When a Loved One Dies... Who Pays the Bills?
The "estate" of the deceased is primarily responsible. If there is a will, the executor is responsible for collecting the property ("estate") of the deceased, paying the bills, and distributing the balance to the beneficiaries named in the will. Read More
Ohio Line Fence Law Says Who Is Responsible for Fences
Ohio's line fence law, also referred to as the "partition fence law," establishes rights and obligations for fences that are placed on the division line between properties in Ohio's unincorporated areas. The Ohio General Assembly's revisions to the line fence law became effective on September 30, 2008. Read More
How Consumer Class Action Lawsuits Work
Many consumer-rights claims are combined into class action lawsuits. This article tells you what a class action is, why and how it is used, and how you may participate. Read More
Fighting Back: Bullying Prevention Under Ohio Law
On Feb. 16, The Supreme Court of Ohio heard arguments in a case which will determine if the parents can sue a school district over the bullying-related death of their son. Read More
Electronic Signatures: Might You Sign a Contract Without Realizing It?
It is no longer necessary for you to physically place your signature on a piece of paper in order to enter into a contract. Instead, simply replying to an email can mean entering into a valid and binding contract to buy insurance, sign a lease, arrange for utility service, or take out a loan. Chances are you have already signed agreements electronically by clicking the "I agree" buttons on various websites. The electronic signature era has arrived. Read More
Consumers Should Ask Questions Before Choosing Cemeteries
Have you ever wondered what happens to a cemetery after it is filled up? Who is going to pay to cut the grass, pull the weeds and repair the roads if no funds are coming in from selling grave plots? The answer, for many cemeteries, is an endowment care fund. Read More
A Mold Cover-Up During Your New Home Construction Can Be Dangerous & Expensive
When your new home or condo was being constructed, did you ever have concerns about building materials being exposed to rain or snow before they were installed or fully protected from the weather? Your suspicions may have been accurate. Read More
Confirming Suspicions a Loved One is Being Abused in an Ohio Nursing Home
Placing a loved one in the professional care of an Ohio nursing home facility should be a comforting feeling. After all, you expect your loved one will be receiving the level of attention, assistance and respect they not only need but deserve. Read More
"Tina's Law"Requires Public Schools to Address Dating Violence
Ohio Substitute House Bill 19, also known as the "Tina Croucher Act" or "Tina's Law," was signed into law December 28, 2009, and took effect March 29, 2010. It amends several portions of existing Ohio law in order to require Ohio public school districts to incorporate and address dating violence in their policies and programming. Read More
Motorcyclists Need Special Insurance
In Ohio, it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle without insurance or other financial responsibility (FR) proof. Since a motorcycle qualifies as a motor vehicle, you must purchase motorcycle insurance to comply with Ohio's financial responsibility laws. Read More
Mold: An old contaminant creates new concerns for homeowners
Mold has been around for millions of years, and continues to travel in and out of our homes and work places through ventilation systems, doors and windows. Despite the fact that it is ever-present, mold has recently and increasingly become the subject of lawsuits being filed by homeowners against home builders, landlords, architects, realtors, building system manufacturers and insurance companies seeking property damage and bodily injury awards. Read More
Know Your Rights to Safe Drinking Water
Every public water system must periodically test its water to confirm compliance with federal drinking water standards. These standards are known as Maximum Contaminant Levels or "MCLs." EPA has established MCLs for such contaminants as viruses and bacteria, metals, pesticides and herbicides, chemical solvents, and radioactive materials. If drinking water is found to be in violation of any MCL, the public water system must notify all users of the system of such violation and must take action to bring the quality of its water back into compliance with the MCL. Read More
Gas Choice Allows Consumers to Compare Prices
Natural gas choice is the result of voluntary programs developed by four investor-owned Ohio natural gas companies. Gas choice allows customers to select an independent natural gas supplier, participate in a community buying pool (aggregation) or continue to purchase gas from the local natural gas company. Read More
Ohio's Income Tax on Trusts Is Here To Stay
Ohio's temporary income tax on trusts expired at the end of 2004. However, as part of a tax reform bill effective July 1, 2005, the tax is back. This time, it's permanent. The law now requires many trusts to file and pay Ohio income tax. Read More
Nursing Home Access: A Consumer Perspective
When I sought admission to a local nursing home for my father, the administrator said I had to provide detailed financial information about his assets and income for the previous five years as a condition of admission. Read More
Insurance May Cover Medical Expenses in Adoption Cases
Most insurance policies provide coverage that goes into effect as of the date of the child's legal placement with the adoptive parents. However, you should ask your insurance company whether coverage begins at birth or at placement. Read More
Agricultural Districts Protect Farms and Farmers
An agricultural district is a legal description of farmland property that, when designated as an agricultural district, entitles the owner of the farmland to certain benefits. Read More
Laws Govern Hospital Emergency Treatment
Did you know there is a federal law that affects hospital emergency services? Read More
Divorce and Dissolution: What's the Difference?
