O'Donnell Law

College Quarterback Seeks Court Approval to Play Ball

O'Donnell Law Offices — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:15:25 +0000

Authors: Attorney Neil T. O’Donnell and Attorney Connor Graham

Sports Betting’s Growing Role in Everyday Life

Gambling, especially sports betting, has intrusively become a facet of many everyday lives in the United States. Young adults are the most affected cohort. Research shows that 31% of young adults ages 18 through 29 have bet money in the last 12 months with friends or family.¹ And 17% of adults over 30 years of age have wagered online in the past year, up from 7% three years ago.

Key Context: Research shows that 31% of young adults ages 18 through 29 have bet money in the last 12 months with friends or family.

Public Concern Over Legal Sports Betting

Americans are increasingly believing that this is a bad phenomenon. Of those surveyed, 43% said that the prevalence of legal sports betting is bad for society, and 50% said it was neither good nor bad. This left 7% in favor. As time goes on, society has become tuned to the negatives of prevalent and convenient gambling.

Public Sentiment: Of those surveyed, 43% said that the prevalence of legal sports betting is bad for society, and 50% said it was neither good nor bad. This left 7% in favor.

Brendan Sorsby’s Case Against the N.C.A.A.

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby feels these negatives acutely. Sorsby began gambling in high school, where he partook in both physical and online parlors.² He took this habit to college, where he would bet for his own team while as a freshman at Indiana University. Revealing this information must have been difficult for Sorsby, but it also puts him in trouble with governing authorities. The N.C.A.A. rules state that betting on one’s own team is punishable by permanent ineligibility. The N.C.A.A. denied Sorsby’s reinstatement request on May 26, 2026.

What an Injunction Could Mean

Sorsby decided to sue the N.C.A.A. in Texas state court, seeking an injunction against the organization. When a court issues an injunction, it prevents the enjoined party (here, the N.C.A.A.) from conducting certain actions. The court has the power to prohibit the N.C.A.A. from placing Sorsby on permanent ineligibility status on account of his gambling at Indiana.

Legal Issue: The court has the power to prohibit the N.C.A.A. from placing Sorsby on permanent ineligibility status on account of his gambling at Indiana.

More to Follow

A hearing was held on June 1, 2026. The judge did not come to an immediate decision. More to follow.

Sources:
¹ John Gramlich, Americans increasingly see legal sports betting as a bad thing for society and sports, Pew Research Center (October 2, 2025). Accessed on June 1, 2026.

² Justin Williams, ‘Truly Addicted to Gambling’: Disclosures in Player’s Suit Against N.C.A.A., The New York Times (May 24, 2026).

When Legal Consequences Threaten Your Future, O’Donnell Law Offices Can Help

Legal disputes can quickly put a person’s future, reputation, career, and livelihood at risk. Whether a case involves serious personal injury, institutional accountability, or a complex civil legal issue, having experienced legal representation can make all the difference.

At O’Donnell Law Offices, our attorneys represent individuals and families throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Kingston, Hazleton, and across Northeastern Pennsylvania in serious civil litigation matters, including personal injury claims, wrongful death cases, workplace injuries, and cases involving life-changing harm.

If you or someone you love is facing a serious legal matter, contact O’Donnell Law Offices today. Consultations are always free, and there is never a fee unless we win.

Schedule a Free Consultation with O’Donnell Law Offices

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Supreme Court Finds That Prosecutors Removed Jurors on Account of Their Race

O'Donnell Law Offices — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:27:43 +0000

By Neil T. O’Donnell and Connor Graham

Supreme Court Decision

A 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court majority recently found that a Mississippi trial court inappropriately prevented the Defendant from arguing that prosecutors struck potential black jurors on account of their race.¹

Background of the Case

In 2004 Terry Pitchford, 18, robbed a grocery store with Eric Bullins, 16. Over the course of the robbery, Bullins shot and killed the store owner, Reuben Britt, a white man.² It’s disputed whether Pitchford shot Britt.³ Bullins ultimately entered a plea deal for a 20-year sentence. Pitchford elected to have a trial, wherein he was charged for capital murder. The jury panel included 40 black individuals and 84 white individuals. Parties conducted voir dire, allowing them to strike potential jurors from the pool for cause shown, which narrowed the pool to 5 black individuals and 36 white individuals.⁴ The lower court stated that 30 of the black individuals were struck for their views on the death penalty.

