Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog

PA’s Paul Miller Law Goes Into Effect

Published on: June 9, 2025 | O'Connor Law

On Friday, June 6th, Pennsylvania’s newest traffic law began enforcement. Paul Miller’s Law outlaws any type of cell phone use while operating a vehicle. This includes phone use at red lights, stop signs, and traffic delays. Hands-free phone use is not outlawed, allowing drivers to continue to make phone calls, listen to music, and use GPS safely via Bluetooth or CarPlay. The law, named for Paul Miller, who was killed in a vehicle crash in 2010 by a distracted driver, aims to reduce distractions on the road.

The law began enforcement on June 6th, with reports that written warnings will be given for the first year of its effect. After this warning period, offenders will be subject to a fine of $50, plus court fees.

In an interview with Paul Miller’s mother, Eileen, she discussed her hopes for the law’s impact: “I don’t want any parent to ever have to go to a morgue to identify their child by something so preventable,” she said. “I know that this piece of legislation is going to save lives, and that was the most important thing.”

Aqua PA Sues Company over PFAS Contamination

Published on: March 10, 2025 | O'Connor Law

Aqua Pennsylvania has initiated a federal lawsuit against Arkema Inc., a chemical manufacturer based in King of Prussia, alleging negligence for polluting a creek that is part of a network supplying drinking water to thousands in Delaware and Chester Counties.

This lawsuit, filed this week in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, claims that the Goose Creek watershed waterway exhibited “significant contamination” from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of human-made compounds, when tested downstream from Arkema Inc.’s facility on Bolmar Street in West Chester.

PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” are known for their resistance to breakdown in both the environment and human bodies. The lawsuit references research indicating that exposure to PFAS may lead to developmental issues in fetuses during pregnancy or in breastfed infants, as well as being linked to cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, and elevated cholesterol levels.

Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base

Published on: August 12, 2022 | O'Connor Law

From 1953 through 1987, the drinking water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina was contaminated with poisonous chemicals. Millions of marines have been impacted by this water contamination. United States Marine Corps (USMC) service members and their families living at the base bathed in and ingested tap water that was contaminated with harmful chemicals at concentrations from 240 to 3400 times levels permitted by safety standards. Several former base residents have later developed cancer and other deadly ailments, which many blame on the contaminated water.

U.S. Government Ignores Victims for Decades

For decades after the discovery of the contaminated water, victims were ignored by the US government. It was not until July 18, 2012, that Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. It granted specific health benefits to any veteran who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for at least 30 days between January 1, 1957, and December 31, 1987.

80-vehicle pileup in Pennsylvania caused by snow squall

Published on: April 5, 2022 | O'Connor Law

We urge anyone who was involved in this accident to contact our office immediately to protect your rights. Having a good car accident attorney on your side is essential to making sure your medical bills, lost wages, and any other damages are covered.

Recently, there was a major crash on Interstate 81 near Minersville, Pennsylvania. According to the police, 80 vehicles were involved in the crash — 39 commercial and 41 passenger vehicles. Six people were killed in the crash. Twenty-four people were injured and then later taken to local hospitals.

The pile-up began around 10:30 a.m. as a snow squall — an intense short-lived burst of heavy snowfall that leads to a quick reduction in visibilities and is often accompanied by gusty winds— blinded drivers, which led to the severe crash and pileup. Three tractor trailers caught fire and at least two other small fires were reported.

O’Connor Law Supports Project Cheer

Published on: December 30, 2021 | O'Connor Law

For three consecutive years, O’Connor Law has been honored to participate in donating to Project Cheer. Last year, Project Cheer was able to help 6 local families, including 13 children. The families were invited to a holiday celebration, including the chance to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The photo above was taken at this year’s holiday party.

Project Cheer is a local project that aims to bring cheer, happiness, and assistance to families during the holiday season. Created in 2018, the project has expanded from originally helping one family to multiple families. Businesses or groups in the community can also support a family and donate items, such as gifts or holiday meals. Project Cheer accepts donations for a variety of items, including children’s toys, canned food, and monetary donations. Companies, businesses, families, and members of the community are welcome to donate to Project Cheer.

For more information about Project Cheer or to learn more about how you can help, email goprojectcheer@gmail.com or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/projectcheer.

The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Published on: September 17, 2021 | O'Connor Law

There are numerous benefits to hiring a personal injury attorney. When individuals are injured and unable to manage their claims by themselves or are in need of additional assistance, attorneys will be able to help. At O’Connor Law, we have personal injury attorneys that have years of expertise in the practice area. To receive a free consultation of your case, call our office at 800-518-4LAW to talk to one of our personal injury attorneys.

Knowledge about Legal Laws and Processes

Filing an application and claim is a very extensive process that requires specific information. This can be a difficult task for people to conduct by themselves while recovering from injuries. Personal injury attorneys specialize in this type of practice area and can help clients receive the benefits that they deserve. With years of experience, our attorneys have gained expert knowledge of numerous types of personal injury cases. From statues of limitations to medical examinations, attorneys will make sure that applicants provide sufficient information that is required to receive benefits efficiently.

Recall on Philips Respironics Machines

Published on: August 15, 2021 | O'Connor Law

There have been recent developments in the news regarding product liability and mass tort lawsuits. Mass tort litigation cases arise when a large number of people report having injuries or illnesses from a dangerous or defective product. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) sleep apnea machines by Phillips Respironics have been recalled after many reports of injuries. Millions of people have been affected by this dangerous product and are looking to receive compensation from their injuries and for medical expenses.

