Dickerson Oxton - June 2021

Dickerson Oxton - June 2021

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

JUNE 2021

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Simple Summer Pleasures We’re Looking Forward to This Year

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

BURN INJURIES

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

Summer officially kicks off this month, and though in years past, we started anticipating our annual summer vacation to Colorado to see family, this year is different. We’re focused more on the simple pleasures we missed out on last year. Both of my kids are big swimmers — Ian especially loves it — and though we’ve been doing indoor lessons, nothing replaces summertime fun at the neighborhood pool. Like most places, the pool was closed last summer, but this year the kids should be back to splashing in the water with their friends. Our whole family enjoys this summertime tradition, so you’ll find us there as much as possible as we try to cool off during the hot summer months. We’re also looking forward to enrolling Heidi and Ian in a summer camp. They both love being outdoors and finding ways to get them outside, socializing, learning, and playing, are critical to avoiding the summertime lull that can happen as most of us head indoors to stay cool, which can mean too much screen time. We’ve been looking at camps where they can go horseback riding and interact with horses, but honestly, any camp that gets them outdoors is a win in my book.

summer memories as a kid came from the weeklong soccer camps I’d go to. I remember staying overnight with my new friends in the dorms at Creighton and working hard during the day, practicing and competing. It was hard work but also a lot of fun and a great way for me to meet people outside of my school. Some of my peers got homesick, but I loved being at camp. It feels good to see things like the neighborhood pool start to reopen and look forward to our favorite summer activities like summer camps as more people get vaccinated. What we thought might last a month or six weeks has turned into well over a year of sacrifice. That’s going to make that first dip (or cannonball!) back into the pool feel especially refreshing and fun. I hope you’re able to continue with some of your favorite summertime traditions and activities this year, whether that’s an annual vacation you can finally take safely or a favorite sleepaway camp for the kids. And if you’re looking for some local activities to enjoy this summer, check out the article on Page 2!

NURSING HOME ABUSE

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

BOATING ACCIDENTS

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

–Chelsea Dickerson 1

Neither of our kids has gone to summer camp before, so this will be a great experience for them. Some of my best

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

As Chelsea wrote in this month’s cover article, more and more things are beginning to open back up and events calendars are fuller than we’ve seen in months! Whether you’re fully vaccinated and ready to jump back into all your favorite summer activities or you’re still feeling a little hesitant to travel or venture out as normal, there are plenty of great ways to have fun around Kansas City this summer. CATCH A SHOW ON THE BIG STAGE. If you’re a big fan of the arts, you’re probably antsy to see live performances again. Warm summer weather means you can enjoy Theatre in the Park as they embark on their 2021 season. Take the whole family to see “Cinderella” or “Mama Mia!” Or for a fun summer date night, catch a performance of “The Full Monty.” For ticket information and to see the full lineup, visit TheatreInThePark. org/2021-season-summary. Fun in the Sun … and Shade FUN SUMMER ACTIVITIES AROUND KC

There’s nothing so trendy as a new superfood or diet, and the “in vogue” ones change constantly. Older readers may remember the Atkins diets and other fads of the early 2000s, but younger ones may not even remember a time before the paleo diet was a thing — and it’s already almost a thing of the past. Many things we associate with these trends, though, are anything but new. We see this most clearly with the grains we turn to in the name of health. Westerners generally wouldn’t be familiar with quinoa, amaranth, teff, or kamut if it weren’t for their presence in the hippest healthy-eating Instagram feeds. Many of these foods hail from Africa or the Far East, so it’s understandable we don’t know them all — but there’s nothing really new about them. People in the Americas and the Old World have eaten quinoa for 3,000–5,000 years. Teff, which is technically a grass seed, was one of the first domesticated plants, emerging thousands of years ago in what is now Ethiopia. Alternate sources of protein and fiber show a similar trend. Seaweed — the perennial favorite of Twitter dieters everywhere — has been consumed in China, Korea, and Japan since before recorded history. If you know anything about recorded history in those regions, then you know that’s a long time! And kale, whose reputation precedes itself, has been cultivated since at least 2,000 B.C. in Greece, Asia Minor, and other parts of the Mediterranean. So, the next time you dig into your favorite health food, take a moment to Google what you are eating. You might be part of a long line of human beings who have turned to that food for sustenance over the millennia! Kale, Seaweed, and Other Not-So-New Superfoods

HOW TO CREATE A SAFER WORLD

Safety is an important topic. While inventions from seat belts to life-saving medical equipment are an important part of creating a safer world, statistics show there is a lot of room for improvement. Nationwide, the number of preventable injuries increased by 3.1% between 2018 and 2019 when some 48.3 million preventable injuries were reported. The National Safety Council (NSC) — a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating preventable injuries and deaths in the U.S. — has designated June as National Safety Month. NSC focuses its efforts on several areas, but its website notes that focusing on two areas in particular — vehicle collisions and accidents due to impairment — could have a substantial impact in decreasing preventable deaths and injuries. A recent NSC study showed that driving-related injuries were down slightly in 2019; however, the three biggest causes of driving fatalities and injuries — alcohol, speeding, and not wearing a seat belt — are preventable and avoidable. You can ensure your family’s safety by buckling up, following all posted speed limits, and never

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GET YOUR (STAR) GAZE ON.

