Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's » Ohio

ON ELECTION DAY – VOTE NO ON OHIO ISSUE 2

Mike Gruhin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 13:31:30 +0000

For more information and to make your informed decision check out all of the ISSUE 2 ramifications.

ATTENTION OHIO CHIROPRACTORS – CHIROPRACTIC, MERCY GUIDELINES, ODG, and the Ohio Workers’ Compensation

Mike Gruhin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:49:00 +0000

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation may no longer relying on the Mercy Guidelines for Chiropractors. Instead, the OhioBWC is now relying on the ODG (Official Disability Guidelines) in the rule. Although the BWC rule currently does not list any specific guidelines, its policy rule indicates that reliance is now on the ODG. Although it may not specifically state that Mercy Guidelines cannot be used, it will be good practice to cite ODG in any request for treatment authorization.

I never cease to be amazed by what others don’t do!

Mike Gruhin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:35:04 +0000

Today, I received calls from prospective clients, unhappy with what’s going on in their OhioBWC claims. They were seeking information about Ohio work comp claims, telling me what is going on in their claims. I continue to be surprised by what other lawyers miss, or just fail to do, in representing their clients.

Needless to say, the two callers were amazed at what was not done (what was available) to assist them in their claims. Bottom line, you get hurt on the job, call me, The Specialist. You need an attorney who only does workers’ comp to get the right representation

These callers will contact their attorneys, ask a few questions now that they have some ‘basic’ BWC education, get answers and decide if they need different representation

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Odometer Fraud in Ohio

Mike Gruhin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:56:40 +0000

As we all know, Odometer Fraud in Ohio, as in all states is illegal. Odometer fraud can include tampering with an advance, setback, disconnect device.

A first offense is a 4th degree felony which carries a penalty of 6-18 months in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.

A second offense is a 3rd degree felony which carries a penalty of 1-5 years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

Protect yourself – check the wear on the brake pedal, the ignition key, and the door locks. If you believe that you have been the victim of odometer fraud, call 1 (800) 686-2587. For more information, contact the Ohio BMV, 1970 West Broad Street, PO Box 16520, Columbus, OH 43216-6520. www.ohiobmv.com

Another Court Victory for a Gruhin & Gruhin Client

Mike Gruhin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:49:56 +0000

Once again, justice prevailed for an injured worker in Ohio. After a three day trial, the jury, in approximately one hour of deliberation, decided that our client was entitled to participate in the Ohio Workers’ Compensation Fund for his work related injury.

Our client was overjoyed with the outcome. He, like all of our clients, knows how hard Gruhin & Gruhin fights to win all of the money benefits and medical care necessary after a work accident.

If you’ve been injured on the job, give us a call. We are here to help the injured work force of Ohio.

VOTE BROWN & TRAPP FOR OHIO SUPREME COURT

Mike Gruhin — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:24:58 +0000

When you cast your vote this election, I recommend you vote first for Trapp and Brown for the Ohio Supreme Court.

Your future and your children’s future depend upon restoring balance to our Supreme Court. Appellate Judge Mary Jane Trapp and Chief Justice Eric Brown will bring real balance and fairness to the Supreme Court.

This Court has ruled against Ohio’s working families and consumers, and in favor corporate interests

Lawson decision: The Court moved insurance companies in front of injured victims to receive money in a legal settlement. For 125 years, our legal system has said the victim is first in line to be compensated for their injuries, but the court ruled that health insurance companies get paid first, even if there is no money left for the victim.

Groch decision: The Court denied cases from being heard when a person is injured or suffers a financial loss caused by equipment that was built more than 10 years ago. That means if the BP oil spill had happened here in Ohio, and the oil rig was 10 years old, BP would be protected and would not have to pay compensation to anyone whose business was destroyed by the oil spill.

Theobald decision: The Court gave immunity to doctors who treat patients from their private practice at university hospitals. As a result, Ohio taxpayers must now pay to care for these injured patients, even though doctors carry insurance for this purpose.

Kaminski decision: The Court prevented workers who are seriously injured on the job from seeking compensation from their employer. Now, injured workers must prove to a jury that their employer intentionally tried to hurt them.

You can help protect the rights of Ohio’s working families and consumers by joining me in support of Judge Mary Jane Trapp and Chief Justice Eric Brown.

Judge Trapp and Chief Justice Brown have superior legal knowledge and experience – they were rated more highly than their opponents by a non-partisan coalition of legal organizations. They will, in my opinion, protect the rights of average Ohioans much better than their opponents.

When you close the curtain of the voting booth, please vote first for Judge Mary Jane Trapp and Chief Justice Eric Brown for the Ohio Supreme Court.

, like insurance companies, banks, and Wall Street firms time after time. Here are a few recent decisions that have eroded your rights:

Help Change Ohio – Vote Brown & Trapp in Supreme Court Elections 11-2010

Mike Gruhin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:35:38 +0000

Ohio Supreme Court recently issued its decision in the McFee case. Essentially the Court now allows Ohio employers to eliminate pregnancy leave for employees who do not have a certain amount of employment time with the company.

Help restore the rights taken away from Ohio’s workforce. Employment rights dwindle, Workers’ Compensation benefits reduced, and the list goes on.

