Dickerson Oxton - July 2020

Dickerson Oxton - July 2020

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

JULY 2020

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

Celebrating the Fourth inSeward

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

FIREWORKS, PARADES, AND PIE-EATING CONTESTS W hen I was growing up, I was really close to all my cousins on my mom’s side of the family. The seven of us were close in age, somewhere within five years of each other, and we all grew up fairly close to one another. My brother and I were from Omaha, Nebraska, and all of my cousins lived in either Seward or Lincoln. This made it pretty easy for us to celebrate holidays together,

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures of that day, but I do remember feeling mortified standing on the big raised platform in front of all those people. I was a shy kid by nature, so everyone watching was a bit of a nightmare. I was so bad at it, too; when they told me I had to actually put my face into the pie, I froze up. I was totally naive and had no idea what was being asked of me, but it was an interesting experience, and I never signed up for another pie-eating contest after that. One of the better food

BURN INJURIES

especially the Fourth of July. Each year for Independence Day, we would always go out to Seward, which claims to be “America’s Fourth of July City.” The city has a huge fireworks display in addition to a giant parade on the Fourth that winds through all the streets. My aunt was the jazzercise instructor in Seward, and she would get me, a couple of my cousins, and a few girls from her class to dress up in our jazzercise gear and participate in the parade. That was back in the ‘90s, so our outfits were pretty crazy.

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

experiences I had on the Fourth of July was all the Dairy Queen I got to enjoy. My aunt and uncle who lived in Seward owned the town Dairy Queen, which was a big deal at the time. It was the only fast-food restaurant in the whole town and everyone knew who my aunt and uncle were. They would always come to the parade to sell ice cream Dilly Bars and Dairy Queen ice cream treats — all good memories. Today, I feel a little sad because

"I was totally naive and hadno idea what was being asked ofme, but it was an interesting experience, and I never signed up for another pie-eatingcontest after that."

NURSING HOME ABUSE

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

BOATING ACCIDENTS

my own kids don’t have something similar, but we still get together with family and friends for a meal and to watch the fireworks displays. They always have a lot of fun; at 6 or 7, holidays are always exciting, which also makes them

I remember one year, I decided to enter into the annual pie-eating contest in Seward. I was probably around 8 years old at the time and weighed just about nothing. The contest I entered was only for kids but ages ranged from 7–18. Being one of the youngest people to join, I really had no business competing, especially since I didn’t like pie all that much. I believe one of my older cousins had talked me into entering, and I had agreed without really knowing what the contest was really about.

special to celebrate again as a parent. This year, I look forward to enjoying the Fourth of July as much as I can with my kids, and I hope all of you have an enjoyable holiday, too!

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

–Chelsea Dickerson

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

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A Medication RESULTING IN A MEDICAL MALPR When you’re given a new medication, you rely on your doctor to ensure it is the right treatment for your particular condition. That is their responsibility. Doctors must prescribe appropriate medications and take patients’ medical histories, drug allergies, other medications, and overall medical status into consideration as they prescribe any new medication. If they give someone the wrong type of medication, then the consequences can be catastrophic. When a doctor, pharmacy, or drug supplier makes a medication error that harms someone, that person may need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. An attorney can lead a medication error-based medical malpractice claim in several ways. Here are the three common leads: • Prescribing Errors: This occurs when the defendant didn’t prescribe the correct medication to the patient, meaning the wrong medication, dosage, or delivery method. • Prescription Filling Errors: These cases involve

A Meal for Every Member of the Family

MEALS ONWHEELS GOES THE EXTRA MILE

Meals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever. Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything. In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating its own pantry to serve the local pet community. When volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along, too. One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly. The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.” Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw how much Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet as well. On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family — wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.

pharmacies that fill prescriptions. Pharmacy employees must ensure they fill prescriptions accurately and consult with prescribing doctors if they have any questions or concerns. Getting out the Grill STAY SAFEWHILE COOKING UP YOUR MEAL!

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n Error RACTICE LAWSUIT

Manufacturing Errors: The Food and Drug Administration carefully oversees the prescription drug industry and requires all manufacturers to meet an acceptable standard of care in their production processes. When a manufacturer learns that one of its products is dangerous, the company must take appropriate action to limit injuries to patients who take the dangerous drugs. With these claims, plaintiffs don’t necessarily have to prove defendants were negligent, only that the medication in question was indeed defective and the defect caused the plaintiff’s damages.