Peremptory Strikes and Jury Selection

The next stage of procedure is what gave rise to the U.S. Supreme Court case. Following voir dire, the parties are given an opportunity to exercise peremptory strikes on 31 of the potential jurors. Peremptory strikes allow attorneys to remove potential jurors without any given reason. Pitchford’s attorney struck 12 white individuals, while the State exercised seven: 3 white and 4 black. The jury pool of fourteen (12 jurors and 2 alternatives) consisted of thirteen white individuals and 1 black individual.

The Batson Challenge

The law states that prosecutors cannot exercise peremptory challenges based on race.⁵ The defense must raise a Batson challenge to a prosecutor’s supposed race-based criteria. Batson is conducted in 3 stages: (1) the defendant must a sufficiently detailed objection that certain peremptory challenges raise an inference of exclusion based on race; (2) the prosecution must offer a race-neutral reason that for each of the struck potential jurors (here, the 4 black potential jurors)⁶; and (3) the defense is offered a chance to rebut the prosecution’s reasons as “pretextual”.⁷ Trial courts are given leeway in how to oversee Batson challenges, but Pitchford claims that he was not given a sufficient opportunity to reach Batson stage 3.⁸

Conviction and Appeal

After this procedure, Pitchford was convicted and sentenced with the death penalty. In 2010, the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld the conviction, finding that Pitchford waived his Batson stage 3 challenge because he did not advance a pretextual argument.

Federal Review and Supreme Court Ruling

The case was re-opened via habeas corpus petition circa-2023. This allowed for the federal court system to get involved. The Northern District Court for Mississippi found that Pitchford properly raised a Batson challenge, but the trial court brusquely pushed the matter aside to move the case along.⁹ The Fifth Circuit overturned the District Court, finding that Pitchford waived the issue. The Supreme Court opinion, authored by Justice Kavanaugh, determined that “things broke down, and the ordinary trial-court procedure for resolving Batson claims at step three never occurred[.]” The Fifth Circuit decision was overturned and the case was remanded.

Prior Related Opinion

Evidently, this is the second time an opinion authored by Justice Kavanaugh overturned a murder conviction prosecuted by the relevant district attorney, Doug Evans.¹⁰ The other opinion was written in 2019, where Curtis Flowers was accused of killing four people in 1996.

What This Case Represents

Ultimately, this case represents a slim majority of judges, while favoring lower court discretion for Batson challenges, want to see more of a concrete procedure at the trial court level. Here, the Mississippi trial court’s procedure was too loose for the Supreme Court’s liking. Moving forward, trial courts ought to have more concrete Batson procedures to prevent their final juries from being overturned.

¹ Pitchford v. Cain, 608 U.S. _____ (2026).

² Pitchford v. Cain, 706 F. Supp. 3d 614, 617 (N.D. Miss. 2023).

³ Id.

⁴ The attorney must give a reason as to why the juror would not remain impartial when deciding an appropriate verdict.

⁵ Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986).

⁶ Of the four, one juror was struck for “obvious[]...mental problems,” one for having a brother who was convicted of manslaughter, one for having a brother convicted of sexual battery, and one because he was of similar circumstance to defendant (similar age, and both never married).

⁷ I.e., an excuse to cover for the prosecution executing a peremptory strike based on race.

⁸ Pitchford’s attorney attempted to preserve the Batson issue for appeal, and pointed out that only 1 juror was black despite the relevant county having a 40% black populace.

⁹ It seems that the trial court “unintentionally” (according to the District Court) thwarted Pitchford’s chance to raise a proper Batson argument.

¹⁰ James Romoser, Justices Rule 5-4 for Death-Row Inmate, The Wall Street Journal (May 29, 2026).

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Americans Are Scrambling for Health Insurance Alternatives

O'Donnell Law Offices — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:16:12 +0000

Written by Connor Graham and Neil T. O’Donnell

With healthcare expenses rising, many Americans are opting for alternatives for traditional health insurance.

