Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell - September 2018

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

The World Trade Center How the Towers Came to Be

On Sept.11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 struck the north tower of the World Trade Center traveling at 470 mph, ripping a hole in the building from floors 93 to 99. At 9:03 a.m., a second plane smashed into the south tower traveling at 590 mph, cutting a gaping hole from floors 75 to 85. Within an hour, the south tower collapsed due to the sheer weight of the building combined with the damage dealt by the impact and the burning jet fuel. At 10:28 a.m., the north tower followed. The rubble and debris from the collapsed towers caused fires and further damage to the surrounding buildings and areas. Within hours, nearly 3,000 people had lost their lives. The attack left the world in a state of terror and grief, and the United States was changed forever. Today, the twin towers’ last day is remembered as the worst terrorist attack in history, but few people know how the buildings became part of New York City’s skyline in the first place. A world trade center pavilion was first hosted during the New York World’s Fair in 1939 — the exhibit was dedicated to the slogan “world peace through trade.” The idea for the World Trade Center was then abandoned after seven years, until David Rockefeller revived the concept to reinvigorate lower Manhattan.

Rockefeller took the reins and continued the project, finding premises near the Fulton Fish Market on the East River, and construction on the $250 million complex began. He also turned to the Port of New York Authority for financial support to ensure the World Trade Center’s completion, and the first real plans for the World Trade Center were put into action. It was then that the Port Authority decided the towers should break the record for the tallest building in the world, beating the 1,250-foot Empire State building. To do this, architect Minoru Yamasaki designed the towers to hold 110 stories each, but they would not have the traditional glass-and-steel- box design used for most skyscrapers at that time. Instead, Yamasaki worked with structural engineers to come up with a revolutionary design that would disperse the weight throughout. The plan included two hollow tubes supported by steel columns spaced closely together and wrapped in aluminum, while floor trusses connected this shell to the tower’s central steel core. Construction of the World Trade Center officially began in February 1967. The north tower was completed in December of 1970, and the south tower was finished in July of 1971, but construction continued for the next two years until the outdoor plaza was

finished. An estimated 10,000 workers labored to build the World Trade Center. The towers had 99 elevators, 43,600 windows, 40,000 doors, and 3,000 miles of electrical wiring, and each building weighed 250,000 tons. They were the tallest buildings in the world until Chicago’s Sears Tower was completed less than a year later. The towers were first attacked in 1993. Down in the basement of the north tower’s parking garage, a 1,200-pound bomb was set off. The attack cost six people their lives, and over 1,000 people were injured. The Port Authority wasted no time in renovating the building; over the next eight years, the company spent $700 million on renovations, including added safety features such as battery- powered stairway lights and a separate emergency command center for each building. The towers remained an iconic part of NYC’s famous skyline for another eight years. Today, the towers are gone, but the peace they once symbolized lives on in the tranquility of Ground Zero, and every man, woman, and child who lost their life on Sept. 11, 2001, is memorialized on the stone monuments and through the annual reading of names. As Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, said, “If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

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That’ll Do, Pig Oinkers That Saved Their Owners’ Bacon

More and more Americans are keeping pigs as pets than ever before. With their keen intelligence, laid-back amiability, goofy snorts, and, of course, their stubby little legs, it’s no surprise that people take to these plump, fuzzy animals. And here’s an extra bonus: Apparently, they also save lives! Take the aptly-named Lucky, for example. When Illinois resident Ina Farler woke up to the frantic porcine screams of her best friend, she knew something was up. “He would jump down, run to the door, and then jump back on the bed and hit me really hard,” she told Chicago 5 News. “When I sat up, I realized the room was really smoky.” Her house was ablaze, and her room was quickly turning into an oven. But thanks to Lucky, she was able to grab her two grandchildren, escape from the house, and

call the fire department to stifle the blaze before it took down the entire property. Lucky isn’t the only hog to have saved the day. Jo Ann and Jack Altsman adopted Lulu the pot-bellied pig

but she pressed on in order to check on Jo Ann. Realizing that something was seriously wrong, she slammed back through the doggie door and scrambled out into the road, where she lay down. Lulu eventually convinced one conscientious motorist to slow down and see what the commotion was about. He found Jo Ann unconscious in her home and quickly dialed 911. Though Lulu wasn’t allowed in the ambulance, her owner was rescued and recovered after an intense open-heart surgery. And, of course, Lulu got patched up too!

after baby-sitting her for their daughter. Lulu grew to be great pals with Bear, the family’s American Eskimo dog. When Jo Ann suffered a heart attack while her husband was away on a fishing trip and no one else was around, Bear and Lulu teamed up to rescue their beloved owner. Sensing something was up, Bear barked furiously to get the attention of Lulu, who was out in the yard. Though she’d never come into the house from the yard before, she crammed her bulk through the much- too-small doggie door. In the process, she scraped her belly badly, drawing blood,

MORE TO THE STORY The Truth About the McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case

Stop us if you’ve heard this one: A woman orders a cup of coffee at a McDonald’s drive-thru window. As she drives away, she spills the coffee on herself and decides to sue the Golden Arches because the coffee was just too hot. When the court chooses to side with this greedy, careless woman, she’s awarded over a million dollars. This is the infamous McDonald’s hot coffee case, and it’s the example commonly used when talking about how Americans have become “sue happy.” But the truth is, what most people think they know about this case is all wrong.

coffee at 190 degrees Fahrenheit, a good 60 degrees hotter than home brewers. McDonald’s admitted their coffee was a hazard, and in the decade before Liebeck’s accident, over 700 people had reported being badly burned by McDonald’s coffee. But the restaurant chain had done nothing to address the dangers.

