Cleveland Residents Face Eviction

The lead poisoning crisis in Cuyahoga County continues with many families facing eviction even after repairs.

As reported in the Plain Dealer, many families are being mistakenly forced out of their homes.

It is the city's job to protect citizens from the dangers of lead, and it appears a new host of issues has arisen as homes that have been eradicated from all threats of lead continue to remain on the city's "lead hazard" list.

As stated in the article, "The city informed Thelma Taylor, a 79-year-old, great grandmother of three, that she had 14 days to pack up and leave her house on Cleveland's East Side. The same city government that had helped her make her property safe was telling her she hadn't done the necessary repairs."  

This is just one of dozens of cases where proper repairs were made and yet these tenants are still facing eviction for lead.

If you are facing unlawful eviction, or if you believe your home is at risk for lead, contact us immediately. 

Are You Getting the Custody You Want?

Divorce can be challenging enough, but when children are involved, it's essential to make sure you have the best legal representation.

We have experience working with custody cases and recently secured full custody for the father, not an easy feat. If you are considering a divorce, or have already filed, we urge you to make sure you obtain a custody agreement that makes you comfortable and that meets the best interest of your children. 

We work to help you ensure that not only your financial interests, but also the best interests of your family unit, are met.

Let us give you and your children the most positive outcome that you desire. Contact us today.

Back to College Can Mean Back to Drinking

Don't let your graduate go to college unprepared.

Whatever university your son or daughter has chosen, you can be sure they will have access to alcohol. Underage drinking carries serious consequences and we urge you to talk to your child before they head off to campus.

Carrying an open beverage, underage drinking, selling to a minor and carrying false identification are all common to a college student.

If your child finds themselves facing a DUI or any of these charges, we are available 24/7 and have the experience to help give them the best possible outcome.

Defamation Lawsuit

We are currently assisting a client in the defense of what is called a “slap” lawsuit filed by an angry local and wealthy business owner.  

Our client had a disastrous cosmetic treatment from this business, and complained on a website called “Yelp.” In order to “slap” customers or persons into not complaining about a business, these businesses file bogus defamation lawsuits against complaining customers in order to coerce them into withdrawing their complaint and forfeiting their First Amendment rights.  

It will take some time, but this case will eventually be dismissed against our client – but not without a fair amount of work.

Intoxication Plea to a Misdemeanor

We recently resolved a unique criminal case where our client (while extremely intoxicated) engaged in some inappropriate behavior while on an airline flight to Cleveland.  

He was actually arrested by the Cleveland Police, indicted by the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury and the case received media attention. We were able to resolve the case in such a way that involved a plea to a misdemeanor that the client will be able to get expunged in a couple of years.    

The good thing is that the client is now in active and progressive treatment for his alcohol issues.

DUI Risk Increases During Summer Months

With summer parties and travels it's important to remember to drive sober.

There will be an increased presence of Ohio State Highway Patrol on the roads, so all road trips across the country and in the state of Ohio should be done without any traces of drugs or alcohol.

Young drivers will find themselves with more time on the road during summer vacation so it's vital to explain that even a few drinks before getting behind the wheel can have life changing consequences.

Drive sober, drive safe and if you find yourself under arrest, contact us immediately.

Children in Cuyahoga County Are At Greater Risk for Lead Poisoning

It may surprise you how many suburbs within Cuyahoga County have been labeled high risk by the Ohio Department of Health. 

There is no safe level of lead and children under age six face the greatest threat from lead exposure. If your family is living in a home built before 1978, then your child is legally required to have access to blood testing for lead.

Make sure your child gets the proper medical care and required testing for lead poisoning. Speak to your pediatrician about the process to check any lead levels in your child.

All blood levels made by a venous draw that are 5ug/dL or greater require assistance from the Ohio Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

Don't allow your child to struggle with lead poisoning alone. If you and your family are at risk, let us provide the help you need and contact us today. 

Is Your Teen's Summer Job Safe?

Summer vacation has begun and many students are looking for summer jobs.

Mistakes are more likely to occur with a younger, less experienced workforce, so it is imperative to know and understand all legal protocol in place to protect them.

Safety measures should be followed even when working for a small duration. With seasonal employment comes opportunities for supervisors to make safety adjustments to shorten projects and increase revenue.

Whether your teen is looking for a job in the construction, retail, or food industry, make sure they find summer employment that meets Ohio's safety standards.

Custody Battle

We are currently representing a single Dad who is working to obtain full custody of his infant son.

He made the mistake of having a short affair with an older woman who he has now learned had lost custody of her other two children and has a long string of criminal convictions.

Nevertheless, this mother of his infant son has thrown many legal tangles in his way and has even tried to have false criminal and county services investigations commenced against him.

Fraudulent Misrepresentation

We are currently representing a client who was trying to start a business on the premises of an old golf course.  

As it turns out, his intended business partner had engaged in a number of acts of “fraudulent misrepresentation” and “fraudulent non-disclosure” – both of which are different types of fraud.  

We just filed the complaint on this case (and obtained a temporary restraining order), so stay tuned for details.

Home Renovations May Cause Lead Exposure

Approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust.

Before doing any remodeling to your home, it is imperative you take proper steps to avoid lead exposure to you and your family.

According to the CDC, "approximately 24 million housing units have deteriorated leaded paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust."

If your home was built before 1978, and you have cracked or peeling paint, especially around windowsills, your children could be at risk. 

The EPA found that, "Common renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint (like sanding, cutting, replacing windows, and more) can create hazardous lead dust and chips which can be harmful to adults and children."

This lead dust is often invisible and if ingested by a young child, the long-term damage is often dramatic and irreparable. 

