Shepard O'Donnell

06/17/2026

Schools provide a unique environment for potential predators. The combination of regular access, after-school activities, mentoring relationships, sports, and increasingly informal communication through social media and texting creates opportunities for gradual boundary violations and line-crossing behavior that may escalate over time if not recognized and addressed.

In some cases, perpetrators can spend years building trust and emotional dependence before waiting until the student reaches the legal age of consent to initiate sexual contact.

Read more on the age of consent and the imbalance of power in our latest blog: https://buff.ly/M3DED2i

06/15/2026

Is My Asbestos Case Part of a Class Action Lawsuit?

No. There are no asbestos class actions pending right now. Your case is an individual lawsuit filed in Court. You would not be participating in a lawsuit with any other asbestos victims. Your case is handled independently, just like any other civil lawsuit pending in court.

Read this and more commonly asked questions for asbestos and mesothelioma cases here: https://buff.ly/y3MQmdp

06/11/2026

$100 million settlement for victims in school doctor sexual abuse case

Ohio State University has reached a $100 million settlement with hundreds of former students, mostly athletes, who were sexually abused or r***d by university athletic physician Richard Strauss. The most shocking detail? An unsealed report reveals that university administrators and employees had knowledge or awareness of the abuse while Strauss was practicing at the school from 1978–1998.

Systemic failure is not an excuse. We continue to stand with survivors who are fighting to bring these truths to light.

Read more:

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Less than a week after Ohio State settled lawsuits with all but one of the survivors of university physician Richard Strauss’ sexual abuse, another deposition wa…

06/10/2026

Toxic exposure occurs when individuals unknowingly inhale, ingest, or absorb unseen hazardous materials that can cause damage over time. This exposure can lead to serious illnesses that may not appear for years. Whether exposed at work or at home, we represent individuals injured by toxic substances who seek to hold powerful corporations to account by demanding financial compensation for their suffering.

https://buff.ly/8zoRqf9

06/08/2026

From private coaching to elite summer camps, the drive to gain a competitive edge often begins early. However, these activities can place kids in unsupervised or semi-supervised settings with adult trainers and coaches who are often relative strangers, putting them at risk for abuse. Read more on signs to look for and how to keep your child safe in our latest blog: https://buff.ly/4BJ9Iog

Child abuse in sports can take many forms. Having proactive conversations with your child about what constitutes abuse and what to do if they encounter it can not only help prevent harm but also…

06/05/2026

US military veterans exposed to asbestos during their service may be eligible for compensation.

High-risk roles include Machinist Mates, Firemen, Aviation Technicians, Seabees, and more. If you or a loved one served in these capacities, contact us today to learn about your options or visit our website for a list of Navy ships with known instances of asbestos exposure.

https://buff.ly/KyAAyDS

06/03/2026

Cases of school sexual abuse are rarely about a single inappropriate act. They often expose systemic institutional failures, unchecked misconduct, and patterns of grooming and abuse of authority.

Advocates argue that gaps in Massachusetts law compound these institutional failures. When the victim is a younger child, sexual abuse falls clearly within existing criminal statutes. Cases involving 16- or 17-year-old students, however, can be more complicated under Massachusetts law because the state’s legal age of consent is 16.

When a student is the victim of sexual abuse by someone in a position of authority, the inherent imbalance of power makes it much more difficult to come forward. No matter what the law says about the age of consent, sexual abuse and exploitation by teachers, coaches, counselors, or other authority figures is never acceptable.

We fight for victims and continue to advocate for change.

Read our blog: https://buff.ly/M3DED2i

06/01/2026

Did you know the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure increases your risk of developing lung cancer?

Many auto mechanics, especially those who are or were smokers, may not know that the onset of their lung cancer could have been caused or exacerbated by asbestos exposure. Learn more. https://bit.ly/3XQR04q

05/30/2026

Facing a mesothelioma diagnosis is incredibly tough, and it’s crucial for patients and their families to receive support, accurate information, and hope. As you encounter difficult choices about medical, financial, and legal matters in the months following diagnosis, our FAQ resource can help guide you through these decisions. Find the resource here: https://buff.ly/09wfRb4

05/29/2026

Mesothelioma is not just an industrial disease. Many have been exposed in two overlooked ways:

Everyday Products: Harmful asbestos fibers can be found in products like talc powders, makeup, and deodorant.

Take-Home Exposure: Family members can be at risk by simply being exposed to fibers brought home on a loved one’s work clothes.

Read more in part one of our mesothelioma series here to learn more https://buff.ly/INwukbm