Malloy Law Office, LLC - May 2021

Malloy Law Office, LLC - May 2021

Malloy Monthly

MALLOY LAW OFFICES, LLC

Alexandria 5680 King Centre Dr. #600 Alexandria, VA 22315 (703) 337-3328 Bethesda 7910 Woodmont Ave. #1250 Bethesda, MD 20814 (202) 999-3898

Clinton 9135 Piscataway Rd. #215 Clinton, MD 20735 (301) 889-9950 Baltimore 400 E. Pratt St., 8th Flr. Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 498-6085

May 2021

IN REMEMBRANCE This Memorial Day, Let’s Not Forget Its Origins

It can be all too easy to get wrapped up in our excitement for Memorial Day weekend. Most people can’t wait to hit the water, head to the park with a picnic basket, or start camping or fishing, anything to enjoy the beginning of summer. That’s more true than ever this year, with so many of us cooped up during the pandemic. And it’s all understandable. Nevertheless, it bothers me when I see so few people understanding what the holiday is really about. Memorial Day should be a sober affair, not an excuse to party or sell more cars with crazy sales. As long as people have been on the Earth, we’ve mourned and grieved the loss of the lives of those who have served. Memorial Day is a chance to do exactly that for those who died in the armed forces and in service to our nation. It has roots in several different holidays and days of remembrance across the nation, but it was solidified after the Civil War and the joint losses that both sides of the country suffered. So many Americans had lost loved ones that our joint grief was one of the few things bringing all of us together on Decoration Day. Since then, we have continued to publicly acknowledge and remember the men and women who have died in service to this nation. Different state holidays from north and south began to solidify into one or two larger holidays, and Decoration Day as a term began to be supplanted by Memorial Day.

We can trace the commercial aspects of the holiday to the 20th century, and to the fact that so many businesses took the day off. When people are given that kind of freedom, it’s hard to get them to remember why they have it in the first place. Earlier in the 21st century, our government asked people to stop at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day and at least observe a moment of silence. I don’t know about you, but that’s not a tradition I see very many people taking part in. As Americans, we’re blessed with certain freedoms. Some of those are the freedom to speak without government interference, the right to privacy unless served with a warrant, or the right to a trial by a jury of our peers. I cannot overstate how important these are to our democracy, and on Memorial Day of all days, we should remember that nothing is “free” about those rights and privileges. Loyal Americans have paid for each one of them, again and again. Many of them, including the service members Memorial Day celebrates, have paid everything, up to and including their life. This Memorial Day, I challenge us all to remember that fact. This Memorial Day, let’s stop and take a moment to consider the things we are able to do and the valiant Americans who died so we might continue to do them. My own thanks go out to everyone who has worn the uniform of the U.S. armed forces and did not come home again. When I drive past a flagpole and see it hanging at half-mast, that is what I am reminded of.

—Seann P. Malloy

(202) 933-7277 • 1

Medical Malpractice • Premises Liability • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Wrongful Death

Every field has its share of pervasive, but incorrect, information — and if you stick with anything for long enough, you’ll eventually run into an amateur who thinks they know everything, even more than you do, despite the fact that they have zero training or experience in your field. We didn’t have room to cover all the misinformation we wanted to, but if you scan the QR code on this page, you’ll go to our blog post on the other myths we wanted to address! 1. I don’t need a lawyer! This is one of the most destructive misconceptions and a very common one. You hear it a lot with “fender benders” and other “small” accidents, but it can be heard anywhere really. Whether it’s drawing up a will, selling a house, or negotiating child support, a lawyer will lend expertise and help, and you’ll need both to succeed. 2. Uninsured driver insurance is a scam. Unfortunately, many people believe that uninsured or underinsured driver policies are a waste of money. But in many ‘That Can’t be Right!’

If you’re one of the 50% of Americans who would prefer a higher salary over paid vacation days, then the thought of relaxing by the pool probably makes your skin crawl. According to a 2019 Allianz Global Assistance survey, most Americans would only give up their vacation days for a 48% raise, but as Forbes reports, about 1 in 5 workers would only need a 24% raise to willingly fork over their vacation days. The rise of what experts are calling “performative workaholism” is evident in the hustle-and-grind culture of working long hours, skipping lunches, working throughout the weekend, and taking very few breaks. But medical and psychological experts caution that addiction to the hustle comes at a price. In Defense of Relaxation WHY YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR VACATION DAYS Recent evidence suggests that working long hours over extended periods of time actually makes you a worse employee. As exhaustion creeps in, your ability to complete even the most mundane or simple task decreases. In those moments, it’s important to take a short break, but it’s also vital to recognize when your body needs an extended refresher. This could make you better at your job. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Norway have some of the world’s most productive workers. Coincidentally, they also provide many vacation days. So, what’s great about taking a vacation? Experts at a Midwestern hospital system, Allina Health, report that stepping away from work for a short period of time can decrease your risk of heart disease, improve your quality of sleep, create a better mood, and boost your relationships. Researchers in the Netherlands even found that simply planning for and anticipating a vacation can improve your happiness level! If you can’t stand the thought of taking time off, you’re not alone. More than 40% of respondents in a 2016 survey said they felt they couldn’t take a vacation because there wasn’t anyone to cover them. Communicate your concerns with your employer to find a compromise. Start slow, too. Schedule a long weekend and pack your days with activities, like getting a massage, hiking, or traveling to a local destination. Look to travel sites like Expedia, Airbnb, and Travelocity for local deals and tips on the best vacation methods. Soon, you’ll be the biggest advocate for taking time off.

places, drivers aren’t required to carry more than a certain amount of coverage — and your post-accident medical and repair bills can easily exceed that amount. These policies are true lifesavers.