Initially, Liebeck didn’t want to go to court; she just asked the mega franchise to cover her medical expenses. Liebeck only filed a lawsuit when the company offered her a mere $800. The jury was outraged by the restaurant’s negligence and decided to fine the company two days’ worth of

The “greedy, careless woman” was 79-year-old Stella Liebeck, and she wasn’t driving at all during the time of the incident. Liebeck was sitting in the passenger seat of her grandson’s parked car when the coffee she’d ordered from McDonald’s spilled. The hot liquid gave her third-degree burns and

coffee sales, or $2.7 million. Liebeck ultimately settled for $640,000 and McDonald’s finally agreed to turn down the temperature. We’re not saying there aren’t baseless lawsuits, but those often get dismissed early on. Most people don’t want to go through the stress of a lawsuit, but when they’ve been hurt by someone’s negligence, they might not have a choice. Before you buy into the myth of frivolous lawsuits, ask if you are really hearing the whole story. The truth of the situation might surprise you.

Liebeck went into shock. She had to have skin graft surgery on 6 percent of her body and almost died. Her surgeon went on record saying Liebeck’s condition was one of the worst he’d ever seen.

How can someone get so badly hurt from something most people drink every day? As it turns out, McDonald’s was serving their

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What’s Lost? The Lasting Pain of a Brain Injury

The ancient Egyptians believed that a person’s heart held their mind and soul. It was said that in order to enter the afterlife, your heart must be lighter than a feather. While we can’t speak for the soul, we know today that our minds — all our memories, thoughts, and personality — reside in the brain. Despite being so valuable, our brains can easily become damaged. Our tough skulls do surprisingly little to protect this delicate organ in the event of an accident. The Centers for Disease Control reports traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) account for 30 percent of all injury deaths in the United States. Every year, there are over 2.8 million TBI-related emergency room visits across the country. All injuries can be painful and difficult to overcome, but in addition to loss of normal body function, a brain injury can change a person’s personality and demeanor. After suffering a TBI, it’s not uncommon for a once kind and loving spouse to change into someone their family no longer recognizes: a person who snaps at their loved ones, doesn’t care for old hobbies, and becomes a shadow of their former self. Such a personality shift can fray relationships, creating an emotional burden not everyone is equipped to face. When a person suffers a brain injury, it’s likely they will lose some of the support systems they desperately need at that time.

A person who has suffered a TBI may need a lifetime of care, both for physical recovery and in the form of mental support. Neuropsychological treatment is crucial for a brain-injured person to have a chance to overcome their new challenges and lead a fulfilling life. But such care isn’t cheap. It can cost anywhere from $85,000 to $3 million, and many top brain injury treatment facilities don’t take insurance. When a facility does accept insurance, it is not uncommon for insurance companies to refuse to pay for treatment. After suffering a traumatic brain injury, you might feel lost, angry, and alone. But you’re not. If your injury is the result of another person’s negligence, the team at Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell can help. Call 815-726-9999 and let us help you get the compensation you deserve so you have the opportunity to achieve the best possible life.

LAUGH OUT LOUD

INSIDE-OUT GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE

INGREDIENTS

• 8 slices of bread (Pullman works best) • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)

• 8 ounces ham, thinly sliced • 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1/4 cup apricot preserves

DIRECTIONS

1. Butter each slice of bread on the outsides and sprinkle with Parmesan. 2. Layer ham and cheese evenly on top of 4 slices of bread. 3. Spread apricot preserves and mustard across the other 4 slices. Press sandwiches together. 4. In a cast iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. 5. Cut in half and serve. Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

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Ahoy, matey! Wednesday, Sept. 13, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Brush up on your pirate vocabulary, grab your eye patch, get your puffy shirt dry cleaned, and bring a little seafaring fun to your office or classroom. THE HISTORY OF THESE SWASHBUCKLING SHENANIGANS 1. The Hopeful Beginning and Catastrophic End 2. Pigs to the Rescue Lawsuit With a Side of Fries 3. Has a Brain Injury Ruined Your Life? Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese 4. International Talk Like a Pirate Day Yo Ho Ho, Landlubbers! INSIDE

Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day

DID PIRATES REALLY TALK LIKE THAT? The “pirate-speak” popularized in movies and Disney attractions probably sounds nothing like real pirates did in centuries past. Today’s swashbuckling phrases delivered in a strong Southwest England accent can be traced back to Robert Newton’s 1950 portrayal of Long John Silver in the movie “Treasure Island.” Historically, English-speaking pirates probably sounded more like Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Unfortunately, the pirates of the Golden Age didn’t leave behind any YouTube videos to confirm this. LEARN THE LINGO, LANDLUBBER Participating in Talk Like a Pirate Day is easy — you just need to know a few key phrases. “Ahoy, matey” means “Hello, friend!” “Blimey, that son of a biscuit-eater hornswaggled me out of me doubloons” means “Darn it, that jerk cheated me out of my money!” “Shiver me timbers, that old salt is three sheets to the wind” means “Wow, that old sailor has had too much beer.” And if a pirate (or your boss) says, “Swab the deck, ye bilge rat, or it’s Davy Jones’ locker for ye!” start mopping the floor immediately.

The holiday began as an inside joke between pals John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995. For reasons not even understood by themselves, they began speaking like pirates while playing racquetball, saying things to each other like, “That be a fine cannonade” (“Nice shot, dude”) and “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm” (“But watch this”). They decided Talk Like a Pirate Day needed to become official, so they chose Sept. 13, which was Summers’ wife’s birthday (and the only date he could remember besides Christmas and the Super Bowl). In 2002, they pitched the idea to humor columnist Dave Barry, who promoted it in his syndicated column, and the concept quickly spread internationally.

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