The recent enactment of SB 215 makes Ohio the 23rd state to allow citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The Ohio Attorney General has released a free updated manual which can be found here.
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Have you suffered an injury in an accident caused by another person’s wrongful act or negligence? If so, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, when it comes to handling this type of legal case, it’s best not to try to do it alone. Instead, it’s smart to find and use the services of a quality personal injury law firm Hillsborough County. Learn the reasons to hire legal representation below. Understanding of the LawOne of the first reasons to hire an attorney for help with your personal injury case is because they will have a full understanding of the law and how to apply it to your case. Unfortunately, some personal injury cases can be extremely complex. Without an experienced lawyer, it may be impossible for you to achieve fair compensation. Ability to Negotiate on Your BehalfMost personal injury lawsuits don’t go to court. Instead, your attorney works with the representation or insurance company for the at-fault party to reach a settlement agreement. Your attorney will negotiate to help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for the damages and injuries you experience. No Fee Unless Your Case Is SuccessfulToday, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means they do not collect payment unless your case is successful and you receive a settlement offer. Usually, this fee is between 30% and 40%, but it varies from one lawyer to another. It is good to know that you can negotiate this amount if you don’t like what the lawyer is charging. Finding the Right Personal Injury AttorneyNot all personal injury attorneys are created equal. Because of this, you must put in time and effort to find one that can handle your case. Be sure to get to know the local options and schedule several consultations to feel confident in the decision you make. Finding yourself in jail can be a very stressful situation. Not only is jail an unpleasant place to be, but you may be concerned about matters outside that you can't attend to. This is where bail bonds come into play. Jail TimeWhen you're arrested for a crime, you may be sentenced to jail time until the resolution of the trial. If you're found innocent, you'll be free to go. If you're found guilty, then the time you already spent in jail will be kept in mind while sentencing. But either way, you don't want to miss out on important things before your trial. The relationships you have with your family and friends can deteriorate quickly, and you can lose the work hours that you needed. These issues can make the transition back into society harder than it has to be. ReleaseLuckily, a bail bond will allow you to leave jail temporarily until your trial takes place. You can stay with your family and remain employed before your trial. You'll also have more time to work with a criminal defense lawyer who can help you with your case. Instead of sitting in a cold cell, you can work towards securing your freedom. CostsA bail bond's cost is significantly lower than most people imagine. Most bail bonds Scranton PA are covered by a small fee and the terms are reasonable. In fact, it's usually not even necessary to pay the full amount right away; insurance can often cover anything that is not paid immediately. The benefits of bail bonds are endless; they can improve the quality of your present life while giving you the opportunity to make a better future for yourself. Gathering your thoughts and planning should be easier outside of jail, which can lead to better decisions down the line. The following statement can be attributed to Scott Pullins, attorney for Sarah Chambers and other whistleblowers that have filed a campaign finance complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission:
Joe Blystone’s just filed, annual campaign finance report is an almost indescribable mess. In fact, it is worse than the last one. First, it was filed over two hours late. Then, there are anonymous donors. There are donors with just first names. There are donors with first and last names but no addresses. Then, best of all he is now reporting his “cash contributions” based upon the location of the event. For example, Knox County then a flat dollar amount for an event. No addresses. No names of contributors. Nothing but a location. It is long past time for the Ohio Secretary of State’s campaign finance division to step in and audit these reports. There is no excuse for a candidate for Governor to be able to get away with all of these obvious campaign finance violations. Thank you. -30- The following statement can be attributed to Scott A. Pullins, Attorney for Sarah Chambers. Mrs. Chambers is the former volunteer
co-campaign manager for the Blystone for Governor Campaign and she has filed a far reaching complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission alleging numerous violations of Ohio’s campaign finance laws: Joe Blystone is a bully and a desperate man. On January 11, 2022 Joe Blystone filed a lawsuit in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court demanding that the Ohio Elections Commission be ordered to dismiss this Ohio Elections Commission complaint. On January 18, 2022 Blystone filed an amended complaint. A copy of this amended complaint can be found at the link below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1agzn1--fmlbqadn48rt9BIi3R0x8Dsmx/view?usp=sharing Additionally, on January 11, 2022, Joe Blystone filed a lawsuit in the Delaware County Common Pleas Court against Sarah Chambers personally alleging defamation and other frivolous and clearly false allegations. In the legal world, this is known as a SLAPP suit, or a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. While Ohio does not have an anti-SLAAP suit law, it is well established that allegations made in an Ohio Elections Commission complaint are absolutely barred against defamation litigation. A copy of this complaint can be found below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tCdnTkdcRi_n4_UZEzS9REgcc74lL_ea/view?usp=sharing Finally, today, January 20, 2022, Joe Blystone filed a motion in the Ohio Elections Commission to stay all proceedings. This would include all discovery. A copy of that filing can be found at the link below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rRpeVGL_qWeN5PdwqSALVWpLdx3J2vIV/view?usp=sharing Let me be very clear. These are the actions of a bully and a desperate man. These are legal actions that no reasonable attorney would take on because they are presumptively frivolous and wholly without merit. Sarah Chambers’ health has suffered greatly from the malicious and unwarranted attacks made against her. She will be filing numerous motions for sanctions and attorney fees along with several counterclaims against Joe Blystone personally. Sarah, the other whistleblowers, and I will not back down until the full and entire truth comes out. We will not be bullied by an angry little man that likes to attack women. Thank you. -30-
TheColumbus, Ohio – Republican Governor candidate Joe Blystone was scheduled for a preliminary hearing today at 9am before the Ohio Elections Commission. He failed to appear and sent his wife and female campaign manager in his place instead. His attorney’s motion to dismiss was denied and a complaint against him filed by his former campaign staffers will go forward to a full hearing. The vote by the Ohio Elections Commission was 7-0.
