In this "mail bag" episode of I Strenuously Object, your host attorney Bill Rogel discusses topics suggested by our listeners, including the legal claims that gymnasts might have in the case of appeals and changes to the bronze medal in women's floor exercise at the Olympics. He also talks about a class action suit against Boar's Head regarding contaminated lunch meat. Bill shares his thoughts on the worst case he was ever asked to pursue and (in his opinion) the worst TV and movie lawyers of all time.If you have a personal legal question you'd like to ask us about, please contact Flaherty, Fardo, Rogel and Amick here...https://www.pghfirm.com/contact

"Celebrate the independence of your nation by blowing up a small part of it." - Apu Nahasapeemapetilon In this episode of the "I Strenuously Object" podcast host Bill Rogel is joined by Dr. John Steinberg, an expert in pyrotechnics who helped write some of the regulations regarding fireworks, to discuss the dangers of fireworks, best practices for safety and how the law applies to misuse and defective products. They explore the different types of fireworks, especially consumer fireworks versus display fireworks, and delve into the three broad categories of accidents involving fireworks: product defects, operator error, and confounding variables, and give examples of each. This ILLUMINATING conversation (see what I did there?) highlights the legal angles and potential liability in fireworks-related injuries, including the concept of strict liability for defective products. Based on his many years of experience as a pyrotechnics expert and an expert witness in many fireworks injury cases, John outlines the 3 ways you can be safe when handling and lighting fireworks. Additionally, he provides guidance on disposing of fireworks and what to do in case of a misfire. If you are considering putting on a fireworks display this July 4th, John has the the explosive advice you'll need for you and your audience to enjoy yourselves and see July 5th with all digits intact.If you think you may have a personal injury lawsuit contact us to discuss the details.https://www.pghfirm.com/contact

Med spas are a gray area between hospitals and spas, offering aesthetic procedures like Botox, Microneedling, Dermabrasion and tattoo removal. However, not all med spas comply with the necessary regulations and have qualified medical professionals overseeing the procedures. On this episode of "I Strenuously Object" Bill Rogel and Noah Fardo provide three tips to stay safe when considering a med spa and add loads of experience from their years of litigating plastic surgery injury lawsuits, including a story of one plastic surgeon who taught other med spas how to do a controversial and unusual breast augmentation technique that he learned "in a dream". Bill and Noah explain how to do thorough research, how to avoid being swayed by promises of quick fixes or low cost and how to stay safe when considering a med spa.If you think you might have a plastic surgery malpractice injury or other personal injury lawsuit please contact Flaherty Fardo Rogel & Amick to arrange a consultation at https://www.pghfirm.com/contact

In this episode of "I Strenuously Object" Attorney Bill Rogel goes solo to explain the ups and downs of the laws surrounding what a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend or fiancé can or can not say about you in court. Bill breaks down the difference between 1. Confidential Communication and 2. Spousal Testimonial Privilege and the exceptions to the rules may surprise you.If you have legal questions of any kind or would like to suggest a question or topic for the podcast please email infor@pghfirm.com

It's happening and it's coming for YOUR property! Pittsburgh Public Schools have sued Allegheny County to trigger a countywide property reassessment.In this episode of the podcast, Flaherty Fardo Rogel and Amick partners Nicole Amick and Bill Rogel discuss what this will mean for property owners in Pittsburgh and Allegheny county as a whole.Topics addressed:How did we get here?What will be the effect of the office building rent crisis on tax rates?What happens during a reassessment?How soon could a reassessment happen?How will my property taxes change?What does this mean for people on a fixed income?What is the Anti-Windfall Statute and how can that protect me?Is it time to panic?

In a previous episode of the podcast attorney Bill Rogel mentioned the term "Fact Witness". One of our attentive listeners noticed and sent in this question, "Aren't ALL witnesses FACT witnesses?"In this solo episode partner Bill clarifies this somewhat baffling legal terminology of the courtroom, using examples from the hit movie My Cousin Vinny. What is the difference between fact and opinion in the eyes of the court?When is opinion allowable?And why was Mona Lisa Vito such a great witness to help Vinnie Gambini's case?

In this episode of I Strenuously Object, partners Bill Rogel and Nicole Amick discuss a recent case involving an Allegheny County School District's motion to prevent property owners from continuing 2023 appeals if their case was previously litigated. The case stemmed from an ordinance of Allegheny County counsel which allowed all property owners to re-appeal their property assessments since the ratio was lowered. The taxing entities argued that property owners should not get two bites at the proverbial apple to lower their taxes. After hearing arguments by Flaherty Fardo's partner Bill Rogel, Judge Hertzberg ruled in favor of the property owners and allowed the county ordinance to stand and allowed property owners to reappear their taxes even if they had already negotiated the assessment in question. The implications of the case are significant and a huge win for property owners in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. To have Nicole Amick review your property tax issues please contact here to set up a free consultation...nicole@Pghfirm.com

In this episode of I Strenuously Object, we answer listener emails, this time concerning medical malpractice cases and their challenges. Why is it harder to find a lawyer for a medical malpractice case compared to other injury cases? What is a certificate of merit, and why do you need one for your medical malpractice case?Should you or should you not continue treatment with the same doctor that you are suing for malpractice?If you have questions about your particular medical malpractice situation please contact Flaherty Fardo here...https://www.pghfirm.com/contact

In this episode of CASE or NO CASE, our intrepid hosts discuss the case of a husband who sued his wife for fraud after their child was born and he deemed the baby to be too ugly to be his. Bill and Noah, with the help of the always outspoken guest of the show, Ron Meyers, explore the legal implications of the husband's claim and whether it constitutes a valid case. The conversation delves into topics such as spousal tort immunity, misrepresentation in marriage, and the possibility of seeking annulment or damages.Can you sue your wife for producing an ugly baby? Listen and find out!

