General - 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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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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Think Your Online Search History Is Private? Think Again.

O'Donnell Law Offices — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:17:50 +0000

Author: Neil T. O’Donnell

Last December, Pennsylvania Supreme Court decided Commonwealth v. Kurtz, 348 A.3d 133 (2025). That case involved State Police obtaining a “reverse keyword search” warrant for Google search records generated during the week of a reported assault. In plain words, the police asked Google to figure out who was researching the victim on their service during the week of the assault. One year later, Google informed police that an IP address associated with the Kurtz residence ran those searches during the specified time period.¹

The police then obtained a discarded cigarette butt near the home and found that Kurtz’s DNA matched that found at the scene.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision effectively means that there is no expectation of privacy in your internet search history in criminal cases, at least in the short term. Internet companies do not hold onto that history forever. However, the time frame can reach multiple years’ worth of information capable of being searched by an appropriate warrant. There is also the consideration of companies utilizing your data to adjust their algorithms.

The full implications of this decision to civil cases has yet to be determined. Stayed tuned.

¹ An IP address (“Internet Protocol”) is essentially like a phone number associated with your device connecting to a network.

About Neil T. O'Donnell

Neil T. O’Donnell is a trial attorney and founding partner of O’Donnell Law Offices in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. For more than three decades, he has represented individuals and families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and complex civil litigation matters. Known for his thoughtful analysis of emerging legal issues and his commitment to advocating for clients during difficult moments, Neil regularly writes about legal developments that may impact the public.

The post Think Your Online Search History Is Private? Think Again. first appeared on O'Donnell Law.

La Angels Settled MLB Players’ Wrongful Death Lawsuit While Jury Deliberates

O'Donnell Law Offices — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 18:20:32 +0000

By Neil T. O’Donnell

With the jury deliberating, the Los Angeles Angels reached an 11th hour settlement agreement with the family of former MLB pitcher Tyler Skaggs on December 17th. Pitcher Tyler Skaggs died on July 1, 2019 after ingesting a pill laced with fentanyl. Mr. Skaggs was battling a serious opioid addiction which, as the family alleged, was never properly dealt with by the team.

The pill was provided by Angels’ communications director Eric Kay, who is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence in connection to Skaggs’ death. The 2022 criminal trial included testimony from various MLB members stating that they received oxycodone from Eric Kay from 2017 to 2019.

At the start of trial, the Angels attempted to re-litigate whether the fentanyl pill killed Skaggs. Judge H. Shaina Colover declined to re-hear the issue and proceeded with trial. The team then argued that they acted reasonably given the circumstances of Skaggs’ addiction.

The Skaggs trial brought team players and employees to the stand. Their testimony established a picture of a team overseeing boisterous alcoholic parties, which involved paying Eric Kay for clubhouse stunts. Outfielder Mike Trout, when asked whether he knew attendees provided drugs at the parties, answered with “maybe.”

Deliberations began December 16. The Angels likely reacted when the jury sent written questions such as “Do we as the jury get to decide the punitive damages amount? There is no field for it?” The case settled abruptly on December 17, 2025.

It is an unfortunate reality that people die due to the careless and reckless conduct of others. If a loved one has been fatally injured, our team at O’Donnell Law Offices had decades of collective experience in handling wrongful death cases throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. We fight to secure our client’s needs and compensation rightfully owed.

Contact O’Donnell Law Offices today at 570-821-5717 for a free consultation.

About Neil T. O'Donnell

Neil T. O’Donnell is the founder of O’Donnell Law Offices and a veteran trial lawyer who has spent decades advocating for victims of injury, abuse, and neglect. A board-certified Civil Trial Specialist, Neil is known for holding individuals and institutions accountable and pursuing justice for those harmed by negligence and misconduct throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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What Happens to Workers’ Compensation Specific Loss Benefits After Death in Pennsylvania?

Michael O'Donnell — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 23:33:44 +0000

Written by Attorney Michael O’Donnell

Generally speaking, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides for three (3) forms of benefits to injured workers:

Wage loss benefits when an injury interrupts a worker’s ability to earn a wage;
Medical benefits covering 100% of the reasonable medical expenses necessary to treat a work injury; and
Specific loss benefits, which are cash benefits to the injured worker when they suffer the loss of use of a body part (often by way of dysfunction or amputation) or scars to certain areas of their body caused by an on-the-job injury.

