Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell - January 2019

January 2019 815-726-9999 | www.blocklaw.com THEBKMS BULLETIN

Don’t Miss Out What Makes the Ultimate Family Adventure?

“THIS YEAR, I WANT TO SPEND MORE QUALITY TIME WITH MY FAMILY AND HAVE ADVENTURES TOGETHER.” I think there are a lot of people in the same boat. If we are fortunate to find people we love in life, who are there for us when we need them, it’s the greatest thing in the world. But life can get busy. Sometimes we blink, and the toddlers running around our legs are suddenly in middle school. My girls are growing up fast, so this year, I want to spend more quality time with my family and have adventures together. My wife and I would love to take the girls to Disney World. We went a few times when they were younger and had a truly memorable experience. It was great to see the magic in their eyes. They were in awe of everything. At one point, while we were exploring Epcot, my wife and I took the girls through the shops in the France area of the World Showcase. The girls had so much fun getting their makeup done and trying fancy perfumes. I really cherish that memory and would This year, my New Year’s resolution doesn’t have anything to do with getting a gym membership, starting a diet, or picking up a new hobby. No, I have just one major goal for 2019: spend more time with my family.

love to capture those sweet moments again before they’re grown. Though to be honest, my oldest daughter, Macy, is far more interested in visiting Universal Studios. She’s a big fan of Harry Potter and would love to run around the Wizarding World theme parks in Orlando. When you have kids, theme parks can be great because they really do have options to keep the whole family entertained. But when it comes to trips, I’m all about genuine experiences. Epcot is fun, but I would love to take my girls to the real Paris one day. I love trying new restaurants, meeting people, and learning about new cultures. One of the best trips I ever took was when my wife and I went to Maui for our 10th wedding anniversary. Sure, I got seasick while snorkeling and ended up “feeding the fishes” as they say, but I also got to explore the entire island. We spent the whole trip talking to everyone. Each person had great stories, and they told

us about secret places where we could experiences the real Maui, away from the tourist traps. This was before the kids came along, and my ultimate vacation wish list is to get back to Maui and share all those adventures with my girls. The new year is a time to reflect on what’s really important in our lives and where we want to be at the start of next year. I would like to look back on 2019 and remember it as full of adventures and time spent with my loved ones. That might mean we finally make it back to Maui, or maybe we’ll go camping, or perhaps we’ll take a great staycation where we just watch our favorite movies all weekend. As long as I’m with my wife and my girls, I’ll call it a successful resolution. Here’s to a great 2019. May you and your family have plenty of good times together in the new year.

–Brya n Shell

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Mom Really Does Know Best 3 Wives’ Tales Proven True

“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true. GARLIC CURES COLDS For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body

fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. HEARTBURN MEANS A HAIRY BABY It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn

during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. JOINT PAIN PREDICTS THE WEATHER Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.

MORE TO THE STORY Why Did a Woman Sue Her Nephew Over ‘Careless’ Hug?

In 2015, Americans were outraged to hear about an aunt suing her own nephew over a hug. Outlets reported that when the aunt arrived at her nephew’s birthday party, the 8-year-old was so excited to see her that he lept into her arms. When the hug resulted in a broken wrist, the aunt gifted her nephew with a $127,000 lawsuit, suing for “negligence and carelessness.” As often happens with lawsuits that go viral, this version of the story leaves out important details. Jennifer Connell was delighted to attend her nephew’s birthday in 2011, and even more pleased when young Sean Tarla greeted her with a big hug. Unfortunately, she wasn’t ready to catch the 50-pound-boy and was injured when they both fell to the ground. Sean was unharmed and Connell didn’t say anything at the party because she didn’t want to upset her nephew. She discovered later that her wrist needed multiple surgeries, and she suffered from pain for years after. Connell filed a claim with her insurance, who only offered her $1. To pay the mounting medical costs, Connell had to file a lawsuit with the Tarlas’ homeowners insurance. This meant she was forced to sue her nephew, who was now 12 years old. This looked bad on paper, but as Connell’s lawyer stated, “From the

start, this was a case was about one thing: getting medical bills paid by homeowners insurance. Our client was very reluctant to pursue this case, but in the end she had no choice … her hand was forced by the insurance company.” In the end, the judge ruled against Connell, leaving her to shoulder the burden of the medical bills on her own. It’s worth noting that had Connell won the case, Sean wouldn’t have been expected to break open his piggy bank to cover the costs. The homeowners insurance would have paid for everything. This is something many people forget when they hesitate to file personal injury claims. They worry they’ll take food out of someone’s mouth, but it’s really the insurance companies who will be expected to foot the bill. That’s their job, after all. Since many outlets failed to report all the facts, Connell became the target of horrible online harassment. Additionally, this is another case lobbyists and insurance companies will point to as an example of how sue-happy Americans are. In reality, this isn’t a case of a greedy aunt, but of how often insurance companies fail their clients, forcing them into painful situations to get the help they need.

