Category Archives: Golden Rule Resources

Responsibility for Emotional Distress

Tracy A. Cinocca Posted on by

Emotional Distress. Sometimes it is an element of damages, but it can also be an independent claim in personal injury and wrongful death cases. What does this mean to you or your claim? Oklahoma has standard Uniform Jury Instructions that address the basics of emotional distress for a jury to understand their role in awarding damages for emotional distress or not. Though case law or other argument can trump the use of this language before juries, the Uniform Jury Instructions (referred to as “OUJI”) are designed to apply in many general contexts, subject to case specific revisions. For example, OUJI defines the term “emotional distress” as “mental distress, mental pain and suffering, or mental anguish.  It includes all highly unpleasant mental reactions, such as fright, horror, grief, humiliation, embarrassment, anger, chagrin, disappointment, and worry.” OUJI 20.3. Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction No. 20.1, sets forth the elements of liability which must be … Continue reading →

Most Frequently Requested Legal Issues Explained

Tracy A. Cinocca Posted on by

In almost two decades of questions from the public at large, I have determined the top five issues people have that compel them to contact an attorney, & created a video for each. 5. Injuries. The public at large is concerned as it should be about what to do if injured. The answer to this question varies greatly depending on the facts and circumstances of your injury. We created a general video to talk about the large umbrella called “tort” law. What might be a tort and what may not be a tort? Could you have a claim? We recommend before contacting an attorney, if you are unsure, think about safety. Did someone fail to keep premises safe? You may already know the area of tort such as an automobile accident or a slip and fall. But what about a child who jumps on an oil rig and his leg … Continue reading →

Kendall Whittier Inc: A Golden Rule Resource

Tracy A. Cinocca Posted on by

Kendall Whittier is an organization co-founded by several local churches who recognized the deterioration of the neighborhood in 1969. Today College Hill Presbyterian, Grace Lutheran, St. Francis Xavier, University United Methodist, and the University of Tulsa work together as the core of Kendall Whittier’s outreach programs. Today they offer an emergency food pantry open to families or individuals in which those in need are supplied with a week worth of food, up to four times a year. Students at Kendall Whittier Elementary also receive holiday gift bags and the teachers receive teacher recognition gifts. Perhaps their most noteworthy program is the Gardening to Reach Out and Welcome Teaching Garden (GROW) which is in it’s eighth year of operation. The garden is used as an outdoor classroom for the University of Tulsa’s True Blue Neighbors Youth Mentoring Program (YMP), the after school program at Kendall-Whittier Elementary (KWE) as well as students in the Earth … Continue reading →

Happy Father’s Day: Good Good Father

Tracy A. Cinocca Posted on by

Strong male figures are important in any person’s life. For many, this figure is a child’s father, but for others, it may be a step parent, sibling, teacher, boss, friend, co-worker, other male figure, or even God, as aptly sung in Good Good Father. This is a perfect day to express gratitude for those influences. This Father’s Day 2016 we want to celebrate “Good Good Fathers” and good men everywhere — which includes all those men who put forth solid effort! I see two issues that perplex many of today’s fathers. The first is how to prepare their children for the future economically. The second is how to have successful relationships. It is no longer enough to just teach your child to get an education and a good job. No longer are large publicly traded employers employee focused. They are primarily investor focused. This fundamental shift is apparent in age … Continue reading →

The Psychology of Litigation: Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Tracy A. Cinocca Posted on by

Going to court can bring out stress. People do not always behave their best and it is usually one of the worst periods in a person’s life. Whether your lawsuit is against a formerspouse, employer, business partner, or another, it is not unusual for the pressure to push someone into an uncharacteristic mental state. This is what our blog series on the “Psychology of Litigation” addresses. Major stress factors in life include emotionally charged situations or big life changes. This includes Litigation. (See Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) Social Readjustment Ratings Scale here). Litigants should be prepared for the mental stress of Litigation and ready to run the Litigation course long term, if necessary. How different people deal with situational distress caused by litigation can be affected by whether they have a mental condition – diagnosed or not. If mentally healthy people suffer such distress, then imagine the different types of reactions … Continue reading →

Street School: A Golden Rule Resource

Tracy A. Cinocca Posted on by

Our Golden Rule page lists many organizations with resources to help those in need. One of those organizations, and one of our favorites, is Street School. Street School provides a unique opportunity to students who are unable to complete their studies in the traditional Tulsa public school system. This non-profit offers a tuition-free alternative high school. It provides education and counseling to it’s students. This combination is the foundation for it’s unique “dropout prevention, intervention & recovery program accredited by Tulsa Public Schools for students in grades 9 through 12.” Only students who genuinely want to complete high school are allowed. This includes students who have experienced personal tragedies in their families or health, made a serious mistake they regret, and even some who have become pregnant. Street School is there for these children who failed in a traditional academic environment to give them another chance to succeed without a lifetime punishment … Continue reading →

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma: A Golden Rule Resource

Tracy A. Cinocca Posted on by

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma “LASO” is an organization whose mission is “making equal justice for all a reality.” Established in 2001, as a result of the merger of Legal Aid Services of Western and Eastern Oklahoma, LASO is a registered nonprofit that provides civil legal assistance to low income individuals across Oklahoma. If an individual qualifies, they are not charged for any of the services provided by LASO. Funding for the services provided by Legal Aid come from the Legal Services Corporation, the State of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, 15 United Way or United Fund organizations, as well as generous donations from attorneys, firms, business, and individuals throughout Oklahoma. Those donations can be in the form of funds or the legal time provided by the attorney at no cost to you if LASO approves you for services. In most cases, many attorneys work pro … Continue reading →