Hodzic and Porach LLC

04/30/2025

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-funeral-director-pet-bodies-ashes-funerals/

We are 100% gathering information regarding this matter. If you were affected by these cruel actions; please make sure you go to the attorney general's office to fill out the forms there, and then please contact us to discuss next steps. Our heart goes out to all who has been affected by this.

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/epm/

On April 28. 2025, the Office of Attorney General filed criminal charges against Patrick Roy Vereb, 70, of Pittsburgh, PA.

03/28/2023

The Attorney Generals of Pennsylvania, and Ohio have joined a lawsuit started by the Attorney General's Office of Florida against a MV Realty, a Florida based company that they allege engaged in deceptive business tactics in their respective states.

In part, the suit alleges that MV Realty had a sales pitch over the phone that stated customers would not have to pay anything until they sold their property. However, this reportedly was dramatically different from what MV Realty had consumers sign in a contract; stating that hidden in the "fine print" of the contract MV Realty included allowing MV Realty to levy a mortgage on the consumer's home in order to enforce the contract.

As always, before you sign ANY contract, consider talking to an experienced attorney at Hodzic and Porach. Unfortunately some individuals and organizations engaged in unscrupulous business practices that they hope will fly under the radar until it is too late. By having an attorney read through the contract to identify such issues, you can save yourself significant time and money proactively. Calling to explain your situation never costs you anything, but not calling can be an expensive mistake!

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/ag-shapiro-sues-real-estate-brokerage-firm-mv-realty-over-misleading-homeowner-benefit-program/

https://www.realtrends.com/articles/two-more-states-sue-mv-realty/

Pennsylvania and Massachusetts AGs say the brokerage is targeting low-income and elderly consumers in need of immediate cash.

03/06/2023

The Chamber of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission are discussing the importance as well as the legality of non-compete clauses in employment contracts. The FTC appears to be leaning towards arguing these are stifle career growth and limit potential opportunities for employees.

However, while this issue is ongoing, non-compete clauses are still valid in Pennsylvania, though there are some restrictions that apply. Whether you are an employee wanting advice before signing an employment agreement, or an employer who wants to draft a fair and valid contract that protects their business as well as their employees, make sure you contact appropriate legal counsel! At Hodzic and Porach, we are happy to work with you at whatever stage in your professional development you are currently at. It's always better to call and check in before signing a form you are unsure about!

‘The owner is fearful you’ll walk off with their customers.’

02/18/2023

DID YOU KNOW?
In Pennsylvania, a valid contract does not need to be written down for it to be valid (with some exceptions, including real estate, a sale of goods over $500, and others). Oral contracts can be legally enforced. However, unsurprisingly, it is significantly easier to enforce a contract that has been written down and go over by a legal professional. It also helps ensure there is no confusion between the parties involved in regards to what is expected of them.

At Hodzic and Porach, we not only help draft and create effective contracts for you and your business, we also can help you go over contracts that have been presented to you, point out areas of concern, and help you understand your rights and responsibilities BEFORE you sign anything away! Contact us today for a free consultation!!

02/08/2023

In August of 2022, New Brighton Wellness faced allegations of negligence as well as healthcare fraud, stemming from investigations that likely began with the death of a resident in 2019. They were facing in a civil lawsuit as well as a federal indictment.

While it can be a difficult decision to make with your loved ones when it comes to assisted living, please make sure to continue checking in on them, and if you feel the situation is dangerous, don't be afraid to speak out. Hodzic and Porach will have your back; we can talk with you to determine whether the appropriate standards of care rare being met, and if necessary we can help with an investigation to ensure the proper care is being provided to some of our most vulnerable population. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

For more information regarding the lawsuits:

1) https://www.wtae.com/article/nursing-home-accused-of-saving-millions-by-keeping-staff-levels-below-standards/40722471

2) https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/five-individuals-and-two-nursing-facilities-indicted-charges-conspiracy-defraud-united

Contact information for the Pennsylvania Department of Health and nursing homes as well as where to file a complaint:

https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/facilities/nursing%20homes/Pages/Patients.aspx

Callers to the hotline (1-800-254-5164) may speak directly with a Department of Health professional. If we are unable to take your call, please leave a voice message that includes the name of the facility, the specific issue related to care and services provided to residents/patients, and any detail...

01/24/2023

A plaintiff has alleged that an Alidi's in West Mifflin was responsible for a metal shelf in the store that fell on to the plaintiff's foot, causing a fracture and other damages. Alidi's has responded in part that the statute of limitations on the claim has run out, and that the hazard was open and obvious. Read more at:
https://pennrecord.com/stories/639001326-aldi-says-metal-produce-shelf-which-allegedly-fell-on-shopper-was-not-its-responsibility

Hodzic and Porach cannot stress enough the importance of reaching out to legal counsel as soon as possible after an event occurs; even if you are not sure if you want to pursue legal action. A licensed attorney can help let you know what your options are, as well as any potential time limitations that may be a factor.