Direct Primary-Care Practices

David Contorno recently told his story to the Wall Street Journal.¹ Foregoing insurance, he pays a monthly membership fee for direct primary-care practices. Among these are: constant access to a primary-care doctor, discounts on prescriptions, and access to coupons. By paying for this service, Contorno gets unlimited visits and off-hours support.

Cash-Pay Healthcare Options

Others opt for a simple cash-pay strategy. Such individuals search for health providers that list cash prices in their area. Not many cash prices are available, but a quick phone call can provide a quote on specific prices for services. Certain websites serve as bona-fide digital malls for cash-price vendors, such as UberDoc, RadiologyAssist, and Green Imaging.

Still, interested individuals should be cautioned that the listed prices may not reflect the actual figures. Healthcare providers are only required to offer a “good faith estimate.”

Help With Hospital Bills

Things get trickier for services you have to pay for after-the-fact, like the ER. A nonprofit like Dollar For can help. Dollar For offers services to help individuals get through the payment process, and often helps lower the bill to boot.²

Non-profit hospitals should have avenues for financial assistance, the problem lay only in the time and paperwork to get there.

Healthcare Alternatives Can Be Lifelines

These are just a few examples, but such offerings are lifelines to people in need.

Sources

¹ Anna Wilde Mathews, They Chose to Go Without Health Insurance, The Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2026.

² On their website, Dollar For asserts that $14 billion of hospital financial assistance is waived every year, and likely unintentionally by the patients.

Injured Because of Medical Negligence?

When medical care falls below the standard patients deserve, the consequences can be life-changing. If you or a loved one suffered harm because of a medical mistake, delayed diagnosis, surgical error, or another form of negligence, O’Donnell Law Offices is here to help you understand your rights.

Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys fight for injured patients and their families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Consultations are always free, and there is never a fee unless we win.

Contact O’Donnell Law Offices today to schedule your free consultation.

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Empty Cars Haunting Streets?

O'Donnell Law Offices — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:55:18 +0000

By Connor Graham and Neil T. O’Donnell

Waymo's Driverless Vehicle Problem in Atlanta

A small Atlanta neighborhood has begun to experience an early-morning nuisance: Scores of driverless vehicles, courtesy of Waymo - Google’s fleet of self-driving cars.

The traffic is problematic. It occurs between 6:00-7:00 a.m., and interferes with bussing for school children. Attempts by local residence to establish warning signs to stop this bizzare behavior resulted in the vehicles becoming stuck in a traffic jam, unable to turn around. Waymo announced that they are working to fix the vehicle routing. Normally, these vehicles are parked in company depots for their downtime. If not, they try to find on-street parking locations, for Waymos are only available in cities at the moment.

Could Autonomous Vehicle Behavior Create a Public Nuisance?

The strange behavior of these vehicles are obvious growing pains for the self-driving industry, but can potentially constitute as a nuisance. Almost two years ago, for example, Waymo cars woke San Francisco residents with incessant honking in the early morning. Nuisance of a public nature must involved a significant interference with general convenience or safety. Prolonged honking throughout many nights would be one such example. Clogging small town roads for prolonged stretches may also constitute such interference.

The Future of Self-Driving Car Litigation

As self-driving cars begin to spread throughout America, so too do such problems escalate. Given the amount of companies working on this technology, there may be a lot of avenues for litigation in the near future. Hopefully, for the public’s sake, the issues are settled in reasonable time.

Injured in a Car Accident?
If you have been injured in a car crash – automated or otherwise – call us. We can help.

Sources

1. Jude Cramer, Empty Waymo cars are convering on one Atlanta cul-de-sac. No one can explain why, Fast Company (June 15, 2026).
View Source

2. Megan Cerullo, Waymo’s driverless cars honk at each other, waking neighbors, CBS News (August 14, 2024).
View Source

Injured by Emerging Vehicle Technology? Know Your Rights.

Autonomous vehicle technology is advancing rapidly, but the law is still catching up. When self-driving systems malfunction, make poor decisions, or contribute to unsafe conditions, determining responsibility can become far more complicated than in a traditional car crash.

Whether an accident involves a human driver, a vehicle manufacturer, software developer, fleet operator, or a combination of parties, injured victims deserve answers and accountability. As these technologies become more common on American roads, understanding your legal rights becomes more important than ever.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle collision involving advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous technology, or a traditional driver, contact O’Donnell Law Offices for a free consultation. There is never a fee unless we recover compensation for you.

