Harmonson Law Firm - August 2021

Harmonson Law Firm - August 2021

HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND AUGUST 2021

SUMMERS PAST AND PRESENT

The 'Dog Days' Are a Little Different Now

M y son Clayton turned 16 on Aug. 3. It’s an exciting milestone for him and for us, but I suspect it would have been a little more exciting — at least for him — had the new academic calendar not changed the first day of school to Aug. 2. We knew it’d be a short summer, with the old year ending in June as it usually did and the new schedule starting early, but it still doesn’t feel like much of a vacation, especially when I think about what I’d have been up to this time of year back when I was 16. In my day, we had summer in June, July, and most of August. The first few weeks of that last month were the “dog days” that people talk about, and we got every bit of enjoyment out of them that we could, because we knew that school waited just around the corner. It was an exciting time of year to be a kid. My friend Homer lived next door; we’d get on our bikes and go find ways to keep ourselves busy — most of which fell into the “troublemaking” category! Really, though, it was innocent fun, and we had a lot of it. Our neighborhood was a 20-block section of town between four major roads, and those roads were our boundaries. That suited us just fine; there was plenty to do for a pair of creative kids with time on their hands, like stunting on our bikes. One time, we jumped them over the fence and into the Texas Tech football stadium, which did not go over well! It’s hard not to lament those summer days, but in many ways, the new school schedule is just the final nail in the coffin of that way of life. We had a level of freedom that is hard to imagine nowadays, and a lot of that has been cut back over the years. Now kids’ summers are almost as structured as their school year is, and with the new schedule, they’ll only get six weeks of summer break

— trading off with a little more time off the rest of the year, including a new two-week “October break.” I’m interested to see how that will work out in our house! I can’t say that we had nothing to look forward to at the end of summer. Homer and I were good buddies, but we had other friends that we didn’t get to see as much over the break, and it was nice to head back to school in person and catch up with them after three months apart. I’m not always a big fan of our governor, but I was happy to see that he’s making sure kids get the same in-person learning experience that we did growing up, now that it’s safe to do so. The hectic nature of distanced learning and lack of in-person attention was hard for our daughter last year, and she switched to a new school halfway through seventh grade as a result. She’ll be in eighth grade this year, and my wife and I decided to keep her at the new school. It’s been a great fit for her, just as Clayton’s school is turning out to be a good place for him. It’s hard to believe that in a few short years, he’ll be graduating and going off to his adult life, but that’s the way things go. Kids grow up, and times change. This time next year, Clayton will have had an even shorter summer, and he may be doing a little lamenting of his own! How has your summer been? I hope that you can enjoy it for a while. One great thing about the Southwest is that we can look forward to nice weather for a long time to come. And if you’ve got kids of your own heading back to school this month, I wish them (and you) the very best.

There was plenty to do for a pair of creative kids with time on their hands, like stunting on our bikes."

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HOT C ARE NO TEXAS LE RE

In October 2017, California was in flames. One of those blazes was the Tubbs Fire, which charred its way through 36,800 miles of forests and vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma County. More than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, and 22 people were killed. But when the flames finally died, a four-legged hero emerged from the ashes: Odin, the Great Pyrenees dog. Odin belonged to Ariel and Roland Hendel, two farmers in Sonoma County. When the Tubbs Fire threatened to char their home, they packed up as many of their animals and precious items as they could. Unfortunately, their flock of goats wouldn’t fit in the getaway vehicle — and their goat-herding dog, Odin, refused to abandon them. Great Pyrenees are prized livestock guardian dogs that will do anything to protect their charges, and Odin lived up to his breed.

E very year, you read articles about how many people and animals die in locked cars. And yet, people in Texas still leave children and pets in a sealed and locked car during warm weather. The results are both predictable and tragic and are part of the reason why Texas leads the United States in these kinds of deaths. In 2018, El Paso was responsible for almost a half-dozen of these incidents all by itself. It doesn’t have to be this way. 2018 broke a 4-year streak of no hot car deaths in the city of El Paso. If we are careful and thoughtful, we can avoid this terrible phenomenon altogether. If you’re stepping out of an air-conditioned car into a parking lot, it can be easy to misjudge how hot it really is outside — and how little that temperature actually matters. Even mild days as cool as 60 degrees Fahrenheit can be lethal under the right conditions, and rolling down the windows is not a solution.

"I said, ‘Okay, Odin, take care of the goats. You'll be fine,’" Roland Hendel told ABC News.

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Both Hendels were sure they were seeing their dog for the last time. Their hearts sank even further when they heard their home had burned down completely. But on a trip back to examine the ashes, something amazing happened.

Written by experienced car accident attorney, S. Clark Harmonson, this is a valuable resource with the vital facts you need before talking to the insurance company or hiring a lawyer. In this book, you’ll learn everything insurance companies don’t want you to know, such as: • 12 shady auto insurance company tactics • 10 common myths and

g e e e e d s y

“In the distance, I saw Odin's tail," Roland told ABC. "Sure enough, there was Odin coming at the head of all his goats."

Not only did Odin survive the fire and run right up to the Hendels for belly rubs, but he also kept every single one of his goats safe! A few wild deer even joined the goats, and he shepherded them through unscathed. The incredible story made the news, and Odin became a local legend. Unfortunately, even legends don’t live forever. This April, Odin passed away after a long life of tail-wagging, treat- eating, and goat-saving. In his honor, Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri gifted the Hendels two new Great Pyrenees pups: Buddy and Snowflake. They’re following in Odin’s pawsteps, protecting the goats he loved so much.