At Hodzic and Porach, we are happy to go over whatever your situation may be, and give you realistic advice on what your options are going forward.

01/14/2023

From all us of at Hodzic and Porach to all of yours, here's hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!

Here's also hoping your return to a non-holiday schedule hasn't been too difficult!

We will be resuming our "interesting local cases" posts soon. If you know of a relevant and local case you'd like to see shared, please feel free to message us and let us know about it!

08/20/2022

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has created an investigative unit to support local agencies involved with elder care. The unit is tasked with delving in to financial exploitation cases involving older Pennsylvanians.

If you are concerned that you or a family member may have been financially exploited by an individual or institution, please do not hesitate to contact our firm to discuss any and all options available to you, so you can be informed before you take your next steps.

Harrisburg, PA – Continuing its work to address and prevent one of the fastest growing forms of elder abuse, the Department of Aging announced the formation of a dedicated investigative unit to support Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in probing complex financial exploitation cases and obtaining just...

03/29/2022

Two former direct care workers of McGuire Memorial were indicted by a federal grand jury on hate crime charges for their alleged actions while at the facility caring for disabled individuals. Prosecutors allege that the two performed "disturbing" acts on at least 13 residents of the facility.

Those who rely on the care of others for their daily living tasks are among some of the most vulnerable of our society. If you know or even suspect that a loved one is receiving improper care or being abused at their residential facility, contact us to discuss what options you have available to you to help protect those you care about.

A federal grand jury has indicted two former McGuire Memorial direct care workers on hate crime charges, alleging the pair intentionally committed violent acts on patients with severe disabilities.

02/27/2022

Allegheny County District Attorney Zappala is the second District Attorney suing Pennsylvania's Attorney General Josh Shapiro over a proposed opioid litigation settlement. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner had also filed a separate lawsuit. Zappala is requesting a court to state that the Attorney General's office cannot force Allegheny County to give up their claims against certain companies. The Attorney General's office has proposed a $26 billion settlement.

District Attorneys for Philadelphia and Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh, now oppose an opioid settlement crafted in part by Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

12/06/2021

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division alleges that Provision PGH, a restaurant in the Federal Gallery collection in the North Shore, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act when allegedly tipped staff were forced to share their tips with other employees, including managers and supervisors. Reportedly the restaurant used the tips to pay part of the salaries of managers. Investigators have recovered $41,560 for 12 employees.

If you believe your employer is violating federal law, do not hesitate to contact the appropriate federal or state authority; and contact Hodzic Law Offices so you know what your rights are when it comes to wages you've rightfully earned and other protections provided by law.

A Pittsburgh restaurant illegally forced workers to share tips with managers, supervisors and other employees not usually tipped by customers, federal investigators said Wednesday. The actions violate the Fair Labor Standards Act, officials said. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Di...

11/23/2021

It's okay to get their contact information and tell them you will call back. It's also okay to contact the general office (whether it's a potential scam involving law enforcement or anything else) first if you ever have any question if the person you are talking to is who they actually say they are. Better safe than sorry with these.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=267000848805144&set=a.258441132994449

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office has received an uptick in phone calls regarding scams over the last few weeks. Most citizens state that the caller identifies themselves as a Sheriff’s Deputy, specifically Sgt. Miller or Sgt. Sharpe. The caller states that they are contacting the person because of "an urgent legal matter,” missed jury duty, expert witness testimony, or an assortment of other reasons involving the judicial system. If folks let the scam go on long enough, the caller will eventually request payment to clear the warrant for their arrest. The caller will request payment via gift cards or loadable/prepaid credit cards, like the Visa Vanilla eGift Cards.

We have noticed that in a lot of cases, the concerned citizens work in similar industries, most specifically the medical profession.

The Sheriff’s Office cannot stress enough that we will NEVER request payment from in anyone in the form of a gift card or a loadable/prepaid credit card. If you or someone you know receives such a call, do NOT provide any personal or financial information to the caller. Please hang-up and contact the Sheriff’s Office directly at 412-350-4709 to ensure that the person contacting you is a representative of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office.

Please assist us in getting our message out to everyone by sharing this post and letting your loved ones know about scams plaguing our region.

For more information regarding scam calls that the Sheriff’s Office is made aware of, visit the Sheriff’s Office website, http://sheriffalleghenycounty.com/scams.html.