Dickerson Oxton - May 2022

Dickerson Oxton - May 2022

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

MAY 2022

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

A Mother’s Love My mom, Marilyn, was always committed to my brother and me. Though she did odd jobs here and there — and eventually went back to school — she was mostly a stay-at- home mom. So, we were her primary focus and always felt like the center of her world. Of course, I’m a working mom, but I’ve HOWMY MOM SHAPED ME

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

still tried to emulate her parenting in many ways. My kids, now 8 and 9, wanted much more to do with me when they were younger. But while they don’t want me to sit on the floor and play

She would always take the time to play with me when I was little. I loved Barbies and other dolls, and I also had a collection of Maple Town Animals, which were like the Calico Critters they make today. She’d get right down on the floor with me, dress up all the characters, and help me make up stories in their miniature houses. We also spent a lot of time bonding over our cat, Tigger. We’re both big animal lovers and cat people, and I probably got some of that passion from her. I have great memories of us playing with the cat together and having a lot of fun. Though we were technically spending time with Tigger, we were also spending time with each other. Then there were all of my outdoor activities. There were few things I loved more than riding my bike, and Mom would always be outside patiently watching me. She also taught me how to roller-skate. It was rough at first, but I slowly got the hang of it. She watched me get better and better, and ultimately, it turned into an activity I loved. She later inspired me in other ways, like when she went back to school. Before having kids, she had taken some college courses, and getting her degree was always a goal. So, when I was in late elementary school, she started studying again. She only went part time, so it took a while, but we have a funny picture where we’re both standing outside with our books for our respective first days of school. It always impressed me that she made the time to do that against the odds. It would have been easier for her to let her dream fall by the wayside. But if there’s something Mom sets her mind to, there’s no way she’s not going to do it. She’s been a fantastic role model who taught me perseverance and what you can achieve with hard work.

BURN INJURIES

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

with them anymore, we still make time for fun together. In particular, we play some of their favorite board games, like Jenga, chess, and Guess Who? It helps us bond and stay connected. Mom also taught me not to sweat the small stuff. Kids are kids — they’re not perfect. Whether or not the kids pick up their clothes off the floor is not ultimately what matters. (Though I really wish they’d do it!) Being a little irresponsible is part of being a kid. What’s most important is that they know you love and prioritize them. The rest will fall into place. Being a mom is a thankless job, so it’s only fair that we have a holiday dedicated to showing our appreciation. My mom remains the family’s maternal caretaker, and she’s an excellent grandmother to my kids, who love their Nana. They probably prefer her to me, but I guess that’s how it’s supposed to be. I can hardly blame them when I know firsthand how incredible she is. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom — I hope you feel our love and gratitude every day of the year.

NURSING HOME ABUSE

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

BOATING ACCIDENTS

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

–Chelsea Dickerson

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

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Black cats can have it rough. People associate them with Halloween and bad luck, they can be tricky to photograph, and they make up a full third of all cats surrendered to animal shelters. But one special black feline named Piran proved his worth when he led rescuers to his 83-year-old owner after she fell down a ravine. HowOne Cat Saved His Owner’s Life Black Magic

LEST WE FORGET

The History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day may mark the unofficial start of summer, but its meaning goes far deeper. The holiday traces back to the years following the Civil War and remains an occasion to honor the men and women who died while serving their country. Over 150 years later, the Civil War is still the conflict with the most American casualties. About one in four soldiers who fought did not return home. They accounted for roughly 2% of the nation’s population, approximately 620,000 deaths. Shortly after the war’s 1865 end, Americans were already holding tribute services to the soldiers who had died. Many cities have claimed they hosted the first Memorial Day, and most of these

In August 2021, the woman went for a walk near her home in Cornwall, England. When she didn’t return, her neighbors started to worry. They formed a

search operation, but there was a lot of ground to cover in their rural surroundings. They had little luck in their investigation until they heeded the advice of her cat.

While the search crew worked, Piran refused to move from one specific

spot, and he meowed incessantly. That wasn’t like him, so eventually, Tamar Longmuir, a neighbor assisting in the search, decided to find out the reason for all

You know if your doctor was negligent. You’ll hear it from shocked friends and family, have your suspicions confirmed by other doctors, and simply feel it in your gut. But while that may be all the proof you need, the courts require something more. So, how does an attorney prove negligence in a medical malpractice case? Medicine isn’t always black and white. Depending on a patient’s condition, diagnoses can be hard to come by, medications that work for some won’t work for others, and tests can be inconclusive. Sometimes, that’s part of the treatment process. But other times, glaring errors can cause significant or permanent harm. That may include telling a patient who has cancer that they do not have it, dispensing incorrect medication, misreading test results, or making a mistake in surgery. Under a medical malpractice case, the concept of negligence is based on four elements: Duty, breach, causation, and damages. Duty means that the negligent physician had a doctor-patient relationship with you. Breach requires proof that the practitioner disregarded or broke their duty of care. Causation involves showing that the victim’s harm resulted from the breach. Damages are the losses incurred by the victim, like medical bills or lost time from work. HOWMEDICAL MALPRACTIC ATTORNEYS DEMONSTRATE PROVING OUR M

the racket. Longmuir called to the woman while investigating the cat’s noises and heard a faint response. Piran had staked out his position where his owner had fallen — 70 feet down a ravine located at the edge of a cornfield.

