Dickerson Oxton - August 2019

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

AUG 2019

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Toonces Tale LESSONS FROM OUR CAT

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

They may call this time of year “the dog days of summer,” but I’ve always been more of a cat person myself. So, in protest of this naming convention, this month I’m going to tell you about the smallest member of the Dickerson family, Toonces. Yes, I named her after the driving cat from Steve Martin’s classic SNL sketch. But while our short- haired tabby can’t drive (very well) , her story has its fair share of winding roads.

with all her heart. I got Tigger as a kitten when I was five years old and grew up alongside her. When I brought my new boyfriend home from law school, I was worried she’d spend the weekend hiding from this stranger or jealously glaring at him. But to my surprise, the normally standoffish Tigger warmed right up to him. Tom still jokes that he’d received Tigger’s blessing to date me that day. Sadly, Tom only had one chance to meet Tigger. She was very old for a cat and passed away shortly after this visit. To say I was heartbroken would be an understatement. I’d known Tigger basically my whole life — saying goodbye was harder than I ever could have imagined. Tom, despite the fact we’d just started dating, stuck with me through that time, eventually suggesting I adopt a kitten of my own. What amazed me about this suggestion was that Tom’s allergic to cats. And yet, he not only recommended bringing one into my apartment, but he also braved the trip to the humane society to support me while I made my choice. That day, I knew he was a keeper. And that was the same day we met Toonces. She was the runt of the litter, clearly discarded by the other kittens

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

due to her small size. Naturally, my heart went out to her immediately. This was the cat I wanted to raise. Today, Toonces is very much a babied indoor cat. She definitely couldn’t make it on her own in the wild; she’s pretty worthless when it comes to hunting. When we moved into our first home, a mouse moved in, too. Try as she might, Toonces could never catch that rodent, and we eventually had to bring in the professionals. But, while she may not be much of an athlete or acrobat, we can learn a lot from Toonces. Our cat has been with us through four moves and the introduction of two kids into the mix. In my experience, cats don’t handle changes to their environment well, to say nothing of suddenly having two human children to contend with. But through it all, Toonces just rolls with it. Her ability to go with the flow and remain content so long as she’s with her loved ones is inspiring. Toonces reminds me to slow down and enjoy the little things in life and the people I share them with.

BURN INJURIES

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

"While she may not be much ofan athlete or acrobat, we can learn a lot from Toonces."

I grew up with a beloved cat named Tigger. Like most of her kind, she was far from a people person, but, if you were patient and kind, she’d love you

NURSING HOME ABUSE

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

BOATING ACCIDENTS

Here’s to all the things our pets can teach us,

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

–Chelsea Dickerson

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

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Complicated Crashes WHY TRUCK ACCIDENTS AREN’T CLEAR-CUT It goes without saying; semitruck accidents are devastating. Towering over other vehicles, pulling tens of thousands of pounds at freeway speeds, one of these behemoths can maim or kill other drivers with even just one small mistake behind the wheel. And yet, despite the catastrophic consequences of these accidents, personal injury cases involving trucks can be an uphill battle. There are a few reasons for this. There’s a chance the party responsible for the accident wasn’t even on the road with you. Depending on the situation, the truck driver’s employer, the vehicle’s manufacturer, or even the shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo may be to blame for what went wrong. With all these potential options, it’s important you understand who to file a claim against for your specific case — many people simply go after the trucking Safe Waters WHAT POOL OWNERS NEED TO KNOW DETERMINING LIABILITY

The Art of Stargazing HELPING HUMANS SLOW DOWN AND LOOK UP Modern humans are stuck in a routine of expected and constant industriousness. But with all this rushing, people often drag themselves home at night with no energy left to enjoy the most splendid show nature has to offer: the wondrous night sky. Most people go through life looking straight ahead, but if they would stop and peer skyward, they’d bear witness to a massive, unexplored frontier made up of the moon in all its phases, burning stars sailing through the sky, constellations with epic origin stories, and meteor showers bright enough to warrant sunglasses. If you’re looking for a hobby to help you slow down and appreciate the world around you, stargazing is a great option. Here are some tips to get you started. 1. THE HIGHER, THE BETTER If you’re a city dweller, meander a little way out of town or try to find a tall building to keep the light pollution to a minimum. 2. EXTRA SET OF EYES While novice stargazers often want to immediately throw their money at a new telescope, astronomy experts recommend starting with binoculars instead. You’ll need to identify several anchor planets or constellations to help you navigate the sky before using a telescope. 3. UTILIZE ASSETS Put your phone to good use by downloading apps like Stellarium, Starwalk, and Google Sky Map. Each of these apps offers a unique benefit for aspiring stargazers. For example, Starwalk lets you point your phone at the sky to see stars, constellations, and planets in real time based on your location. 4. MARK YOUR CALENDAR In 1972, beloved singer-songwriter John Denver wrote about a meteor shower he witnessed during a camping trip in Colorado. He describes the scene by singing, “I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky.” The “fire” he recounted was actually the Perseids meteor shower, the most recognized shower on Earth. This astrological wonder takes place every year from July 17 to Aug. 24. During this time, viewers should be able to see shooting stars associated with the Perseids, but the shower reaches its maximum rate of activity on Aug.12–13 this year. Grab some friends and family, and head outdoors to put your newfound stargazing knowledge to work.

