Coye Law Workers' Comp - January 2019

COYE LAW

Chronicle January 2019 Edition

Wade Coye Attorney

The Law Is a Process

And a Long and Frustrating One at That Thomas Hobbes famously wrote that life outside of society would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Navigating the legal The fact of the matter is that when your adversary is an insurance company, they are more than happy to prey on your frustrations. For them, prolonging the process is a tactic, not a headache. If they make you jump through hoop after hoop, you’re much more likely to give up and accept less than you deserve.

system on your own after an injury can feel much the same, save for the last. The good news

When clients step into our office, it’s common for them to state that they’re overwhelmed and just want to get their ordeal over with. Sometimes they even have an intense emotional response while discussing their predicament, which is perfectly natural. After all, speaking with an attorney may be the first chance to truly express what you’re going through in full detail. The fact of the matter is that when your adversary is an insurance company, they are more than happy to prey on your frustrations. For them, prolonging the process is a tactic, not a headache. Explaining how long the process may take — putting all the cards on the table, as it were — is a fundamental part of our job as a law firm. In some cases, it may not be worth it for somebody to bring a claim to court instead of settling beforehand. Other times, you risk too much by not seeing a case through, even if it means hanging in there for over a year. Every situation is different, and we’ll always give you updated advice based on everything we know about the case. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what route to take and how you want us to act on your behalf. No matter what you decide, it’s important to understand that great results take time to achieve.

is that, with Coye Law Firm, you’ll always have an attorney advocating on your behalf. The bad news is that the law is not “short” in any way. More often than not, things take way longer than you’d like. The protracted nature of cases is one of the biggest hurdles people have to overcome if they want to receive a favorable and just result. Personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security disability cases involve dealing with government agencies and insurance companies — neither of which are known for moving quickly. Hell, the VA announced they were finally making the move to digitize health records in 2017! That’s so far behind the times it’s laughable — or it would be if it didn’t cause so much harm. When people are starting a claim, the snail’s pace of the process can lead to frustration for a number of reasons. First, most of our clients are dealing with an injury or other serious life disturbance that’s disrupted their lives and forced them to change their lifestyles. It sucks to have that process delayed by bureaucracy, but you have to be prepared for the possibility. Second, everything in our lives is getting faster. We can order a product on Amazon and have it in our hands in less than 24 hours. In such an environment, it's reasonable to expect the legal process be quick as well. To a certain extent, it is, but not compared to the acceleration in other aspects of modern life. You’ll have to overcome some cognitive dissonance and get used to the legal pace of things if you want to see your claim through.

-Wade Coye

www.coyelaw.com

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Gaming With Your Kids Why You Should Pick up That Controller

inexhaustible list of games to choose from, and some are more child- friendly than others. At the very least, research the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s (ESRB) rating of a game to make sure its content is age-appropriate. When choosing a game, it’s a good idea to keep your child’s interests in mind. Do they enjoy creating things? Games like “Minecraft,” “Super Mario Maker,” and “Scribblenauts Remix” can act as a great sandbox for you and your child’s imaginations to run wild. Does your child love to solve puzzles? “Snail Bob 2,” “Snipperclips,” and “Portal 2” will have you and your child thinking outside the box for hours. Want to engage in a little friendly competition? “Mario Kart,” “FIFA,” and “Bam Fu” are all excellent choices. Going Beyond Screen Time Whether you pick up a controller yourself or just watch your children play games, the most supportive thing you can do as a parent is reinforce the skills they are learning. Understanding that the same creativity and determination that gets them to the end of a level can be applied in the real world is be a powerful thing for a child’s development.

Video games are present in an increasing number of American households. The Entertainment Software Association found that in 2018, 70 percent of parents reported that games were a positive activity in their children’s lives, and 67 percent even play alongside their child at least once a week. Some of you may already be regularly gaming with your kids, but for the rest of you, here are some things to keep in mind. Why Gaming Together Matters Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and UC Berkeley have shown that video games can have many positive effects on a child, from encouraging critical thinking and social skills to imparting the value of perseverance. Beyond these life skills, video games can also be a way for you to better connect with your child. As game designer and New York Times bestselling author Jane McGonigal, Ph.D., writes, “Games make it easy to build stronger social bonds with our friends and family. Studies show that we like and trust someone better after we play a game with them — even if they beat us.” Find the Right Game Finding the right game to play with your child can be a challenge. Regardless of what platform your child plays on, there’s a nearly We’re taught from our earliest years that doctors are upstanding people who always act in the best interests of their patients. However, when it comes to workers’ compensation claims, people often find their doctors have ulterior motives and aren’t providing the best care. Unfortunately, this scenario happens more often than you think, so it’s important to know what to do if it happens to you. Doctors can be unhelpful for many reasons, most of which you’ll only be able to speculate about in regard to your case. Rather than worrying about what you can’t control, you need to focus on what you can — your actions. If faced with any trouble, employ these strategies to help protect the validity of your claim. Bring a Friend or Family Member to Your Appointment A witness is always a valuable source of evidence. Bringing somebody along to your appointments will provide another point of insight into an unscrupulous doctor’s behavior. Give your guest a pen and pad to take notes during the visit. Keep a Journal Maintaining a record of interactions will help you present your situation in the best possible light. Try to be as specific as possible, including details on the doctor’s attitude, tone of voice, and anything

How to Deal With a Workers’ Comp Doctor When You Feel They’re Not Looking Out for You

else about their behavior that might be of note. Additionally, track the time you actually spend with the doctor (not including waiting time at the office). Be Polite As messed up as it is, a workers’ compensation insurance company doesn’t have to assign you a great doctor; they just have to assign you a doctor. Even though it is frustrating to deal with somebody who is rude or condescending, you have to take the high road. Acting out will only hurt your claim, so your behavior should be designed to do the opposite. Beyond these basic tactics to ensure an unsympathetic doctor doesn’t harm your chances for compensation, there are other options available to you. These options are best considered under consultation with an experienced workers’ comp attorney. Call us today at 407- 901-2712 to get the advice you need.

