Joe Miller Law September 2019

NEWSLETTER

F ollow U s

09 | 19

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HOW I MET MARK WELDON A NEW CHAPTER

When I first met Mark Weldon, he was a broken man. He was in the hospital after suffering a terrible accident. Mark had been on the job when he was crushed between two front-end loaders, losing one of his legs above the knee and really messing up the ankle of his other leg as a result. The doctors told him he would have to spend most of his life in a wheelchair. When someone goes through an accident like this where they lose a limb, it’s mentally challenging. They have to face a reality where they’ve lost part of their body and, in Mark’s case, they will never be able to walk normally again. A number of doctors told Mark he’d probably never be able to return to work, which only made the situation harder on him. Fortunately, after we took on Mark’s case, we got him in to see a psychiatrist with a good reputation who was able to help him a lot. Being a workers’ comp lawyer isn’t just about arguing with the insurance company and handling legal matters. A good workers’ comp lawyer needs to know the medical practitioners in town and make sure their client is being sent to an honest doctor they can trust. There are plenty of defense doctors on an insurance company’s payroll who could give Dr. Evil a run for his money. These doctors see the words “workers’ comp” and instantly decide the patient must be a liar who’s faking their injury for money.

I can’t tell you how many people have come into our office panicked after seeing the doctor their company sent them to. Despite their injuries, the doctor claimed there was nothing wrong with them and that they could go back to work. Yes, there are some people in the world who would rather fake an injury to make a quick buck than do an honest day’s work, but they’re in the minority. Good doctors will call a situation like they see it and do right by their patients, regardless of whether they are in a workers’ comp case. Of course, a lot of companies don’t want injured workers seeing these good doctors, so it’s our job to make sure our clients know their rights and are taken care of. Mark’s case went on for about two years, which is standard for a workers’ comp case in Virginia. Lisa, our paralegal, went above and beyond to help Mark though his case. They bonded over the Philadelphia Eagles, and Lisa talked to Mark all the time, letting him know he wasn’t in this alone. After we got his settlement and Mark was able to take care of himself medically, he bought a house down in Atlanta where he could be closer to his family. All’s well that ends well. Mark came by the office not long ago just to say hello. It was a great surprise. He had come so far and is so different than the man I met in the hospital. During his case, I got to know Mark very well and learned what a

Mark Weldon with Lisa Hancock

great guy he is. He’s honestly someone I’m proud to call a friend, and I was honored when Mark gave us permission to share his story in the newsletter. It was a relief to get Mark the money he needed to start the next phase of his life. Being a workers’ comp attorney means working with people who are going through a terrible season, who have been abandoned by their employer and have no one to turn to. It’s tough, but sometimes there are cases like Mark’s that make it all worthwhile. I’m reminded of the power we have to help people, and I work to uphold that responsibility every day.

If you belong to a union or other labor-related group and want to schedule my presentation at your group’s speaking arrangement, you can do so by calling 888-667-8295 . The presentation is free of charge, offers important information for taking appropriate action in Virginia workers’ compensation cases, and everyone in attendance gets a free copy of my book, “10 Traps and Lies That Can Ruin Your Virginia Workers’ Compensation Case.” Education is the best way to protect yourself from making a mistake. Call now, before it’s too late. –Joseph Miller

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Finding the Right Workout for Your Diet

HOW TO MATCH YOUR ROUTINE TO YOUR PLATE

What you eat and how your body performs are two intimately linked aspects of your overall fitness. That’s why distance runners carb- load on spaghetti before marathons and yogis skip breakfast before a 105-degree Bikram class. However, this nuance is easy to neglect in a world of fad diets and food trends that move at whiplash speed. If you’ve jumped on the keto, vegan, or paleo bandwagons but are still slogging through the same workout routine, it’s time to take a closer look at your body’s needs and tailor your gym time accordingly. Here are a few tips for matching your diet to the optimal workout. Keto This high-fat, low-carb diet is currently booming among athletes who relish the opportunity to chow down on pork rinds and cheese (a perk that comes at the expense of giving up chips, bread, and most fruits). Shape magazine recommends moderate-intensity workouts for people eating keto because they won’t have the ample supply of glucose the body relies on for high-intensity exercises like sprints and HIIT. On the plus side, if you go keto, you’ll burn more fat during cardio because you won’t have a store of glycogen to compete with it as an energy source. Vegan Plant-based diets are generally associated with slow-moving exercises like yoga, but VegNews reports that short, high-intensity workouts are actually the best option for people who don’t eat meat or dairy. Choosing quick workouts means your body won’t use up as much protein (which vegans generally consume less of), and the ample glucose in a vegan diet is ideal for powering intense workouts like sprints, stairs, body-weight lifts, and CrossFit drills.

