Shrewsbury, MA
Interview 5 pm
July 26, 2002

Were you glad you hired Cline & Migner?

Yes.       

Why?

They were always really responsive to me.  They didn’t give me any brush off. They always called me back.  Their secretary Sue was also real good.  You know, people can be good at the top ……but it’s the people down below that you  work with everyday.  All three of them were good.  I don’t think anyone could have done any better. I’d go right back to them.

I had two cases.  Channing did my workers compensation and social security disability claims. He knew all the  laws and explained everything really clear. He also was a straight shooter. No B.S., you know?  He was never trying to cheat any body, no cheating or lying from him.

Sherrill handled the other part of the case. She was really good too.

Sherrill did her homework. Proved her case. She showed them. Very good. 

Did you get what you expected? 

Well, actually, I was surprised it worked out.  You know, and I’m a fussy son of a “b”.

How did you find them in the first place?

I’m Italian you know. I figured I’d call up an Italian lawyer and throw him some business. I had just had an operation and was on crutches.  You know what that lawyer said when I called?  “When you get better, come on up and see me.” I said, “You don’t make house calls?” He said, “No”.   I said “Thank you” and hung up.

So then, I got Sherrill  and Channing’s firm from the Yellow Pages.  I called them. Channing came right over to the house. Channing started his case and then he had Sherrill come over to do to her case. You know, at different times.

When the firm Sherrill and Channing were with left Worcester, I stayed with Sherrill and Channing then, because they decided to stay in Worcester and start their own firm. 

I believed in them right from the beginning. 

Have you worked with any other lawyers? 

I never had a lawyer before them in my whole life and I hope I never need one again.

Would you refer other people to them?

Oh yes. In fact I have referred other people to them. I would definitely. They are right on the ball .  Some places have a lot of people who don’t know what the hell you are talking about. Not them.

I heard from Channing that you went with him to Boston to testify for changes in the Worker’s comp laws.  What was that about?  

Yeah, it was about the Workman’s comp laws.   You know when I first started working 45 years ago, guys could go out on anything like nothing.  I use to get mad they were cheating the system. So, the insurance company was at a disadvantage.  Then, they  got the lobby and politicians to change the law completely around the other way, 180 degrees.  Now, the insurance industry was completely making money.  Now the workers are getting shafted.

In 1986 or 1990 maybe, they changed it so you can only collect for so many years. You are out of luck if you still are hurt and can’t work and still need the money. Channing took me to the State House in Boston to argue the case for us little guys who aren’t cheating.  I wanted the right thing done. The guys who are really hurt are getting screwed.   It’s not Channing’s fault [that the legislators did nothing]…just the system right now. It’s just not right.