“Joe Blystone should turn in his constitutional conservative and his man cards,” said Sarah Chambers. “If this complaint was so frivolous, then why didn’t he show up to defend himself?” Sarah Chambers was the former Campaign Manager for Friends of Joe Blystone. She and other former campaign leaders brought an extensive campaign finance complaint to the commission alleging that tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds were not accounted for properly. “Joe is no constitutional conservative”, continued Chambers. “All his attorney did today is blame volunteers and donors for the deliberate mistakes of Joe’s campaign. Joe will throw anyone and everyone under the bus to further his personal ambitions.” The complaint will now be set for a full hearing where Joe and Jane Blystone, Joe’s wife and campaign treasurer, will be required to testify under oath. If violations are found, Chambers has requested that the Blystone’s be referred by the Commission to the Franklin County Prosecutor. Sarah Chambers is represented by Scott Pullins of the Pullins Law Firm LLC. For further information, please visit www.pullinslaw.com. The video of the hearing appears below with the relevant portion beginning at approximately the 11 minute mark. -30- Have you suffered a work-related accident and are now struggling to get the compensation you deserve? Injuries cause enough hurt, you should not also have to go through a painful claim process. Here are three steps to help make filing your claim go smoothly: 1. Make Sure You QualifyBefore filing a claim, check that you are eligible for the compensation you are requesting. Your claim could be denied if your injuries stem from the following:
If your injuries did not occur at your place of business, but you feel your job has severely affected your mental health to the point of being unable to continue working, you might be eligible for Social Security disability. Consult with Iowa disability lawyers to see if you qualify. 2. Understand Your InjuriesBefore filing a claim, you need to evaluate the grief your injuries have caused you. If you have been burned, consider the lasting consequences this affliction might have. If you have suffered orthopedic injuries, do not forget the medical bills addressing these injuries most likely accrued. Stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel, are also eligible for compensation. When filing, make sure you are specific about your circumstances. 3. Be Prepared To Take Further ActionIt is not uncommon for employers to try and fire those who file a workers' compensation claim. However, it is not within their right to do so. If you are terminated on account of your claim, take immediate action. You can take your employer to civil court and be further compensated for this unjust discrimination. Be smart when it comes to filing a workers' compensation claim. You did not deserve to be injured, but you do deserve to be appropriately compensated for your pain.  Starting a business during the pandemic: crazy or crazy smart? As it turns out, now may be just the right time to turn your dreams of running a business into a reality. The world is still open and the economy is still chugging along, but you may still have a few questions and concerns.
Pullins Law Firm wants to help, and we’ve put together the following guide to shine a light on what you should know as a potential entrepreneur. Is the pandemic really over? We’re so close, but we’re not 100 percent there just yet. The emergence of a new variant has caused a pause in plans for many startups in the U.S., but the news remains hopeful. Still, business has returned to a semblance of normal in many countries. This means that if you are thinking of starting a business, you should be able to do so without too much worry about further lockdowns. Should I start a business now? Starting up during the pandemic era can be a tricky proposition, but some say doing so during such perilous times is a good move. But you’ll need to first consider how your operation will be structured. Many small businesses operate as LLCs due to the protection of personal assets, the tax advantages, and less paperwork required during formation and later for filing. LLCs are easy to manage and provide the benefits of a corporation while lacking their complex structure. Pullins Law Firm can easily help you prepare the necessary paperwork so you can formalize with the state. Are businesses still struggling? Yes, things are still tough for many businesses across the world, but entrepreneurs have also found some pretty innovative ways to survive. Some are even thriving with expanded offerings, online options, and marketing efforts that have let them tap into a global community of support. As you make plans for your own business, try to keep these innovations and lessons in mind. Remember, even though the pandemic is waning, you should still be prepared to change up your business model and approach to fit the fluctuations. Can businesses find good employees? Honestly, this depends on what sort of business you intend on opening. If, let’s say, you would like to open a new restaurant, reports show that you may have a harder time enticing quality workers to join your team. Many people cite fears around job security as their reason for avoiding service and hospitality jobs, but poor management can also be a factor. If you want to avoid issues with your employees, no matter the industry, one strategy is to use an accurate and simplified payroll system. You will need the ability to check on employee time records on the go and also to complete payroll processing from mobile. Look for a service that provides both, as well as allows for error-free tax filing and reporting, and will work with iOS and Android devices to ensure compatibility. What else should entrepreneurs owners know? This list could be several miles long, but we’ll stick to some important tips. For instance, if you’re not sure what type of business to start in the post-pandemic world, consider what consumers have grown accustomed to, such as online ordering (ecommerce) and curbside delivery of almost every product imaginable. The pandemic has presented an entire new set of challenges for consumers across the globe, so think about starting a business dedicated to helping solve them. You could