Jones & Hill - October 2018

Jones & Hill - October 2018

The Must-Read, Change-Your-Life Newsletter helping seriously injured people for over 30 years

october 2018

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DAVID VS. GOLIATH FOR $10,000,000

J. Craig Jones and Craig Ray Hill successfully secured over $10 million for a client last week in Calcasieu Parish. The trial lasted five days, with the jury hearing from 19 witnesses. The client, Becky Jackson, was badly injured in a car crash caused by defendant Steven Matte in October 2016. Matte admitted that he drove a truck owned by his employer, Galaxy N.A., across the center line of La. Highway 12 and crashed into Jackson as she was on her way to work. The crash knocked Ms. Jackson’s car backwards 26 feet into a following vehicle. The trial was held in the 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish. Almost three hours after the crash, Matte took a breathalyzer test and had a breath alcohol concentration of .106. Jackson was rushed to the hospital in Lake Charles with severe injuries including a broken collarbone, broken arm, internal injuries, and a shattered pelvis. Ms. Jackson underwent several surgeries and has been in a wheelchair ever since. She was left with a scar from her chest to her pelvis after a laparotomy surgery; a foot and a half of her small intestines had to be removed because it had been torn by her seatbelt. Attorney J. Craig Jones told the jury in opening statements, “There is so much more to a human being than snippets from her medical records. To know a person, you have to hear from the people who know and love and care for that person.” Jurors heard Becky Jackson’s personal story from her friends, neighbors, and relatives. They heard how Jackson was living life to its fullest until that fateful day that the car crash left her wheelchair bound and facing a life full of pain. On Thursday, Jones convinced Judge David Ritchie to strike the testimony of the defendant’s “expert” toxicologist from the record after Jones challenged the expert’s qualifications. The expert, Dr. Ronald Henson of Peoria, Illinois, had been paid to make similar testimonies in several other drunk driver related cases, and Jones pointed out that Henson made his living almost exclusively from testifying in drunk driver cases. After hearing the evidence, Judge

Ritchie refused to accept Henson as an expert in toxicology and instructed the jury to disregard much of his testimony.

On the fifth day of trial, the defense team agreed to pay Ms. Jackson $10,000,000, all court costs, and the cost of Jackson’s expert fees. The settlement will be paid into an independently administered trust set up by her family. J. Craig Jones stated, “Becky Jackson and her family have finally received the justice they deserved. This was truly a David vs. Goliath story.” Craig Ray Hill said, “We try cases all over the U.S. and can say that this is one of our best results.” The plaintiff was represented by J. Craig Jones and Craig Ray Hill of the law firm of Jones and Hill, LLC, with offices located in Alexandria, Oakdale, and Oberlin, Louisiana.

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3 MEANINGFUL WAYS TO SUPPORT RECOVERY Going Beyond ‘Get Well Soon’

A lot of Louisiana hikers shy away from backpacking in the fall due to the cooler weather. With an increased chance of wind and rain, more gear is definitely required. But at times, even the most avid hikers exaggerate the level of planning that goes into fall backpacking, ultimately believing they need far more than what is actually required. In doing so, they may talk themselves out of going backpacking at all, and they miss some of the most beautiful and colorful foliage the state has to offer. Because our attorneys at Jones & Hill don’t want you to miss out, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the scenery in all its splendor. Cool-Weather Cooking Remember that cooking times are longer when you are in low temperatures. For this reason, you should pack lightweight, easy- to-prepare meals in case the weather conditions worsen or food preparation becomes difficult. One way to avoid mishaps is to bring meals that can be made in a single pot. Additionally, be sure to bring extra fuel to compensate for the longer cooking times. Keep Toasty Don more layers to ward off the cold weather and stay toasty warm. Another easy trick is to wear a winter cap. Approximately 30 percent of If you’ve ever had a friend or loved one suffer a debilitating injury, you know how powerless you can feel to help. You want to make a difference, but in the face of severe medical challenges, it can be hard to know how. It’s important to remember that, while you may not be able to have a direct impact on your loved one’s physical recovery, there are concrete actions you can take to support them in ways doctors can’t. Support their everyday life. Traumatic injuries can make many aspects of day-to-day life difficult or impossible. Simply making dinner or taking their kids to school may now be herculean tasks for your loved one. Offering to be a volunteer driver or preparing a home-cooked meal can give that person a much-needed breather. Taking the time to help your friend with everyday tasks is more than just a practical gesture — it lets them know they don’t have to bear the burden of their injury alone. Support their emotional recovery. People faced with injuries, disabilities, and illnesses can feel emotionally isolated from their friends and loved ones. They may feel that others won’t understand their pain or that they should put on a brave face and not complain. You can’t force your friend to talk about their issues, but simply being there to listen to what your friend is BACKPACKING IN THE FALL DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SCARY

