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Car Accidents, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Civil Rights
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Pennsylvania
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Q: Son hit by car, severe injuries, driver mocking online; need legal guidance.
My 17-year-old autistic son was hit by a car in Pennsylvania at 2:30 AM last Saturday, resulting in a broken neck and back injuries in two places. The police did not investigate the accident, and the driver is publicly sharing videos making light of the situation. A 12-year-old witness who was with... View More 
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 9, 2026
answered on Sep 9, 2026
I'm very sorry for what your son and family are going through here. A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but you posted over the weekend (and the accident appears to have taken place about a week before you posted your question.) It would really be in your best interests to reach out to... View More
Q: How to apply for a paternity test in NJ while living in FL?
I'm currently residing in Florida, but the mother of my 2.5-year-old child in New Jersey is asking for a paternity test. There are no existing court orders regarding paternity. I have not been active in the child's life since birth but would like to become involved. How can I proceed with... View More
Richard Diamond
answered on Sep 9, 2026
answered on Sep 9, 2026
You and the other side can handle the issue of paternity outside of the court system or through the NJ family court system in an FD docket filing (paternity).
If you handle the issue outside of the court system, you need an AABB-accredited testing laboratory with two collection sites, both... View More
Q: What can I do if I want to sell a house but my stepsons' names are on the deed?
I am living in Ohio, and I'm looking to sell the house I'm currently residing in. The challenge is that my two stepsons' names are on the deed, but I haven't informed them about this. No agreements have been signed regarding the house or any potential sale. What options do I... View More
Joseph Jaap
answered on Sep 9, 2026
answered on Sep 9, 2026
A real estate sale is a major transaction, and having an attorney represent you is highly recommended, especially with potential problems with co-owners. If the stepsons are named on the deed as co-owners with you, then their consent would be needed to sell the house, and they would expect to... View More
Q: Can my stepbrother be required to pay rent or maintain the property?
My stepbrother moved in 17 years ago before my mom died to help take care of her. He still lives with my dad, and while he doesn't pay rent, he does share in the taxes and insurance costs. We've asked him to clean, but he hasn't been cooperative. There are no written agreements in... View More
Joseph Jaap
answered on Sep 9, 2026
answered on Sep 9, 2026
If he is not on the deed as a co-owner, and he does not have a valid written lease, then in Ohio he would be considered a month to month tenant whose occupancy can be terminated at the end of any month by giving at least 30 days written notice that the tenancy will end. If he does not vacate, then... View More
Q: Can post-surgery care and communication issues be negligence or malpractice?
I underwent a C-section on July 16, and hours later, I had to return to the operating room for internal bleeding. This led to a saddle pulmonary embolism and four other operations while I was sedated for two days. During this, my husband received little information from the medical staff. The... View More
Stephen Douglas Lombardi
answered on Sep 9, 2026
answered on Sep 9, 2026
Yes is the most direct answer to your last sentence. Although I am unsure of what the connection might be between a surgical instrument left inside your body and the saddle pulmonary embolism. There may be no connection or there could be something less obvious. What the lack of communication might... View More
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