Does a full moon grant attorneys more clients? Erratic behavior can certainly land people into trouble. Is behavior affected by a full moon?
The word lunatic, derived from Latin, is defined as someone who has been made crazy by the moon. Describing someone as being moonstruck indicates the suggestion of markedly different behavior during the changes of the moon. Is the notion that bad things happen during a full moon just urban legend or old wives' tale fodder? Research shows evidence to the contrary.
Is there more crime during a full moon? The American Institute of Biomedical Climatology released a report to the Philadelphia Police Department regarding their findings on this subject. This report, ?The Effect of the Full Moon on Human Behavior,? indicates that coinciding with a full moon is a monthly peak in various psychotically oriented crimes such as murder, arson, dangerous driving, and kleptomania.
Dr. Arnold L. Lieber and Dr. Carolyn B. Sherin of the University of Miami recorded data regarding homicide statistics in Dade County, Florida over a period of 15 years. For the entire period, 1,887 homicides rose and fell correlating to the phases of the moon. American Journal of Psychiatry 129 (1972), 69-74. They also examined over 2,000 homicides over a 13-year period in Cleveland, Ohio, with similar statistical results.
Lieber explained that the body is a microism compromising essentially the same elements and in similar proportions as the earth's surface, 70% - 80% water and 20% - 30% minerals. Scientific studies have shown the pull of the moon affects the tide and changes in the earth's surface. Thus, it is pure folly to think the moon doesn't affect the ides of our bodies.
Interestingly enough, crime isn't the only thing affected by the moon's cycle. Dr. Edson J. Andrews reported in the Journal of the Florida Medical Association that, in a study of 1,000 tonsillectomies, 82% of postoperative bleeding crises occurred around a full moon than other moon changes. This was actually despite scheduling fewer surgeries around that the time of full moons. (Journal of the Florida Medical Association.) Does this produce more medical malpractice claims as a result of surgery timing?
I have noticed that there are more divorce clients particularly after Christmas. They have mentioned just wanting to keep the holiday happy for their children before a painful separation occurred. Now I'm wondering if the combination of stress of holidays and potentially erratic behavior during a full moon is what dooms some marriages.
Law firms can thank the effects of a full moon for more clientele. If one doesn't want to get in the predicament of needing legal counsel, be particularly cautious around the time of full moons. By the way, a full moon occurs for the next three months on November 5 and December 5, 2006, then January 3, 2007. We all may want to plan accordingly.
Are you fascinated by trials? Do you like helping people? A career as a Paralegal is challenging, rewarding, and NEVER boring. Sign up for free newsletters that show you how to step into this exciting career. Adventures await you....
www.paralegalsecretary.bravehost.com
Laura McDonald is a paralegal, employed by Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C. She is a member of NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). She is experienced in the areas of personal injury, civil litigation, family, environmental and corporate law, estate planning and bankruptcy.
No comments:
Post a Comment