About Oni Harton, Esq.
Oni Harton is an experienced estate planning and litigation attorney. She has been writing and researching for more than two decades and enjoys contributing to efforts that connect people with critical legal services. Oni contributes to Super Lawyers by creating content and verifying the legal accuracy of articles. Oni is an Indiana University School of Law graduate. She is licensed in Indiana.
Articles written by Oni Harton, Esq.
My Child Was Hurt at School or Daycare: Can I Sue?
Liability for a child's injury may rest with a school or daycare, its employees, or other parties, depending on the facts and applicable law. Liability can arise from negligence, such as inadequate supervision, unsafe conditions, or staff-to-child ratios that violate state requirements. Intentional abuse may create separate claims against the abuser and potentially the institution for negligent hiring or supervision. Understanding your legal rights is the first step toward holding the right …
Injured on a Gas Platform or Ship? Your Rights Under Maritime Law
Offshore work is important, but it's risky and demanding. Serious injuries can happen in an instant for oil and gas workers, deckhands, drillers, and shipbuilders. If you or a loved one was injured on a gas platform, ship, or other location involving admiralty and maritime law, it is essential to understand that a distinct set of laws, separate from standard workplace rules on land, protects injured workers. These laws determine your rights. Learning about the available protections is the first …
What Is a Family Services Plan (FSP) and How Do You Satisfy It?
A family services plan (FSP) is a written agreement between a family and a child welfare agency that outlines the steps needed to keep children safe and address any concerns in the home. “Parents receive a Family Services Plan outlining specific requirements, such as completing drug and alcohol counseling, getting mental health treatment, securing stable housing, or finding employment,” says Missy Boyd, a family law attorney at Boyd & Early Family Law in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. FSPs …
What Is a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order and How Does It Affect Custody?
A protection from abuse (PFA) order is a document signed by a judge that tells the abuser to stop the abuse or face serious legal consequences. It provides legal protection from domestic violence to both male and female victims. A PFA affects custody because it can include temporary custody terms, set visitation conditions, and influence a judge's decision on longer-term arrangements. “In family court, you deal with protective orders, the most common in Pennsylvania being a Protection From …
Should You Combine Related Claims or File Separate Lawsuits?
In most cases, related claims that stem from the same event are filed together in a single lawsuit. There are good reasons to go this route. However, depending on the facts, the parties involved, and the court's rules, you may need or want to file the cases separately. When a single event causes several legal problems, it can be confusing to decide whether to bundle everything into a single lawsuit or file each claim separately. Understanding the basics helps you make informed decisions with a …
Can I Sue for State Law Issues in Federal Court?
Regardless of the type of claim you have, whether it's a contractual claim, personal injury case, or any other legal matter, you must identify the proper court in which to file your lawsuit. For state law claims, filing in federal court is possible if the matter falls within specific categories authorized by the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes, most commonly through diversity or supplemental jurisdiction. To get help determining whether you can or should bring your state cause of …
How To Add Parties Mid-Lawsuit: Joinder vs. Impleader
If you're in the middle of a legal dispute and realize that other parties need to be added to the case, there's good news. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) have two tools for adding people or companies after a case has already started: Joinder of parties and impleader. State courts also have similar rules. Both legal mechanisms follow common-sense logic, but each comes with limits on who can be added and when. If you're weighing whether another party belongs in your case, contact an …
Understanding Habeas Corpus: How To Challenge Detention
Habeas corpus is a legal procedure that allows people whom the government has detained to challenge what they believe is an unlawful detention. A habeas petition is one of the oldest and most important protections against wrongful detention. Habeas corpus principles are relatively straightforward; people use them to challenge detention by requiring the government to justify a person's detention before a court. Dating back to the times of the Magna Carta in the Thirteenth Century, the framers of …
Who Has the Burden of Proof? Criminal vs. Civil Legal Standards Explained
The burden of proof determines which party in a legal proceeding must prove their claims and the standard of proof they must meet. The legal standard required for the case impacts everything from trial strategy and jury instructions to the outcome of the case itself. The burden of proof comes into play in both civil and criminal matters. Understanding the nuances of this issue can be challenging, and if you are involved in a legal situation, it's critically important to know how the standards …
What To Do if Your Identity Is Stolen: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide
While identity theft is serious, there are clear, actionable steps you can take to recover. This includes placing a fraud alert on your credit account, reviewing your credit reports, filing a police report, and considering whether to implement a credit freeze. You do not have to go through this process alone. If you need legal guidance with your stolen identity issue, you can use the Super Lawyers directory to find an experienced consumer law attorney to help. Warning Signs of Identity Theft …
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