Izquierdo Law Firm July 2019

IzLegal Illustrated CHECKING UP ON NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS Finally Achieving One of My Golf Goals!

While I was getting better in my game, I reached certain points where I realized I was about to shoot the best score I’d ever had, and it got uncomfortable really quick. However, even though these types of situations aren’t always enjoyable, it’s less about the comfort and more about how you grow as a person and in life. This lesson applies to almost every aspect of life, whether starting and running a successful business, buying a house for the first time, or even getting married. These are all situations you can’t truly prepare for until you actually experience them. Often, people avoid these scenarios because they aren’t okay with being uncomfortable, they doubt themselves, or they believe they’re just not ready. This hesitation gets in the way of so many things in life. By entering the qualifier for this golf tournament, I put myself in an uncomfortable situation, but I am very happy I took that step. I am now officially hooked; the adrenaline rush I felt while out on the course was addicting, and nothing can replicate it. I now know that when the next one comes up, I’ll be participating. This will improve my game by giving me the motivation to do better and get into a tournament. Once I do, that’ll be another uncomfortable scenario, but I’ll worry about that when I get there. Ultimately, I want to encourage all my readers to rekindle or start on a goal you might have had for a while. It’s okay if you’re feeling unprepared because you’re never really ready for anything, no matter

How are you coming along with your New Year’s resolutions? It’s the beginning of this year’s third quarter, and many of the goals people set at the beginning of the year seem too long ago to remember. But I think it’s important to look at those goals and dive headlong into them. Back in May, I took a big step and accomplished one of my own personal goals I’ve had for a few years. Whenever my golf game was exceptionally good or when making resolutions, I told myself I would try to qualify for a golf tournament. And every year, without fail, I’ve had an excuse for not entering. Sometimes they’re justified, like having a trial set on the same day as the qualifier. Other times, they are less justified, such as feeling like my golf game isn’t where I want it to be. This year, however, my usually busy schedule opened up, and I decided to finally try to qualify for the Florida State Amateur Golf Tournament. I didn’t qualify. In fact, I played pretty lousily, but it was an experience I’ll never forget. Pursuing your goals comes down to being comfortable with the uncomfortable. As odd as it might seem, I first learned this concept through golf.

how much you think you are. The sooner you can get comfortable with being uncomfortable, the better off you’ll be in experiencing something remarkable.

“Pursuing your goals comes down to being comfortable with the uncomfortable.”

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SUMMER SWIMMING SAFETY 3 Tips for Swimming in Open Water

WATCH FOR RIP CURRENTS These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current.

There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun.

KNOWWHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly.

NEVER SWIM ALONE When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc.

GONE TO THE DOGS HOW CAN A THIEF SUE THE FAMILY HE ROBBED?

Dickson’s story first gained notoriety in 2001, thanks to an email circulated by the now-defunct Stella Awards newsletter, which highlighted “outrageous lawsuits,” people were rightfully enraged. There was just one problem: Terrence Dickson never existed. In 2002, a reporter from Pennsylvania contacted the Bucks County prothonotary’s office, where all records for civil cases in the county are kept. He discovered there was no record of any cases involving such a burglar. It’s worth noting the original email where this story first appeared ended with a call for tort reform from a made-up law firm in Ohio. Likely, this hoax was an attempt to manipulate the public perception of the justice system. Despite being debunked 17 years ago, this tall tale still makes the rounds and often appears on lists of “outrageous lawsuits,” many of which are featured on the websites of legitimate law firms!

Have you heard the story of Terrence Dickson? Even if you don’t know the name, you might have heard his strange tale. Dickson was a burglar in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. One day, after breaking into a house and helping himself to some valuables, Dickson decided to leave through the garage. After discovering the automatic garage door was stuck closed, Dickson turned around and was horrified to realize he’d locked himself inside. To make matters worse, the family he was stealing from had just left for an extended vacation, so Dickson lived off of soda and dried dog food for eight days. When the family returned and found the unlucky burglar, a lawsuit was filed — by Dickson! He sued for mental anguish, and the jury awarded him $500,000.

There are plenty of wacky legal cases, but when a story is too ridiculous, there’s a good chance a few important details are being left out or the readers are being lied to. Don’t believe everything you read online!