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Get your free copy at ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com or by calling our office at 915.584.8777 .

AR ACCIDENT… ET THIS RIGHT!

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It’s hard after a jarring car accident to know for certain that your body is okay. Adrenaline dumps into our systems, and one of the many tricks it plays is ignoring pain signals until days, weeks, or even months later. The brain is just trying to get us out of harm’s way, but it means it could take a while to notice any injuries you may have received as the result of an accident, if you notice them at all. Therefore, it’s absolutely crucial for you to assess yourself after an accident and try to tell if anything feels off. Car accidents are frequent enough that there are a few common types of injuries associated with them. While you are on the scene, if possible, try and assess your body as best you can. Some injuries will appear immediately, but it can take several days for others to appear. Whiplash, shoulder injuries, knee injuries, lacerations or puncture wounds, and bruised or broken bones are all unfortunately common. The best course of action is to go to the emergency room immediately after an accident if you are injured or if the accident was severe, even if you feel okay at the time. Some injuries, like head injuries, are hard to immediately self-diagnose. Others, like emotional distress, can be tricky even for a physician to figure out. Car accidents are traumatic experiences for anyone that can go beyond being a little shaken up afterward. It is important to take note of the emotional and psychological effects that you experience after a car accident. Difficulty sleeping, memory loss, issues ARE YOU OKAY AFTER YOUR ACCIDENT? The Truth Is That You Just Don’t Know

CARS IN SUMMER O JOKING MATTER EADS THE NATION IN HEAT- ELATED CAR DEATHS

You should never leave any living thing — adult, infant, pet, etc. — in an unattended car for any amount of time.

A car doesn’t have to be moving to kill or injure you. Even sitting in a car under these conditions is a bad idea. What happens if you become disoriented or lose consciousness (both common symptoms of heat illness)? As mentioned, rolling down the windows is not a good solution, and neither is leaving the car running and unattended! The only thing to do is take all living things with you when you leave the car, and if that means skipping the store until you can return alone, then that’s just what it means. The fact that these tragedies are totally preventable is what makes them all the more tragic. Nobody should die as a matter of convenience. But it also means there’s hope because if we all take responsibility, it never needs to happen again. HTS

TOMATO ANDWATERMELON SALAD (YES, REALLY!) INSPIRED BY BONAPPETIT.COM

INGREDIENTS

with concentration, depression and anxiety, irritability, and personality changes are just a few examples of these kinds of effects. We see these accidents and injuries all the time, which mean that we can spot injuries even if you can’t. We’re here to help you through physical and mental distress, secure you proper treatment, and get you the justice you deserve. Even if your injuries are unknown at this point, a lawyer can help you secure any compensation needed for medical bills, ambulance costs, and other expenses retained as a result of the accident. You can contact us at 575.208.2572 for a free consultation at any time.

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1 tsp peppercorns, coarsely crushed

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4 cups seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2- inch cubes 8 oz feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

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1 tsp coriander seeds, coarsely crushed

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1/2 tsp cumin seeds

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1/2 tsp turmeric

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1/4 cup coconut oil

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Sea salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small saucepan, sauté spices and herbs in the coconut oil for 3 minutes over medium heat to create turmeric oil. Take the pan off of the heat, then let it cool. 2. Combine the watermelon, tomatoes, and feta on a large platter or in a bowl. Drizzle with cooled turmeric oil. Now, simply sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy!

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5505 North Mesa St. Suite 3 • El Paso, TX 79912 WWW.CLARKHARMONSONATTORNEY.COM 915.584.8777

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Summers Past and Present

Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog

Hot Cars in Summer Are No Joke

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Tomato and Watermelon Salad (Yes, Really!)

Are You Okay After Your Accident?

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Want to Save on Your Next Vacation?

5 Tips for Your Next Affordable Getaway

Are you excited to explore the world again? Or maybe you've just gotten back from your latest vacation! In either case, the economic challenges of the pandemic might require travelers to plan their trips a little smarter. Here are five tricks to do just that.

1. Consider your budget while choosing your destination. Any destination heavily impacted by tourists is going to be more expensive to visit. So, consider taking a tour through various

couples — renting a swanky cabin at $200 a night will only cost around $33 per person. Plus, you will create some amazing memories together! 4. Plan your meal budget ahead of time. Looking forward to eating certain dishes? Find local menus and prices to ensure you don’t spend more than you planned. If you want an authentic and homestyle culinary experience, consider signing up for a peer-to-peer dining experience through Traveling Spoon or Bon Appetour, which is tax-free as well! 5. Consider volunteering for vacation. Want to go on a self-discovery trip? Why not cut your expenses in half by volunteering? For example, Habitat for Humanity offers a nine-day Mexico trip for $1,200 with lodging, food, and activities included. You’ll get to build structures and create something permanent for the local community.

French countryside towns instead of Paris! Not only could it be more culturally immersing, but it may even be more relaxing and less stressful than visiting a dense area. 2. Sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights. One of the most important parts of booking an affordable vacation is booking it at the right time. Scott’s Cheap Flights will track all the cheapest flights at an airport of your choice — you’ll get over 50%–75% savings on highly rated airlines. This will get you stress-free travel for a much lower price! 3. Travel in a group. If you travel with friends, your expenses become a lot more manageable. Let’s say you and a partner travel with two other

Traveling on a dime is no sweat with the right tools. Best of luck, traveler!

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