DeWitt Law Firm November 2019

DeWitt Law Firm November 2019

The

Digest

DeWittLaw.com

NOVEMBER 2019

407-245-7723

THE VALUE OF OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM

T hanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! It's a chance to spend time with family and appreciate the things we don’t always think about. One thing many Americans take for granted is our judicial system. Luckily, helping my wonderful clients reminds me of my gratitude for our judiciary every day. In the U.S., it can take two years or even longer to get your day in court, which may seem like a long time, but you’d be surprised by how long it takes in other countries. In India, it can take an average of 3–6 years to reach a verdict on a court case. This pendency doesn't account for appeals, so a person could potentially be in a legal battle for a decade or longer! accountable for their actions. In the U.S., a claim can be settled outside of the court system. Settlements are open negotiations between the parties involved, giving clients more control over the situation and the outcome of their cases. This process allows our clients the opportunity to move forward sooner than if they went to trial. After settling a case, many of our clients have said that being able to fairly resolve the case in a reasonable time frame gave them peace of mind and allowed them to enjoy their time with their families without having to worry about lengthy litigation. Unfortunately, even in the U.S., settlements aren’t always possible, as the other side may be unreasonable or both parties may be unable to agree on a resolution. Fortunately, trial is the great equalizer, allowing the parties to present their case and fight against even the largest corporation or insurance company. Through our judicial system, you have the opportunity to have your voice heard. While the outcome is never guaranteed, you typically have the ability to appeal the case, which isn't possible The sole purpose of any judicial system should be to give victims the opportunity to seek justice and hold people

"THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL SYSTEM SHOULD BE TO GIVE VICTIMS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK JUSTICE AND HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS."

in every country. In New Zealand, the Accidental Compensation Corporation (ACC) prevents people from suing for damages after an injury. Even if an injured person is unable to work, claims to the ACC will generally only result in up to 80% of the lost income. While our judicial system certainly isn’t perfect, in my humble opinion, it is the best in the world. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to appreciate everything our judicial system provides us, as citizens of other countries aren't always as fortunate. If you have any questions regarding the timeline of your case or your options, reach out to us at any time. Feel free to visit our website at DeWittLaw.com or give us a call at 407-245-7723.

– Moses DeWitt

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The law changes constantly, leaving many in our community with questions that seem to only get answered when they retain counsel. That is why we created the DeWitt Law Review nearly eight years ago. Our goal was to bring the listeners of central Florida the latest legal news and allow a forum to answer legal questions anonymously from the comfort of your own home, without having to retain an attorney. Today, eight years later, we are still answering questions every Sunday at 10 a.m. on News 96.5 WDBO. Typically, we open the show by discussing a recent update or change in Florida law that impacts the citizens of our community. While the law is constantly changing, either through the legislature or recent opinions by Florida courts, most citizens are unaware of these changes until they impact them. While many of the topics may deal with things we handle every day in our law firm, other topics may not, which makes it especially interesting for us. Over the years, we have had the privilege of hosting some esteemed guests to provide their perspective on the law, as well. From Florida legislators, political commentators, and judicial candidates, we try to bring a unique outlook to the legal system that most never get to see. As we strongly believe in the old adage that knowledge is power, we hope the show helps to educate our community on the inner workings of our local legal landscape. If you or a loved one has any legal questions you want answered, you can call into the show on Sundays at 10 a.m. on News 96.5 FM or send us an email at [email protected], and we may just discuss it on the next episode of the DeWitt Law Review. ANSWERING LEGAL QUESTIONS ONE SUNDAY AT A TIME

WHAT’S SWIRLING AROUND IN YOUR CUP? TEA TIME

Tea has been consumed for thousands of years and is the second-most popular drink in the world, with water being the first. It is the national drink of several nations, including China and India, and is an integral component of religious ceremonies the world over. Drinking tea has been known to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve sleep. In addition to these instant benefits, tea can also help improve a person's long-term health through regular consumption. YOUR HEART According to Harvard Health Institute, several studies show that those who regularly drink black and green tea are at a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. These types of tea contain antioxidants and flavonoids, which are plant chemicals that help dilate arteries and reduce bad cholesterol. Studies also link tea consumption with improved vascular reactivity — how well your blood vessels respond to stress. YOUR BRAIN Flavonoids don’t only fight heart disease; these chemicals can also reduce any vascular damage to the brain. The National University of Singapore has conducted studies that link reduced risks of dementia in the elderly with regular tea consumption. The results speak for themselves: “The longitudinal study involving 957 Chinese seniors aged 55 years or older has found that regular consumption of tea lowers the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly by 50%, while APOE e4 gene carriers who are genetically at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease may experience a reduction in cognitive impairment risk by as much as 86%.” YOUR MOOD Tea leaves contain the amino acid L-theanine, which stimulates several feel-good neurotransmitters, like serotonin and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). These neurotransmitters help boost your mood and alertness. According to a study by the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, tea even has the ability to ward off depression. The study took 22,817 participants with 4,743 cases of depression over 11 studies, and 13 reports found that individuals who drank three cups of tea a day decreased their depression risk by 37%. So, the next time you want a warm beverage that will do your mind and body good, reach for some tea and bask in all the health benefits as you sip.