There’s nothing that shakes our faith in the justice system quite like injustice being served. When

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THE COST OF A DUI A Cumbersome Burden

A person who is charged with a DUI for a second time will face $2,000 in fines. If they are charged a third time, it will be for a felony offense. The fines for a felony are around $5,000, and this amount can drastically increase with the costs of court time, registration fees, and legal fees. INSURANCE Apart from the expenses mentioned above, a DUI charge can also drastically increase your insurance payments. It’s not uncommon for people convicted of driving while intoxicated to see an 85% increase in their insurance premiums in the first year. This increase is not easily shaken off and can impact a person for many years afterward. ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES When you’re convicted of a DUI, not all the costs are monetary in nature. This conviction could also affect you in the following ways.

Of all the states, Florida has some of the toughest DUI laws and penalties. A DUI can be devastating for a driver. It’s difficult to remove a DUI from your record, and you could also face vehicle impoundment, probation, jail time, and hefty fines. Here is a closer look at what a DUI can cost you here in the Sunshine State. EXPENSES First-time offenders can typically expect to pay around $1,000 in fines alone, but there are many additional costs they will be forced to pay.

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It could prevent you from getting certain jobs in the future. It could prevent you from passing security clearances.

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It could impact your ability to get a loan.

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It could make you ineligible for scholarships or a professional license.

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DUI school: $250–$400

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Court costs: $600–$650

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It could get you fired from your current job.

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Vehicle impoundment or immobilization: $150 for 10 days or $300 for 90 days

If you’re facing a DUI charge, now is the time to talk to an experienced DUI attorney. They can help talk you through your case and fight against your DUI charge to keep your record clean.

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Treatment (if required): $250–$500

Laugh Out Loud

Juicy Lucy Sliders The Juicy Lucy is a burger with cheese hiding in the patty, and it is a staple in Minnesota. We think it should be a Fourth of July favorite nationwide. Ingredients

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16 small potato rolls, toasted

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2 lbs. ground chuck beef, 20% lean

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Salt and pepper, to taste

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8 slices melting cheese (like American, Swiss, Muenster, or cheddar)

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Your favorite burger accompaniments

Instructions

5. Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high. 6. Lightly coat skillet with oil and cook patties in batches. Brown one side undisturbed, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium. 7. Serve on toasted potato rolls with your favorite accompaniments.

1. Divide beef into 16 evenly sized balls. 2. Rip cheese into roughly equal pieces, creating 16 equal portions. 3. Using your index finger, create a small indentation in each ball. 4. Fill indention with cheese and pinch meat around to seal. Then gently form balls into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Season patties.

Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

2655 Le Jeune Road Suite 805 Coral Gables, FL 33134

INSIDE this issue

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Being Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

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3 Things Everyone Needs to Know Before Swimming in Open Water

Did You Hear About the Dog Food Burglar?

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What a DUI Could Cost You Juicy Lucy Sliders

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The Madden Curse

Truth, Lies, and Superstition ON THE TRAIL OF THE MADDEN CURSE

There is no urban legend in the world of modern video games as well-documented as the so-called “Madden Curse.” The curse revolves around the highly sought-after cover spot of the popular NFL video game “Madden NFL,” formerly known as “John Madden Football.”While the games date back to 1988, the curse is said to originate with the 1999 version. Garrison Hearst, a popular running back at the time, broke his ankle shortly after being featured on the cover of the 1999 edition. This was the first in a long line of injuries and personal issues that resulted in the rumor gaining traction. Soon, the idea that the game’s seemingly innocent cover could have devastating effects on a player’s career was widespread. Once a substantial honor in the world of football, the Madden cover spot has become one of the sport’s most feared superstitions for fans.

powers that be. In fact, sometimes these issues occur shortly after the game is released in stores.

The players, however, seem to find the correlation more amusing than scary. Most of the athletes in contention for the spot still consider it to be a great honor, choosing to brush off the rumors as coincidence. Despite the ambivalence of many players, there does seem to be a correlation between the cover and player issues. Of the 22 players who have been featured on the cover, 16 of them have suffered from significant issues in the season that followed. While the causes varied, with severe injuries, contract disputes, and personal issues all afflicting different players, something about the spotlight appears to have disturbed the

Whatever the true cause, the curse seems to have taken a dip in recent years. Only one of the last five players has been affected, a stat that bodes well for this year’s star: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The real answer probably lies somewhere between fact and fiction. The increased pressure of national attention is bound to make players tense up every once in a while, and in a game as physical as football, any distraction can end in disaster.

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