Munley Law Blog

Clergy abuse report blocked by PA Supreme Court

PA Supreme Court blocks grand jury report’s public release

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court stopped the release of a grand jury report investigating decades of sexual abuse in six Catholic dioceses across the state as a result of challenges filed by unnamed parties.  While the report was issued to six dioceses under investigation, no estimated date has been provided for when the 800 plus-page report will be made public.

The grand jury spent nearly two years investigating allegations of sexual abuse by the clergy in Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton.  These dioceses have roughly 1.7 million members.

The investigation covered not only claims of child sexual abuse, but also failure to report to law enforcement and obstruction of justice.  In addition to the clergy, clergy community leaders, local public officeholders, and church officers were investigated.  The jurors reviewed over 500,000 pages of diocesan archives.  […]

It’s almost the 4th of July! Do you know PA’s new fireworks law?

The first July 4th holiday since PA’s new fireworks law was signed

With the Fourth of July holiday almost here, it’s important for the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania to understand our state’s new fireworks law.  As of October 2017, the fireworks laws in Pennsylvania have changed.  The new law allows PA residents to purchase consumer-grade fireworks, including firecrackers, Roman Candles, bottle rockets, and similar fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive material.

Display-grade fireworks – large fireworks designed to produce visible or audible effects for entertainment purposes by combustion, or detonation – remain limited to operators with a permit.  Display fireworks are what you would see at a firework show, and they are set off by a firework technician.

Under the old law, only out-of-state residents could legally purchase The previous law (The Fireworks Act of 1939) limited residents to only novelty fireworks, […]

The Family of Lawyers

Learn the History of Munley Law

The Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys firm has been around since 1959, but our history in this area goes back much farther than that. For more than 150 years, Northeast PA has been our family’s home, and standing up for what’s right has been a principle passed down for generations. This summer, we’ll be taking a look back at the history of our region, our family, and our firm to celebrate the ones who came before us and to remember their stories.

Most of our ancestors first came to this region in the mid-nineteenth century, when the Lackawanna Valley was transforming into a booming industrial center, thanks to the anthracite coal, steel, and rail industries. Lackawanna Iron and Coal employed thousands of people.

Irish, Polish, Italian and Russian immigrants came to our region in search of employment and a better life. […]

Truck driver shortage raises safety questions

Why is there a truck driver shortage?

The trucking industry is in need of truck drivers. The shortage of truck drivers in the past 15 years has been a burden on the trucking industry.  The shortage of drivers has seen delayed deliveries, and higher prices on goods all over the U.S.  According to the American Trucking Association, more than 70 percent of goods are moved by the trucking industry, and more than 900,000 new truckers are needed to pick up delivery demands.  The shortage of truckers has forced some major retailers to pay higher prices on shipments so that they may arrive on time.

This desperate time has lead the trucking industry to increase pay for truckers by 15 percent just to attract new entrants in the industry.  They are also offering sign-on bonuses to new truckers, and major pay raises.  […]

Uber will no longer force assault victims to arbitration

Uber will no longer force the use of private arbitration for riders, drivers or employees who claim that they have been sexually assaulted or harassed.  Rather, these cases can now be brought to court and be heard by a jury.

Until now, riders waived their constitutional right to a trial when they signed Uber’s user agreement. Now, anyone who claims that they have been sexually assaulted or harassed as an Uber rider, driver, or employee can have their individual cases brought to court and be heard by a jury. Uber will also end the requirement that victims who accept settlements through arbitration must sign confidentiality agreements that prevent them from talking about their experiences.

The policy change does not include other forms of harassment.

Arbitration used to silence victims of assault and harassment

Because of confidentiality agreements, the company has been able to keep the issue out of the press.  […]