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Insurance Companies Want Addictions to Cost Injured Workers More Than Their Good Health

Michael O'Donnell — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:10:22 +0000

Can Workers’ Compensation Benefits Be Lost for Smoking?

By Attorney Michael A. O'Donnell

Insurance companies want addictions to cost injured workers more than their good health.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court Takes Up a Major Workers’ Compensation Issue

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is considering argument from an employer and its workers’ compensation defense team that an injured worker forfeits her workers’ compensation wage loss benefits when she fails to quit smoking.

The argument is rooted in Section 306(f.1)(8) of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act, which provides that an injured worker forfeits all rights to compensation for refusing reasonable medical services.

The Wegman’s Case and the Worker’s Injury

Wegman’s Food Markets, Inc. attacks the work injury benefits of a woman who suffered significant on-the-job fracture injuries to her right leg, ultimately resulting in below the knee amputation. Prior to the amputation the worker was advised by her doctor to stop smoking and offered a prescription medication that could help with quitting smoking. She attempted the medication, was unsuccessful, and decided to stop the medication. She continued smoking and her condition worsened. Eventually amputation was required. Wegman’s sent the worker to a doctor who offered testimony that her amputation became necessary, in part, due to her failure to quit smoking. Wegman’s sought forfeiture of the woman’s workers’ compensation benefits.

How the Pennsylvania Courts Responded

The argument was successful a the trial court level before the Workers’ Compensation Judge. The worker appealed and the decision was reversed. The Appeal Board reasoned Wegman’s did not present evidence that there was a high probability of success with the prescribed smoking cessation treatment. On further appeal by the employer the Commonwealth Court affirmed the Board holding that it is the employer’s burden to first present medical evidence that the medical treatment or services at issue are reasonable, meaning, they involve minimal risk to the patient AND have a high probability of improving a worker’s work-related condition. While the trial court focused on the injured worker’s conduct, the Board and Commonwealth Court determined that the issue of a worker’s refusal of treatment really doesn’t matter and is irrelevant until the employer first meets its burden on reasonableness and high probability of success.

Why Benefit Forfeiture Is Viewed So Harshly

Importantly, forfeiture of benefits remains viewed by Pennsylvania’s Courts as one of the harshest consequences to an worker under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. The Commonwealth Court notes that “medical advice” without providing a means to accomplish the medical objective is not enough. Cases have passed through our judicial system on similar arguments involving detoxification from heavy medication doses, losing weight in order to increase success with a surgical procedure, and attending physical therapy. All would agree that this advice is sound. But, human beings must be viewed in the context of their injuries, pre-injury lifestyles, and where substances are at issue, addictions. Simply saying “you need to quit smoking”, which nearly everyone now agrees is a good idea, is not enough to forfeit one’s disability benefits in the face of an otherwise disabling work injury.

What Injured Workers Should Know Moving Forward

What the Supreme Court will do with Wegman’s arguments remains to be seen. But a word to the wise: if a doctor offers medical advice, provides a reasonable means to accomplish the objectives of the recommendation, and the injured worker unreasonably refuses without a good faith attempt or justification, their workers’ compensation benefits ARE at risk. This is true even in the face of addiction to substances like nicotine, alcohol, and prescription medication.

About the Author

Attorney Michael A. O'Donnell represents injured workers and negligence victims throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Recognized by the Pennsylvania Bar Association as a certified specialist in workers’ compensation law, Michael focuses his practice on helping injured individuals navigate complex claims and protect the benefits they deserve. At O'Donnell Law Offices, he advocates exclusively for injured workers and their families — never insurance companies or employers.

About O'Donnell Law Offices

For more than 35 years, O'Donnell Law Offices has represented injured workers and accident victims throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, including Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and surrounding communities. The firm’s attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of individuals facing serious injuries, workplace accidents, and workers’ compensation disputes. Consultations are always free—and you never pay a fee unless we win.

Questions About Your Workers’ Compensation Rights?

If you were injured at work and are concerned about your benefits, medical treatment, or how your claim is being handled, the attorneys at O'Donnell Law Offices are here to help. Our team has spent decades fighting for injured workers throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Consultations are always free — and you never pay a fee unless we win your case.