going through makes a world of difference. Having someone who is willing to listen without judgment can provide a salve for emotional hardship. Support their rights. Sometimes an injury can leave your loved one tangled up in disputes with opportunistic insurance companies or individuals they feel are responsible for their injuries. While you may not be able to represent your friend’s legal interests in these situations, you can introduce them to someone who can. Referring your friend to a personal injury firm you trust can help them chart a path toward just compensation for their injuries.

your body heat escapes through your head, so wearing a cap is one of your best defenses against the cold.

Other good defenses start in your sleeping bag. For example, it may feel good to bury your face inside your bag, but the condensation from your breath will add humidity. Instead of using your breath to produce heat, you should consider boiling some water, pouring it in your water bottle, and then placing that bottle at the foot of your bag. The water stays warm for hours, and by the time you wake up in the morning, you’ll have cool, fresh water to drink.

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Medical malpractice cases make up a large portion of our practice. The medical community is held in high esteem for its focus on helping and healing patients, but unfortunately, there are times when mistakes occur. And due to the nature of the job, these mistakes are often life-threatening. Medical malpractice lawsuits stem from errors made during diagnosis, when recommending treatment dosages, or during actual surgery. Interestingly though, the state of Louisiana approaches retribution for these problems differently than other states. For example, the Medical Malpractice Act in Louisiana caps the amount of damages a victim can receive after an injury caused by medical staff at $500,000. The cap was enacted in 1975 to combat rising insurance premiums, but in the years since, clients in other states have received multimillion-dollar settlements. For example, the City of New York paid a $172 million settlement to Tiffany Applewhite just four years ago. Tiffany’s mother had called for an ambulance after her daughter went into anaphylactic shock. Unfortunately, the EMS ambulance arrived without proper life-support equipment, which caused a major delay in transporting Tiffany to a hospital. This harrowing oversight left her with severe paralysis and brain damage. When a Healer’s Accident Causes Harm HOW WE CAN HELP WITH MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

A second incident occurred in New York in 2014 when a hospital located in Mineola was ordered to pay $62 million to Stacey Galette after a botched surgery. After undergoing surgery to treat an ectopic pregnancy, Stacey ended up in intensive care and suffered three heart attacks. She needed skin grafts, a colostomy, and two below-the-knee amputations. The jury found the responsible physician guilty of straying from the required care standards. Whether or not your case is as severe as these, if you have been injured during a medical procedure, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. The attorneys of Jones & Hill have years of experience in handling medical malpractice claims. We will help you prepare your claim and quantify your damages. While your claim is limited to $500,000, our attorneys will still assist with calculating the appropriate value of your injuries.

TAKE A BREAK

‘headless’ Apples on Horseback

A take on the classic “devils on horseback” hors d’oeuvres, this recipe requires only three ingredients. These little bundles of flavor are the perfect finger food for your next get-together.

Ingredients

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16 very thin slices of pancetta (or cured, unsmoked bacon)

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3 ounces manchego cheese, 1/4 inch thick Toothpicks for skewering

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2 pink lady apples

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Directions

1. Core apples and cut each into 8 wedges. Remove rind of manchego cheese and cut into 2-inch sticks. 2. Heat a grill pan or skillet to medium-high. 3. On a cutting board, lay pancetta or bacon slices flat and place an apple wedge and piece of cheese in the center of each. 4. Roll pancetta tightly and skewer with toothpick. 5. Grill until cheese is melted and pancetta or bacon is golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. 6. Drain excess grease on a paper towel and serve hot.

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

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Phone: (888) 481-1333 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. www.joneshilllaw.com

Jones & Hill Injury Lawyers 131 Highway 165 South Oakdale, LA 71463

Jones & Hill secures over $10 Million For Injured Client (See inside)

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