Marriages can legally be ended in one of two ways - divorce or dissolution. Do you know the difference between these two methods? Read More
Ohio Law Prohibits Bullying in Public Schools
Ohio's public schools are required to enact policies that prohibit student harassment, intimidation and bullying. Read More
Law Requires Parental Consent for Treatment of Minors
When a child needs medical, dental or hospital services, the law requires you as a parent to give permission before treatment begins. Read More
Be Careful When Blogging
Americans are now spending a quarter of their time sharing information and comments online through social networks and blogs, a 43 percent increase since June 2009, according to the Neilson Company. Blogs and other sites that allow users to generate content and interact by posting comments, articles, images, links, videos, and more, are growing in popularity and so are the lawsuits surrounding many of the controversial issues of their use. Read More
Are You Covered When You Rent a Car?
While some personal auto insurance policies will cover you up to your policy limits for personal injury and property damage you cause while driving any vehicle, including a rental vehicle, others will not. Also, even if your liability coverage includes a rental vehicle, if you don't also have comprehensive and collision insurance, you may be held personally liable for any damage you cause to the rental vehicle. Read More
Ten (10) Tax Planning Tips
You can minimize your taxes with a little planning before you sit down to prepare your taxes this year. Read More
Are Schools Legally Responsible for My Child's Sports Injuries?
Parents love watching their child compete in school sports, but when their child is injuried who is responsible? Read More
Accident Victims Should Know About Medicare Subrogation
There are many factors that can make it difficult for someone to be compensated for their accident injuries. One of those factors may be the way Medicare enforces it subrogation rights. Read More
Deciphering law schools' post-graduate employment data
With the recession lingering into the new year, law school applicants need to know the facts about post-graduate job prospects. Read More
Do OVI Cases Betray a Hidden Agenda Behind Daubert?
Drunken driving convictions can cost defendants their freedom, property, jobs and more, but some question the fairness of case law standards, admissible evidence and "junk science" in OVI cases. Read More
A New Day in Ohio's Criminal Justice System
On July 1, 2010, the historic culmination of an unprecedented cooperation between prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers paved the way for Ohio Criminal Rule 16. Read More
Has Your Landlord Failed to Keep Your Residence Safe?
If you are a tenant renting a home, condominium, apartment or other type of residence, your landlord has obligations to provide you with a safe environment. Read More
A Mold Cover-Up During New Home Construction Can Be Dangerous & Expensive
When your new home or condo was being constructed, did you ever have concerns about building materials being exposed to rain or snow before they were installed or fully protected from the weather? Your suspicions may have been accurate. Read More
Medical Malpractice Means Saying You're Sorry
Just like all people, doctors and hospitals can never improve until they openly admit their mistakes. Read More
Terminating Your Marriage: Litigation and Settlement
This is a good article that lists some general questions and answers about divorce. Read More
Consequences Outlined for Vehicle Owners Who Let Intoxicated Drive
Rep. Lorraine Fende has introduced a bill into the Ohio General Assembly that's designed to help keep intoxicated individuals from getting behind the wheel. Read More
New Muscle for the Consumer Product Safety Commission
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been steadily drained of resources since its birth in 1972, but recent reform legislation has given it new power to protect consumers. How well the agency exercises it remains to be seen. Read More
Cell Phone Use While Driving Can Be a Very Bad Call
Too often, workers use cell phones and other mobile devices to conduct business while they are driving, If a worker was on a call or texting and caused an accident, the employer is potentially liable. Read More
The WARN Act, Fair Warning for Workers
The federal WARN act requires employers to give advance notice of mass layoffs or plant closings. In the tough economy of the past two years, more and more workers have needed its protection. Read More
Help Selecting a Nursing Home; Avoid Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
The following is a great article reprinted with permission about what to look for when selecting a nursing home for yourself, a family member or a loved one. At Slater & Zurz LLP, we have seen on countlessoccassions when nursing home care goes bad. This article provides you with excellent tips to prevent that from happening. Read More
Statute of limitations not applicable in child sex abuse case
A spokesman for the Cuyahoga County prosecutor commended the decision by the Supreme Court of Ohio earlier this week for precluding any notion that at-large offenders may shield themselves from the law through statutory time limits. Read More
Gulf Oil Spill
As lawyers gear up to begin their lawsuits against BP, we can use the episode to reflect on the basic principles of tort law. These principles are often ignored by both advocates and opponents of tort reform. Read More
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The brain is a complex and vital organ that shapes who we are. It allows us to understand questions and solve intricate problems, it produces our emotions while crafting our personality, and it helps us to live on both a biological and spiritual level. If it should experience damage than the essence of who we are could be lost forever. This is why traumatic brain injuries can cause grave damage to the life of its victim. Read More
Moldy house costs builder $3 million
By Jim Woods
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act is generously compensating homeowners for their struggles against toxic molds. In Columbus, a judge recently awarded $2.2 million to a couple who dealt with a deceptive builder. The builder refused to repair several faults in the home that led to toxic mold. The Consumer Sales Practices Act allows a judge to multiply a plaintiff's damages when the supplier acts unfairly toward a consumer.
Read the Columbus Dispatch news article "Moldy house costs builder $3million".
