Holland & Usry - March 2021

INDUSTRIAL TRAGEDY ANNIVERSARY Has Us Thinking About Your Rights

“The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” –Dick the Butcher, “Henry VI”

This famous Shakespeare quote advocating getting rid of lawyers is spoken often. It is commonly interpreted as being negative toward and about lawyers. In actuality, Dick the Butcher understood that if you have a strong legal system and plenty of attorneys to represent the common people, it’s a lot harder for would-be despots, like himself, to take advantage of society. In practicing law, I appreciate the lawyer’s role in protecting the person on the street. Although many people see a personal injury or class-action lawsuit and don’t understand what’s going on, those in the know realize that these cases aren’t just about getting justice for victims of negligence or greed. When we push, and win, these cases in the courts, it makes big business and morally bankrupt interests think twice about taking advantage of the little guy. That impact can also stretch to the law itself. We can push the government to do the right thing and protect people. One example is the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which happened 110 years ago this month. On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out in a crowded top-story factory. The owners had violated a number of safety procedures, many of which became codified by law in the aftermath. Unfortunately, it took the death of almost 150 people in the fire to make those legal changes occur. And if there hadn’t been lawyers pushing both business and government toward justice, I’m not sure anything would have changed at all. But we see this time and time again in history. Take the PS General Slocum, a steamboat that skirted past the law after a number of incidents until a fire broke out in 1904. It sunk the ship for good — taking over 1,000 lives with it. Or the Texas City disaster of 1947, when a fire reached improperly stored explosives

and touched off possibly the biggest non-nuclear explosion in American history. A lengthy legal process followed the deaths of over 500 people, and once again, we saw things shift in favor of employees and civilians. It’s not a coincidence that most of these tragedies happened long ago. Lawyers pushed for justice, laws changed, and you don’t see the massive loss of life that was common in the past. I bring these stories up, knowing that they’re extreme examples, but I also know that lawyers are an integral part of a free and safe society. My cases may not make the headlines like the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire — for which I am thankful — but that doesn’t mean they’re any less important to the individuals whom I represent. They’ve been hurt because someone else has broken the rules, been wrongfully accused by the state of a crime, or otherwise had their rights violated, and as a lawyer, I can actually help. To me, that’s the best part about practicing law: I, and others like me, help keep the government and corporations in check. This not only helps our clients but also protects us all from future injustices.

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DO SOMETHING BETTER IN THE GARDEN

There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring. GROW FUN FOODS We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home-cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. GO WITH THE FLOW Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and

vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course. PLANT FOR YOUR HEALTH Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver. Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.

Testimonials

THANKS TO THE HOLLAND & USRY LAW FIRM

“You need an experienced advocate if you’ve been injured at work. I was injured at work through no fault of my own. Although I’m a hardworking, conscientious, and dependable employee; I was immediately made to feel like it was my fault. Working for an international big-box company, the HR manager handled the paperwork, but was certainly NOT my advocate. His goal was clear: my return to work as soon as possible with no limitations. I did not feel cared for or valued. I began looking for an attorney specializing in workers’ comp, and I had no intention of just trusting billboards or TV commercials. I contacted attorney Rob Usry based on client reviews of his

work. And after a conveniently scheduled phone consultation, I was certain Rob Usry was the person I wanted to help me maneuver through the workers’ compensation system. Rob and Rose (Rob’s legal assistant) handled everything seamlessly, and I could concentrate on recovering from surgery and going to physical therapy. Rob is down to earth, easy to talk to, and explains everything. Rose is genuine, caring, and gets the job done. They value you as a client and a person. My case was handled very well by an exceptional team! If you have questions, call Rob & Rose.” –Caroline

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COULD ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION BACK YOU UP? Private Car Crash Investigation 101

Part of being a good attorney is admitting that you just don’t know it all — and for some extremely serious traffic accidents, the police won’t, either. No, when we need extra help proving the cause or severity of your crash, we call an accident reconstruction expert, traffic accident reconstruction engineer, or private crash investigator. They all mean the same thing, so I’ll tell you the basics of what you need to know about them.

remember the accident because they suffered a traumatic brain injury or got knocked unconscious at impact (which is a telling sign of at least a concussion). When you’re up against a hard-nosed trucking company that has its own investigators, well, you’ll want experts on your side, too. It is critical that you act quickly because evidence can disappear quickly! That evidence will help the investigator estimate the speed of the vehicles before and after impact, pinpoint the impact location of the vehicles, and present the angle of impact where the vehicles struck each other. This involves calculations that only they know how to do — that’s why they’re the experts and we’re not. If you act in time, the expert will be able to inspect the vehicles, preserve evidence, measure skid marks (this is particularly time-sensitive), get info from >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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