What is a Personal Injury Trial Lawyer - A Shark or a Sheepdog

Are Personal Injury Trial lawyers villains , heroes. Do they help society or hurt it. Maybe this analogy between a wolf and a sheepdog will at least help you figure it out for youself.





One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said something like this : “Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident.” This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another.



Some estimates say that two million Americans are victims of violent crimes every year, a tragic, staggering number, perhaps an all-time record rate of violent crime. But there are almost 300 million Americans, which means that the odds of being a victim of violent crime is considerably less than one in a hundred on any given year. Furthermore, since many violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders, the actual number of violent citizens is considerably less than two million.



Thus there is a paradox, and we must grasp both ends of the situation: We may well be in the most violent times in history, but most people thankfully are not violent. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.



Take my father for instance he is a decorated world war II veteran. He saved his ship from komikazes. But he would never tell you about it , nor would he ever carry a gun or allow one in his house.



I mean nothing negative by calling someone a sheep. To me it is likened to a small baby, it nees help to survive, but someday it will grow into something wonderful. But the baby cannot survive without its parent. Police officers, soldiers and other warriors are like that parent, and someday the civilization they protect will grow into something wonderful. For now, though, they need warriors to protect them from the predators.

“Then there are the wolves, and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy.” Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.



“Then there are sheepdogs,” he went on, “and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf.” Or, as a sign in one California law enforcement agency put it, “We intimidate those who intimidate others.”



If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen: a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath--a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero’s path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.



Everyone has been given a gift in life. Some people have a gift for science and some have a flair for art. And warriors have been given the gift of aggression. They would no more misuse this gift than a doctor would misuse his healing arts, but they yearn for the opportunity to use their gift to help others. These people, the ones who have been blessed with the gift of aggression and a love for others, are our sheepdogs. These are our warriors





Ken Shigley expanded on this old soldier’s excellent model of the sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. We know that the sheep live in denial; that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids’ schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid’s school. Our children are dozens of times more likely to be killed, and thousands of times more likely to be seriously injured, by school violence than by school fires, but the sheep’s only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their children is just too hard, so they choose the path of denial.



The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.



Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn’t tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, “Baa.”



Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed right along with the young ones.



Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, “Thank God I wasn’t on one of those planes.” The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, “Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference.” When you are truly transformed into a warrior and have truly invested yourself into warriorhood, you want to be there. You want to be able to make a difference.



While there is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, he does have one real advantage. Only one. He is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population.





Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I’m proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.



Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When he learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd dropped his phone and uttered the words, “Let’s roll,” which authorities believe was a signal to the other passengers to confront the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers--athletes, business people and parents--from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.





This business of being a sheep or a sheepdog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-grass sheep and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between. Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors, and the warriors started taking their job more seriously. The degree to which you move up that continuum, away from sheephood and denial, is the degree to which you and your loved ones will survive, physically and psychologically at your moment of truth.



Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors and the warriors started taking their job more seriously. Its okay to be a sheep, but do not kick the sheep dog. Indeed, the may just run a little harder, strive to protect a little better and be fully prepared to pay an ultimate price in battle and spirit with the sheep moving from "baa" to "thanks".



We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank which is drained, protecting the sheep. And when our number is called by "The Almighty", and day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens just may be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep. And be grateful for the thousands - - millions - - of American sheepdogs that permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas.



So that brings us full circle">">Is a trial lawyer a sheepdog or a wolf-a shark.





reprinted by Anthony Castelli A Cincinnati personal injury trial attorney. Somedays a sheep. Somedays a sheepdog

The Trilogy - How injury victims could have three cases in one

If you are seriously injured while working you could end up with three cases for compensation and benefits as a result of one injury caused accident. The first case that you would have if you are injured while working in Ohio is a claim for workers compensation benefits. Usually you do not have a claim against your employer for pain and suffering except in intentional tort cases. And these are rare.

However if your personal injury was caused as a result of the fault of a third party you can bring a claim against the third party. The usual situation is if you drive for an employer and someone else unrelated to the employer is at fault for a car accident. You can bring a claim against the driver for pain and sufferring, loss of enjoyment of life , lost wages and medical expense.

The third case in the trilogy is if your injury is so serious that you will not be able to work at any job for at least one full year. In that case you have a claim for social security disability benefits.