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Be Careful When Entrusting Dangerous Objects

O'Donnell Law Offices — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:16:21 +0000

Written by Attorney Neil O’Donnell and Attorney Connor Graham

You should be careful when entrusting dangerous instruments to another individual. A wrong choice could land you with serious consequences.

In Louisiana, Charles Ford is learning this lesson the hard way. When an unnamed woman was admitted to the hospital, she gave Ford, a convicted felon, her gun to hold onto.

Ford decided to hide the gun under the seat of his truck. Days later, he noticed that the gun was missing.

Ford suspected that Shamar Elkins had stolen the gun, particularly as Elkins was one of the few people who knew of the hiding location. Upon confronting Elkins, Ford was taken aback by his abrasive attitude and let the matter drop.

That was the wrong course of action. Elkins would later use that gun to kill eight children. Elkins himself died in a confrontation with police. With the perpetrator dead, the prosecutor’s office turned its full attention to Ford. He now faces up to 15 years in federal prison for firearm possession as a felon and up to 5 years on a false statement charge.

What Is Negligent Entrustment?

This story is a striking example of negligent entrustment, at least under Pennsylvania law. Ford was wrong for letting Elkins keep the gun, and the woman may have been wrong in giving Ford the gun to begin with.

In Pennsylvania, an entrustor may be liable for entrusting an instrumentality if:

The entrustor knew or should have known that the entrusted individual was likely to use the instrumentality in an unreasonable manner; and
The entrusted individual was actually negligent in their actions when using the instrumentality.

When Negligence Becomes Recklessness

Negligence can rise to recklessness where there was bad motive, or where the entrustor knew or should have known of a strong possibility that harm would result from the entrustment.

A finding of recklessness may lead to additional damages being imposed on the liable defendant or defendants.

Negligent Entrustment Is Not Limited to Firearms

Negligent or reckless entrustment is not limited to guns. In fact, these cases often involve motor vehicles.

Entrusting a vehicle to a dangerous, reckless, or unqualified driver may expose you to liability if that person causes a motor vehicle collision.

The moral of the story is simple: exercise caution when lending dangerous items, vehicles, or other potentially harmful instruments to others.

Sources

Makenzie Boucher and Amanda Lee Myers, “Man charged with supplying gun used in Louisiana shooting,” USA Today, April 23, 2026.
Phillips v. Lock, 86 A.3d 906, 913 (Pa. Super. 2014).
Archibald v. Kemble, 971 A.2d 513, 517 (Pa. Super. 2009).

Injured Because of Someone Else’s Negligence?

If you or someone you love has been injured because of another person’s careless or reckless actions, O’Donnell Law Offices is here to help. Our team has spent decades fighting for injured individuals and families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Consultations are always free, and you never pay a fee unless we win.

Contact O’Donnell Law Offices

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Bayer Settlement Offer Brings Plaintiffs To A Crossroads

O'Donnell Law Offices — Thu, 07 May 2026 21:33:54 +0000

Bayer has become a frequent presence in courts in recent years, for all the wrong reasons. The company acquired Monsanto in 2018, and with it came the rights to the weedkiller Roundup.¹ Those rights were accompanied by substantial liabilities. Roughly 200,000 people have sued Bayer over the weedkiller’s alleged propensity to cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

The problematic ingredient in Roundup appears to be glyphosate.² Glyphosate has been a popular herbicide in the U.S. since the 1970s.The International Agency for Research on Cancer identified it as a probable cancer-causing substance. The EPA believes that glyphosate is safe when used as directed, which is why it is still commercially available in the U.S.

Bayer has resolved around 130,000 claims, but still faces tens of thousands of litigants. This prompted Bayer to propose a $7.25 billion settlement offer, pending judicial approval. The proposal offers monetary compensation to anyone who used Roundup before February 17, 2026 and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphona within 16 years. The settlement would bar plaintiffs from active and future claims against the company relating to the cancer.

Looming large over the offer is the United States Supreme Court as it deliberates over the legality of the tens of thousands of lawsuits facing Bayer. The question presented to the Court relates to federal preemption over pesticide warning labels. Certain states added cancer warnings without EPA approval. A federal circuit split prompted the Court to address the issue. The Court is expected to reach a decision in July.³ A favorable ruling to Bayer could see the dismissal of thousands of viable claims.

