Bollinger Law Firm PC Sep 2017

Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Sept 2017

601 East 5th Street, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28202 • 704-377-7677 • Toll-free: 1-866-326-3090 • www.BollingerLawFirmNC.com

From Textiles to Courtrooms

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T his month, thousands of young people, including my son, will enter their senior year of high school.They’re at the threshold of adulthood, and the world is their oyster.They can be just about anything they want. It’s an exciting time. But imagine if I asked a group of adults, “How many of you are doing what you wanted to when you were 17?” How many would raise their hands? That being said, it’s important to pick a path and push forward.You can always change paths, but you can’t steer a parked vehicle. For instance, I didn’t set out to become a lawyer, and I took many twists and turns along the way; but if I never started down the path, I wouldn’t be here today. Ever since my sophomore year of high school, I knew that I wanted to go to college. My father and his father would have gone if they could, so I didn’t want to waste my opportunity. I applied early senior year and was accepted at NC State in the textile technology program. My horizons were so low at the time that I thought I would get that degree and then come back to my hometown and get a management job in a textile plant. I really had no idea what my options truly were. But Mom and Dad didn’t think I was ready to go away to college at the age of 17, so they required me to enroll at a local college, Lenoir Rhyne, and live at home for my freshman year. After freshman year, I took a year off and worked to save some cash before transferring to UNC-Charlotte. I made a poor grade in calculus at LR, so Charlotte would not let me into the business school. Instead, I declared a major in English. I started taking classes in economics as my electives, and after seven semesters at UNCC, I had enough credits to declare economics as my major and graduate with that degree, although my grades were mediocre. After graduation, I wanted to be a tennis pro. I worked that summer for my friend, Doug Eller, at Lake Hickory Country Club, helping him in the tennis shop, stringing racquets, hitting with members, and teaching the occasional kids’ clinic. I looked for a tennis job that fall and got an offer at a big public facility in Winston-

Salem. Unfortunately, that job did not pay enough to support myself, so I declined it and started looking for a job in sales. I spent the next three years working as a sales rep and found that I enjoyed the freedom. I had a company car, set my own hours, and as long as I got results (and I always did), my bosses left me alone. But there was one major problem: It wasn’t fulfilling. I was making a living, and it was fairly easy work, but I did not think I was doing anything of much importance. I think that the best work is the kind that gives us a greater sense of purpose. Some people spend their entire lives looking for it — I spent years.As I looked to exit the sales business, I knew I wanted to do something that helped people directly. I actually considered medical school, but I didn’t take the right hard science classes for my economics degree, and I didn’t want to go back to college for two more years on the chance that a medical school might admit me. But that economics degree was a great background for law. I did well on the LSAT, applied to several law schools, was accepted to three, and selected the Campbell University School of Law in Buies Creek, North Carolina. I worked much harder than I did in college and graduated cum laude . Being a lawyer is a difficult career.There’s a lot of stress that happens behind the scenes. But when it comes to having a greater sense of purpose, practicing law is difficult to beat. I know it’s corny to say, but I find satisfaction every day by helping the people who need my help.All in all, it has been a great career. My sonWill is still figuring out his calling. His passion is video gaming, and right now, he’s interested in designing video games as his career.There’s a university in Florida we’re looking at for him.As many students going into their senior year will learn, life rarely turns out as you expect. But if you work hard and seek a higher purpose, I think your life will be a good one.

• Speeding ticket?

• Child support problem?

• Criminal charge?

• Buying a house?

If you need a lawyer for anything, anywhere in the world, call us first. We have these nifty lawyer directories, and we know a lot of lawyers anyway. We can help you choose a good lawyer in North Carolina, South Carolina, California, or anywhere else. We do this at no charge to our clients, former clients, friends, and anyone who reads this offer. So if you need a referral for another good lawyer, contact Bob Bollinger, and he will find you one. Call 704-377-7677 or email [email protected] Where to Find Us Online ...

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– Bob Bollinger

704-377-7677 • Toll-free: 1-866-326-3090 • 1

The Benefits of Seasonal Eating Fresher, Cheaper, Tastier

The nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables hardly need explaining. These health staples, though, can put a dent in your wallet if you’re not making the right choices at the market. One way to feed your family healthy and delicious produce on the cheap is to eat seasonally. Not only will this save you money, but you will also vary your diet, support local farms, and put the freshest foods on your table. Ever wonder why tomatoes cost so much more in December than in July? The answer is simple: shipping distance. Transporting produce long distances is expensive because it needs to be protected and temperature-

controlled. Eating seasonally means you’ll save a ton on fruits and veggies. Even better is to cut out the middleman entirely and buy directly from a supplier. In his exceptional cookbook “Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables,” Joshua McFadden writes, “The best way to eat with the seasons is to frequent and support local farms, markets, and grocery stores that are doing good things.” The USDA website (ams.usda.gov) has a directory of markets that you can search for by ZIP code. Learning what’s in season at a given time might seem like a daunting task, but there are plenty of tools to help you. You can ask what’s in peak season at the market and what to look forward to in the coming weeks. Apps like Farmstand will also let you know the freshest crops in your area and alert you to deals on produce. Getting the nutritional benefits and great taste of fresh produce doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Eat seasonally and locally, and the savings will pile up.

