I was born and raised just south
When I graduated from the
I advised Mr. Mascara on legislation pertaining to insurance, banking, agriculture, and Constitutional Law. Mr. Mascara’s office was well regarded for helping constituents cut through bureaucratic red tape. This is commonly known as casework. I am very proud to say that I helped with more than my fair share of casework, for example, I coordinated the Community Oriented Police funding for the many communities in Mr. Mascara's district, I helped bring federal disaster aid the district after disasters, and assisted various business constituents seeking federal aid.
After leaving Mr. Mascara’s office, I worked for a well-respected healthcare receivables management company pursuing wrongfully denied and delayed claims for acute care hospitals nationwide.
Just prior to working independently, I worked in the healthcare receivables management company’s legal department. In the legal department I worked only the most complicated, highest balanced claims. Typically, the claims worked by the legal department had already been through the lower level departments and were not resolved to the client’s satisfaction. Often the claims were well over $100,000.00.
On May 25, 2007, Washington County lost one of its most significant citizens, whose impact not only affected this county, but ultimately altered the course of public safety in the state of Pennsylvania. My great-grandfather, Farrell Jackson, served thirty three years and nine months as coroner before retiring on January 6, 1992. He was a dedicated public servant who tackled and accomplished many issues during his years in office. In 1958, he was appointed by George L. Leader, Governor of PA at the time. Although, he lacked knowledge and experience at the beginning of his career as coroner, he not only learned the job, but he also began his crusade for public safety. His philosophy with regard to safety was “it is better to investigate an unsafe condition to save a life, than do nothing and have to investigate a death instead.” He fought for many public causes and won. One such fight was when Jackson lobbied the Legislature to change the law to require school buses to use their flashing lights (which would have required drivers to stop) at any time they were transporting students. The law at the time, in the 1960’s, did not allow the lights to be used outside regular school hours. In one incident, lights were not used after school hours, which may have been the result of a school girl’s death from Centerville. She was struck and killed by a car, after exiting a school bus. After Jackson investigated the girl’s death, he decided to do something to prevent other senseless deaths. He lobbied the Legislature, and the law was changed. Because of Jackson’s determination and concern for the welfare of others, school buses use flashing lights no matter the time of day and night. We have Jackson to thank for making the children much safer when they cross a busy street after getting off a school bus. So, the next time you see a school bus flashing its red light, remember that Farrell Jackson made it happen. He became the Pennsylvania State Corners Association’s chairman for school bus safety. In his years as coroner, he investigated many deaths that could have been prevented. He was called to inspect numerous fatal fires involving mobile homes. Many people died horrific deaths because they became trapped in their burning mobile homes. It became Jackson’s mission to create a safer living environment for mobile home residents. He introduced the Mobile Home Safety Law that required a door at each end and windows that could be pushed out in the event of a fire. So, the next time you are in a mobile home, remember that it was made safer because of the efforts of Farrell Jackson. Although death is a part of life, the deaths that Jackson investigated were unexpected, tragic and gruesome. Among the deaths that he examined, perhaps the most difficult were the deaths of infants. Several babies were thrown out of the vans in which they were passengers, resulting in their untimely deaths. Jackson decided to do something about it. He took on the Chrysler Corporation over the issue of safety of the rear door on its popular line of Plymouth Voyager vans. Because of Jackson’s investigation, Chrysler was forced to redesign and improve the rear door latch on all its minivans in 1990. So, the next time you see an infant traveling in a Chrysler Minivan, remember he or she is safer because of Farrell Jackson’s perseverance and courage to fight for what he believed in-safety for the public. He was called to the scene of many deaths resulting from the “killer curve” at the south junction of Interstates 79 and 70. The majority of deaths occurred because many tractor trailer trucks traveled too fast around the curve which resulted in the trucks tipping over, killing the drivers and others. Jackson decided that too many deaths were occurring on the “killer curve” because of the design flaws, poor signage and weak warning signals. Jackson took on PennDot, and as a result the wall, (which some refer to as Jackson’s Wall) was built to prevent deaths. So, the next time you see that wall, remember it was made possible by Farrell Jackson. Mr. Jackson was the recipient of many awards. Some of them include: recognition from West Penn Triple A for school bus safety, DUI and seat belts for child passenger safety, and recognition by Robert P. Casey for Bill 275 requiring coroners to take training courses. Perhaps the biggest honor he received was when Marianna/Prosperity Exit 23 located on Interstate 79 was named the Farrell Jackson Interchange. His health was well enough, so he was able to attend this dedication ceremony in which he was honored on Friday May 21, 2004. Barry Stout and Pete Daily were amongst Jackson’s family and friends in attendance. It truly was a proud day for Jackson. It was the thank you for all the years of service he dedicated to Washington County and its residents. Farrell Jackson dedicated his life to public safety. He had the courage to fight for what he believed in; no matter who he was up against, he never backed down for what he thought was right. Because of Farrell Lee Jackson, many deaths were prevented and many changes were made in the name of public safety. I am so proud of the positive impact my great- grandfather made while he was alive. The only regret I have is that he was not here to interview while writing this paper about him. He may be gone, but his memory lives on through all he fought for and won to make people’s lives safer. Not only did Washington County lose a significant member of its county on May 25, 2007, but his family also lost a great man. We will all miss him. I am just glad to have been able to spend time with a great man, my great-grandfather, Farrell Jackson. Sources: Interview with John Jackson, son of Farrell Jackson, March 29, 2009. Observer Reporter Obituary, Washington, PA. May 26, 2009. Observer-Reporter, Washington, PA. “Jackson Fought for Public Safety”, May 30, 2007. Observer –Reporter, Washington, PA. “A Farewell to Fine Men”, May 31, 2007. Written by: Sabrina Conti
After seven years of working for someone else, I decided it was time to set out on my own. The Law Office of John A. Jackson, P.C. was born. At first I confined my practice to helping hospitals with problem insurance claims but in 2006 I decided to take the South Carolina Bar Exam so that I could open my practice to my new freinds and neighbors here in the Low Country.
Why I Am An Attorney
Below is something written about my niece, Sabrina Conti, about my Grandfather, Farrell Jackson. It thought she captured the impact that my Grandfather had on my life and how it shaped me to become the person that I am, albeit a pale imitation of him.