Patrick Thomas and Erin Mulvaney, These Cancer Victims Could Sink Bayer’s Roundup Settlement , The Wall Street Journal, April 21, 2026.
Natalie Sherman, Bayer offers $7.25b to settle weedkiller cancer claims, BBC News, February 17, 2026.
Greg Stohr, Bayer Gets Mixed Reception at Supreme Court on Roundup Suits , Bloomberg, April 28, 2026.

About the Authors

Attorney Neil T. O'Donnell

Neil T. O'Donnell is the founder of O'Donnell Law Offices and a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist. For more than 35 years, he has represented injured clients throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, handling complex personal injury, workers’ compensation, and civil litigation matters.

Connor Graham

Connor Graham is an attorney at O'Donnell Law Offices who assists clients across a variety of litigation matters. His work includes legal research, writing, and advocacy related to personal injury and civil litigation issues affecting individuals and families throughout Pennsylvania.

Injured? Let O'Donnell Law Offices Help.

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to negligence, dangerous products, workplace injuries, or other serious accidents, the attorneys at O'Donnell Law Offices are here to help you understand your rights. Our team has represented individuals and families throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Northeastern Pennsylvania for more than 35 years.

We offer free consultations, and there is never a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Schedule a Free Consultation

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Tractor-Trailer Weight Limits: Don’t Overburden Our Roads

O'Donnell Law Offices — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:46:13 +0000

By Neil T. O’Donnell and Connor Graham

Congress has begun its semi-annual discussion of increasing the weight limits of tractor-trailers.

The trucking industry has a lot of weight to throw around in lobbying. Driving/sales work is far and away the number one occupation for young U.S. men without a college degree. Big business utilizes its position as one of the largest industries to push for reforms that benefit profitability.

The Proposed Increase

A weight increase, the industry purports, would boost productivity and allow for fewer trucks on the road.

But the recent proposed increase — from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds — comes with even heavier costs. Trucking accounts for a comparatively higher percentage of mileage-related costs, including pavement damage, congestion, and noise, primarily due to the vehicle weight and the associated precautions to support that weight.

One would think a roughly 12% increase in weight capacity would be further detrimental to public highways.

Would Heavier Trucks Really Mean Fewer Trucks?

It’s also dubious that a weight increase would lead to fewer trucks on the road.

Much like why increasing the number of lanes does not eliminate traffic, an increase in storage capacity may cause businesses to take more product throughout the year for transport. A change in capacity would prompt a change in behavior to match.

The change may prompt trucking companies to take on more goods for travel.

The Employment Impact

Lastly, it is doubtful that trucking unions would accept such a shake-up in employment. Should the weight increases lead to fewer trucks, then it stands to reason that fewer workers would be needed to man the trucks.

If that were to happen, the government would have to contend with the noticeable loss of employment opportunities for high-school educated men.

Pennsylvania Roads Are Burdened Enough

A survey conducted by the Coalition of Bigger Trucks found that 77% of respondents in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District opposed a weight-limit increase for tractor-trailers.

Further, 88% were concerned with deteriorating highway conditions associated with heavier vehicles.

Pennsylvania’s roads are burdened enough, and the people understand this.

Let’s not make our highway situation worse.

About O’Donnell Law Offices

O’Donnell Law Offices represents individuals and families injured in truck accidents throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more than 35 years, our attorneys have handled cases involving tractor-trailers, commercial trucks, and other large vehicles.

Truck accident cases often involve serious injuries and complex liability. Our Wilkes-Barre and Scranton truck accident lawyers work to protect the rights of those affected and pursue meaningful results.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact O’Donnell Law Offices to schedule a free consultation directly with an attorney.

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Beware of New Scams for Older Adults

O'Donnell Law Offices — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:21:28 +0000

Authors: Attorney Neil O’Donnell and Attorney Connor Graham

Scammers are increasingly targeting adults over the age of 60.

