Dickerson Oxton - September 2020

Dickerson Oxton - September 2020

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

SEPT 2020

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

MyGrandparents

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

FROM THEIR FATED MEETING TO THEIR INFLUENCE IN MY LIFE

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Of all my grandparents, I was probably closest to my grandma and grandpa on my dad’s side. They both lived interesting, long lives and had a positive influence in my life. My grandfather lived through the Great Depression and, when he was older, enlisted in the U.S. military. He joined the Navy and fought in the Pacific theater during WWII, when his ship traveled to many of the islands in the Pacific, from Hawaii to the Philippines. When Grandpa came back from his service, he went to live in Long Beach, California, where he met my grandmother. My grandma was originally from Norway and was brought to the U.S. by my great-grandfather. During WWI, my great- grandfather was a medic and served in the U.S. military, which is how he became an American citizen. After his service, he returned to Norway to bring the rest of his family to the country. But, because he had been injured and suffered arthritis as a result of those injuries, they had to move from North Dakota to California. One of the stories I remember about their early days was how Grandpa was a huge football fan and Grandma knew nothing about football. So, to get closer to him, she went to the library and checked out a book about football. She spent a lot of time reading up on the sport, learning all the rules so she could communicate with Grandfather intelligently about something he enjoyed. When they got married, they moved back east to Edwardsville, Illinois, where they started their family. My grandparents lived there for many years until they eventually retired and moved to Southern Missouri. Their house was right along a river, making it the perfect place to visit as a kid. We could always do so many things, like go fishing, tubing, boating, or even four-wheeling while we were there. Whenever we went to visit our grandparents, we were always very excited.

On one visit, I remember fishing with Grandpa out in what they called the slough (pronounced “slew”). We were fishing for black bluegill and must have caught a full boatload of them. Once we got back to the house, Grandpa taught me how to descale and fillet the fish. Then, I went inside with Grandma where she taught me how to fry the fish in cornmeal. Growing up as a kid in the city, I never had the opportunity to catch, let alone prepare, my own food. Having my grandparents help me from start to finish was really fun. When it comes to how my grandparents influenced my life, I think I’m more like them than anyone else. They were both people who valued standing up for the right thing and had an unwavering sense of right and wrong. My grandfather was very, very strict and believed in paying your debts on time, always telling the truth, and doing the right thing. My grandmother was very intelligent and, like Grandpa, was never afraid to stand up for the right reasons. One story I remember about her is when Grandma was watching a talk show on TV, the host began talking down on women who chose to be homemakers. Hearing this, she wrote into the show and scolded him. Grandma wrote that for many women, that life was their choice to make, and it didn’t make them any less than women who were pursuing a career. I’m not sure exactly how we have that letter, but it’s something we’ve saved in a family scrapbook. Both of my grandparents were solid role models, not just for me but also for the whole family. I’m thankful for everything they’ve done, and I will do whatever I can to continue their teachings to stand up for the right reasons.

BURN INJURIES

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

NURSING HOME ABUSE

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

BOATING ACCIDENTS

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

–Tom Dickerson

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

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TheNinthMonthoft SPREADING AWARENESS: PREVENTING INFAN Taking care of children is the No. 1 priority for parents. Children and babies are relatively helpless and require a significant amount of attention, care, and affection to grow up strong and healthy. To spread awareness of baby safety across the country, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) sponsors Baby Safety Month each year in September. WhatisBabySafetyMonth? This campaign has been around for nearly two decades, starting in 1983 when JPMA initiated Expectant Mother’s Day. Three years later, this holiday expanded to a weeklong celebration, and in 1991, JPMA sponsored the first Baby Safety Awareness Month. The goal for this campaign is to educate caregivers and parents about the selection and use of juvenile products for their children. However, JPMA has not stopped there. Over the years, this organization has worked to educate people about car seat safety, sleep safety, and the dangers of furniture tip-over. Any injury a child may suffer can lead to permanent injury or fatal incidents, so awareness is vital. According to JPMA, “Injuries are the leading cause of death of children younger than 4 years old in the WhenYou ’ re Involved ina TaxicabAccident KNOWWHO IS LIABLE AND WHAT TO DO