deliver healthy foods to underserved communities, or you could plan parties for peoples’ pets (no, seriously!). Maybe you need to pad your business knowledge first Starting a business is obviously a risk, and in the current climate, it can feel especially risky. If you’re disinclined to take the leap into entrepreneurship now, there are other avenues that can help propel you toward your future business goals. For example, returning to school for an advanced business degree could be the perfect choice. Through an MBA program, you’ll be able to learn everything there is to know about management, operations, leadership, marketing, accounting and communications. This lays a solid foundation for you to open and successfully run a business. Plus, online programs provide the flexibility working professionals need when it comes to tending to work responsibilities while also affecting change in their careers. The pandemic may not be completely over but we’re so much closer to the end! Even if you don’t start your business just yet, now is the time to put together a plan so you will be prepared for when things really get back to business as usual. Hopefully, the resources and answers in this guide will give you the confidence to do so and to make your dreams come true. Photo Credit: Rawpixel
Are you searching for dedicated, diligent, and trainable employees for your team? Quality employees are at the top of every company's wish list, yet there's an enormous talent pool that's getting overlooked.
Veterans account for 6% of the U.S. workforce, or around 6 million workers. Yet one in three veterans are underemployed at jobs that fail to utilize their unique skills and experience. Whether your business is just starting up or working to stay competitive in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, here’s what you’ll gain from adding military veterans to your team. Why Hire Veterans? Benefits & Challenges Why aren't firms hiring more veterans? A variety of factors contribute to veteran underemployment and unemployment. The challenges facing transitioning veterans include:
As you can see, most of a veteran's struggles revolve around accessing employment opportunities, not meeting the demands of the job. In fact, according to LinkedIn's Veteran Opportunity Report, veterans are a valuable asset to the companies that hire them. Compared to nonveterans:
Those numbers are compelling, but they're not the only reason to add veterans to your team. Not only are military veterans profoundly resilient and skilled at working under pressure, they bring fresh perspectives to an industry historically resistant to change. Tax credits and incentives for hiring veterans Employers that hire veterans can also take advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Veterans who are unemployed, receive SNAP benefits, or have a service-related disability qualify for the WOTC. The WOTC reduces an employer's tax bill dollar-for-dollar during the first year of employment. There's no limit to the number of employees that can qualify for the tax credit. Other programs designed to incentivize and support veteran employment include the Special Employer Incentives program, GI Bill Registered Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training, and the HIRE Vets Medallion program. How to Hire Military Veterans Are you convinced that veterans are an asset to your team? Hiring military veterans is a smart move for businesses. However, recruiting this undervalued talent pool requires a careful approach. Preparing to hire your first employees If your company is hiring employees for the first time, start here:
What to know about benefits for veterans Veterans are entitled to certain government benefits as a result of their military service. As an employer, it can be confusing to know which benefits to offer veteran hires. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), employers are required to offer the same benefits to veteran and nonveteran employees. It's possible these benefits will overlap with military benefits such as VA Health Care and GI Bill benefits. However, military benefits aren't all-inclusive and many veterans value affordable healthcare, educational support, and other benefits appreciated by nonveteran employees. Two benefits highly valued by military veterans are a clear path to advancement with opportunities for professional development and flexible work arrangements that help veterans balance work and family life. Flexibility is also a top priority for candidates with disabilities. Tips for recruiting and hiring veterans These tips will help your organization design an effective veteran recruitment and retention initiative:
America’s veterans risked life and limb serving the country. Now, it’s our turn to serve them. When you launch a veteran hiring initiative at your company, you’ll do more than support veterans and bolster your firm’s reputation. You’ll gain talented, dedicated employees that never take their eye off the mission ahead.
Don't let a disgruntled customer, ex-employee or competitor damage your brand reputation online! Defamation Defenders' Business Reputation Defense is all your company needs to remove bad reviews, repair repuåtation damage and maintain a positive brand image online.
The world of small business is a tough one. There’s so much pressure to find success that many new entrepreneurs end up rushing in and making mistakes they could have avoided if they had time to stop and do better research — especially when it comes to legal and administrative issues, as these tend to be less fun and seem less pressing in the day-to-day. If you’re thinking of starting a new business, here are the most common administrative pitfalls we see people fall into as small business owners.
If you’re ready to take the next step forward and start your own small business, keep these tips in mind. Not only can they save you a lot of trouble later on down the line, but they’ll also help increase your chances for success! Let Pullins Law Firm be a part of your journey! Call 740-392-3505 for a consultation.  Image via Unsplash
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AuthorScott Pullins is a Mount Vernon, Ohio business, elections, and general practice attorney. Archives
April 2025
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