Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC - February/March 2021

Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC - February/March 2021

www.enkanter.com

Feb / Mar 2021

5 BOOKS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR LIFE IN 2021 IT’S TIME TO GROW YOUR READING LIST!

‘Radically Happy: A User’s Guide to the Mind’ by Phakchok Rinpoche and Erric Solomon The authors of this book caught my eye right away. Erric Solomon is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and Phakchok Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader. I’m intrigued to read about the “path to radical happiness” that these two very different people came up with together and to find out how their insights can help me better understand my own mind. ‘The Friendship Formula: Add Great Friends, Subtract Toxic People and Multiply Your Happiness’ by Caroline Millington During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear to me (and likely you as well) how important relationships are in my life. When you’re barred from seeing your friends in person, you realize just how vital good friendships are! In this book, Millington delves into what makes friendships tick and how we can improve and sustain the relationships that matter to us.

Books are just stacks of paper and ink, but they can also act as doorways. Over the years, they have helped me travel into new worlds, the minds of their authors, and even my own future. As a criminal defense and personal injury attorney, that last point is particularly important to me. I believe everyone has a chance at improving their life — including me and you. Books can help us do it. My work is very future-focused. When I assist clients, my goal is always to help them toward a better tomorrow. That means different things for different people. For a car crash victim, it could be a life without financial stress or pain. For a defendant in a criminal case, it might mean freedom, a reduced sentence, or a better life after prison. For absolutely all of us, it means undertaking a quest for self‑improvement. This year, I’ve added these five books to my reading list with the goal of improving my life and opening my mind. Will you join me and add them to yours?

everyday adjustments to our behavior, Fogg suggests we can change the course of our lives. In each chapter, he outlines easy steps each of us can take to become happier, healthier, and more productive. ‘Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know’ by Malcolm Gladwell

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A few newsletters back, I reviewed journalist Malcolm Gladwell’s “The

Tipping Point,” and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in his most recent work. In this book, Gladwell interviews scientists, criminologists, and military psychologists to find out why we behave the way we do and advises that we should approach strangers with “caution and humility” to avoid miscommunication and disaster. I’m sure there is much to learn in its pages. ‘Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents’ by Isabel Wilkerson I’m always fascinated by lengthy books that change my perspective, which is why I’ve put “Caste” on my reading list. In it, Wilkerson examines the hierarchies within American society and argues that we live in a caste system shaped by our country’s history. I hope that by understanding what divides us, perhaps we can learn to unite in 2021.

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‘Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything’ by BJ Fogg BJ Fogg is a famous behavioral scientist working at Stanford University, and “Tiny Habits” is based on 20 years of his research. The premise is that small stones cast big ripples. By making minuscule,

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Happy reading!

-Elliott Kanter

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | (619) 231-1883

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LAUGH MORE, AGE LESS WHY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU

As we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often. At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing INJURED BY A DELIVERY DRIVER? HOW TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST AMAZON AND FEDEX

and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart. One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions. In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding. When there are language barriers, laughing together can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures. The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates powerful

memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships.

Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too.

The New York Times estimates that 3 billion packages were shipped around the country during the 2020 holiday season. That means thousands of delivery drivers hit the road to drop off boxes and envelopes. Private delivery services like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS were absolutely overloaded. And when their delivery schedules got hectic, drivers started taking risks. Rushed or careless delivery drivers cause accidents along their routes that hurt ordinary people. FedEx alone is responsible for hundreds of life- changing crashes every year. If you’ve been in one of these accidents, you know how intimidating it is to go up against a big company like Amazon or FedEx. Maybe you’ve even considered giving up and swallowing the medical bills. Don’t cave to that temptation. You can wring compensation out of these giants in several ways. GOING UP AGAINST AMAZON Fighting Amazon is tricky because its delivery drivers are independent contractors, which means the company can claim it doesn’t have control over their actions while they’re delivering packages. Whether Amazon can make that claim depends on the circumstances of the accident. If an

Amazon driver causes a crash while off-duty, for example, Amazon may refuse liability. However, in that case, you can still pursue compensation from the delivery driver’s personal auto insurance policy. FREEZING FEDEX IN ITS TRACKS FedEx carries large insurance policies on every truck bearing its company name. This is both good and bad for accident victims. On the upside, you have a shot at compensation for your medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other losses. On the downside, FedEx is well protected so you must have very strong evidence to prove your claim. To establish FedEx was negligent and its driver caused your accident, you have to prove the truck driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and in doing so, caused the accident and your injuries. To make things more complicated, FedEx sells its routes to individuals and small companies, so you may have to hold multiple parties liable. With both of these companies, your best defense is an experienced truck accident attorney who knows how to fight these battles and win. We can help with that. Visit EnKanter.com to read more about our work with Amazon, FedEx, and UPS crashes and book a free consultation.

