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THE GUARDIAN
216-208-5072 TITTLELAWFIRM.COM
AUGUST 2023
SOME DOGS ARE MORE THAN JUST BARK What to Know About Dog Bites in Cleveland
If you haven’t heard, USPS recently ranked Cleveland fourth among U.S. cities for dog bites, with 43 attacks involving postal workers in 2022. That’s roughly 3.6 bites a month, and while that number may sound high, it’s actually lower than in 2021, when Cleveland was the No. 1 city in the U.S. for dog bites, with 58 postal workers bitten for the year.
Luckily, there are legal repercussions. The state of Ohio has strict liability for anyone actively keeping, owning, walking, pet-sitting, or even having a dog living in their house. If their dog attacks, they are liable, regardless of whether the dog has a previous bite history. Things can get a bit murky when someone other than the owner is in brief possession of the dog (like a friend taking it out for a bathroom break), but for the most part, the person in charge of the dog is liable.
All of that is to say dog bites are incredibly prevalent in Cleveland, and at Tittle & Perlmuter, we see these cases all the time.
So, knowing this, what should you do if a dog ever bites you?
Dog bites are extremely devastating for our clients because not only do they suffer from the physical end of things, but also, even the most “minor” bites can become psychologically traumatizing. Part of the reason is that dogs are so common here, and many surrounding townships don’t have leash laws, so dogs often run free with the ability to approach anyone they choose. So, imagine having been previously attacked by a dog, then seeing one while you’re out and about or, worse yet, having one approach you every time you leave your house. It’s terrifying for victims. I’ll be the first to say I love dogs. I’ve been a dog owner and enjoy the companionship dogs provide. But despite this, I always treat every dog I meet as if it could be potentially dangerous. I’ve even taught my kids to do the same. Even the sweetest and most gentle dogs can be unpredictable and lash out, and unlike a car accident where we have seat belts or the physical vehicle structure to provide some protection, there is nothing between you and a dog’s jaws. There’s only so much you can do to protect yourself.
First, you should always notify the police and dog warden right away. I know this can be challenging if the dog is your friend’s, family’s, or roommate’s pet and you don’t want them to get in trouble, but it’s crucial that city officials know the dog now has a bite history in case it happens to a stranger later on. Plus, doing so will also let you know if the dog is up to date with all of its vaccinations, too, which can significantly impact your health and safety. Next, you’ll want to talk to a lawyer with dog bite experience promptly. Even though Ohio has the strict liability I mentioned above, there are still defenses. For instance, an insurance company could argue you were harassing the dog or did something to instigate the bite. You’ll need to talk with someone to guide you through what’s happening so you don’t accidentally say something that drags you into a five-year legal battle. Lastly, always have your bite checked out by a medical provider. Dogs’ teeth shove bacteria deep into muscle tissue, so while a bite may seem fine the first day, it can quickly become life-threatening. So, if you’re a dog owner, I implore you to be mindful of your serious responsibility. For the sake of the people around you, don’t take it lightly. Don’t let your dog run up to strangers, and if it displays any signs of aggression, please seek professional training. And if a dog has bitten you
or someone you know, call us at 216-208-5072 . We’d love to help you navigate your case with our extensive expertise in dog bite accidents.
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WE’RE HIRING AN ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY! Know Someone Who Would Make a Great Fit?
Are you a “grab the bull by the horns” type of person?
• You desire an environment that is always ready to tackle new initiatives and put creative ideas into action. • You want to grow personally and professionally. • You want to be encouraged and rewarded for continued education through classes, book clubs, and trainings. • You want to work for a company that takes every measure to ensure you thrive. WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR We are looking for someone with 2–100 years’ worth of experience (if you have practiced law for over 100 years, you will still be considered) as a trial attorney. While not necessary, previous injury or medical malpractice litigation experience is a plus. But you should have experience in all aspects of litigation, including taking and defending depositions. However, we will provide and pay for training for the right person. The applicant must be an active member of the State Bar of Ohio in good standing. This position offers a competitive base salary dependent upon experience, performance-based bonus opportunities, benefits, and outstanding company culture.
As children return to school in August, they’ll likely be interested in one or more extracurricular activities. Opportunities both in school and in the community are numerous, such as participating in a local play, joining a school club or sports team, and many others. Extracurricular activities are perfect for getting kids out of the house, but these ventures will also help them gain valuable experiences along with these three benefits. IMPROVES SOCIAL SKILLS One of the biggest concerns parents have had since we experienced lockdowns during the pandemic is that their children struggle to communicate with others. Most of these kids were away from their peers for a year or more, which weakened their social skills. Participating in an extracurricular activity gives your kids a chance to communicate with UNLOCK A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES How Extracurricular Activities Benefit Your Kids You want to become part of an incredibly crafted and unified company culture with attentive partners and teammates who are truly dedicated to success. • You want to experience working for a company that is leading the industry and constantly innovating. • Complacency is not part of your vocabulary. Do you strive to be the best? Are you able to stay positive under stressful situations? Do you want to be, or are you already, a superstar attorney? If so, then you could be the perfect fit for our associate attorney position! We’re searching for the next elite all-star to join our growing team! We are a unified, hardworking group passionate about serving and exceeding expectations. Our mission is to champion integrity and safety in our communities, and our goal is to grow into a regional law firm powerhouse for years to come. Now, this is not a role for the meek. As an associate attorney at Tittle & Perlmuter, your job will be to manage an increasing number of inquiries from clients around Northeast Ohio. You will join a phenomenally successful firm, focusing on medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, personal injury (car crashes), wage and hour, and ERISA cases. YOU SHOULD WORK HERE IF ... •
If you think you’d be the right fit or know someone else who might be, you can find our application online at TittleLawFirm.com/career-oppurtunities!
others outside of a school setting. They’ll learn how other people think and how to best respond to certain situations.