According to Longmuir, “She had gone through the barbed wire and was laying in the stream — we think she had been in there for hours.” Emergency services were called and quickly rescued the woman. “Without the cat waiting at the gate to that field,” Longmuir added, “it could have been hours later that I or anyone else would have checked in there.” The injured woman was taken to the hospital in good spirits and stable condition, avoiding a potential tragedy. Meanwhile, the police posted a photograph of Piran’s handsome black face on social media and declared him a hero. Though he reportedly received many treats, Piran’s real reward was a job well done. “The cat is very attached to her,” Longmuir said. Cats may not generally be known for their loyalty, but maybe it’s time for the stereotype to get an update. Clearly, Piran the black cat was anything but bad luck. He proved it with the grandest act possible — saving his human’s life.

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commemorations probably arose independently. “Officially,” Waterloo, N.Y., is the holiday’s birthplace. But an inspiring and pivotal moment occurred in Columbus, Miss., on April 24, 1866. A women’s group visited their local cemetery to decorate the graves of fallen Confederate soldiers. Since few bodies were transported home during the war due to time, cost, and logistics, Union soldiers were buried in a different section of the same graveyard. The women noticed the bare graves of the Union soldiers, and though they had been an “enemy” only a year prior, they decided they could not let these soldiers go “unhonored.” So, they split their decorations between the Union and Confederate soldiers, powerfully symbolizing the nation’s reconciliation. The first Decoration Day was marked on May 30, 1868, as a time to celebrate all Civil War dead by visiting and decorating their graves. But while Northern states observed the occasion, Southern states continued their services on different dates until the nation’s next major conflict, World War I. Americans continued to honor the dead on May 30 under the increasingly popular name of Memorial Day until Congress, in 1971, moved the holiday to the last Monday of May. These days, Memorial Day is an opportunity to kick back and enjoy the sun, with fewer people setting it aside as a time to honor our fallen soldiers. But as much fun as barbeques and swimming are, we should also remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Before this year’s summer celebration, reflect on the lives lost and appreciate those who gave everything for our country. That’s worth much more than a couple of cold drinks and a few good laughs.

TAKE A BREAK

Mother’s Day Brunch Rainbow Frittata

CE E NEGLIGENCE METTLE

Impress Mom with this delicious breakfast recipe!

INGREDIENTS

Medical malpractice victims who cannot prove all four points under a more likely than not standard will not receive compensation for their injuries. It’s not an easy hurdle to clear, so victims should always hire a medical malpractice

• Nonstick cooking spray • 1/4 cup sweet potato, diced • 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced • 1/4 cup broccoli, chopped • 8 eggs

Don’t stir but instead use a spatula to lift the edges of the egg mixture until it is evenly distributed. 5. Transfer mixture to oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the dish sets. 6. Top with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle Sriracha on top (if desired). • Basil, thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste • 1/2 avocado, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced • Cherry tomatoes, halved • Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

attorney to represent their case. They are accustomed to the complexity of these claims and know how to investigate them.

DIRECTIONS

A skilled attorney will research the medical practitioner’s background, review your medical records, and, perhaps most crucially, consult with other medical experts about whether your doctor breached the standard of care. Though every case is different, typical evidence includes eyewitness statements, expert testimony, photographs, surveillance footage, and the official records of your treatment. Together, this evidence can prove that negligence took place. If you believe that you’ve suffered from medical malpractice, Dickerson Oxton will be glad to provide you with a free case evaluation to let you know where you stand. Our attorneys have the experience and determination necessary to win the compensation — and justice — malpractice victims deserve.

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In the skillet, cook sweet potatoes, yellow pepper, and broccoli over medium heat until soft. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 4. Pour egg mixture into skillet with vegetables.

Inspired by EatingWell.com

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1200 Main St. Ste. 2120 Kansas City, MO 64105

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

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

Chelsea on What Makes Her Mom Special

PG1

Cat Saves 83-Year-Old From Potentially Fatal Tumble

PG2

Why We Mark Memorial Day

PG2

Proving Medical Malpractice Cases

PG3

Mother’s Day Brunch Rainbow Frittata

PG3

Turn Your Home Into the Ultimate Playhouse

PG4

Turn Your Rainy Day Around—With a Fort! 3 TRANSFORMATIVE BLANKET FORT TIPS

2. Light it up. Light is crucial for you to do activities in your fort! Dig out your holiday string lights if you have them or bring a lamp or two into the space. You can also use flashlights and even glow sticks to make things especially fun! 3. Pick a theme — and a name. Is your fort in the jungle? On a beach? In the woods? Pick a theme and decorate accordingly! You can bring in beach towels and toys or cut leaves and trees out of construction paper. Don’t forget to name your fort, too. The more creative you get, the better.

April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, but when the rain keeps pouring, there’s only one thing for a family to do: Build a blanket fort!

Blanket forts have been a low-cost, low-tech form of entertainment for

centuries, and over that time, generations of enthusiasts have perfected them. Use these tips to transform your next rainy day into a family adventure:

So, now you have your fort — what should you do in it? We’re glad you asked! The answers are almost unlimited, but here are a few favorites:

1. Build heaviest to lightest. Once you’ve gathered your materials — including blankets, sheets, pillows, binder clips, and movable furniture — it’s time to build. Start “heavy” with the largest piece of furniture, like a couch or table. That will be the anchor of your fort. From there, arrange the other furniture in a circle around the anchor and drape it with blankets. Use heavier blankets for the walls and the lightest sheets for your roof to avoid a collapse. Use the binder clips to hold the sheets and blankets together!

• Drink hot chocolate • Tell ghost stories • Read (out loud or separately!) • Do a puzzle • Play a board game/ card game • Pretend you’re on an adventure in another country

• Make a craft project • Have a family jam session (if you’re all musical) • Eat your favorite snack • Snuggle

• “Camp” overnight • Perform a shadow puppet show

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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