The FBI reports that scams on the elderly have amounted to $4.9 billion in losses, a 40% increase from a year prior.¹

People perceive victimhood as shameful, prompting many analysts to suggest that the actual figure of losses is much higher. The advance of AI is heavily contributing to the increase in scams. So it is important to know how to identify a potential scam and take prevented measures to protect your hard-earned financial assets.

Set limits on withdrawals.

Banks will let you place these agreed-upon limits and set up fraud alerts as a method of protecting yourself. Establish a contact banks can reach in case of suspicious transactions. Also, always independently verify the phone number you are dealing with when discussing financial matters.

Reporting potential fraud to the police may also be helpful.

Discard documents with important financial information by shredder. One dark, albeit odd, example occurred where a widower in his 90s noticed a lower than expected figure in his account balance. Upon investigation, a man was going through the elder’s garbage and found voided checks with banking and routing numbers, and used that information to forge and cash phony checks.

Scammers may attempt to build confidence with their victim, or pretend that exigent circumstances exist that necessitate handing over important financial information. If you ever find yourself speaking with an unknown entity about financial matters, make sure to stay calm and ask yourself if this is a legitimate scenario. Oftentimes, a clearer mind will prevail.

Sources

¹ Clare Ansberry, Protect Yourself From Scams that Target Older Adults , The Wall Street Journal (March 12, 2026).

About O’Donnell Law Offices

O’Donnell Law Offices has been serving families throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and communities across Northeast Pennsylvania for over 35 years. The firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and families, with a focus on holding insurance companies accountable and securing the compensation clients deserve.

If an elder in your life—such as a parent or grandparent—has been injured due to negligence, unsafe conditions, or another preventable incident, it is critical to understand your legal options. Cases involving elderly injury, nursing home negligence, or personal injury in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, or anywhere in Northeast Pennsylvania require experienced legal guidance and a firm that knows how to stand up to insurance companies.

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State Farm Scrutinized for Its Response to the 2025 California Wildfires

O'Donnell Law Offices — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 01:15:44 +0000

Authors: Attorney Neil O’Donnell and Attorney Connor Graham

State Farm has become the focus of scrutiny due to its response to the 2025 California wildfires.

The 2025 wildfire season was particularly destructive in California. The January Eaton and Palisades fires ranked as two of the most destructive wildfires in State history.¹

For State Farm, California’s largest insurer, this meant dealing with claims amounting to billions of dollars.²

Insuring a historic wildfire season is not a cheap endeavor. Insurers take pains to assess whether each claim is covered under the insurance contract.³ To date, State Farm has paid around $5.7 billion in claims relating to the fires, and that figure is expected to rise to $7 billion. State Farm obtained an emergency 17% increase in homeowner’s insurance premiums. According to the insurer, State Farm’s California unit was stressed to the brink of collapse.

Not every insurance customer is satisfied with company performance. The disaster’s magnitude translates to delays and denials of claims in affected regions. Those negatively affected by the insurance process turn to their politicians for solutions to this growing crisis. The politicians’ solution was to ask for aid from Federal authorities. This resulted in the Trump Administration taking a greater focus on the issue.

The EPA was tasked to list insurers that acted “swiftly, courageously, and bravely in order to make their clients happy[.]” Apparently, the EPA is building this list based on feedback from locals and their leaders. It “is for the President to decide” what happens to the insurers rated unsatisfactory. Unfortunately for State Farm, many insureds are unsatisfied, claiming State Farm had acted in bad faith.

As for now, State Farm denies allegations of bad faith in the handling of these devastating fire claims. In the coming months we will see if the assertions of State Farms’ bad faith misconduct will hold water.

Sources

¹ American Red Cross, California Wildfires 2025, May 2025. View Report . Accessed on April 9, 2026.

² The total damages were roughly $40 billion.

³ Laura J. Nelson and Jean Eaglesham, Trump Rebukes State Farm Over Wildfires, The Wall Street Journal (April 3, 2026).

About O’Donnell Law Offices

O’Donnell Law Offices has been serving the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton communities for over 35 years, advocating for individuals and families when it matters most. The firm specializes in fighting insurance companies to ensure clients receive the full and fair compensation they are entitled to under the law. When insurance companies delay, deny, or underpay claims, O’Donnell Law Offices is committed to standing by your side and fighting to get you the justice you deserve.

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