There is interplay beteen all of these cases . If you get money for your personal injury from the at fault party, workers compensation wants the benefits they paid you back. However this can be negotiated in many cases to a lesser amount.

The evidence developed can be used for or against you from one case to another. So many problems can arise if one claim is not coordinated with another. The best way to do this is hire an attorney experienced in these three areas of law.

I have handled these cases for over 28 years. I have had clients with the tiligy. They are grateful to be able to deal with one attorney for all of there needs in all three cases.

I would be glad to speak with you at no cost to see if I can help with yout personal injury , your workers compensation, or your social security disability claim. call 621-2345

bt Anthony Castelli a Cincinnati personal injury trial attorney also focusing on workers compensation and social security disability.

Personal Injury lawyer workers compensation specialist

In Ohio there are certain areas of law that you can formally become an expert in. In other words the Ohio supreme court has said if you meet certain requirements you can hold yourself out as a expert. On of these areas is workers compensation lawyer. The Ohio state Bar association is the certifying body for Ohio workers compensation law. I was certified in the first group of Ohio lawyers. you must devote at least 20%of your practice to workers compensation.

There is no such certification for personal injury attorney. But just because you are certified does not necessarilly mean that you will do a good job. And not being certified does not necessarilly mean you will do a bad job.

I have written extensively on how to find a good personal injury lawyer and the questions you should ask. My web page http://www.castellilaw.com contains that information.

By thoroughly reviewing an attorneys web site you can get a good feel if the lawyer is right for you. Especially with the advent of video you can see and hear the lawyer. You can also read their articles to see if they are providing helpful information. Also testimonials are now allowed in Ohio . So you don't just have to listen to what the lawyer says , but you can see how people in your shoes were helped and what they have to say.

by Anthony Castelli cincinnati ohio personal injury trial lawyer with focus also on workers compensation and social security disability. I welcome you calls and questions 621-2345

Cincinnati Attorney works on multiple motorcycle injuries

I continue to work on multiple motorcycle injury and wrongful death cases. These cases happen in differing fashion. Sometimes a biker is struck from behind. Another case is a car turned right in front of a biker. Another case is a slick blackout tap on the roadway that Odot as well as the contractor was derelict in their duty to remove. There is just no other was to say it. Odot was aware of a clear and present danger and did nothing.

Bikers come from all walks of life and share a common enjoyment. They deserve the respect of the community just as much as anyone else. To see them needlessly injured by negligent cagers is very sad and troublesome. Many bikers are involved in charitable work and just want to ride for the sheer love and freedom they feel .

Please everyone be aware of these folks and help to keep them out of harms way. They have just as much right to the road as car.

by Anthony Castelli cincinnati mototcycle, car and truck personal injury trial attorney

One Injury - Three Areas of Law - Personal Injury - Workers Compensation - Social Security Disability

Personal injury attorney -Workers compensation attorney - social security disability attorney all in one. Why its important to hire the right attorney.


If you have been seriously injured while working as a result of a third party, you may have at least three areas of law to consider for benefits and compensation.

People injured while working in Ohio are covered by the Ohio workers compensation law. This provides very specific and somewhat limited benefits. A complete coverage of this topic would take pages. Just know that its a maze of its own.

If a third person unrelated to your employer negigently caused your injury you also have a personal injury negiligence claim. This means that you must prove the person was at fault, but unlike workers compensation you can recover for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. This area of law also has its own unique priciples and practices.

If you injury is so serious that you will not be able to work at any job for one full year, you may be entitled to social security disability benefits. Again this is a separate area of law. Social Security is federal law. It has its own nuances.

Problems can arise when your lawyer only knows how to handle one area. Even if they know enough to refer you to an attorney that handles one of the other areas of laws there may not be complete coordination. Information in one case may be helpful or hurtful evidence in another. Therefore its important if you are touching all three areas, social security disability, workers compensation, and personal injury or only just two of them, to have an attorney that knows all three areas of the law. That way you have the best chance of coordinating all the benefits for maximum recovery.

by Anthony Castelli cincinnati attorney focusing on personal injury, workers compensation and social security disability . Feel free to call Anthony at 621-2345 if you have any questions in any of these areas at no cost or obligation