LINKS FOR THE LEGAL CONSUMER AND

EMPLOYMENT CASES OF McLAUGHLIN LAW OFFICES

It has always been my belief that an educated legal consumer makes the best client.  They know when they need legal assistance and when the do-it-yourself method makes sense.  They also can assist with their legal matter, which often reduces their cost and lets the attorney concentrate on the functions where expertise counts.  Finally, the educated consumer can appreciate the impediments that often lie in the way of a just and speedy result. 

• Urban legends about tort law abuses debunked see American Trial Lawyers Association at http://www.atla.org/homepage/debunk.aspx

• Big business and insurance company assaults on Pennsylvanian's legal rights explained at Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association page. http://www.patla.org/Template.cfm?section=Consumers

• For links to Tort Reform and Damage Cap pages that demonstrate the falsehoods being spread by the insurance industry and big corporations see http://www.centerjd.org/ and Ralph Nadar at http://www.lectlaw.com/files/civ03.htm

• A good start for an overview most areas of the law one is likely to be interested in can be found at http://www.lawyertool.com. There is a specific area for Pennsylvania law and links to just about any legal topic. 

• When you get a very specific question about the law or procedure, you might check out http://freeadvice.com which is a very comprehensive list of frequently asked questions organized by topic.  A site where you can actually post a question is http://www.lawguru.com/ where lawyers volunteer answers.

• If you need to actually read an appellate case that sets precedent in the area of the law that effects you, the best free source is http://www.law.cornell.edu/.  Another good source for Pennsylvania cases is http://www.megalaw.com/pa/pa.php

• For another helpful list of legal links throughout the country,  you might look at  http://www.pabar.org/legallinks.shtml.

• For information on auto insurance law in Pennsylvania, the State website provides basic definitions of the key terms like Limited Tort option and  Stacking.   http://www.insurance.state.pa.us/html/tauto.html

• There is a lot of hype and promotion of living trusts. While these can be very useful in the right situation, most people really do not need them.  To find out more check this site of the American Association of Retired Persons (a) http://www.aarp.org/estate_planning/Articles/a2002-08-12-EstatePlanningLivingTrusts.html

The office has been involved with several cases that required an appeal to the Federal Third Circuit Court of Appeal.

• In Bonenberger v. Plymouth Township, the District Court (Federal Trial Court Judge) threw out the plaintiff’s complaints on the basis that a higher level police officer was not a supervisor because he did not have the power to hire or fire the plaintiff, who was subject to a sexually hostile work environment.  The Third Circuit reversed the trial judge and the case was returned for trial.  Ms. Bonenberger ultimately obtained a judgment in her favor.  The third Circuit Opinion can be found at http://vls.law.vill.edu/locator/3d/Dec1997/97a1758p.txt

• In Oshiver v. Levin, Fishbein, Sedrin and Berman, the defendant had the case thrown out because the plaintiff did not file an administrative complaint with the EEOC and the Human Relations Commission on time.  The case was appealed and the Third Circuit held that tolling (time period does not begin to run) applied if the plaintiff only discovered the discriminatory conduct after she had been terminated.  The Third Circuit opinion is available at http://vls.law.vill.edu/locator/3d/Nov1994/94a0878p.txt

• For those who need a schedule for trains to Paoli, visit the regional train schedule on http://www.septa.org. The office is only a short walk from the Paoli stop on the R5 Thorndale/Malvern/Paoli route. (See directions link at left)

• For those who are interested in local sites, restaurants, local Yellow pages, etc. Find out about Paoli: Digital City - Paoli, PA. or Dining