Dickerson Oxton - April 2021

816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com

APR 2021

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

My Sister Alicia Sibling Rivals, Adult Companions

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

National Sibling Day, on April 10, is an interesting holiday because it makes me remember all the shenanigans my sister, Alicia, and I got up to when we were younger. We were the type of siblings who were always fighting with each other, no matter how small the topic of conversation was. There were times when we’d even try to get each other in trouble and succeed. One story in particular will always stay with me. When we were growing up, the outside of our house had wooden siding. It wasn’t necessarily new or old, but being wood, it could be carved into. Alicia came up with the idea of carving my name into one of the panels. Later, she blamed me for the whole incident, and my parents believed her. I was grounded for a month. It was a rather miserable and frustrating month for me, but now I can’t help but look back, shake my head, and laugh. Afterward, Alicia felt guilty about the whole thing. She eventually confessed to the whole thing, but this was much later in life. I remember her telling us all at one point, and Dad just laughed. I think we all have at least one story like this where our sibling or siblings got us into trouble for something they did, but no matter what that was, we still love them with all our hearts, like I love my sister. Despite the fights we got into, I still did what I could as the big brother and looked out for her. That has stayed the same now that we’re both adults. As we grew up, we’ve become closer than when we were kids, and we even started to pursue similar goals. “I think we all have at least one story like this where our sibling or siblings got us into trouble for something they did, but no matter what that was, we still love them with all our hearts, like I love my sister.”

We both wanted to go out into the world and help people, part of which might have stemmed from watching our father. Dad worked for an insurance company for 40 years, and even at a young age,

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

BURN INJURIES

we could tell he was unhappy in his career. We saw, through him, that we didn’t want to work for a big corporation. We wanted to work with everyday people and help them if we could. So, I went on to become an attorney, and my sister dedicated her life to social work. Alicia works with disadvantaged and troubled youths throughout the Missouri state system. Most of what she does includes working with young men and teenagers who are living in group homes. Often, this includes ensuring they have the tools they need to get back into high school or obtain their GEDs. Other times, Alicia makes sure they’re on the right track in life, teaching them responsibility and good habits. Currently, she’s in school, working toward a master’s degree in social work to advance in this profession. Today, Alicia and I are very close, and we try to spend as much time together as we can when our work permits it. This has been especially hard in the past year because of the pandemic, but this month, we hope to get together. Both Alicia’s and my immediate family are planning to take a much-needed vacation during spring break to Scottsdale, Arizona, to get away from the cold weather here in Kansas City. I’m looking forward to this chance to catch up with her and enjoy the feeling that comes when we bring our families together.

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

NURSING HOME ABUSE

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

BOATING ACCIDENTS

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

–Tom Dickerson

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

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3 TIPS TO KEEP YOU FOCUSED Don’t Drive Distracted

Paying off debt and saving money are the building blocks of a healthy financial life, but the statistics are dire: One-third of Americans haven’t saved a single penny for retirement, 38% of households have credit card debt, and 44% don’t have enough cash saved to cover a $400 emergency expense. If you see yourself in those numbers, there’s no better time than now to start working on healthier financial habits because April is Financial Literacy Month. Even with myriad apps available to help, budgeting can still feel intimidating. So, why not keep it simple with these two systems you can implement today? THE 50-30-20 STRATEGY Before she was a U.S. senator, Elizabeth Warren was a tenured law professor at Harvard, specializing in bankruptcy. During that time, she published the widely acclaimed personal finance book, “All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan.” Some 16 years later, her advice still holds up. That’s because Warren’s approach to money is simple and flexible. She suggests allocating 50% of your income to needs like housing, groceries, and utilities; 30% to wants like entertainment, vacations, and eating out; and 20% to savings, which starts by building a three- month emergency fund and then allocating savings to a retirement fund thereafter. If you have credit card debt, Warren suggests allocating that final 20% to debt repayment before you start saving. Otherwise, you’ll just backslide as interest mounts on your existing debt. If you’re able to save more than 20%, adjust the ratios accordingly. If you can’t save 20% just yet, start with less (even 1% each month adds up!) and make a goal to increase your savings by 1% each month or quarter. THE ANTI-BUDGET STRATEGY If Warren’s budgeting strategy feels too complicated, try financial expert and “Afford Anything” podcast host Paula Pant’s anti-budget. Each time you get paid, skim 20% (or whatever your current savings goal is) off the top, put it in a savings or retirement account, and spend the rest however you’d like. Pant’s logic here is that if you tell yourself you’ll save “whatever’s left over at the end of the month,” you’re unlikely to save anything. Free yourself from the worry by saving first, then spend the rest guilt-free. No Spreadsheets Required 2 Simple Budgeting Strategies You Can Implement Today

