Founded in 1990, ODonnell Law Offices has built a highly successful practice based on legal scholarship, professionalism, innovation and skillful, vigorous advocacy. We practice our profession so that our clients value us for our service and advice, and our colleagues respect us for our ability and integrity. We believe it is important to be regarded with trust and appreciation.
We focus on the needs of injured victims, handling cases in various areas of personal injury, ranging from workers compensation through wrongful death litigation. We work hard to ensure our clients receive just compensation for their injuries.
Located in Kingston, PA, our firm provides services for all of Northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and Hazleton areas. In addition to serving clients in Luzerne County and Lackawanna County, we cover the Poconos, and all of Monroe County, Columbia County and Wyoming County. We also serve clients in major Pennsylvania metropolitan areas, including Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh.
Our success is measured in our proven track record, as well as acknowledged by membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, selection by Super Lawyers as top attorneys in Pennsylvania, and a listing in the national Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers.
Under state law, establishments that overserve intoxicated patrons are liable for damages if those patrons cause drunk driving crash injuries or deaths. Pennsylvania’s dram shop law applies to businesses and private events. State law also holds social hosts liable for drunk driving damages caused by providing minors alcohol.
Wrongful Death
Saying goodbye to a loved one is perhaps the hardest thing anyone can face. True compassion and a network of support can help the grieving parties move forward. In cases of wrongful death, families need a team they can trust to navigate them through the legal details, while they focus on healing. At O’Donnell Law Offices, our Kingston wrongful death lawyers have the experience necessary to provide that support.
Traffic Violations
Trucks are the largest vehicles on the road, which also makes them among the most dangerous. Common causes for truck accidents include fatigued driving, speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, poor truck maintenance and improper loading. All of these scenarios could be avoided.
Sex Crimes
Assault
Homicide
In early June of 2015, a drunk driver struck and killed a 31-year-old woman who was jogging along Lakeside Drive in Harveys Lake. The driver, a 54-year-old male who had been drinking at Grotto Pizza, fled the scene of the accident and was found hours later by police with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 2 1/2 times the legal limit.After the incident, the woman’s family filed a lawsuit against Grotto Pizza and American Legion Riders Post 672, a venue located in Dallas, Pennsylvania. Attorney Neil O’Donnell is representing the estate of the woman who lost her life in the crash. There are several issues surrounding the case. First, Grotto Pizza and American Legion Riders Post 672 oversold the man responsible for the DUI crash even though he was visibly intoxicated. Multiple cameras in the pizzeria recorded the defendant being overserved. However, Grotto failed to preserve this crucial video evidence. Neil O’Donnell filed a motion arguing that Grotto assured law enforcement and the estate of the deceased woman that it would preserve all video evidence from the date of the accident. The motion argues Grotto destroyed this crucial video evidence in bad faith.In the motion, Neil O’Donnell wrote “Had Grotto fulfilled its duty to preserve all of the surveillance video from that night,the jury would have a much clearer picture as to whether Michael Scavone was visibly intoxicated at the time of being served. Grotto must not be permitted to destroy extremely relevant evidence and then argue to a judge or jury that there is no evidence to support the plaintiff’s claim.”Neil O’Donnell asked the Luzerne County Judge to grant a summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff’s estate.The defendant is serving 7 to 16 years in prison for vehicular homicide, causing an accident involving death or injury and two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Kingston/Pennsylvania – August 19, 2021 -Best Lawyers has chosen Attorney Michael A. O’Donnell for the first time for inclusion in the 2022 Best Lawyers in America for Claimants’ Workers’ Compensation Law.Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Its methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practices area. For more information, please visit www.bestlawyers.com.“I am excited to be recognized by my peers in the legal community as a leader in the area of workers compensation,” said Michael O’Donnell. “As a certified workers compensation specialist, the focus is always on the clients and fighting for their rights as injured workers.”A frequent contributor to legal education programs, Attorney O’Donnell has received the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating 2016-2021, and has been named a Rising Star Lawyer 2017-2021.
Most of us do our best, in our day-to-day lives, to avoid hurting other people. Unfortunately, this is not true for everyone, as evidenced by the millions of people who are injured in accidents every year. Fortunately, it is possible to hold negligent and reckless individuals, companies, and even government agencies, liable for their failure to use reasonable care in their dealings with others. To learn more about filing a lawsuit against the person or entity who caused your own accident, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Easton personal injury lawyer today.
Medical Malpractice
Medical professionals who fail to properly diagnose a patient or do not provide necessary treatment can be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages. Many incidents can lead to a medical malpractice claim, including injuries sustained during childbirth, failure to operate on the right part of the body, etc.
Auto Accidents
Social Security Disability
Social security disability insurance benefits are supposed to compensate a worker after they become totally disabled and are unable to earn an income. Applying for benefits can be challenging, and benefits are denied more often than they are approved. This is why you need an attorney who is experienced with these types of claims. Having a clear understanding of the law is imperative.
Dog Bites
Dog Bites: Were you bitten by someone else’s dog? Pennsylvania law holds that owners and keepers have a duty to ensure their animals do not injure another person.
Everyone regardless of age or income level should have a Will in order to be sure their assets are given to whom they want to have them after they are gone. If you have children under age 18, you should name your guardians to raise your children if you are no longer here. Proper Estate Planning should also minimize tax and estate expenses. Schedule an appointment with Catherine O’Donnell to discuss your estate planning.
Wills
In partnership with the Pennsylvania Bar Association, we are proud to bring the Wills for Heroes program to you. Wills for Heroes is a free and easy service that provides Wills, Living Wills, Health Care and Financial Powers of Attorney to first responders and military veterans and their spouses/partners.
Power of Attorney
Appointments for each person last approximately one hour. After it, you will have notarized legal documents – a Will, Living Will, and Health Care and Financial Powers of Attorney (or any combination thereof). If you select that you are coming with a spouse/significant other, you will have back to back appointments, and the computer will automatically schedule a second appointment. You do not need to schedule a separate appointment. Please schedule your appointment early as this event is sure to fill up fast.