The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania recently ruled that an employee who received his full wages for the day that he was injured at work was not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits until his next workday. The ruling was critical to the court’s determination that his employer did not miss a deadline to stop paying benefits….
A recent decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court should make every defendant think long and hard about what they really want to do before pleading guilty to a crime. Plea Agreement In Commonwealth v. Norton, Michael Norton was charged with sexually abusing his paramour’s granddaughter. On the day that his trial was to begin, Norton…
A recent decision by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania seemingly gives anyone with a grudge the ability to take our civil liberties away by calling in a detailed, anonymous crime tip to 911. 911 Call In Commonwealth v. Price, two officers were working in an unmarked patrol car when they received a radio broadcast to…
A recent decision by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania addressed whether a person who is sleeping in the driver’s seat of a parked car, with its engine off, can be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). It should make everyone take pause before getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks. Engine Off…
A recent decision by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania provides valuable insight into what can go legally wrong when you think you are firing a weapon in self-defense, to protect yourself from someone who is forcefully entering your home, but you are mistaken. Banging on a Door In Commonwealth v. Cannavo, the defendant was staying…
A recent decision by the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County provides a valuable lesson in the importance of gathering and keeping all evidence if you have been injured in an accident, including accidents where you bite into a foreign object in your food. ‘Hard Plastic’ Chip In Swartwood v. Denny’s Restaurant, a customer…
In July, we blogged about the lack of a legal remedy for a shopper who injured herself when she tripped and fell over a large pallet in a grocery store. Here is another case in which a shopper was left injured and without a legal remedy. Thick, Yellow Substance In Thomas v. Family Dollar Stores…
The Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County recently ruled that a wife ― who knew that her husband was not taking his psychiatric medications ― was not liable in a civil lawsuit brought by a man whom he violently assaulted. Violent Attack According to news reports and court documents, James Laughlin and Scott Manatone…
Reality TV show star and hotel heiress Paris Hilton announced last week that she plans to keep her $2 million, 20-carat pear-shaped diamond engagement ring even though she called off her engagement with actor Chris Zylka in October. The breakup happened 10 months after Zylka dropped to one knee on the ski slopes of Aspen,…
If you think you can buck the statistics regarding the dangers of distracted driving, here’s the story of a driver in Scotland — and some cold, hard data — to get you to reconsider. Confronted by a Cyclist A YouTube video titled “Ironic or Moronic? SP64JVC” is going viral as we write this post. (In…
A recent decision by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania serves as an important reminder that statutory deadlines are stubborn things — and failure to adhere to them may result in loss of your legal rights. Back Pain Soto-Melendez v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (High Concrete Group) involved an employee of a manufacturer of pre-cast concrete…
A recent decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court serves as a reminder that the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows us to remain silent in the face of police questioning. Once we invoke that right, which we are advised of in a Miranda warning, police cannot pressure us into abandoning it. Homicide Interrogation In…