Holland & Usry - July 2021

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Every year around the Fourth of July, I reflect on our country, our shared history, and the part I, as a lawyer, have to play in all of it. We each have a part to play, of course, but the part of the lawyer is directly related to the spirit of independence. It’s not a coincidence — after all, we, like so many lawyers started off in this field to help people, much as our Founders started the country to better serve society.

We attempt to provide proper representation to folks and make every effort so that our clients have the fair treatment that as outlined in the Declaration of Independence and afforded to us by the Constitution. The Constitution, as amended, provides the right of due process, freedom of speech and religion, fair jury trials, and many other privileges that fulfill the Declaration’s promise that all men are created equal, and all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As wonderful as the civil justice system is, it’s also more at risk than many of your other rights. The Fourth of July celebrates the founding of a country based on curbing government overreach, and that’s yet one more reason to think about those rights this time of year. Previously, we’ve touched on the role that lawyers play in society: protecting the common person from both the infringements of government and the sometimes predatory behavior of unconstrained businesses. The civil court system exists for the times when those “special interests” meet your rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; the two are intertwined and cannot be torn asunder.

where needed. Remember, alcohol and explosives, alcohol and firearms, and alcohol and vehicles never go well together. I have seen the aftermath of those poor decisions dozens of times, and it’s never pretty. But this day is worth celebrating. Make no mistake about that, and don’t take it for granted. Adams wrote about his hopes for the holiday during a time when a few Americans had already died to be free of the British, and many more were going to follow. And yet he wanted to see people having fun and enjoying themselves with family and friends, because John Adams knew that if you don’t enjoy and exercise your freedoms from time to time, you might as well not have them.

And that’s how the Founders intended it.

All of this talk may seem sobering, which is why it’s important to cut loose a little bit and enjoy ourselves during the Fourth. Back in 1776, John Adams envisioned centuries of tradition celebrated much the way we do today: dancing, parties, firecrackers, family gatherings, cooked food, and more. Now, some of his ideas, such as adding firearms or alcohol to the mix, perhaps go too far. As a personal injury attorney, I strongly encourage everyone to be safe and practice restraint

Happy Fourth of July!

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FUN FACTS ABOUT THE FOURTH OF JULY

You Can Share With Your Kids

What do your kids know about the Fourth of July? Do they know it’s a day when you have a barbecue, spend time with friends and neighbors, and watch a fireworks show? These hallmarks of the holiday certainly do make it fun and memorable, but they don’t really exemplify why we celebrate the Fourth of July, the anniversary of when the United States declared its independence from Britain. So, along with the sparklers and hot dogs, here are a few fun facts about Independence Day you can share with your kids to help them understand the significance of the holiday. The Fourth of July marks our country’s independence because it’s when the Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence. This fact might seem like a no-brainer, but it contextualizes the holiday for kids. It’s a great jumping-off point to talk about why the United States wanted to be its own country, what the Continental Congress was, what the Declaration of Independence said, and what it means to “ratify” something. Two future presidents signed the Declaration of Independence: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. They both died exactly 50 years later, on July 4, 1826. This fact is an interesting coincidence sure to fascinate both kids and adults. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to some of the Founding Fathers and share how they helped shape the United States today.

been born in the United States since it was founded, and millions more came here from other places, hoping to find a better life. Many succeeded, too. Many people want to call this country home! On the Fourth of July, around 155 million hot dogs are eaten in the United States. Okay, so this fact might not have anything to do with American history, but it’s still pretty funny! If anything, the fact that we have so many hot dogs to eat on that day is evidence of the prosperity so many people enjoy in the United States of America.

In 1776, the year the United States was founded, only 2.5 million people lived here. Today, the U.S. population is 331 million. Lots of people have

Testimonials

THANKS TO THE HOLLAND & USRY LAW FIRM

“I chose Rob Usry because he was the first and only lawyer to sympathize with my situation. He apologized for what happened and truly wanted the best for me after our first meeting. Mr. Usry and his team were all kind and professional from the start and throughout my case. He was honest and always told it to me straight. Every conversation with him ended with him asking if I had any further questions or if there was anything else he could do for me. He stays busy but always made time to return my phone call within the same day.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the court system, delaying my court date, but he assured me to stay headstrong. He periodically checked up on me while we waited. We stuck with his plan, he showed up prepared for my new court date, and he managed to get my case fully dismissed.”

–Dallin D.

www.bhollandlawfirm.com

AN UPHILL BATTLE AGAINST THE ‘OPEN AND OBVIOUS’ ‘Why Didn’t You Look Where You Were Going?’

