Knowing When to Say No

My mother called me the other day and asked "Do you know when to say no?". She had been watching the case of People v. Conrad Murphy, the well known case against the doctor who administered Propofal to Michael Jackson at his home to help him sleep. The emergency doctor testified that his duty to a patient included the ability to recognize when something is outside of his area of practice. You call for help or you send the patient to a doctor who specializes in that area. The doctor testified that an emergency room doctor would never administer Propofal; the anesthesiologist would be called. Similarly, a  heart surgeon does not remove an appendix and a podiatrist does not test for allergies.

Most lawyers receive many phone calls throughout the course of the day. Their duty is the same. I get phone calls for a variety of issues. Recently a small business owner called with an issue with their bank. I don't sue banks. Someone else got fired from their job. Referred them to an employment attorney. Someone bought a house. Told them to find a real estate attorney and a good title insurance firm.

Nobody likes to turn away business. However, sometimes the duty to your client requires it.



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The Blind Face of Addiction

Did the death of Amy Winehouse cause you to think that addiction does not know its user?

Addiction doesn't discriminate against  race, gender or wealth. It affects everyone. Celebrities struggle with addiction. Musicians have tragically become members of  the '27 Club'. Unlike many others, they have the wealth and resources to receive what many would call "the best help there is". However, addiction is not overcome by wealth. It is only persuaded when the user chooses help.

People die every day from addiction. We only hear about the celebrities. We don't hear about women who work the street, die on the street, either from violence or the addiction. Surprisingly, incarcerated women have higher drug use than incarcerated men. Men are affected also; imprisonment for drug offenses is the most common charge among men.

News shows follow the downward spiral of  the celebrity- show the videos, the crazy behavior and pay people for the uncensored shot of the celebrity. We even have reality TV to document the addiction. Most people don't get this attention. Addicts live in an very isolated world. If they don't get help, they end up on the street, in jail or dead. Addiction rarely finds the grey area.

Those who know an addict share something in common. Russell Brand, no stranger to addiction himself, summed it up well in his own blog:

When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call. We all know drunks and junkies and they all need help and the help is out there. All they have to do is pick up the phone and make the call. Or not. Either way, there will be a phone call. 

It is an great post. Worth a read.

Criminal Law Updates Provided by The Law Office of Carilyn Ibsen PLLC (888)543-2427