Holland & Usry - November 2020

Holland & Usry - November 2020

WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING?

When people mention “the spirit of Thanksgiving,” I’ve often caught myself wondering what that means exactly. The holiday is rooted in appealing traditions but also in history that seems to have gotten muddied over the centuries. Lately I’ve realized that the “spirit of Thanksgiving” doesn’t come from eating turkey and watching football. Really, it’s all in the name, and it’s something we shouldn’t just celebrate in November. Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what you have in your life and finding ways to give to those who may not have as much in their lives as you do. It really is all in the name. And when I think about it that way, it sounds like something we should be doing all the time. Giving during a certain part of the year is great, but what about those people who are in need during other times of year? Where can they turn? When someone is injured on the job or in a car crash, faces criminal charges, is struggling with protecting their assets in a divorce, or is facing a custody case, I’m so humbled to be able to say that they can turn to us here at Holland & Usry because we make it our mission to give to them however we can every single day of the year. A major way we give to those who need us is by putting information and understanding into their hands before we even sit down in a room with them. We take consultation for injury and criminal cases free of charge, and we point people in the right direction — even if that means that sometimes, we’re pointing to someone else we think can help better than we can.

I tell folks to come to us — even if it is an area I don’t regularly practice in — because through the years, I’ve developed contacts throughout the state (and beyond) and can give them insight as to who may be the best person to represent them. Weekly, I probably spend 15 minutes on average giving referrals at no cost, and while that doesn’t seem like much, it adds up to more than a workday annually. We pack our website full of detailed information and resources about the areas of law we practice, the insights we’ve gained during our years of experience, the latest updates to the law and its processes, and ideas about what kind of case you might have. And it’s all freely accessible to anyone, at any time. My law partner has written books that dive deeper into personal injury and other practice areas, and we have made them available entirely for free — no strings attached — to download through our website. We’ve done this so victims have even more of the accurate information they need to help them make the best decisions for their case, themselves, and their family. And for injury cases, we work on a contingency basis, so people don’t pay us unless we recover. We give back in these ways 365 days a year. We’re thankful for our ability to provide, which means we also have the obligation to give to those who need the help we can offer. Thanksgiving is a great time for not just thanking but giving, and I say emulating this for the entire year is even better.

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WHAT IS FAMILY BURNOUT?

According to one study from 2018, over half of all parents surveyed were experiencing some form of burnout (i.e., exhaustion, cynicism, lack of professional satisfaction, etc.) — and that was before the pandemic. Now, as the world enters the eighth month of the coronavirus pandemic, many parents are working from home or dealing with unemployment, and many children are doing school online. Families are spending a lot of time together at home, balancing new routines — and that’s led to family burnout. When you experience “family burnout,” the kind of exhaustion that comes from spending too much time with family, it manifests itself as physical and emotional exhaustion, an inability to handle usual tasks, and increased irritability. The more demanding your work and home responsibilities are, the more susceptible you are to family burnout. Single parents are especially susceptible, but burnout can drastically affect romantic relationships and even children. Most people are not used to spending so much time together at home.

between work and rest. While it might feel like you don’t have a moment to spare between work and taking care of the kiddos in the house, identifying those spare moments in your day is absolutely necessary for your health. Establish a routine that defines time for work, sleep, studying, and other tasks. You’ll then move from task to task easier, leaving less room for conflict between others in the household. You’ll also see more clearly when you can rest! Those breaks don’t have to be anything special — a 15-minute walk by yourself outside or a 30-minute stretch with a good book in a comfy chair. Find time to let your kids have a break, too, like playing their favorite games, reading their favorite books, or playing outside. You’ll all feel more refreshed to tackle the remaining tasks of the day. Even though you can prevent or minimize burnout through a more balanced routine, sometimes that’s not enough. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Family therapy can be immensely helpful for maintaining your mental health when your own attempts need a boost. These are unique times, so be patient with yourself and your family as

you cope with new challenges and routines. Burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable.

With all that in mind, don’t worry — family burnout is preventable. It starts with creating a balance

Testimonials

THANKS TO THE HOLLAND & USRY LAW FIRM “I had some serious legal issues and reached out for legal help. With some help from a friend, I found Holland & Usry Law Firm. I had a meeting with John and Robert and signed them on the spot. “To make a long story short, the firm handled all my legal issues without any problems. Not only were they knowledgeable and professional, but they also made me feel like a longtime friend.