Vote Brown and Trapp for the Ohio Supreme Court in November, 2010.

Ohio Workers’ Compensation – Not User Friendly!

Mike Gruhin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:16:23 +0000

Although the BWC system was created to allow injured workers to request coverage for work injuries without the need of legal services, the system has become a nightmare of red tape and denials.

Over 90% of the hearings we attend on behalf of our clients result from the BWC denying the injured worker’s doctor;s request for treatment authorization.

If you are injured on the job, you should obtain legal representation to protect your legal right to medical care and injury compensation.

Contact the governor of Ohio and tell him to fix the system that was created to protect Ohio’s injured workers. He needs to replace the current BWC Administrator with one who did not come from the insurance industry where the top goal is to save money and increase premiums.

Ohio Workers need to unite and tell the Governor that Ohio Wokrers’ Compensation needs to be fixed NOW to benefit Ohio’s Injured Work Force.

Contact the Governor NOW! Let him know you are not going to let him continue in office until he repairs the system he pledged to fix when he first ran for office.

Ohio Motorists – Watch Out !

Mike Gruhin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:40:41 +0000

Recently, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a police officer’s unaided visual estimation of a vehicle’s speed is sufficient to support a conviction for speeding.

Check out this video and see how Ohio residents felt about this verdict and pass it along to your friends and co-workers. http://www.youtube.com/user/votetoendinjustice

In the 2010 decision of City of Barberton v. Jenney, the Ohio Supreme Court struck a blow to the person’s right to be presumed innocent. According to our Ohio Supreme Court, if a police officer is trained, certified, and experienced at visually estimating vehicle speed, the officer’s visual estimation is sufficient to support a conviction for speeding, even without independent verification.

As a result of this recent Ohio Supreme Court ruling, Ohio’s residents are subject to the human biases and imperfections that all police officers are subject to. In addition, without the use of a radar gun, there is no physical evidence that can be reviewed by the accused or the courts at a later date.

Something is wrong with the Ohio Supreme Court. This November it is time to make a change on our Ohio Supreme Court. Vote for Mary Jane Trapp and Eric Brown. It is time to end the injustice!

Please also take a minute to visit www.votetoendinjustice.com

Notary Problems? Want to become a Notary – Read Here.

Mike Gruhin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:48:03 +0000

What does it mean to have a document “notarized”?

Having a document notarized means that the signer swears or affirms that the document he/she has signed is true and correct. The person who notarizes a legal document is called a “notary public.”

A Notary acts as an official and unbiased witness to the identity of the person who signs the document. The notary uses a special “seal” or stamp, which verifies the validity of the signature and helps to prevent fraud and forgery.

What does a notary do?

A notary public is a person who has been authorized to administer oaths throughout the state. The notary can take and certify acknowledgments of such legal instruments as deeds, mortgages, liens, affidavits, and powers of attorney. The notary may take and certify depositions for use in court.

If I wanted to become a notary, what would I have to do?

If you are an Ohio citizen over 18 years of age and are qualified to vote, you can become a notary public by taking an examination at the Notary Commission in your county court of common pleas. Assuming you meet these qualifications, you will be given an appointment by the governor to serve as a notary public. Documentation verifying your appointment is then filed with the county clerk of court, and your certification is valid for five years.

All I want is for the notary public to notarize my title transfer; why won’t he do that?

The state government appoints the notary public to ensure that documents are valid. You must sign documents such as title transfers for automobiles and affidavits in front of the notary, or you must personally tell the notary that you have signed. If a notary refuses to notarize your document, it is likely to be because you have not met this requirement. Buyers of automobiles sometimes will take an automobile title to a notary and ask the notary sign to off on the transfer, despite the seller’s absence. The notary is not permitted to do this, and should always refuse such a request. Also, the notary must refuse to notarize any document that is not complete or contains blank lines, or a document that the notary has not witnessed or acknowledged.

That sounds inconvenient. Wouldn’t it be easier for the car dealer just to tell the notary that the seller has signed?

It might be easier if document signers did not have to personally appear, but the law requires exactly that. In a recent criminal case, a notary was charged with not requiring the signers to appear, and as a result criminals were able to steal and sell the homes of victims by using notarized powers of attorney. The same can happen to automobiles; if the seller does not personally appear in front of the notary, there can be no certainty that the automobile is not stolen property. The seller must be able to prove his or her identity, usually by producing a valid driver’s license or state ID.

Can I just write legal documents myself rather than paying for an attorney, and then ask a notary to authenticate them?

While it is generally wise to rely on an attorney who understands the law to draft legal documents for you, you can choose to draft essential documents yourself and ask a notary public to authenticate them. Such essential documents may include wills, deeds, powers-of-attorney, affidavits, acknowledgements, and protests. If you’ve made a mistake in a document, however, the notary cannot be held liable unless you did not actually appear to swear to the truth of the documents. You should always use the services of an attorney to draft legal documents.

Where can I get information about becoming a notary?

The Ohio Secretary of State’s office provides information, including county contact information, through its Web site at http://www.sos.state.oh.us/Notary/NotaryFAQs.aspx.