If you’re seriously hurt in a slip or trip and fall in South Carolina, you face an uphill legal battle — but it can be overcome with professional guidance. These cases are hard to prove. You must deal with the first defense, which you might hear before you’re helped up: Why didn’t you look where you were going? The danger was an “open and obvious hazard.” South Carolina law doesn’t clearly define “open and obvious,” because I guess the courts consider the meaning to be, well, obvious. Generally speaking, it means a dangerous condition that’s not hidden [open] and whose danger can be immediately recognized [obvious].

At least two South Carolina court cases discussed the nature of the defense, and in both cases, the courts pointed out the defense: Property owners aren’t responsible for injuries from open and obvious conditions. However, that’s not the whole law on the subject. It’s got a huge exception built into it — which you’ll need an experienced fall injury attorney to help you qualify for. Here’s the exception: Businesses and property owners remain liable for open and obvious conditions if they should have anticipated the victim would encounter the condition and sustain harm. In both of those South Carolina cases, the property owners were found liable in subsequent appeals. Sharp attorneys found evidence that they’d been warned and aware of and failed to account for the dangers present. The exception also includes when a business or property owner should expect the victim to be distracted, like when you’re too busy looking at shelves to notice the spill on the floor. If you’re seriously hurt, and your case might involve the open and obvious defense, the one thing that’s truly open and obvious is that you need professional help to protect your right to the settlement you might qualify for under the law. It’ll be a legal battle you just can’t wage on your own. To get started with a free strategy session or just get your questions answered, call me toll-free at 888.230.184.

Good News

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” –2 Corinthians 3:17 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” –Galatians 5:1 “Out of distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” –Psalm 118:5

THE BEST TEXAS-STYLE SMOKED BRISKET

Inspired by AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

Directions 1. In a bowl, soak wood chips in water overnight. 2. In a large bowl, mix paprika, white sugar, cumin, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. 3. Rub spice mixture on the brisket and refrigerate for 24 hours. 4. Preheat smoker to 230 F. Drain wood chips and place them in the smoker. 5. Smoke brisket until it has an internal temperature of 165 F. 6. Remove brisket and wrap it in aluminum foil. 7. Smoke brisket further until it reaches an internal temperature of 185 F.

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Wood chips

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1/4 cup paprika

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1/4 cup white sugar

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1/4 cup ground cumin

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1/4 cup cayenne pepper

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1/4 cup brown sugar

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1/4 cup chili powder

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1/4 cup garlic powder

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1/4 cup onion powder

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1/4 cup salt

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1/4 cup pepper

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10 lbs brisket

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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.

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INSIDE this issue Happy Independence Day!

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Fourth of July Fun Facts to Share With the Kids Testimonial

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An Uphill Battle Against the “Open and Obvious” The Best Texas-Style Smoked Brisket

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5 Wacky Pizza Trends From Around the World

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They Eat What on Pizza?! 5 WACKY PIZZA TRENDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

a comforting cheese pie from your favorite local pizzeria before reading this, just in case. • BANANA-CURRY PIZZA (SWEDEN) — The Swedes first accessed bananas in 1944, and since then, they’ve put them on everything , including pizza which they top with tomato sauce, smoked cheese, banana slices, and curry powder.

action when it released a limited-edition haggis pizza in honor of a Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

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MOCKBA PIZZA (RUSSIA) — This local pie comes topped with four kinds of fish (sardines, tuna, mackerel, and salmon), onions, herbs, and occasionally fish eggs. Most troubling of all, it’s served cold! CHICKPEA PANCAKE PIZZA (ARGENTINA) — In Buenos Aires, locals top their super- cheesy pizza slices with fainá — chickpea pancakes cooked separately from the pies and balanced on top of each slice.

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KETCHUP AND CORN PIZZA (BRAZIL) — According to several sources, Brazilians swap pizza sauce for ketchup or tomato slices and top their pies with strange combinations of local ingredients like corn, beets, hearts of palm, and potato sticks. HAGGIS PIZZA (SCOTLAND) — Pizza may be the only semi-enjoyable way to eat haggis: a mix of sheep or calf offal, oatmeal, suet, and seasonings that are boiled in an animal’s stomach. Last year, Papa John’s got in on the

Here in the U.S., pineapple is considered a wild and controversial pizza topping. Even celebrities take a stand. Justin Bieber is pro-pineapple, but Jimmy Kimmel is against it. According to a 2019 YouGov Omnibus study, only anchovies and eggplant are more hated. But in other parts of the world, the tangy yellow fruit is far from the strangest topping you’ll see! Here are five wacky pizza trends from around the globe that will either make you hungry or inspire you to sprint the other way. You may want to order

Keep these pizzas in mind when planning your next international vacation! They might be tastier than they sound, and if not, they’ll still make great Instagram fodder. As actor Cole Sprouse once tweeted, “You’re losing followers because you’re not relatable enough. Try mentioning that you eat pizza. If that doesn’t work, play the ukulele.”

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