Scan the QR code to read this month's featured blog post!

Take a Break

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Medical Malpractice • Premises Liability •

In the Law, These 5 Misconceptions Abound

You may want to throw away your bread tags, old rakes, and shower curtain rings, but what if you can reuse them for a more sustainable, organized lifestyle? You’ll never lose your remote control or confuse your power cords again, and it won’t even cost you anything extra. Save the Environment – With 5 Organization Hacks

3. They have to tell me they’re the police if I ask.

This is a prevalent and very, very wrong belief. Police are under zero obligation to tell you they are police or, for that matter, to tell you any kind of truth whatsoever. On the other hand, lying to the police is a bad move with real consequences — so it’s better to remain silent until your lawyer arrives to help sort things out.

4. If I get hurt at work, it’s my fault. You might feel this way, and it’s a normal reaction to an injury — especially because many employers will tell you that safety is in your hands. While that may be true in a metaphorical sense, it has zero bearing on the law. When someone is hurt on the job, the courts determine “fault.” Odds are good that you’re not at fault at all, but only a good attorney can tell you that for certain. 5. If I wasn’t charged, I can’t be sued. There are two kinds of law most Americans have to worry about: criminal and civil. If you are the at-fault party in an accident, but the state declines to bring criminal charges against you, you can still be sued in civil court — where the burden of proof is much lower, meaning the odds of being penalized are higher. For more myths, from written contracts to refusing a search, scan the QR code on this page, and educate yourself on what’s real and what’s just legal smoke.

NO. 1: USE SHOWER CURTAIN RINGS TO HANG CLOTHING ITEMS.

Tank tops and delicates (like scarves) tend to scrunch and pile up in the corner of your closet or drawers. But if you’re replacing your curtain rings anytime soon, don’t toss your old ones — you can attach them to hangers and hang ties, belts, hats, and many other accessories! NO. 2: ORGANIZE POWER CORDS WITH OLD BREAD TAGS. Have a chaotic power strip that’s impossible to navigate or reorganize on the fly? Luckily, you already have labels that’ll easily attach to any cord you have: bread tags. One side of your bread tag may list the “best by” date for your bread. The other side is blank! That’s where you can take a permanent marker, write down the name of the cord, and attach it to the cord near the power strip. NO. 3: REPURPOSE OLD DRAWERS TO BE UNDER-THE-BED STORAGE. Most people will throw out their old wardrobes, but if you have leftover drawers, you don’t have to get rid of them. Refinishing them is optional — they make great storage containers as-is for under your bed! Store toys, board games, and more beneath your bed, sofa, or anywhere else that has a narrow opening. NO. 4: CONVERT AN OLD WINE RACK INTO TOWEL STORAGE. It can be a tough task to stow your towels in a fashionable way. But as you begin to upgrade your home decor, you may find an extra wine rack on your hands, which happens to be perfect for storing rolled towels! NO. 5: USE A HOLLOWED BOOK FOR REMOTE CONTROL STORAGE. Have a thick book that you’re about to get rid of? It might feel sacrilegious to repurpose a book, but it’s also one of the coolest ways to celebrate literature in a stylish, practical way. Hollow out a book and use it to store many things, including remote controls.

Shaved Asparagus Salad

Inspired by ACoupleCooks.com

We hope these tips will inspire you to reduce and reuse! See you next month!

(202) 933-7277 • 3

• Motor Vehicle Accidents • Wrongful Death

MALLOY LAW OFFICES, LLC

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7910 Woodmont Ave. #1250 Bethesda, MD 20814 (202) 933-7277 • www.malloy-law.com

InsideThis Issue

1 2 2 3

Memorial Day Origins

Why You Need To Take Your Vacation Days

5 Legal Misconceptions

Reduce and Reuse With 5 Organization Hacks!

3 4

Shaved Asparagus Salad

Happy Mother’s Day From Malloy Law

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

AT MALLOY LAW, WE LOVE OUR MOTHERS!

Throughout history, many cultures have associated the month of May with birth and the start of the growing season, so it’s no surprise that our society celebrates mothers in this month as well. This year it’s on May 9, and we wanted to talk about that holiday and what it means to all of us here at Mallow Law. It makes sense that our modern Mother’s Day takes place around the same time as the historical holidays of May Day, May Crowning, and Beltane. No matter when people lived, they knew that without our moms, we wouldn’t get very far, and it’s always been important to recognize and celebrate that. We owe the particulars of today’s celebration to a woman named Anna Jarvis, an activist and devoted daughter from the turn of the last century. In 1908, she honored her own late mother with a remembrance in early May and campaigned for each state to celebrate the day as a “mother’s holiday” as well. Like many good ideas, it caught on fast, and soon Mother’s Day was born properly. We asked a few of our team members what they feel when they think about their own mothers, and the responses were so perfect that we had to share them here:

“My mom is the most beautiful flower in the world.” — Maritza Castillo “A mother’s love for her children has no end, and her children’s admiration for her has no limits. Have a blessed day. Happy Mother’s Day.” — Natasha Mina “To the most wonderful and beautiful flower in my world, Happy Mother’s Day!” — Jose Ceron

Looking to show your own love and appreciation this Mother’s Day? Consider a walk down by Rawlings Conservatory or Sherwood Gardens, with brunch nearby — just be sure to make those reservations first! Flowers and theater tickets for later this year are always good options as well, but as we saw with our own team, sometimes the right words are the best gift of all, especially when spoken over the phone or written into a card. Happy Mother’s Day!

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Medical Malpractice • Premises Liability • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Wrongful Death