Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell - November 2018

November 2018 815-726-9999 | www.blocklaw.com THEBKMS BULLETIN

Turkey and Football The Best Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving is a time when you can’t help but notice how much your family has changed. When I was young, every Thanksgiving was spent at my grandfather’s house. He owned a car dealership in Herscher, Illinois, and lived in the apartments above the business. The family would get together to eat food and watch football at his place. Later in the evening, all the cousins would get into some world-class shenanigans. My grandfather passed away seven years ago, but my aunt took over the tradition before he passed. Thanksgivings at Aunt Dawn’s aren’t that different than when Granddad hosted, though her place is a bit bigger. Plus, she has a nice theater room in the basement with a built-in bar. It’s the perfect spot to kick back with a belly full of turkey and watch the game. I went to law school in Minnesota, so I make a point of watching the Vikings if they’re playing — but if Mike Block asks, I’m a Bears fan. In addition to the new location, another big change during Thanksgiving is the people around the table. As the years go by, families grow and change. Mine is no exception. I’ve been lucky to have my family nearby for most of my life. But these days, the cousins are starting to move away. They’re getting new jobs and doing well for themselves, but it’s unclear when we’ll see each other again. As a child, it’s guaranteed that you’ll see your cousins during the holidays and spend the day surrounded by your siblings.

Today, it’s not so certain. Even for Thanksgiving, everyone might not be able to come together like they once did. It’s a little sad, but this distance also makes the time we’re able to spend together all the more valuable. It’s interesting to think that this is the version of Thanksgiving my girls will remember as adults. I’m glad they have the tradition of spending Thanksgiving at Aunt Dawn’s to look back on. It’s a gathering full of family, love, and plenty of food. Second to the time spent with family, being encouraged to overeat a little is my favorite part of Thanksgiving. I am very fortunate to have so many reasons to be thankful this year. My family is healthy and happy, and we’re able to

gather together for another wonderful Thanksgiving. I am also thankful for the job I have and the work we do at the practice. I can look back on this year and know without a doubt that we have been able to help many people. It’s an honor to have clients who trust us in their time of need. We work hard to earn that trust and make sure our clients have plenty to be thankful for too. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! No matter how things may change, I hope you are able to enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones, eating great food and creating lasting memories.

–Brya n Shell

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ThanksgivingPrepfor theWholeFamily Let KidsPlay aRole This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is more than just a feast; it’s about coming together as a family and being thankful for one another. So why wait to get into the spirit until everyone is seated at the table? Here are a few ways you can make the actual preparation of Thanksgiving dinner fun and engaging for the whole family! GIVE EVERYONE A ROLE No, not those rolls — yet. Making the feast a family project can turn the day from a hectic list of chores into a magical bonding experience. It’s important to match each family member to a job that best fits their abilities. Young children can mash potatoes or rinse ingredients in the sink. Older kids can take on more responsibility, like measuring ingredients, keeping an eye on timers, and setting the table. Teens and young adults can supervise their younger siblings and cousins in these important tasks and

may be called upon to stir what’s on the stove while an adult checks on the football game. ROLL OUT THE DECORATIONS Still not talking about bread. Not everything in Thanksgiving preparation needs to be tied to the kitchen. Creative family members of all ages can work together to bring some seasonal flare to the dining room. Maybe this means picking up some Thanksgiving coloring books, or perhaps the family can venture outdoors to collect autumn trimmings for crafts. It’s a great way to let each family member put their own personal spin on the holiday! HAVE A ‘ROLLER DERBY’ Finally. While an adult should be the one to put these delicious baked goods in the oven, the whole family can help shape the dough. In fact, Care.com

recommends making this a contest. Set aside a time when everyone can vie for the title of Fastest Roll Maker, and you’ll have plenty of warm, flaky, delicious treats come dinnertime. Letting everyone play a part may take a little more planning and add slightly more chaos to your Thanksgiving preparations. But it’s sure to produce a lot of great memories and bonding moments among your loved ones. And by the time you sit down to eat, you’ll all have something to be thankful for right in front of you — Those. Delicious. Rolls.