“Thanks to Pam, John, and Robert (Usry) for all their time and consideration during the whole process. They are a great team to have on your side, and they will return your phone calls! “I recommend the Holland & Usry Law Firm for all your legal needs.” –LR A.

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WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO BE TOTALLY DISABLED UNDER WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?

Being declared totally disabled from a work injury in South Carolina requires serious injuries, and these cases are pretty rare. Still, the definition of total disablement in workers’ compensation law is broader than you might think. It doesn’t require total helplessness. A worker seriously injured at their job can be declared totally disabled under workers’ compensation rules in the following ways. PRESUMED DISABLED You are legally presumed totally disabled if you lose both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, vision in both eyes, or a combination of any of those. The law also presumes total disability if you lost 50% or more of your ability to use your back. It also extends to you if you suffer paralysis of your legs or all limbs or suffer physical brain damage. LOST EARNING ABILITY Injured workers who are not presumed disabled can prove they are by showing their injuries stripped them of their marketable job skills. For example, a construction worker who lost 35% of his ability to use his back may look normal sitting in a lawn chair, but if his injury affects another part of his body, like his legs, these combined injuries keep him from being able to lift or stand long enough to do the only job he’s qualified for. That makes him eligible for total disability benefits.

TOTAL DISABILITY BENEFITS Workers who qualify for total disability under workers’ compensation get the most benefits available under the law. Regular disability income is usually two- thirds of your average weekly wages for up to 500 weeks, but workers who are paralyzed or brain damaged get that income for life. You also qualify for lifelong medical treatment related to your work injury. Although these scenarios might sound cut and dry, it’s a complicated process to prove total disability. Medical evidence, workplace evidence, and dealings with insurance companies are just the beginning, so if you have a workers’ compensation case and want to fight for your right to benefits, contact our office so we can help.

Good News

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” –2 Corinthians 9:11 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” –Psalm 100:4

CINNAMON-SPICED CANDIED SWEET POTATOES

These candied sweet potatoes will make your family beg for more!

Inspired by FoodAndWine.com

Ingredients

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Place sweet potato wedges in a 4-quart baking dish. 3. Sprinkle sugar, salt, and cloves over sweet potatoes. 4. Dot with butter and place cinnamon sticks around sweet potatoes. 5. Bake, turning every 15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid is syrupy, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. 7. Discard cinnamon sticks and serve.

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4 lbs orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces, then cut lengthwise into 1-inch wedges 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

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1 tbsp kosher salt

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1/4 tsp ground cloves

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1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed

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4 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks

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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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101 W. St. John St. Suite 206 Spartanburg, SC 29306

INSIDE this issue We Embody Thanksgiving All Year What Is Family Burnout, and How Do I Prevent It? Testimonials Total Disablement May Not Be What You Think Cinnamon-Spiced Candied Sweet Potatoes Number of Importance

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If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, call Pam at 864.582.0416 or email [email protected] .

The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month WHY VETERANS DAY AND THE NUMBER 11 GO HAND IN HAND

Veterans Day comes every Nov. 11. It’s a national holiday that recognizes veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces and honors those both living and deceased. Historically, the day marks Armistice Day and the end of the Great War: World War I. But what is the significance of the number 11? The armistice was signed at 5:45 a.m. in France, but it took effect at 11 a.m. that same morning — which happened to be Nov. 11, 1918. The armistice originally lasted 36 days but was extended month after month. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, when peace was officially declared. Later that year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that Nov. 11 would be known as Armistice Day to honor those who fought in the Great War. This lasted until 1954, when President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation turning Armistice Day into Veterans Day.

The change was made in order to recognize all veterans who had honorably served their country. By 1954, the U.S. had fought in more wars — specifically World War II and the Korean War — and hundreds of thousands more Americans had served. Unsurprisingly, there was some political drama surrounding the day. In 1968, Congress made Veterans Day a federal holiday under the Uniform Holiday Bill. The idea was to increase the number of three-day weekends in the year. Veterans Day became a holiday that would fall on the fourth Monday of October, a far cry from Nov. 11.

Because of this, we’ll never forget the end of the Great War, nor will we forget those who served.

However, in 1978, Veterans Day was restored to its original Nov. 11 date. But why?

The answer is simple. It’s a number that sticks with you. When the clock strikes 11:11, you always take notice. By that same notion, we all remember the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

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