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Can Facebook Ruin My Case? What to Know About Social Media and Personal Injury

After an accident, you might have a lot of questions. “Can my insurance cover the medical bills?” “Will I make a full recovery?” “Do I have to hire a lawyer?” But one thing people rarely question during a personal injury case is “Can I still post on Facebook?” Social media is a staple of today’s society. It’s how we stay in touch with our families, keep up-to-date on world events, and watch all the best cat videos. Unfortunately, if you’re in the middle of a personal injury case, social media can also be used against you. Even if your social media profiles are set to private, the opposing attorneys can scour your online life looking for evidence to undermine your case. This is why you need to be cautious about what you post after an accident. Never post about your accident online. If you’re in a car accident and you post to reassure you family members that you are all right, the insurance company can point to this and claim your injuries aren’t that severe. If you write about how terrible your injuries are but don’t describe them in the exact same manner later, the insurance company might insist you’re lying about your injuries entirely.

enjoy hiking. If the court finds a photo of you online, smiling and enjoying a hike with your family, the judge might rule against you. It doesn’t matter if you were in pain the whole time and haven’t hiked since. The same holds true if you are filing a case due to emotional distress. It’s not uncommon to experience isolation or depression after a serious accident. However, if you’re tagged in a photo after having brunch with friends, the insurance company can question how isolated you really are. At this point, you may be wondering if you should delete certain posts or your entire social media accounts entirely. No. Deleting your accounts may imply you have something to hide. Instead, you should avoid posting anything on social media altogether and ask that your friends and family refrain from posting about you until your case is over. If you have other questions about your case or personal injury in general, get answers by calling 815-726-9999. The experts at Block, Klukas, Manzella, & Shell are here to help you.

It’s not just details about the accident that can be called into question. Let’s say a rear-end collision has left you unable to

SUDOKU

CHICKEN CHOP SUEY

INGREDIENTS

• 2 large or 4 medium chicken thighs • 3 pounds bok choy, cut into 3–4-inch ribbons

• 2 teaspoons sugar • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 4 tablespoons water • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil • Salt and pepper, to taste

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. In large pot, boil three cups of water. Add chicken and reduce to simmer, cooking for 30 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool. Once cooled, remove skin and bones, chop, and set aside. Reserve the cooking liquid. 2. In a large skillet over high heat, heat vegetable oil. Once simmering, add bok choy and cook for 1 minute, stirring throughout. Add half of reserved cooking liquid, cover skillet, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer bok choy to a plate. 3. Add remaining cooking liquid and chicken to the pan, maintaining high heat. Heat chicken, then add oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch-and-water mixture, sesame oil, and bok choy. Season to taste, toss together, and serve over rice. Inspired by The New York Times

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INSIDE

1. What 2019 Will Bring 2. 3 Wives’ Tales That Are True

‘Evil’ Woman Sues Over ‘Careless’ Hug 3. Will Social Media Posts Ruin Your Case? Chicken Chop Suey 4. The Best Skiing Destinations in the World

3 of the World’s Greatest Winter Sport Destinations

The sound of the first carve through fresh powder is the anthem of all winter sports enthusiasts. Here are three of the world’s best mountains to experience that powder you’ve been craving all year. BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO “The Colorado Rocky Mountain high,” sang John Denver about the freedom he felt on one of the world’s most renowned mountain ranges. Where there are great mountains, there’s even better snow, and at the pinnacle are the jagged peaks of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. If you’ve ever seen the groomed trails of Breckenridge, you’ll understand why. The ski resort boasts five peaks, 187 trails, 34 lifts, four terrain parks, and a renowned cross-country trail. After a day on the slopes, head into the town of Breckenridge for dining and activities that ditch the glitz and glamour of Vail or Aspen and take you straight to the heart of fun. WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA A destination that looks like a Nordic paradise met Olympic-level runs, Whistler is filled with true magic, winter activities, and a town that captivates the senses. When you see the mountains of British Columbia, you’ll understand why they hosted the 2010 Winter Who’s Ready for Some Powder?

Olympics. The location’s beauty is only part of your stimulating experience, because every curve of fresh powder makes your pupils dilate. Once you’re done flying down the hill where Bode Miller took the Bronze Medal, head over to the winter wonderland of the old Olympic Village for a cozy night in a picturesque town. ST. ANTON, AUSTRIA If you want a great location for next year’s Christmas card photo, there’s no better place than the Tyrolean Alps. Nestled in a valley between perfectly molded mountains, the Austrian landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for your winter excursions. The densely wooded areas and the bright reflection of the snow frame the vibrant town that’s just waiting to be explored. When you’re ready for world-class runs, hop in one of the 11 gondolas and zip down the hills that hosted the 2001 Alpine World Ski Championships.

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