Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Reaches $3.97 Million Settlement in Tractor Trailer Case

(May 2015 – Scranton, PA) – Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today announced a $3.97 million settlement in a case stemming from a tractor trailer accident in January, 2011. Plaintiff, Allison Kowalski, whose husband, Mark Kowalski, was killed, was represented by Attorneys Daniel Munley and Marion Munley of the Munley firm.

Mr. Kowalski, from New York state, was traveling east on I-80 in Columbia County, PA, when he encountered defendant Patrick Webb, a Texas truck driver who was also traveling eastbound on I-80. Webb was driving for PBM, a Texas trucking company. The trailer he was hauling was leased to PBM by Republic National Industries of Texas.

Webb lost control of his rig on the snow-covered highway, and his tractor slid off of the road and into the median. Kowalski, who was traveling behind Webb, was unable to avoid a collision with Webb’s trailer which was blocking the eastbound lanes of traffic. […]

Attorney Julia Munley to Child Sexual Abuse Victims: “You are Not Alone”

Julia Munley explains the ethical and legal obligation of reporting sexual abuse

In a recent interview, Attorney Julia Munley discusses misconduct and sexual abuse perpetrated by adults in positions of authority against minors. Attorney Munley has long been an advocate for victims and their families. Today, she helps to shed some light on this issue and offers some key pieces of advice for those who are concerned.

WNEP reported that Pennsylvania is ranked second in the country for reported claims of misconduct by teachers. In the last few months alone there have been at least seven stories just in our home region of Northeast PA.

It’s difficult to get hard and fast numbers on just how many of these incidents are occurring because claims do not always result in criminal charges. […]

Attorney Chris Munley Ambassador for Meals on Wheels in Happenings Magazine

Chris Munley represents crucial food service in the community

In addition to being a dedicated lawyer, husband, and father, Attorney Chris Munley shows unwavering support for worthwhile causes in the community.

In the January issue of Happenings Magazine (pg. 99-100),  Chris Munley tells us about his involvement with Meals on Wheels. The magazine’s annual contest, “Ties that Bind,” features four local men and their “ties” to various non-profit organizations. In “Ties that Bind,” Munley shares the story behind his purple tie and tells us why he is proud to represent Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit organization that provides those in need with over 800 meals per day, all year round.  The program provides nutritious meals for economically disadvantaged adults in our home region. Many of the recipients are elderly people who would not otherwise be able to remain in their own homes. […]

$750k settlement for truck accident victim

Victim to receive compensation for injuries sustained in truck accident

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys announced Friday that a $750,000 settlement has been reached in a tractor trailer accident case which was scheduled to go to trial this month before the Honorable Robert D. Mariani, United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Scranton.

Robert W. Munley III noted that “Our client brought this lawsuit to achieve justice for the suffering and trauma that he and his family have endured since this accident.  We have been honored to represent him, and we hope that this settlement will help not only our client but will go a long way towards improving safe driving conditions for truckers and drivers alike.”

Mr. Munley represented plaintiff Henry Calhoun, a Florida tractor-trailer driver who was seriously injured when his parked vehicle was struck by another tractor-trailer in June 2011.  […]

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys proudly joins the Family to Family Thanksgiving program

As we enjoy the warmth, festivities, and food that the upcoming holiday brings, it’s easy to forget how many others in our home communities are not as fortunate. Even as we recite “I am thankful for…” we tend to take for granted the food in front of us. While most of us look forward to sharing a bountiful meal with those we love, many families in our area will have a very different association with the word, “Thanksgiving.” For many, it will be another night without food. As we celebrate all that we are so blessed to have, how can we not extend something to those who are not so fortunate?

Since 1986, The Burne family, along with the Friends of the Poor, have been working to provide Thanksgiving dinner baskets for disadvantaged families in the Scranton area. The scope of this project is overwhelming. […]

Congratulations are in Order: Matt Cartwright Elected Regional Whip

The Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys firm would like to send a hearty “congratulations!” to Matt Cartwright on his recent election to Regional Whip. Last Friday, Nov. 14, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright was elected Regional Whip by his Democratic colleagues. Cartwright was recently re-elected to serve a second term in Congress representing Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District in this month’s general election.

Before being elected to Congress in 2013, Cartwright was a partner at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys (then Munley, Munley & Cartwright) for twenty-five years. Cartwright is married to partner Marion Munley of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys; the Cartwrights have two sons, Jack and Matthew, and live in Moosic, PA.

His duties as Regional Whip will include developing strategy, counting votes, building support for key pieces of legislation, and helping members of the Democratic Caucus to work together.

“I would like to thank my colleagues for their support and confidence, […]

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Attorneys Named to 2015 Best Lawyers® in America List

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is pleased to announce that five partners have been named to the 2015 Edition of Best Lawyers. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has also been listed among the 2015 “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report.