Phillips Respironics has recalled multiple products as a result of the same cause, including CPAP, BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure), and ventilator machines. Philips Respironics stated that the CPAP apnea machine was intended to “send a constant flow of airway pressure to your throat so that the airway stays open during sleep, which was intended to treat spontaneous pauses in breath associated with sleep apnea”. However, there have been reports of a foam deconstructing into tiny pieces or becoming a contaminated vapor that could be inhaled by users. If this were to occur, numerous and potentially severe health complications can arise.

The recall is due to a component in the machine called a polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam. As stated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the foam was intended to reduce noise and vibrations that may come from the machine. Instead of helping and benefiting users, the foam has caused people to develop severe medical symptoms that can detrimentally affect their health. As quoted by the U.S. Food and Drug Association, potential risks of the degradation of PE-PUR foam may include “irritation to the skin, eye, and respiratory tract, inflammatory response, dizziness, headache, asthma, hypersensitivity, and toxic and carcinogenic effects”. In severe circumstances, degradation and exposure to the PE-PUR foam may have the potential to be linked to developing cancer or lung diseases. Researchers are still looking into the severe effects.

Summer Auto Accidents

Published on: June 22, 2021 | O'Connor Law

In the summer, many vehicles will be on the roads for long travels. During the summer season, auto accidents and injuries can become prevalent. In addition to accidents, drivers and passengers can also experience health issues. Before driving during in the summer, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers that can occur.

With many cars, tractor-trailers, motorcycles, and public transportation systems traveling, there is an increased chance of any auto accident occurring, including rear-end collisions. Since many people go on vacations during the summer, there are also drivers who have been on the road for long period of time. Accidents are more likely to occur when there are many vehicles driving on congested roads. Statistically, there are also more inexperienced drivers on the road during this time, and they do not have years of experience with heavy traffic and auto accidents. As a result, they can have the potential of being involved in an accident if they are not aware of their surroundings.

Tire accidents are common to occur in summer. In fact, the summer season is sometimes referred to as “tire blowout season”. When temperatures are high, roads can become extremely hot. It is not unusual in the summer for tractor-trailers and other vehicles to have tire blowouts, which occur as a result of low tire pressure. Tire tread separation can also cause tire blowouts. In addition to tire blowouts, temperatures can also affect the performances of vehicles. In most cases, it can cause vehicles to use more fuel to operate. To support your car’s engine during the summer months, it is recommended to stay updated on oil changes and other safety precautions. If these factors are not maintained, vehicles can experience internal damages.

New Unemployment Benefit System

Published on: June 2, 2021 | O'Connor Law

In June, the Office of Unemployment Compensation from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry will implement a new Unemployment Compensation system. The primary initiative of this system is to allow applicants to navigate the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s website easier and to complete filing for benefits more efficiently. As a result, people will be able to file claims quickly and have more time and energy to concentrate on applying for new jobs. Unemployment Compensation has been able to provide compensation payments for decades. After around 40 years of using the same system, the Department has decided to implement new changes to better suit people’s needs.

In addition to making the process of filing for weekly and biweekly claims easier, the system will also provide new features. For example, individuals will be able to access a dashboard and message professionals directly using a chat program on the website. The Office of Unemployment Compensation lists that participants will also have the capability to file a new claim, access information about claims, check the status of claims, and the ability to change options on how they can receive communication services and to withhold federal income tax. The Office also states that employers could view information as it becomes available, receive faster response times, and have expert communication about information changes. The current unemployment system sends certain information, such as hearing dates, to individuals on paper through the postal service. With the new system, people will be able to view their notifications and updates online.

The Office of Unemployment Compensation claims that the new program will transition Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, Extended Benefits, Shared Work or Short-Time Compensation, and Trade Readjustment Allowances. Since the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is provided by the CARES Act, it is considered a separate program and will remain unaffected by the change.

Winter Auto Accidents

Published on: March 16, 2021 | O'Connor Law

During the winter months, Pennsylvania receives large amounts of snow that usually last for a long period of time. Ice typically follows after snow, which causes roads to be extremely dangerous for drivers. The Federal Highway Administration states that more than 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes during snow and ice conditions annually. The chance of causing or being involved in a winter auto accident increases as weather conditions become more severe.

AccuWeather states that there are three common accidents that can occur in the winter, including spin out collisions, rear end crashes, and lane drifting accidents. Icy conditions can potentially cause drivers to lose control and drift off the road or in the opposite lane of traffic. Spin out collisions are very dangerous and any slight movements of the wheel can make the problem worse. It is recommended for drivers to turn the wheel in the direction that they are spinning. Black ice is a transparent layer of ice on roads and paved areas, which is especially dangerous while driving. It is difficult for drivers to see black ice and can potentially cause an accident. In fact, icy roads are one of the top common winter auto accident contributors. In extreme weather conditions, drivers can lose control and crash off the road or into other cars.

Once cars start to slide on ice, they can also slide into other people and cause a rear end crash. Cars should keep a safe distance between each other, especially when driving in the winter. Generally, staying two to three car-lengths away from the car in front is a safe distance. Driving through a snowstorm or blizzard also has many problems. In this occasion, it can be very hard to see the lines on the road. As a result, lane departures can be common. Following tracks made by previous cars can be an easy solution to prevent moving into another lane.