Understanding How Specific Loss Benefits Work

The law is set up in such a way that an injured worker cannot collect both total disability wage loss payments and payments for a specific loss simultaneously. The law provides that specific loss benefits are paid after an injured worker stops receiving weekly total disability wage loss payments.

Because of these legally imposed limitations, it is common for an injured worker who has suffered an amputation, permanent scar, or loss of use of a body part to pursue an award of specific loss benefits from a Workers’ Compensation Judge and not begin receiving those payments until they stop receiving their weekly total disability payments.

Workplace injuries involving both total disability and specific loss are frequently some of the most serious and severe injuries we see in this area of the law. I have personally observed situations where these injuries are so devastating that they have, tragically, led to loss of life. When that occurs, the injured worker’s surviving dependents are generally eligible to receive fatal claim benefits and coverage for a set amount of funeral expenses.

What Happens to Specific Loss Benefits After Death?

But what happens when an injured worker suffers a total disability, a specific loss due to amputation, loss of use, or disfigurement, and then passes away before their specific loss benefits are finally decided by the Court and before those payments are made? Does the insurance company just get to keep the specific loss money? Keep in mind, the law provides that specific loss payments do not become payable under the law until after the injured worker’s total disability wage loss checks stop. Like most issues in the law, the answer to the earlier question is: it depends.

Case Example: Recovering Benefits for a Deceased Worker

I had represented a gentleman who suffered a severe work-related injury to his leg. He appropriately received total disability benefits for that injury. Despite best efforts from his medical team, the injury eventually required amputation of his leg below the knee.

With that, he became eligible for specific loss benefits, which were awarded by a Judge. Because my client was receiving total disability payments, the law provided that his specific loss payments would not yet begin. Not long thereafter, my client succumbed to a non-work-related medical ailment and he passed away. He was still receiving total disability wage loss benefits for his work injury when he passed. He never received a penny of the specific loss benefits awarded by the Court.

This brings us back to the question raised earlier: Does the insurance company just keep the specific loss money that had been awarded by the Court? Not this time. After my client’s passing, we took the issue back to the Court with his surviving spouse substituted in his place as the “Claimant.” The law was on our side, but not necessarily for the reasons most would believe.

Section 306(g): Payment of Specific Loss Benefits to Survivors

Section 306(g) of the Workers’ Compensation Act provides that specific loss benefits are payable to the surviving spouse or dependents of the injured worker if they have not yet been paid to the injured worker prior to his death and the injured worker’s death was due to causes unrelated to his work injury. The key factors in our case were that the specific loss benefits had actually been awarded by a judge prior to my client’s passing and his death was due to a medical ailment unrelated to his work injury. Securing the award of specific loss benefits during the injured worker’s lifetime was an important fact to our success in recovering payment of the benefits to his surviving spouse. Additionally, under then-existing precedent, proving that his passing was due to medical ailments unrelated to his work injury provided for a favorable result under Section 306(g).

But what is the result if the injured worker dies while their specific loss benefits claim is still unresolved by the Court, their passing is due to the work injury itself, and the injured worker leaves behind no dependents?

**The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently tackled this issue in Steets v. Celebration Fireworks (WCAB), 335 A.3d 1076 (Pa. 2025).**

The key factors for purposes of this analysis are that (1) the injured worker’s passing was due to the injuries she suffered as a result of the workplace incident; (2) the injured worker did not leave behind dependents as defined in the law; and (3) the question of whether the injured worker was owed specific loss benefits was being actively contested and litigated in the Courts at the time she died.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in overruling earlier precedent dating back to 2004, held that Section 306(g) does not limit recovery of post-death specific loss benefits to only those circumstances where the injured worker’s death is due to non–work-injury-related causes. The High Court further examined Section 410 of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act and determined that Section 410 allows for the payment of specific loss benefits to an injured worker’s Estate under the circumstances presented in Steets because the injured worker died as a result of her work injuries, did not leave behind dependents, and maintained an active claim for specific loss benefits that had not yet reached a final adjudication at the time of her death. The employer or insurance carrier’s continued contest of the injured worker’s entitlement to specific loss benefits at the time of her death was a key factor in allowing for the application of Section 410 and thus the Estate’s ability to recover the specific loss benefits at issue.