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‘Do the Work’

Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way Fewmodern authors have a resume as colorful or textured as Steven Pressfield. A graduate of Duke University, the best-selling author served in the Marine Corps, drove tractor trailers, taught school children, and worked as an oil field roustabout — all before penning his first published work. Having struggled as a writer for 17 years before seeing his first paycheck, it’s no surprise that Pressfield has plenty of wisdom to share when it comes to making long-term dreams a reality. on helping anyone who is undertaking creative endeavors to identify their own resistances and overcome them. Combined with Pressfield’s no-nonsense delivery, every page is filled

with the distilled, biting wisdom of a man wholly dedicated to his craft.

Pressfield first addressed the challenges aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, and athletes face in “The War of Art.” This guidebook lays out Pressfield’s core philosophy that a creator is their own greatest enemy. It’s in this work that he first coined his idea of “resistance,” Pressfield’s word for the self-defeatist attitude that causes so many great ideas to be left on the drawing board. “Do the Work” is a follow up to it, prescribing Pressfield’s antidote to resistance — you guessed it: doing the work. Compared to its predecessor, “Do the Work” is a quick read. Though it’s less than 100 pages, what this guide lacks in length it makes up for in specificity and approachability. The book is laser-focused

Pressfield manages to strike a tone that is stern, humorous, cynical, and at times even whimsical without missing a beat. You can feel the author smirking at you through the page when he tells you, “Stay stupid. Follow your unconventional, crazy heart.” He dares you to pick your pen back up and return to your drawing board. “Do the Work” crackles with the tempered passion and biting wit of a learned master. If you’re looking to reignite your creative spark, “Do the Work” needs to be a permanent fixture on your nightstand.

Every month, we give a big shoutout to clients who gave us referrals. This month, we’d like to recognize ...

Coye Law Firm’s Referral All-Stars!

Shelley Wilkerson Bob Dopher

Olivia Dupoe Destiny Dehoys

Ricky Walker Norma Ortiz

Richard Vogel

Thank you all for trusting us with the legal needs of your family and friends!

Laugh!

Have a

TIRAMISU

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6 egg yolks

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2 teaspoons dark rum

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3 tablespoons sugar

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24 packaged ladyfingers

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1 pound mascarpone cheese

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1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish

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1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled

1. In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to beat together egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. 2. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. 3. Fold in 1 tablespoon of espresso. 4. In a small, shallow dish, combine remaining espresso with rum. Dip each ladyfinger into mixture for 5 seconds. Place soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of a walled baking dish. 5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture on top of the first layer of ladyfingers. Top with another layer of ladyfingers and another layer of mascarpone. 6. Cover and refrigerate 2–8 hours. 7. Remove from fridge, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and serve.

www.coyelaw.com

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Accidents & Injuries Workers’

Probate Family Law Veteran's Disability Long-Term Disability

730 Vassar Street, Suite #300 Orlando, FL 32804

Compensation Social Security Disability

407-871-3811

www.coyelaw.com

T H I S I S S U E

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Be Ready for the Long Haul

Why Parents Should Play Video Games

Workers’ Comp Doctor Concerns

Book Review: ‘Do the Work’

What Happens to Military Service Dogs?

Sgt. Fieldy Comes Home

Reuniting Brothers in Arms

to protect soldiers and civilians by tracking down IEDs, Caceres worked tirelessly to make sure he could bring Fieldy home when his service was over. Military working dogs can be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement, or qualified civilians when they retire. After three years apart and a total of four tours served, Sgt. Fieldy was reunited with Caceres. In 2016, Fieldy received the K9 Medal of Courage Award, and in 2018, he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for his service. “These dogs are out there with us,” said Caceres when he and Fieldy accepted the Hero Dog Award. “The dangers we face, they face them too. They deserve to be recognized. We ask so much of them, and all they want is to get petted or play with a toy. They’re amazing animals, and Fieldy is just an amazing dog. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for him.” If you are interested in supporting our nation’s working dogs or would like to adopt a retired working dog yourself, you can learn more at Missionk9rescue.org.

There are around 2,500 military working dogs currently in service, and their efforts help save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians every day. One of these brave military dogs is Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black lab who was trained to locate the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan: IEDs. Sgt. Fieldy was deployed to Afghanistan with his handler, Cpl. Nicolas Caceres, in 2011. Early in their deployment, their vehicle struck a pressure plate while they were on patrol. Fieldy and Caceres were all right, but one of the other Marines in their company was badly injured in the explosion. The injured Marine could not be evacuated by helicopter until the landing zone was secured. Fieldy found another IED in the area and alerted Caceres. The bomb was quickly disarmed, and the injured soldier was taken to safety. This wasn’t the only IED Fieldy found. His sharp nose and dedication helped save thousands of lives. After his deployment, Caceres returned home, but Sgt. Fieldy served several more tours without him. While Fieldy continued

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