Property tax specialist Nicole Amick talks about the changes happening in Allegheny County and why right now may be the best time to appeal your property taxes. Nicole and partner Bill Rogel discuss millage rates, the new 54.5% CLR and how Flaherty Fardo might be able to save you money!To schedule an exploratory conversation CLICK HERE...https://www.pghfirm.com/contactOr email Nicole at nicole@pghfirm.com

Two election workers who former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani had falsely claimed had participated in voting fraud were recently awarded a cumulative sum of $148 Million.Is this a fair settlement?How does this amount compare to personal injury settlements in which a person has lost quality of life or lost life itself?In this episode, partners Noah Fardo and Bill Rogel discuss the Giuliani case, the problems they have with it, and the many questions that the verdict brings up in their lawyerly minds.If you have questions about a legal situation that you are facing please contact our attorneys here...https://www.pghfirm.com/contact

Two high school kids climb onto a parked train car and get burned from the high tension power lines. Their families sue the train company. Do they have a case?In this episode of the podcast, partners Bill Rogel and Noah Fardo are joined by layman opinionator and friend of the podcast (the Godfather/Everyday) Ron Myers to discuss attractive nuisances and the liability of of those trespassed upon.If you have a question about your particular situation, make an appointment to talk to an attorney here...https://www.pghfirm.com/contact

Should Allegheny County reassess your property?It's become a hot button issue in the county executive race. After backlash against the last assessment 11 years ago, the county executive candidates are divided.On this episode of I Strenuously Object, our intrepid trio, led into battle by the Queen of Tax Appeals, Nicole Amick, argue the pros and cons of reassessment.Topics discussed:What are the candidates' proposals?Do we need a reassessment?Does a reassessment automatically mean a tax increase?Why are millage rates going up?What is the homestead exemption and how could it help those on a fixed income?How has the Philadelphia plan worked and should it be applied in Allegheny County?Before you vote, listen to this very informative episode of ISO.

Is Artificial Intelligence coming for your job? What can humans do that AI will never be able to do?Join partners Bill Rogel and Noah Fardo with special guests founder Shawn Flaherty and podcast producer Mike Pulcinella for a discussion of the future for attorneys and creators in the age of AI.Topics discussed:The current abilities of Artificial Intelligence.How much of a risk is there for plagiarism or outright fabrication of false information?Will lawyers be replaced by Artificial Intelligence?Will AI develop ethics or will it learn to "lie"?What are the implications of AI for jury selection?

Texting while driving?? That’s nothing!Hold her beer…Dr. Roxy the TIKTOK doc, is going to perform “distracted surgery”.On a brand new “I Strenuously Object” podcast, attorney Bill Rogel and “Founding Father” Shawn Flaherty discuss the legal ramifications of the Ohio plastic surgeon Katharine Roxanne Grawe who had her medical license revoked because she was live-streaming her operations on TIKTOK and had made surgical errors to three patients while doing it.Known as “Dr. Roxy” to her many fans, Dr. Grawe had been previously ordered by the Ohio medical board to stop live-streaming while operating, but had continued to broadcast her surgeries despite the warnings.The controversy raises several questions:Did all her patients know they were going to be on TIKTOK while unconscious?What is the “standard of care” when it comes to medical malpractice and how was it violated here?Should ALL surgeries be recorded as a matter of course to help settle med mal lawsuits?And…Should Dr. Roxy lose her license permanently?If you have a question about a medical malpractice claim of your own please contact us here https://www.pghfirm.com/contact

BREAKING NEWS! The City of Pittsburgh School District has appealed the STEB ratio decision, continuing the reign of frustration in Allegheny County as property owners must endure yet another delay in 2022 property tax appeals.FFRA Tax Appeals specialist Nicole Hauptman Amick is on top of the situation as usual and in this episode of the podcast breaks down for us what's happening, what it all means and lets us know if there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel.

If you are a property owner in Allegheny County you need to hear what Flaherty Fardo's resident tax assessment "Queen" Nicole Hauptman Amick has to say about:The STEB ratio recalculationCan people who settled 2022 appeals refile in 2023?A prediction about the millage ratesWhy a reassessment would be a good thing.What will be the ratio for 2024?Will a reassessment mean higher taxes for everyone?And what we can learn from Nicole's personal tax appeal story!CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR TAX ASSESSMENT REVIEW https://www.pghfirm.com/contact

The rules of trial by jury are many and complex. And most of those rules exist for good reasons.However, there are some rules that make lawyer's lives more difficult and a few that really get under our skin.So here they are, the 5 things we really, really want to be able to tell the jury, but are not allowed.

Bill Rogel lobs the questions and Nicole Hauptman Amick fires back with answers to:What's the latest news on the CLR?How bad is the backlog of hearings?How long should property owners expect to wait for a hearing?How many appeals are schools filing this year?And finally, the question we've all been wanting to know..."Why male models?"

In this episode of Case or No Case, Noah and Bill deliberate on several items in the news, the overriding question being "Do these plaintiffs have a case?"• Buffalo Wild Wings boneless chicken wings were found to not actually contain wing meat. Do we have a case?• A man is declared dead by EMTs but then is found to be alive. Does he have a case? Does his temporarily grieving and then overjoyed family have a case?• And finally, we compare two verdicts, one for the death of a college student in a hazing incident and another for medical malpractice regarding the knee of a football player, Philadelphia Eagle Chris Maragos. How do juries value a knee vs a life?