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | www.enkanter.com

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Since vaccines for COVID-19 rolled out, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about their safety. It’s understandable that people are concerned about medical malpractice. Doctors and nurses are exhausted right now, so it’s possible they could make a mistake or administer a vaccine incorrectly. But overall, your risk of experiencing medical malpractice while getting the COVID-19 vaccine is very low. Here’s why: THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE RISK OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE What is medical malpractice? Medical malpractice happens when a medical professional like a doctor or nurse fails to perform their duties and harms a patient as a result. For something to be considered medical malpractice here in San Diego, it has to meet three criteria: 1. There has to be a breach in the standard of care. This means the medical treatment has to be inappropriate and unsuitable. Administering a medication or vaccine that has been proven effective and safe does not constitute a breach in the standard of care, even if you experience side effects. However, if your provider gives you the wrong medication, that would count. 2. Your injuries must be the result of negligence. It’s not enough for there to be a breach in the standard of care. You also have to prove that the breach and your injuries were because of negligence, not a misunderstanding or other reason. 3. You must experience significant impediments and long-term damage. Last but not least, you have to prove that your injuries led to a disability, lost wages, exceptional pain and suffering, or chronic impediments to your daily life. How risky is the COVID-19 vaccine? As of this writing, two COVID-19 vaccines are being used across the U.S.: The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. Both have been authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is reportedly 95% effective at preventing COVID-19, and the Moderna vaccine is 94.1% effective. Administered correctly, both appear to be safe with minimal common side effects, so they’re unlikely to meet criteria No. 1 or cause injuries severe enough for criteria No. 3. If I experience medical malpractice, what can I do? If you’ve had an experience with a medical provider that you think meets all three criteria — either involving the COVID-19 vaccine or another procedure — reach out to our experienced medical malpractice attorneys. We will investigate your case and help you get the justice you deserve.

BUTTER AND HERB BAKED OYSTERS

Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com

INGREDIENTS

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Rock salt or uncooked rice (to coat your baking sheet) 1 dozen fresh oysters, scrubbed and shucked 1 stick butter, softened and divided into 8 tbsp

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2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

1 tbsp lemon juice

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1 tsp lemon zest

Lemon wedges and chopped parsley for garnish

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3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a rimmed baking sheet, spread out a layer of rock salt or uncooked rice. 3. Arrange oysters on the baking sheet, meat side up. 4. In a skillet over medium heat, melt half of the butter. Add breadcrumbs and sauté until brown. 5. In a small bowl, combine remaining butter, chives, lemon juice, and zest. 6. Top each oyster with a teaspoon of chive mixture and a sprinkle of sautéed breadcrumbs. 7. Bake for 8–10 minutes and serve garnished with lemon wedges and chopped parsley.

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | (619) 231-1883

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC 2445 Fifth Ave., #350 San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 231-1883

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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5 BOOKS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR LIFE IN 2021

THE EASIEST ANTI-AGING TACTIC? LAUGHTER HOW TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST AMAZON AND FEDEX BUTTER AND HERB BAKED OYSTERS THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE RISK OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE

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A MONTH OF LOVE AND SUPPORT

SHARE THE LOVE THIS MONTH

Every Valentine’s Day, people want to find the best ways to show their partner or even a close friend how much they care. It is easy to get sucked into thinking you have to give them the most expensive or elaborate present you can find, but sometimes, the most meaningful gifts are the simplest. Here are four easy ways to show your loved ones how much you care this February.

day!” or “You matter!” can make all the difference. Waking up to a loving note from someone they care about could mean the world to them and shift their entire mood for the day.

A DAILY JOURNAL ENTRY

February and March are usually when New Year’s resolutions begin to falter. To encourage yourself and your loved one, consider starting a daily journal. Leave a journal where you both have access to it and write positive messages inside for the other person. This acknowledgment of hard work is exactly what you both need to continue pursuing your goals this year.

A TEXT A DAY

Knowing someone has your back throughout the year, no matter how difficult things can get, is a great source of support and love. In addition to the usual communication you share with your loved one, add in a supportive text each day, whether it’s simply letting them know you’re thinking of them or wishing them luck on a presentation or interview. The best part about these texts is that they can be sent year-round.

RANDOM GIFTS

You don’t have to wait for a birthday, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day to give your loved one a gift. Buying small gifts lets your friend or spouse know you’ve been thinking about them. Whether it’s a treat they enjoy, a book, or even a small gift card, these thoughtful gestures are sure to make them smile.

A MORNING MESSAGE BOARD

Whiteboards are fun to draw on and make great calendars, but they can also be used to share heartfelt messages with your roommates or spouse. Writing positive messages like, “I hope you have a wonderful

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The Law Offices of Elliott Kanter APC | www.enkanter.com

Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com