Distracted driving is a serious issue. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2,841 people lost their lives in 2018 due to distracted drivers. Yet, despite knowing how dangerous it is, people are still likely to divert their attention from the roadway. Whether it’s checking a phone, applying makeup, adjusting the radio, or even drinking a cup of morning coffee, any second your eyes are removed from the road can cost you. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which strives to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities caused by distracted driving. To refresh our knowledge about how to prevent distracted driving, here are a few tips to follow. A Potential Lawsuit NURSING HOME NEGLECT AND COVID-19 Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, there have been more than 485,000 cases and 7,700 deaths in Missouri. Though many people took and continue to take precautions to keep their loved ones safe, people are still getting sick. What’s even worse is when a family is unable to do anything but watch as an elder family member becomes sick under someone else’s care. Senior citizens with existing health conditions, such as those often living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, are most at risk of dying from COVID-19. If you have lost a loved one in a nursing home in Kansas City due to the virus, you may have a potential lawsuit. Here’s what you need to know. COVID-19 AND NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE The law does not expect nursing homes to prevent 100% of COVID-19 cases or deaths. It does, however, expect nursing homes and their staff to guarantee the reasonable safety of their residents. All nursing homes have a legal responsibility to implement precautions and protect their residents with the following actions:

• Prohibit or limit nursing home visitors

• Actively check anyone coming into the facility for virus symptoms

If 20% feels like too lofty a goal, start with whatever feels doable and work to increase that by 1% each month or quarter.

• Keep an adequate number of employees on staff

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STAYATTENTIVE

You should always stay focused and alert when behind the wheel. Being aware of the drivers around you gives you the chance to react to their driving. If someone were to brake suddenly in front of you, you can stop your vehicle before an accident ensues. Keep your eyes ahead of you and you’ll reduce the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY One of the main causes of distracted driving is our phones. If the temptation to check your phone is too great, keep it turned off and out of reach. A missed call or text message is not worth your safety or other drivers’ safety. If you do need to answer a call or text message, find a safe place to pull over and park first. DON’T MULTITASK Multitasking is difficult in the best of times and never a good idea while driving. Your driving needs your full attention — when your mind wanders, so does your attention. To prevent this, make sure the radio station is where you want it, your kids are comfortable, or your GPS is set before you pull out onto the road. Unfortunately, even after taking these precautions, you still may find yourself in an accident. When that happens, our team at Dickerson Oxton Law Firm can help. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, give our offices a call today.

TAKE A BREAK

Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake

• Obtain COVID-19 testing kits for residents

• Cancel all group events and gatherings

Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

• Set up sanitation stations to increase overall hygiene

• Encourage social distancing

INGREDIENTS

• Quickly recognize and respond to COVID-19 cases

• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced • 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered • 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces • 1/2 cup carrots, grated • 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth

• 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided • 2 tsp minced garlic • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Nursing home staff members should also know the symptoms of COVID-19 and take immediate and appropriate action. NURSING HOMES AND IMMUNITY Near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing homes across the U.S. sought immunity from civil liability for deaths on their premises related to COVID-19. Nursing home representatives have said facilities are doing their best in an unprecedented time and should not have to pay for virus-related fatalities. Advocates for nursing home residents’ rights and safety, however, say that granting blanket immunity would endanger residents’ lives and allow negligent nursing homes to fly under the radar. As of today, neither Kansas nor Missouri has passed a blanket immunity law for nursing homes related to COVID-19. If family members can bring wrongful-death claims against nursing homes for preventable deaths from COVID-19, they will have to prove the nursing home was at fault for the fatality. That is why you should speak to an experienced attorney right away by calling our offices to schedule a consultation with our team.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.

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INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

Getting in Trouble With My Name Carved Into the House 2 Easy, Effective Budgeting Strategies Distracted Driving Is Dangerous Driving Nursing Home Neglect and COVID-19 Take a Break Spring Vegetable and Chicken Pasta Bake Vacations That Pay

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Vacation Destinations That Will Pay You to Visit In the wake of COVID-19, tourist destinations worldwide have been hit hard. To lure travelers back, some places are offering steep discounts and other incentives throughout all of 2021. With cheap airfare and great deals on accommodations, tours, food, and more, you can take a luxury vacation on a dime this year. MEXICAN CARIBBEAN THAI PARADISE

WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Few words evoke the image of beaches, sun, and saltwater like “Cancun” does. This Mexican locale has become synonymous with leisure, as have other destinations in the Caribbean — beautiful places like Isla Mujeres or the Riviera Maya. Tourists can visit all of them at a steep discounted rate until the end of 2021 thanks to promotions from the Hotel Association of Cancun and the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion’s council. Head to En.Come2MexicanCaribbean.com to find vouchers for two free nights in a hotel for every two you pay for, steeply discounted airfare, and even options for free food and drinks.

Although it’s no longer the hidden destination it once was, there are still a lot of good reasons to visit Thailand. In addition to being an affordable place to travel, Thailand also has great food and an amazing climate. To make up for the financial hit due to suspended travel because of the virus, the Cape Fahn Hotel is offering incentives into 2021 including a complimentary upgrade to the next class of care, which gives economy spenders access to executive accommodations. Other incentives include free meals, round-trip airport service, and discounted beach picnics and boat tours. Check out CapeFahnHotel.com/offers for more information.

Although this destination in British Columbia might be known for its winter activities, there’s a lot to love about Whistler in late spring and early summer! One great thing? The amazing array of money-saving options you can find here. The Riverside Resort, for example, is offering mountain-view cabins at a 3-for-2 discount — pay for two nights and get a third for free! Traveling to Canada can be tricky at the moment, but if you use a good travel agent, you can take advantage of some great deals. Other incentives in the region include free meals (or a per diem meal rebate) as well as discounts on guided tours.

ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.

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