls having eight relatives working the mine. His paternal grandfather worked in a mill in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, which produced steel for bridges.

As a father and husband, I know the preciousness of life. As the son and grandson of former coal miners in Washington County, Pennsylvania, I know the danger encountered everyday when a loved one leaves the house. When I first started practicing law, I mainly defended companies in personal injury lawsuits. But, my practice now focuses on representing individuals when they have been hurt or they have lost a loved one.  That focus includes serious personal injury and wrongful death, admiralty & maritime, railroad - FELA, oilfield and gas explosions, motorcylce and car accidents, and product liability lawsuits.