Federal law requires contractors performing renovation that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 where children under the age of six reside, must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

If you fall under any of these categories, we urge you to contact us immediately to protect your family from lead poisoning.

Is Your Teen Safe at Prom?

Prom season has arrived and with it comes great opportunity for arrest.  

It may seem like a simple dance, but after prom your teen may find themselves at a party where alcohol is being served.

If adult chaperones are in attendance, they can also face charges for supplying alcohol to minors, so it is vital that every party involved understands the legal ramifications of underage drinking.

We advise every parent to avoid hosting parties where alcohol is being served, and to explain the legal risks and consequences your teen faces if caught drinking, if they are arrested for drinking and driving, or if they are charged with using false identification to purchase alcohol.

If your teen does find themselves under arrest, we are available 24/7 to help.  

Defamation of Character

We are currently in the evidence discovery phase of a serious defamation case.

Our clients (2 police officers) were seriously defamed by a disgraced former mayor and her safety director. Their sole purpose in these character attacks was to help the mayor boost her re-election possibilities.  

This is a very troubling case and we are working hard to protect these two police officers. 

Memorial Day Brings BBQs and Risk of DUI

It is no secret that Memorial Day weekend is filled with parties and celebrations.

Don't let a drunken driving arrest ruin your plans. With heightened police presence on the roads, we advise everyone to avoid drinking and driving.

If you have teenagers who are underage, it is worth having a conversation about the legal repercussions they will face if they are caught in possession of alcohol, and the risk parents assume if they distribute alcohol to minors.

Our goal is for everyone to enjoy the festivities without arrest, but if you do find yourself facing charges, we are open 24/7 and urge you to contact us to ensure your rights are protected. 

Effects of Lead Poisoning Last a Lifetime

The dangers of lead exposure in children are finally receiving much-needed attention, but the long-term damage is often devastating and irreversible.

As reported in The Washington Post, “A child who was poisoned with lead is seven times more likely to drop out of school and six times more likely to end up in the juvenile justice system,” said Ruth Ann Norton, the executive director of the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning. 

It is a sad reality that despite awareness, significant steps still need to be made to completely eliminate lead exposure. If you are living in a home built before 1978, or if you suspect your children were exposed to chipping paint and are now facing serious mental and psychological problems, contact us.

We have dedicated years to helping families faced with the dangers of lead and have secured settlements to help them and their children. 

Immigration Divorce

We recently had to represent a divorce client who was facing serious immigration issues associated with the divorce.  

We had to frame the truth of his marriage and divorce in a way that reduced the heightened paranoia immigration officials are forced to deal with these days.  

Given the climate we have today, it was not an easy task.
 

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is the month dedicated to taking steps to educate and eliminate distracted driving.

Over 40,000 people died on the road in 2017, showing an increase in traffic fatalities that could have been prevented.

In a dramatic effort to decrease the number of deaths on the road, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio Department of Transportation are working to target distracted drivers. This will be the first time in the history of the state that police are actively looking for distracted drivers. 

As reported by WKBN, "Four point six seconds. That is how long it takes to send and receive a text message. At 55 miles per hour, you just traveled the length of a football field,” said Lt. Jerad Sutton.

If you find yourself under arrest for distracted driving or are facing DUI charges, we advise you to contact us immediately. 

How Tax Returns Can Help with Your Divorce

It is no secret that the month of April is the deadline for federal tax returns.

It may be surprising to learn that these returns can provide vital information when filing for divorce. Because federal law requires complete transparency on tax returns, spouses often learn about properties, businesses or accounts they never knew existed.

Using the most current tax returns is an important step when filing for divorce and determining all the spouse is entitled to.  

Let us work with you to ensure your assets are fairly divided by contacting us today.

Concealed Permit Dismissal

We recently helped a client who was charged with a violation of the CCW law – even though he had a valid CCW permit.  

When the police pulled him over for a traffic incident, our client disclosed that he had a CCW permit and was carrying his weapon. However, the police officer felt that our client took “too long” to make the disclosure.    

After we dissected the body cam video, we were able to convince the cop and the prosecutor that in fact the client had disclosed his CCW license and the fact he was carrying with reasonable promptness. It was refreshing to see a cop willing to second guess himself after he had initially charged the client.  

It often helps to be professional in the context of criminal defense of a client, and we think this definitely helped here.  
 

Is Your Employer Risking Your Safety?

It may seem like a simple question, but it's essential to realize countless companies are cited for having unsafe work environments on a daily basis.

Safety and Health Magazine reported that "The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that major falls at the workplace accounted for 14 percent of all fatalities in 2014, and OSHA standards related to scaffolding and ladders are regularly among the most frequently cited violations."

Read these common hazards found by the National Safety Council to see if your employer is breaking the law.

Extension cord overuse and misuse
Although extension cords can be useful for temporarily supplying power for certain operations, the key word is “temporarily.” When a cord is used for several weeks or months, a National Safety Consultant said, OSHA doesn’t consider the use temporary. This opens the door for a violation.

Forklift Accidents
How employers react to these occurrences is critical, but their responses often miss the mark, NSC consultants say. They found a common attitude after an incident is to blame the individual and instill discipline. The forklift driver is re-trained, re-tested and then put back into the system. But employers fail to identify the root cause, which often is not enough staff or trucks to manage the current workload.

Improper Storage
Whether it's dangerous chemicals that are not being stored safely, or boxes and equipment that are left near exits or near fire hazards, keeping the workplace clean and clear of debris is vital, especially if heavy equipment and machinery are being used. 

If you believe your employer should be cited for these or an additional safety hazards, or if you sustained a workplace injury at the fault of your employer, it it important to contact us today to let us represent you.