StudentTechSuccess EDUCATIONAL TOOLS TO IMPROVE DIGITAL LEARNING Kids these days face so many more distractions from academics than their parents did. It’s not as easy to focus on homework when TikTok, YouTube, and all sorts of video games beckon. Instead of trying to prevent screen time, why not allow students to engage with technology that will help promote their learning rather than distract from it? Here are three tools to help students at different age levels get the most from online learning. BEANSTALK While Beanstalk is an online learning tool, the beauty of it is that the classes and videos aim to pull kids “out of the screen to do real- world physical activities.” These include science experiments, building projects, and more. Experienced teachers provide engaging lessons and learning tools, and many of them are free. EDUHAM What better way to learn about the history of our nation than through one of the nation’s most popular musicals? “Hamilton” creator Lin- Manuel Miranda launched this learning platform in 2016 along with the show’s director and in partnership with The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. EduHam is a free digital program for students and their families that provides history lessons on the Founding Era of the United States. It also brings art into the mix — Miranda shows students how to create their own performance pieces based on primary source documents, which they can then share in the app. The program is geared toward students in sixth through 12th grade, though everyone is welcome to participate. FIVEABLE For high school students, the most looming challenges include the SAT and AP exams that are so important for college. Enter Fiveable, the amazing free resource that houses thousands of livestreams, study guides, trivia games, and other resources for 15 AP subjects. Started by a former teacher, Fiveable is passionate about giving students the resources they’ll need to be successful now and into the future. With so many resources out there, students can use technology in plenty of ways to help them be successful. Here’s to a fall season full of learning!

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theYear

NT AND TODDLER INJURIES

U.S.,” and most of these injuries are preventable. By spreading awareness, safety tips, and overall education, JPMA helps reduce and prevent infant and toddler injuries, which saves more and more lives every passing year Thelittlethingsgoalongway.

TAKE A BREAK

JPMA has several methods parents and caregivers can use to ensure their children’s safety. Their information and safety tips are perfect for anyone who may be expecting their first child or adding to the family, including grandparents looking to improve the safety of their grandchildren.

easystuffed sweetpotatoes Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber-rich bean salsa.

Despite the uncertainty of the world right now, this could also be a silver lining opportunity. Take stock of what is in your home, do some research on manufacturers, or become an advocate in baby safety. To learn more or find additional resources, visit JPMA’s website at BabySafetyMonth.org.

Inspired by EatingWell.com

INGREDIENTS

When you’re in a car accident with another driver, liability is determined by which driver caused the accident. More often than not, determining who is at fault can be a complex process. This process can become even more complex when a driving service is involved, such as a taxicab. DETERMINE LIABILITY You can be involved in a motor vehicle accident with a taxicab in two ways: when a taxi strikes your vehicle or when you’re a passenger in the taxi at the time of an accident. In either case, liability comes down to the primary cause of the incident, including:

involved in an accident as a taxi passenger, your case is considered a passenger car accident injury case. The goal of your case, regardless of which type, is to gain full and fair compensation for everyone involved. In cases involving two at-fault parties, insurance companies may fight over legal liability and settlement values. Without an attorney representing injured claimants, the insurers could remain gridlocked until the injured party agrees to accept an unfair settlement. TAKE ACTION The first thing you should do after an accident is document the scene as much as possible. Take photos, write down witness contact information, ask for insurance information for all drivers involved, and record all your injuries. Next, you should allow emergency responders to evaluate you, even if you believe you’re not injured. The last thing you should do is to consult an attorney about what your next steps should be. If you or someone you know was involved in a taxicab accident, call our office to speak to one of our attorneys today.

• 4 medium sweet potatoes • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed • 2 medium tomatoes, diced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin • 1 tsp coriander • 3/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!

• • • •

The taxi driver

The taxicab company

A passenger vehicle driver

Auto manufacturers

UNDERSTAND THE TYPE OF CASE When a taxi strikes your vehicle, it is considered a typical two-car accident case. To win this case, you need to prove two things: first, that the taxi driver who struck you was, in some way, negligent in their driving, and second, that you were injured in the accident and to what extent. If you’re

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inside

THIS ISSUE

Remembering My Steadfast Grandparents The Best Educational Tools to Help Students Succeed Observing Baby Safety Month Taxicab Accidents: Who Is at Fault? Take a Break Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Is Stress Making You Forgetful?

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IsStressHarmingYourMemory? HOW TO COPE WITH DAILY TRIGGERS

Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress can lead to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness. First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use, including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, and Western Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing. Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors. Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure

out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a work-related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health.

Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be.

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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