• Robert W. Munley, Sr., Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Marion Munley, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Daniel W. Munley, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Robert W. Munley III, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• James Christopher Munley, Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys was ranked in the top tier of Personal Injury Litigation law firms in the annual ranking by U.S. News & World Report, based on peer and client reviews. […]

$3.8 million settlement reached for victim of tractor-trailer crash

Man struck by two separate tractor trailers causing permanent injuries

On Friday, October 24, a $3.8 million settlement was reached weeks before it was scheduled to be tried in a Lackawanna County court. Kyle Kelly filed suit against two trucking companies and their drivers following a crash that occurred in July of 2010, in the southbound lanes of Interstate 380 near the Pocono Pines exit. Kelly alleged that both drivers and their companies were negligent.

Kelly, then 23, was traveling home from work on Interstate 380 southbound at around 3:30 a.m. when his vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer owned by Proud 2 Haul and operated by Isabel Lopez. While traveling in the northbound lane of Interstate 380, Lopez took his eyes off the road to look for a lost apple. He then lost control of his tractor-trailer, crossed the median, […]

Pennsylvania Attorney Marion Munley Chosen to Serve on AAJ Board of Governors

SCRANTON, PA – October 9, 2014 – Marion Munley, a partner in the Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, was elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Munley was elected during the organization’s recent national convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

“I look forward to serving on the Board of Governors, and helping to advance the AAJ’s mission of protecting the legal rights of Americans who have been injured by negligence or misconduct, even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations and interests,” Munley said. “The AAJ plays a significant role in promoting justice and fairness for injured persons and in strengthening our country’s civil justice system. I am excited about the opportunity to help our organization continue this important work.”

Munley represents individuals and their families in complex personal injury litigation, including interstate truck accidents and medical malpractice in both state and federal courts. […]

Another Victory For Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys attorneys deliver successful verdict for injured client

A jury returned a verdict in the amount of $200,500 in favor of Sandra Seamans of New Milford, Pa. on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, following three days of testimony before the Honorable Malachy Mannion. Mrs. Seamans claimed she was injured following a rear-end automobile accident that occurred in 2011 on I-81 South near Exit 223.

The Defendant in the case was Universal Technical Institute and its employee. The verdict awarded damages to Mrs. Seamans for wage loss and pain and suffering resulting from chronic neck and back pain that she suffered in the accident. We are thrilled with the verdict,” said lead attorney, Marion Munley. “Justice was served.”

Sandra Seamans was represented by Marion Munley, Caroline Munley and Julia Munley of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.

[…]

$2,050,000 settlement reached in Wayne County pedestrian accident case

Engineers concluded the intersection was unnecessarily dangerous for pedestrians

On average, a pedestrian was killed every 2 hours and injured every 7 minutes in traffic crashes in 2012, the most recent year for which data was available. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,743 pedestrians died in traffic crashes in 2012 and an estimated 76,000 pedestrians were injured. The NHTSA reported that fatalities among pedestrians increased for the third consecutive year (6.4% over 2011).

On August 27, a $2,050,000 settlement was reached in a wrongful death case scheduled to go to trial in Wayne County, Pa. The accident involved the death of 60-year-old Ruthann Malti who was struck and killed by a Ford pickup truck on the corner of 7th and Church Streets in downtown Honesdale, Pa.

A case was filed on behalf of the Estate of Ruthann Malti by attorneys Daniel Munley and Julia Munley of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, […]

$2 Million settlement reached in Wayne County pedestrian accident case

Engineers concluded the intersection was unnecessarily dangerous for pedestrians

On August 27, a $2,050,000 settlement was reached in a wrongful death case scheduled to go to trial in Wayne County, Pa. The accident involved the death of a Wayne County woman who was struck and killed by a Ford pickup truck on the corner of 7th and Church Streets in downtown Honesdale, Pa.

A case was filed by attorneys Daniel Munley and Julia Munley of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, Scranton.

As a result of the accident, the victim suffered significant pain and suffering, and irreversible brain damage, which led to her death a few days later. It was always the position of the victim’s family that the change to the one-way street configuration and misplacement of crosswalks led to this accident.

Over the course of the case, the attorneys from Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys retained engineers who, […]

Never leave children in vehicles unattended in summer heat

During the warm summer months, children left alone in vehicles are at a high risk of suffering from heatstroke and possibly even death. We just saw tragedy strike earlier this month when 22-month-old Cooper Harris died after been left strapped in his car seat inside of a hot car all day. Each year dozens of children left in parked vehicles die from heatstroke. The National Weather Service warns that during extremely hot and humid weather, the body’s ability to cool itself is affected. This is even worse when inside of a hot vehicle.

According to a research study by a San Francisco State University researcher, at least 619 children have died in similar circumstances since 1998. It doesn’t take long for the temperature to rise inside of a closed vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a car to reach deadly temperature levels when the outside temperature is in the low 80’s. […]

PA Personal Injury Lawyer: Exercise Your Right to Vote

By Robert W. Munley

The Pennsylvania primary election day is Tuesday, May 20. Voting is one of our constitutional rights and a key to our nation’s democracy. It is one of the most important rights and responsibilities a citizen has, so it is very important that we all exercise this right.