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THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF THANKSGIVING SCRAPS FOR YOUR PETS TO FEED OR NOT TO FEED?

Sometimes it feels like Thanksgiving was built for family and food. Because our pets are an extension of our family, we want them to join in the festivities. When they’re under the table nudging you for scraps, it can be hard to say no. We all fall victim to puppy dog eyes, but here’s some advice on what’s okay to sneak to them and what you should avoid feeding your furry friends. DO’S Plain turkey is fine to feed your pets. However, it is best to remove the fat and skin, stick with white meat, and never give them bones. Potatoes are also fine in moderation, especially if they’re baked. If they’re mashed with lots of ingredients like cheese and butter, just a taste is plenty because dairy can upset some stomachs. The same goes for macaroni and cheese — in moderation and with more macaroni than cheese. Cranberry sauce is also a tasty side, but again, only in small amounts due to its high natural sugar content. But you can keep on passing those green beans! They’re a healthy treat, so if they’re your least favorite part of the casserole, pick them out for your pets! DON’TS Anything containing alliums, like onions, garlic, leeks, and scallions, should be avoided. Large quantities can lead to toxic anemia, so

it’s best to keep stuffing and any other side dishes containing them out of paws’ reach. Anything excessively sweet, like baked goods, should also not be fed to your pets, especially if they contain artificial sweeteners, which can be deadly to dogs. Finally, while you may be welcome to imbibe wine and other spirits, they should never be shared with your pets. We urge you to include your pets in your holiday fun this year, but always try to keep them safe. If you want them to indulge like the rest of your family, just keep their serving sizes to a minimum. As for yourself, pile it on, get out your stretchy pants, and enjoy!

THE BEST LEFTOVER TURKEY SANDWICH MOE'S MUNCHIES

BREAK TAKE A

Thanksgiving may be held on Thursday, but the food often lasts at least through the weekend. To make the best use of the excess, grill up some killer turkey sandwiches.

INGREDIENTS

• • • • •

2 slices sourdough bread 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

• • •

1/3 cup leftover dressing or stuffing

2 tbsp leftover gravy

2 slices Swiss cheese

1 tbsp butter, room temperature Note: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the leftovers required.

1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey 3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. Coat inside of each bread slice with mustard and a slice of cheese. Place turkey and cranberry sauce on one slice and dressing and gravy on the other. 2. Combine sandwich and spread butter on both sides. 3. In a panini maker or large skillet, grill until crispy and golden brown. 4. Slice and serve.

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

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THIS ISSUE

The Value of Our Judicial System

1

Spilling the Tea on Tea

2

Answering Legal Questions One Sunday at a Time

2

Safe Thanksgiving Scraps for Your Pets

3

The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich

3

Gratitude-Themed Games for Kids

4

ENGAGE YOUR KIDS ON THANKSGIVING

WITH THESE GRATITUDE-THEMED GAMES

GUESS WHO? To play gratitude-themed Guess Who?, have each participant write down their name and something they’re thankful for on a slip of paper and put it in a bowl. Then, at the dinner table, have each person draw a random slip and read what it says without saying the name while everyone else tries to guess who wrote it. While Pictionary may get your kids talking about what they are thankful for, Guess Who? will tune them into what others around them are thankful for too. PICK-UP STICKS Like regular pick-up sticks, the goal is to remove a stick from a haphazard pile without disturbing the others. However, by using colored sticks that represent different kinds of thankfulness — such as places, people, or food — you can make players think outside the box. This will ensure you get a wide range of creative, thoughtful answers whenever the kids pick up a stick. These modified games are great for helping your kids realize how much they have to be thankful for. Use these to spend some fun, educational, quality time with your family this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is an excellent time to teach children about gratefulness. By planning some fun, gratitude-themed games, you can impart a valuable lesson and spend some quality family time together. Get your kids in the holiday spirit by adding a Thanksgiving twist to these classic games. PICTIONARY Want to bring out your kids’ creative sides? Pictionary is the perfect way to encourage artistic expression and grateful thinking. Try adding a rule where players have to draw something they’re grateful for. This will get your kids thinking beyond turkey and stuffing and give them an imaginative way to express their gratitude. Plus, who doesn’t love a good art contest?

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