When you refer us, we want you to be the “hero” in the story.We want that person you referred to come back to you months later and say, “I am so glad you referred me to the Bollinger Law Firm! They were so nice to me, and they took great care of me and my case. They got me a better outcome than I imagined possible! Thank you so much for telling me to call the Bollinger Law Firm!” I worked in blue-collar jobs as a young man, before I graduated from college. These jobs included tailing a ripsaw in a furniture factory and cutting carpet cushion in a foam rubber factory. It makes me furious to see honest, hardworking people being mistreated after getting hurt at work. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping working people get a fair outcome on their workers’ comp claims. Everyone’s case is different, so these results are not indicative of future results. Your Referrals Are Very Important to Us

Bob Bollinger currently has four workers’ compensation cases pending at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. On three of those cases, Bob won at the Industrial Commission, and the insurance company appealed to the court. On the fourth case, the Industrial Commission ruled against Bob’s client, and Bob thinks that the commission got the law wrong, so he appealed that one.Why is this important?Well, there are very few lawyers who will take a case to the Court of Appeals. It is a lot of work, and the rules that apply are arcane and complicated. But Bob thinks that a trial lawyer, like himself, should continue to litigate as long as needed until no stone is left unturned and they have maximized their client’s outcome. So, Bob has four cases currently pending at the Court of Appeals! Bob Bollinger is a board-certified specialist in workers’ compensation law with over 25 years of experience. Here is a case that Bob recently handled.

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Unemployment: 3 Things to Know

that, you also have to actively seek work and report your efforts to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission. 2. You may be entitled to unemployment benefits due to pay or hour reduction, not just firing or quitting. If you leave work because your hours were reduced more than 50 percent of the usually scheduled time, or your pay was reduced by 15 percent and done

permanently by no fault of your own, you may qualify.

If you worked in North Carolina and were terminated, laid off, or resigned from your job, there are some things you should know, especially if you are pursuing unemployment benefits.There are misconceptions about the process that could mean the difference in receiving benefits. Here are three things we think you should know as you apply for unemployment: 1. You must be able and available to work in order to be eligible. Beyond

3. You will not be entitled to benefits if you were terminated due to misconduct. Examples include coming

to work drunk or high, or other behavior that shows substantial disregard for your work.

For more information on unemployment benefits in North Carolina, contact us at 1-866-218-4759

–Chad Winebarger

Photo of the Month

WINNING APPLE CRISP

Ingredients

• • • • • • • • • • •

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup rolled oats

1 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup butter, softened

4 cups chopped, peeled apples

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract Vanilla ice cream, optional

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Cut in

boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thick and clear. Pour over apples. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture. 3. Bake 60–65 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm, with ice cream if desired.

704-377-7677 • Toll-free: 1-866-326-3090 • 3 Abandoned barn in Banner Elk, North Carolina – Bob Bollinger

butter until crumbly. Press half of mixture into a greased 2½ quart baking dish or a 9-inch square baking pan. Cover with apples.

2. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, water, and vanilla. Bring to a

(Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com.)

601 East 5th Street, Suite 250 Charlotte, NC 28202 704-377-7677 Toll-free: 1-866-326-3090 www.BollingerLawFirmNC.com

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INSIDE This Issue

From Textiles to Courtrooms

Fresher, Cheaper, Tastier Case Review

Unemployment: 5 Things to Know Winning Apple Crisp

Dealing With Stress

Learn Healthy Coping Mechanisms That Put You in Control Dealing With Stress

You have more control over stress than you think. Stress management is about taking charge of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to regain control. Identify Sources. Chronic stress is hard to recognize. Look closely at your habits and excuses. Do you explain away stress as temporary? Do you define stress as an integral part of your life? Do you blame your stress on others? If you don’t recognize your role in creating or maintaining stress, you will never be able to control it.

procrastinating, and sleeping too much are all unhealthy ways to deal with stress. Instead, find unique, healthy coping strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control. Avoid, Alter, Adapt, and Accept. Some stressors are predictable. Learn how to predetermine your reactions by choosing to avoid, alter, adapt, or accept. Avoid people or situations that stress you out. Talk about your feelings instead of bottling them up, create a balanced schedule, reframe your problems, look at the big picture, and practice gratitude. It’s critical to look at the glass as half-full and learn to forgive.

self-care, you will be in a better place to handle life’s stressors. Give yourself options like going for a walk, calling a good friend, journaling, or reading a book. Live a Healthy Lifestyle In addition to regular exercise, there are other healthy lifestyle choices that can increase your resistance to stress. Eat a healthy diet; reduce caffeine and sugar; avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs; and get enough sleep. Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate your life. With stress management techniques, you can avoid chronic stress, reduce your stress levels, and live your life to the fullest.

Find Healthy Strategies. Withdrawing from loved ones, bingeing on food or alcohol,

Make Time for Relaxation. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you make ample time for

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