Visit the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Science City and enjoy Star Station LIVE, a seasonal tour of the sky. The show runs 30–40 minutes and is great for all ages. This is a great

way to have fun and learn more about outer space. Tickets may be limited to maintain safety. Learn more and book your seat at UnionStation.org/sciencecity.

Mark your calendars for June 10 as well to view a partial solar eclipse! You may want to camp out in the yard to catch the early morning eclipse, which should be visible just after sunrise. STAY COOL BY SPLASHING AROUND. The Dickerson family loves to hit the pool in the summer, but another great way to have fun with the kids while beating the summer heat is to head to a local splash pad. There are several awesome splash parks in the Kansas City area, so it’s worth doing some investigating to find the best one near you. There’s a great roundup on iFamilyKC.com’s website. Just search “kids splash pads.” With so many great local options, you’re sure to find a few new activities you and your family can enjoy without going far from home this summer.

TAKE A BREAK

Grilled Chicken Shawarma

Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com

JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

A spice-filled marinade and time do all the work in this recipe that features Middle Eastern flavors.

getting behind the wheel while impaired or into a car with an impaired driver. While we should all encourage and follow these simple positive habits, it’s an unfortunate fact that not everyone on the road will follow them. When that’s the case, we’re here to help. Many of our clients have also been victims of unsafe conditions leading to falls. The NSC notes that in 2019 more than 8 million people received emergency room treatment for fall-related injuries. Many of these injuries occur due to unsafe conditions that property owners and business owners should address. Here at the Dickerson Oxton Law Firm, we see the far-reaching impact of these preventable injuries. In addition to pain and suffering, when our clients have been injured, they often face undue stress and mounting medical bills. We strive to ease that burden by fighting to get our clients the compensation they deserve so they can focus on getting better. For more safety tips and information visit NSC.org. If you’ve been injured and want to see how we can help, reach out to our team today.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

DIRECTIONS

1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.

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INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

Simple Summer Pleasures Superfoods Are Not So New ... Fun Summer Activities Around KC How to Create a Safer World Take a Break Grilled Chicken Shawarma 3 Professional Development Resources That Don’t Suck

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IMPROVE YOUR SKILL SET

With 3 Easy Professional Development Methods

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS.

A lifelong learner mentality is often lauded as a habit of successful people, but far too many professional development courses are geared toward entrepreneurs, CEOs, and managers. However, you don’t need a leadership title to benefit from this knowledge. Dip your toe into the professional development waters with these three tips for seamlessly incorporating learning into your life. GO TO SCHOOL WITH THE PROS. If you could harness the knowledge of world-leading experts, wouldn’t you want to? Platforms like MasterClass, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare offer expert knowledge in bite-size courses that users can take at their own pace. Learn how to write from Malcolm Gladwell or Roxanne Gay or master the art of negotiation from FBI hostage negotiator Chris

Voss. (And for fun, become a chef with Gordon Ramsay!) Commit to one video chapter each week or listen as you do household chores. Just spend a few moments afterward reflecting on the content so it can soak in. DOWNLOAD APPS FOR QUICK LEARNING. There may be points when you are just too busy or find that starting a new class or habit is difficult. Don’t quit; instead, look at your smartphone. Download apps like Libby — an app connected to local libraries where users can check out audiobooks or read digitally — to get a quick, easy fix of professional development. You could also try podcasts on Spotify, Stitcher, or Apple Podcasts. There are plenty of short episodes that focus on professional development.

With so many options, classes, and tools available to you, it can be overwhelming to set, track, and meet your professional development goals. That’s where habit trackers can help! Whether you prefer to use pen and paper for journaling or download an app for digital tracking (try Coach.me or Habitify), a habit tracker allows you to see tangible progress and identify areas of improvement. Bonus Tip: Find a mentor or buddy to do professional development with you! Everything is easier with a friend, and whether you need someone to hold you accountable or are looking for support from someone wiser than you, someone by your side may be just what you need.

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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