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TAKE A BREAK

plaintiff must show the court how the medication error constitutes a breach of the acceptable standard of care for the situation. Finally, the plaintiff must prove they suffered actual harm or injury, and the defendant’s negligence caused, more likely than not, the damage. While this may sound straight forward, medical malpractice claims are complex lawsuits and need to be discussed with a lawyer. If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a medication error, call Dickerson Oxton today for a free consultation. and any additional heat sources. For anyone who’s never used a charcoal grill before, it’s important not to add charcoal fluid to the coals while they’re already ignited. Additionally, don’t use any combustible liquid other than the starter fluid. PROPANE GRILLS As you prepare your propane grill this summer, check for any gas leaks before using it for the first time. If you find a leak, turn off the grill immediately and call a professional to take a look at the problem before you use it again. Additionally, if you smell gas while you’re cooking, then back away from the grill and call the fire department. PREVENT GRILL BURNS Don’t grill in high winds because they can cause unpredictable flames and increase burn and fire risks. While you’re cooking, also protect your hands. Use long utensils so your hands aren’t too close to the heat of the grill. You can also use heat-resistant gloves while you grill for optimum hand safety.

An experienced lawyer will know which steps to take to win your medical malpractice claim. First, they must provide evidence that an official doctor- patient relationship existed between the plaintiff and the defendant. Second, the J uly brings bright sunshine, blue skies, and the urge to barbecue. As people across the state plan their Fourth of July annual barbecues or get their grills ready for a Saturday evening of burgers and brats, it’s important to keep an eye on safety. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 5,700 grill fires take place on a residential property each year, making safety a high priority. To avoid dangerous situations this month, read on for a few grill safety tips. GRILL SETUP Before you start grilling, position your grill in the safest place possible. Keep the grill away from areas with high foot traffic and play areas to prevent someone from accidentally bumping or running into the grill as you cook. Likewise, keep the grill away from railings and sidings, as well as out from under overhanging branches or under eaves. The heat radiating from the grill can cause objects around it to overheat and even catch fire. CHARCOAL GRILLS If you have a charcoal grill, then keep stored coals and starter fluid out of reach of children, pets,

No-Churn S'moresIceCream Inspired by GrainChanger.com

ingredients

• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 10 graham crackers, crushed • 1 chocolate bar, chopped • 2 cups whipping cream, chilled

directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, graham crackers, and chocolate. 2. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat whipping cream until peaks form, about 3 minutes. 3. Fold whipping cream into the condensed milk mixture. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours. 4. Serve and enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s especially delicious in a waffle cone!

Enjoy risk-free grill outs this summer by following these tips!

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THIS ISSUE

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America’s Fourth of July City How Meals on Wheels Atlanta Stepped Up for Its Community Take Action Against Medical Negligence Decrease Your Risks While Grilling Take a Break

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Homemade S’mores Ice Cream National Ice Cream Day Prompts Homemade Creations

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day MAKE IT HOW YOU WANT IT. You can flavor your ice cream however you’d like, but there are a few basic ingredients that are necessary for most batches: milk, sugar, gelatin, and eggs.

Whether you’re a fan of mint chocolate chip or just plain vanilla, nothing cools you down on a hot summer day quite like ice cream. It’s only fitting then that National Ice Cream Day lands on July 19 — right in the middle of the hottest month in the U.S.

Dairy-based products like milk are the most common foundation for ice cream. Sugar adds the sweet, scrumptious flavor we all love, and gelatin aids in thickening the mixture. The eggs happen to be one of the most important ingredients because they give ice cream its classic texture while reducing the rate at which it melts. This ensures your ice cream remains in near “mint” condition as you enjoy it. Healthy Alternatives: Use bananas or almond milk for dairy-free ice cream. For vegan ice cream, use agar powder instead of gelatin and eggs. For those looking to avoid sugar, honey is a naturally sweet substitute. GET TO WORK! You’ll need to heat your ingredients on the stove prior to churning and cooling your ice cream. An ice-cream churner is the easiest way to create a perfectly smooth texture, but if you’re looking for an activity to wear out the kids, then have them shake their own ice cream! Simply place all your ingredients in a small baggie, close it up, and place that baggie in a larger one with ice cubes. Shake firmly for at least 15 minutes for homemade creamy goodness.

Ice cream’s history stretches as far back as 500 B.C. when Middle Eastern royalty

combined sweet flavors with ice for a cool treat. Ice cream made its way to North America in the 1700s, and it remained a dessert for the wealthy and famous for years. George Washington even spent $200 on ice cream throughout the summer of 1790. (That would be $5,611.20 in today’s dollars!) Thankfully, these days you don’t have to be rich to enjoy ice cream. In fact, you can even save money by making it yourself! Celebrate National Ice Cream Day by creating this everyday treat using these tips.

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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