BOLSTERS COLLEGE APPLICATIONS If your child wants to attend college after high school, joining a club, team, or organization will give them a leg up on other candidates. College admissions officers love to see students who participate in extracurricular activities because it shows they are involved in their community and possess leadership and teamwork skills. While extracurriculars are not as important as other factors for college admissions, they still play a decisive role in the college’s choice to accept your child. HELPS THEM DISCOVER THEIR PASSIONS There are countless examples of kids discovering their true passion through participating in extracurricular activities. Your child might not become a professional athlete, but they might discover an alternate career path, like becoming a physical therapist or personal trainer by playing a sport. If your kid likes animals, they might find a prospective career path by volunteering at the zoo. If one activity doesn’t appeal to them, try another. Before long, you’ll find the perfect interest for your child.
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TAKE A BREAK
YOGA FOR ALL Tittle & Perlmuter Teams Up for Wellness! In our newsletter last month, we talked about our firm’s outing to a Cleveland Guardians game. This month, we decided to get active ourselves — with yoga! Tittle & Perlmuter teamed up with Shannon Sabol from Grateful Life Health Coaching + Yoga to bring the team a guided yoga session to nourish our bodies, minds, and souls. If you didn’t know, yoga offers many health benefits, such as:
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Improved strength, balance, and flexibility
Back pain relief
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Reduction in arthritis symptoms
Improved heart health
Better sleep
More energy and a better mood Improved stress management
GRILLED HALIBUT WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE
Yoga can also increase focus and boost productivity, which is why we love it! At Tittle & Perlmuter, we do everything we can to ensure we give our clients 110% effort and the best versions of ourselves every day, and by taking a short break to fuel our bodies and minds through group bonding activities, like yoga, we do just that. We loved doing yoga together and felt the benefits after just one session. In fact, we enjoyed our class with Shannon so much that we plan to try a guided meditation class with her, too! We highly recommend Shannon’s classes if you want to try yoga, even if it’s your first time. Her classes are donation-based, so you only pay what you want or can. Classes take place at the Solstice Steps at Lakewood Park in the summer, and you can register online at GratefulLifeHealth.com/Yoga .
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
Celebrate the last month of summer with this light and fresh recipe!
INGREDIENTS:
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1 16-oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained
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1 tsp kosher salt
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1/4 tsp black pepper
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5 garlic cloves
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1/2 cup olive oil
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1 tbsp sherry vinegar
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4 6-oz skin-on halibut fillets
If you have any recommendations on what activity our firm should try next, we’d love to hear them!
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2 tsp honey
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a food processor or blender, mix bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Transfer sauce to a bowl; whisk in oil. 2. Into a large plastic zipper bag, pour 1 cup of sauce; add halibut fillets and seal bag; turn to coat fillets. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Reserve remaining sauce for serving. 3. Preheat a grill to medium-high (400–450 F). Remove halibut from marinade; scrape off excess. 4. On oiled grill grates, arrange fillets and grill, covered, until fish flakes easily, 4–5 minutes per side. 5. Transfer fillets to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle with reserved sauce. Serve alongside preferred veggies and crusty bread.
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INSIDE
1. When Man’s Best Friend Turns Foe 2. We’re Hiring: Associate Attorney Wanted!
Unleash Your Child’s Full Potential
3. Tittle & Perlmuter Gets Zen!
Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
4. Justice Served: Our
Accessibility Violation Victory
AN ACCESSIBILITY VIOLATION INJURED OUR CLIENT How We Helped Her Receive Justice
Did you know there are laws designed to make buildings more accessible for individuals with disabilities? We recently won a case for a client who suffered an injury because a business failed to follow these accessibility laws. Our client, a woman with disabilities, tried to enter a business through a handicap door. This door, however, was so heavy and closed with so much force behind her that it knocked her to the ground. She suffered a spinal fracture and severe bleeding from her fall, resulting in paralysis for life. This is what happens when businesses fail to take these laws seriously: Someone suffers a life-altering injury. These laws exist because individuals with disabilities can be more susceptible to accidents or injury, which is why these accessibility features are required in the first place. It’s hard enough for people
with health conditions or impairments to get around, but when the laws aren’t followed, it’s like walking into a snake pit for them. And the saddest part is that no matter how careful someone is or how much they try to
protect themselves from these tragedies, it’s impossible to remain completely safe when business owners fail to keep their buildings legally accessible. That’s why lawyers like us have to be the entity that enforces those laws because, unfortunately, there’s not a lot of regulation or oversight. Business owners must know that accessibility laws aren’t suggestions but requirements, and their failure to stay current with them can have serious and often permanent consequences. We’re honored our client chose us to represent her, and while there is nothing anyone can do to reverse her lifelong injuries, we were able to help her receive the justice — and compensation — she deserved. If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, we’d love to help you too. Call our office at 216-208-5072 for a FREE case strategy session.
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