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company “because that’s where the money is,” only to have their claim shot down.

“additional information.” They may come off as sympathetic, but make no mistake. Their primary job is to gather evidence they can use against you during your case. There are many pitfalls when filing a claim after a trucking accident, which is why having an experienced team of lawyers in your corner can make all the difference.

DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Sometimes, determining who was actually liable for a truck accident can come down to something as small as a sign. Collisions often occur when semitrucks are turning right since they need two lanes to do so. Thus, most trucks have signs warning other drivers not to pass them on the right, especially when they are signaling a turn. However, if you crashed into a turning truck that lacked these warnings or failed to use a turn signal, you may be entitled to compensation. In all personal injury cases, it’s best to be wary of insurance adjusters. But with the extent of damages caused by semitrucks, and the possibility of a major trucking company being implicated, insurers will pull out all the stops to diminish or deny your claim. Adjusters do this by contacting you to request With the school year just around the corner, it’s natural for kids to want to squeeze every last drop out of their summer. In fact, students and parents both try and get the most out of their pool this month before the chilly weather sets in. But accidents can and do happen around the water. If you’re a pool owner, it’s important you do all you can to prevent these tragedies. POOL OWNERS: THE BUCK STOPS WITH YOU Between slippery tiles, young swimmers, and deceptively shallow bottoms, a lot can go wrong around a pool. That’s why it’s paramount that homeowners take steps to minimize these risks for guests, invited or otherwise. Even if someone else is being reckless around the pool, you may be found In Kansas City, pool owners are expected to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of injuries. This largely comes down to warning guests of potential hazards and maintaining the space in and around the water. For example, you should always warn visitors against running around the pool or diving in. Peripherals like drains and DECEPTIVE INSURANCE TACTICS liable for their injuries. PREVENTION IS KEY

TAKE A BREAK

Senegalese Lamb Skewers

Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

ingredients

For the lamb: • 2 lbs trimmed leg of lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 tbsp peanut oil, plus more for grilling • Salt and black pepper, to taste

springboards should also be kept in working order. In fact, this preventative duty goes beyond invited guests. FENCING In certain cases, especially where pets and young children are concerned, you may be found liable for uninvited visitors falling into your pool. This is why it’s important that the surrounding area be completely fenced off, with self-closing and self-latching gates leading into the premises. The height and material requirements for pool fencing vary by county. For example, Johnson County requires pool fences to be 5 feet high, whereas Kansas City calls for 4-foot fences with minimal interferences. It’s best to check your local regulations to make sure your property is up to code. Swimming pools are a great source of fun during the warmer months, but they also come with a heavy responsibility. Doing all you can to keep you, your guests, and your neighbors safe is the best way to prevent tragedy. If you or a loved one were injured at a public or private pool where such care wasn’t taken, you may be entitled to compensation.

For the onions: • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard • 1/2 tbsp agave nectar • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced • Salt and white pepper, to taste

Equipment • Bamboo skewers directions

1. In a bowl, coat lamb with 1 tbsp oil and generously season with salt and pepper. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and agave nectar. Toss in onions and season with salt and pepper. 3. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium and oil the grates. 4. Thread lamb on skewers and grill for 6–8 minutes. 5. Serve alongside onions.

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inside

THIS ISSUE

Meet Toonces! The Art of Stargazing Why Truck Accidents Aren’t Clear-Cut What Pool Owners Need to Know Take a Break Senegalese Lamb Skewers Promoting Children’s Eye Health and Safety

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Children's Eye Health and Safety Month

PROTECTING A CHILD’S EYES

Our five senses help us interact with the world around us, and children are especially aware of their world through touch, taste, sound, smell, and sight. To ensure kids can learn from their surroundings, it’s important to take them for an annual eye

Keeping up with eye exams will ensure a child’s eyes are healthy, but safety is also important. If a child is outside, make sure they wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays or provide shade if they are in a stroller. With the new school year starting up, kids will be joining sports teams and engaging in classroom activities. Students should wear safety glasses when participating in chemistry projects and the proper gear for their athletic activities.

exam. August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and if your kids haven’t had an eye exam, now is the perfect time.

A CHILD’S FIRST EYE EXAMINATION

GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED

According to All About Vision, a child’s first eye examination should take place at about 6 months old. When the child turns 3, eye exams should become more frequent to ensure their eyes are healthy, and they have no vision impairments. Similar to doctor or dental visits, taking a child to a trusted children’s eye doctor will detect vision problems such as astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. If any problems are found, they can prescribe lenses to correct their vision and keep their eyes healthy.

You can observe the holiday by teaching your kids the importance of eye safety and health. The National Eye Institute has useful information and activities for your kids to enjoy. They provide videos such as “Ask a Scientist” where they explore and explain colorblindness, nearsightedness, farsightedness, eye-related myths, and much more. You can visit their website at Nei.nih.gov/kids.

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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