Paleo The paleo diet is unique in that it actually comes with its own exercise plan, though many paleo eaters probably don’t know it. According to Paleo Leap, “The paleo lifestyle emphasizes natural movement (preferably outside) over machine-based exercises and brief but intense strength training workouts over extended sessions of steady-state cardio.” Above all, paleo advocates advise listening to your body and choosing a workout plan that leaves you feeling good.

Our Clients Say It Best

“I was very impressed with the services that I received from Joe and Lisa. Lisa was very professional and responded right away when I had questions. Lisa was also helpful with explaining everything with me; she even would call to see how I was feeling. Although I have never met Lisa in person, she was truly an angel.” –Zenobia

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The 4-Legged Heroes of Ground Zero In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets to clear rubble, offer supplies, and search for survivors. It was a powerful act of resilience in a deeply trying time, and while most of the individuals helping with the disaster stood on two feet, more than 300 canines also answered the call to service. Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, including search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, were brought in to help find and care for survivors in the wake of the destruction. They worked tirelessly alongside rescue crews as they searched through the debris. Search and rescue dogs and their handlers worked 12–16-hour days, searching for survivors and victims. They worked through dangerous conditions: Many dogs burned their paws as they dug through hot rubble, and both handlers and canines inhaled toxic dust. The task was both physically and mentally exhausting for the dogs during their shifts. Some dogs that found deceased victims refused to eat or interact with other animals. Search and rescue dogs became increasingly stressed and depressed the longer they

searched without any results, mirroring their handlers. It wasn’t uncommon for handlers to stage mock “findings” of survivors to keep the dogs’ spirits up. Fortunately, the sacrifices these dogs and their handlers made did not go unnoticed. Many dog owners were inspired to earn their search and rescue certifications after the events of 9/11, promising to aid in future disasters and hopefully lessen the impact of such catastrophes. After 9/11, various researchers conducted many studies examining the effect this kind of work has on animals, both physically and mentally. Many of these studies wouldn’t be possible without the AKC Canine Health Foundation, so if you’re looking to give back this September, visit them at their website to see how you can help: AKCCHF.org .

Basil Berry Sorbet

Joe’s Monthly ‘SOUL SNACKS’

Unlike standard ice cream recipes, this delicious sorbet doesn’t require fancy equipment or difficult prep. It’s also entirely dairy-free, making it the perfect vegan treat for the end of summer.

“A genuine smile is a reflection of a grateful heart.” –R.L. Brody “Sometimes the greatest gifts are concealed in unpleasant packages.” –R.L. Brody

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar • 1 cup fresh basil leaves

• 6 cups frozen mixed berries • 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. In a saucepan over high heat, combine sugar with 1 cup of water, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, creating a syrup- like consistency. 2. Remove syrup from heat, add basil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl and refrigerate until cold.

3. In a blender, combine syrup with frozen berries and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. 4. Transfer to a square baking pan, cover in plastic wrap, and freeze until set, about 2 hours.

5. Scoop and serve.

Inspired by Good Housekeeping

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Inside This Issue

Do Right By People page 1 Finding the Right Workout for Your Diet page 2 What Some of Our Clients Are Saying page 2 Honoring the Canines of 9/11 page 3 Soul Snacks page 3 The Vibrant Colors of America’s National Parks page 4

The Best National Parks to Visit This Fall

experience fall in the Northeastern U.S., Acadia National Park is a must-see.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina Further south, the autumn colors of the Smoky Mountains are no less breathtaking than those in the Northeast. This park offers many scenic lookout points accessible by car, so don’t worry about hoofing it into the forest if that’s not your thing. Park wherever you like and watch the warm colors of ancient maples, oaks, and cedars change before your eyes. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming While the West might typically be associated with evergreen pines, the deciduous trees of the relatively small Grand Teton National Park pack a colorful punch starting around the third week of September. It’s also breeding season for elk in the area, and their high, eerie whistles can be heard in the evenings. Popular destinations in the park include the Christian Pond Loop and String Lake. Just because the weather is cooling down doesn’t mean you have to abandon your favorite national parks until next summer. The natural beauty of America can be experienced at any time of the year, so start planning your next autumn outdoor excursion!

Have you ever wanted to experience the colors of a Boston fall while enjoying the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors? Autumn leaves are a universally appreciated sign of the changing seasons, and there’s no better place to see those vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds on display than in one of America’s national parks. So, if you’ve got some free time this autumn, here are some parks worth seeing. Acadia National Park, Maine While the maple, birch, and poplar trees of Acadia begin to change color in September, mid-October is the best time to witness autumn in full swing. The park is crisscrossed with unpaved trails that date back to a time of horse-drawn carriages, preserving an idyllic setting. If you want to see the colors in full effect, take a drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, and watch the sun crest over the vibrant leaves. To fully

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