Approximately 150 million Americans are qualified to vote. Unfortunately far too many eligible voters will not bother to come out to the polls to vote tomorrow, giving up the chance to choose leaders and representatives who will make important decisions.

The right and privilege to vote have been hard fought throughout American history. Many people sacrificed and fought so that women, minorities, and adults younger than 21 could cast ballots. Soldiers and civil right voters died fighting for your right to vote. You owe it to them to exercise this right. […]

Marion Munley Offers Congratulations to Graduates in Commencement Address

I had the privilege earlier this week to receive an honorary doctorate from Marywood University and to provide the commencement address for the Class of 2014. I watched in awe as more than 875 students from 23 states joined the Marywood University Graduating class of 2014. I was so proud of their hard work and dedication in persevering and earning their degrees.

Marywood University has been a special place to me and to my entire family. My mother is a member of the class of 1955, my late Aunt Jean, a graduate of the class of 1960, and my grandmother also attended Marywood in the 1920’s. In addition, my aunt, Kathleen Munley, is a graduate and long-time member of the faculty.

I was so proud of the graduating class of 2014, this class and other graduates all over the country. They are entering the workforce at an integral time. […]

Katie Nealon Passes Pennsylvania Bar Exam

SCRANTON, PA – May 9, 2014 –Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, a Pennsylvania personal injury firm, announced that Katie Nealon, an associate with the firm, passed the Pennsylvania Bar exam.

Nealon earned her Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School in California, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, ranking in the top 2% of her class and receiving the 2013 award for Outstanding Graduate in Business Law. She also graduated Wilkes University Magna cum laude earning a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science with minors in Business, Women’s Studies and International Studies.

Nealon is a member of the California Bar and the California Bar Association. Prior to joining Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, she served as a law clerk for a firm in California and also for the Orange County Superior Court. In addition, Nealon volunteered as an advocate for the Juvenile Hall Advocacy Clinic and the General Relief Advocacy Program. […]

Attorney Julia Munley recognizes National Child Abuse Prevention Month as a time for action

Munley believes we must shine a light on child abuse in order to prevent it

The problem of child sexual abuse in this country and throughout Pennsylvania continues at an alarming rate. It can be difficult to acknowledge that sexual abuse of children of all ages, including infants, happens every day. This horrifying topic was brought to the national spotlight when Jerry Sandusky was found guilty of 45 counts of sexually abusing 10 boys, using his position in a prestigious football program to gain access to youth. This past week, Pennsylvania’s top court rejected a bid by this former Penn State football coach to appeal his 2012 conviction of charges of sexually abusing children.

Last week alone in Northeast Pennsylvania, we saw news reported of a trusted pastor at a Scranton cathedral being removed from his position and charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors. […]

Attorney Marion Munley’s Article on the Vanishing Jury Trial in The Scranton Times

As seen in The Scranton Times. America’s long and proud history has been shaped by lawyers and judges who made lasting contributions to the preservation of individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. To the Founders, the right to jury trial, secured by the Seventh Amendment, was on par with the right to vote and the right to free speech. In the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson’s litany of abuses by the king included, prominently, “depriving us of the benefits of trial by jury.”

Jefferson considered “trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man that holds the government to the principles of its Constitution.” Jurors are true public servants who commit their time, critical thinking and impartiality to their fellow Americans. Jurors serve as checks and balances on our judicial system, and a jury trial is a fundamental right critical to our democracy. […]

It’s your money and they want it now!

As seen in the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal.

By J. Christopher Munley

We all have seen the hard-hitting television commercials decrying: “It’s your money and you want it now!” These get-your-cash now ads, while seemingly helpful to those experiencing financial hardship, prey on individuals who have money in structured settlements.

They may seem too good to be true — and in most instances they are. What these ads don’t disclose is that the realized value to you now of this money owed to you in the future will be less than the amounts in the settlement, sometimes up to 40 percent less.

The ads are designed and created by companies that are in the business of purchasing structured settlements, otherwise known as “factoring companies,” and it is their goal to entice structured settlements holders to sell their settlements in exchange for a lump sum payment at the “present value” of the structure. […]

Silent demon too often preys in Pennsylvania

As seen in the Scranton Times.

By Julia Munley

Sadly, allegations of child sexual abuse happen every day and have become something we read about almost daily in our local and national news; it is everywhere, from our churches to our schools and even in our own homes.

Last weekend, this issue was front and center with the Woody Allen/Dylan Farrow abuse story resurfacing 21 years after Farrow’s initial claims of abuse. One of the most shocking things about this story is that the alleged victim has been criticized and belittled by Allen’s PR machine, chiefly by his lawyer, Elkan Abramowitz.

While everyone deserves a defense and the presumption of innocence, including Allen, these attempts to isolate, demonize and subdue claims of child abuse should be excoriated. These very public intimidation tactics will undoubtedly impact other victims and lead to more unreported and untreated child sexual abuse and allow offenders to abuse others. […]