MORE TO THE STORY Small TownGoes Bankrupt Over aPothole

There’s something endearing about a small town where people say hello to each other on the street and everybody knows everybody else. With a population of 913, Reed Springs, Missouri, is this kind of small town. Bearing this in mind, it’s not surprising that people were furious when Reed Springs had to file for bankruptcy after being sued by a woman who tripped over a pothole. National news outlets were quick to ask what kind of greedy, careless villain would ruin a sweet town just to make a quick buck. This “villain” is Sally Stewart. She was out shopping when she tripped over a pothole hidden beneath some overgrown grass on the sidewalk. The accident injured her ankle so badly that she needed surgery. Stewart had never sued anyone before, but she needed help paying her medical bills. It was unclear who was

responsible for the sidewalk’s upkeep, so Stewart initially filed a lawsuit against the owners of the store in front of the pothole. It was the Missouri Court of Appeals that determined the city was responsible. The City of Reed Springs was ordered to write a check for $100,000 — almost half of the town’s annual budget. This loss forced the city to declare bankruptcy. In normal circumstances, the city’s insurance would have covered the loss, and Reed Springs would have been fine. Unfortunately, at the time of Stewart’s accident, the city’s mayor was a man named Joe Dan Dwyer who, to put it kindly, was terrible. Dwyer left office while being investigated for insurance fraud, child pornography, statutory rape, bribing witnesses, and perjury. It was under Dwyer’s watch that the town’s insurance policy lapsed. Whether this was negligence or one of Dwyer’s many schemes remains unclear. But without insurance, Reed Springs had nothing to fall back on when Sally Stewart got hurt on their street. Had the news outlets reporting the story dug a little deeper, they would have found that the real villain wasn’t an injured woman but a corrupt politician who took advantage of his town’s trust. This is yet another example of how easy it is to turn public opinion against personal injury claimants.

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Shivers Down the Spine Incidents That Could Lead to a Spinal Cord Injury Case

A spinal cord injury is a devastating condition for anyone, and unfortunately, these injuries impact more than 10,000 people every year. This injury can result in the loss of mobility and function as the cord that controls all your movements swells. These injuries can be pure accident, but as the following examples show, sometimes someone else is at fault for your pain. CAR ACCIDENTS Many spinal cord injuries result from vehicle accidents. When you get into a car crash, your entire body is jolted at a rate of speed it cannot withstand. Even minor crashes at low speeds can have a significant impact on your health. After a vehicle accident, you should always gather documents pertaining to the incident, find witnesses, take photos, get doctor’s notes, and find any other evidence that can verify what happened. SPORTS AND FALLS Sports can also cause spinal cord injuries. Equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, and dangerous playing arenas can often lead to these types of injuries. A faulty bungee strap or outdated ski lift is not your responsibility to fix or maintain. Your medical bills and suffering due to the company’s negligence shouldn’t be your responsibility either.

ACTS OF VIOLENCE Domestic-abuse victims sometimes think it is their fault they are being hurt. Even when a serious injury occurs, it can be difficult for them to realize the amount of danger they are in. Spinal cord injuries can be a very scary result of domestic violence. If someone is hurting you, there are organizations that can help. Visit DomesticShelters.org for safe locations in the Joliet area.

If you think someone else is at fault for your spinal cord injury, give Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell Law Attorneys a call at 815-726-9999 to get the compensation you deserve.

SUDOKU

SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES

INGREDIENTS

• 5 pounds sweet potatoes • 1 cup canned coconut milk • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot. Inspired by The New York Times

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1. Days Gone By 2. Let Kids Play a Role This Thanksgiving Why You Need Insurance 3. When a Spinal Injury Isn’t Your Fault Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes 4. A Historic Veterans Day A Historic Veterans Day INSIDE Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the End of World War I

This year, Veterans Day takes on particular historic significance: Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Countries around the world will commemorate the signing of this peace agreement with moments of silence, centennial ceremonies, and historical exhibits. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a celebration of life. It’s a day to honor the power of peace and the living veterans across the globe who have served their countries. This November, take a moment to remember the war that helped shape the international community’s dedication to peace and thank the individuals who served to defend it. THE GREAT WAR By 1914, a world war had been years in the making, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro- Hungarian Empire by a Serbian nationalist provided the spark that would eventually burn down much of Europe. A chain reaction of land disputes, pre-emptive attacks, and strategic alliances brought over 30 countries into World War I.

The Great War that ravaged Europe resulted in a devastating loss of life, but from those ashes rose a renewed appreciation for the importance of peace and a global effort to ensure its place in the future. THE RESTORATION OF PEACE In 1918, Germany surrendered unconditionally, and the armistice ended the fighting at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, though the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following July. An estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians died in just four years, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history. VETERANS DAY Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the one-year anniversary of the armistice, and it became a U.S. holiday in 1938. Today, Veterans Day celebrates veterans who served their country honorably. The U.K., France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate their veterans in November. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service this month.

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