About Attorney Michael A. O’Donnell

Attorney Michael A. O’Donnell is a certified specialist in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law who represents injured workers and their families across the Commonwealth. A partner at O’Donnell Law Offices, he is known for his strong advocacy, community involvement, and leadership in professional organizations, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association’s Middle District Chapter. Learn more about Attorney Michael O’Donnell.

O’Donnell Law Offices is a leading personal injury and workers’ compensation firm serving Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and communities across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our experienced team of trial attorneys represents clients in complex cases involving workers’ compensation, specific loss benefits, personal injury, motor vehicle and trucking accidents, premises liability, and Social Security Disability. With decades of proven results and board-certified expertise in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law, we fight to protect the rights of injured workers and their families—ensuring they receive the full benefits and justice they deserve.

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Walk-In Wendnesdays

O'Donnell Law Offices — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:49:55 +0000

Celebrating 35 Years of Justice – Walk-In Wednesdays Return!

O’Donnell Law Offices is honored to celebrate 35 remarkable years of dedicated legal service to our community. Since our founding in 1990, we’ve proudly stood by injured individuals and families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, helping countless people recover after car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, workplace injuries, and guiding those seeking Social Security Disability benefits.

As we mark this special milestone, we’re excited to announce the return of our popular “Walk-In Wednesdays” for the entire month of April! Every Wednesday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, our doors are open for anyone who needs expert legal advice—no appointment necessary. Our experienced attorneys are ready to offer free consultations, providing clarity, support, and peace of mind.

At O’Donnell Law Offices, every case matters. From major personal injury lawsuits to everyday legal concerns, our team treats each client with compassion, respect, and the dedicated attention they deserve.

“We believe legal help should always be accessible,” explains Neil O’Donnell, Founder and Attorney. “Walk-In Wednesdays ensure our community has a convenient way to get immediate answers and trusted advice.”

Visit us any Wednesday this April to speak directly with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. Your peace of mind is our priority.

Learn more about Walk-In Wednesdays and view the individual weekly event pages on our facebook!

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Injured During Holiday Travel?

matt — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 21:31:29 +0000

By: Joshua Perry –

The holidays are a busy time of year. For some, this includes traveling to spend time with their family and loved ones. As a result of holiday travel, the number of vehicles on the road increases. Unfortunately, as a result, so do the number of accidents. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates 507 people may die on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving holiday period.

With many holiday gatherings, alcohol is often part of the festivities. If you intend to drink during the holiday season, be sure to have a plan in place to get home, like utilizing a rideshare or taxi service, or calling a friend. Doing so can prevent you from being another statistic this holiday season.

Different Things To Consider If You Are Injured

If you are injured as a result of a car accident, be sure to obtain treatment for your injuries. EMS may arrive at the scene of the accident, treat you, and release you, or they may transport you to the hospital for further treatment. If possible, make note of the EMS provider you are treated by. Their records may be important in helping to identify your injuries from the accident.

If you are transported to a hospital, keep a copy of any of your records or discharge paperwork that you received. This paperwork often helps to identify what injuries you sustained in the collision and identifies which facility has your medical records relative to the accident.

Some injuries may not present until the next day or get worse over time. Some people in car accidents wake up with neck pain or back pain the morning after the accident occurred. The important thing to do is seek treatment for those injuries as soon as you begin to experience symptoms or notice increased symptoms.

People sometimes wait to seek treatment, thinking that their injuries will improve over time. Oftentimes, these injuries do not resolve without treatment. By waiting, you may be negatively impacting your ability to recover from those injuries.

What If The Other Driver Is Impaired By Alcohol Or Drugs?

If the individual that caused the car accident was impaired by alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident, it may change the tort status of your insurance coverage. This may allow you to recover for injuries that you otherwise would not be able to recover from. It is important to speak with an attorney to understand the full implications on insurance coverage in these circumstances.

Obtaining a copy of the police report will help determine whether the offending driver was cited for driving under the influence. Typically, the police officer responding to the collision will provide you with an incident report number. This number is used to identify the accident, so that a police report can be obtained once completed by the police department responding.

Finally, if you are injured during holiday travel, give O’Donnell Law Offices a call and allow us to evaluate your claim. We can help you navigate through the various avenues of recovery for injuries as well as help you understand what your legal rights are in obtaining that recovery.

Source:

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/thanksgiving-day

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