DeWitt Law Firm - October 2020

DeWitt Law Firm - October 2020

The

Digest

DeWittLaw.com

OCTOBER 2020

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Fake Monsters, Real Injuries

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET INJURED IN A HAUNTED HOUSE

Well, as is the case with any accident, it is wise to document the scene where you got injured. Take as many pictures as possible before you leave or have a friend assist you (though make sure to point out to any legal authorities viewing them later that any dead bodies they might see are fake), talk to witnesses of the accident to confirm what they saw, and seek the appropriate type of medical treatment. Finally, you should always let the operator of any haunted house know that you were injured, so that they can document the situation and hopefully help prevent others from being injured too. Visiting a haunted house is a fun way to spend a few hours on a brisk October evening. While many of them unfortunately might be closed this year, below are a few recommendations for local haunted houses that are purported to still be open. If you are brave enough to visit a haunted house, we hope you have fun and stay safe! Happy Halloween! MORTEM MANOR — OLD TOWN, KISSIMMEE, FL This Victorian-themed haunted house is open year-round and was rated the scariest haunted house in America by the Travel Channel. There’s even an option to simulate being buried alive in a coffin, if that’s something you’ve ever wanted to be alive to experience. Check out their website at MortemManor.com. FACE THE FEAR — WINTER SPRINGS, FL Dive into the creepy, quirky “history” of Winter Springs and discover the hidden secrets of Dr. Mordecai Henry Mitchell, otherwise known as the Gator King. If you want a Halloween experience that contains just enough references to real life to make you nervous that it could all be true, this is your haunted tour. Check out FaceTheFearHouse.com for more details. SCREAM-A-GEDDON — DADE CITY, FL If you're looking for a true smorgasbord of scares, look no further than Scream-a-Geddon. From killer clowns to zombies you can mow down with paintballs to the terrifying Ravenhill Asylum, this haunted attraction will terrify you any way you please. For more information, look at their website at ScreamAGeddon.com

If you’re too old for trick-or-treating but still want your fair share of Halloween hijinks during the spookiest time of year, chances are that in previous years, you’ve found yourself at one of our area’s many haunted houses. Haunted houses can be quite the adrenaline rush. You stand in line waiting to get in with a

group of your friends and anticipating the “horrors” that await you. Once inside, you peek around every corner — anxious about what you might find — only to behold terrifying zombies, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, and freakish ghouls where you least expect them. None of the monsters can really hurt you, since they’re just people in costumes, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get hurt in a haunted house. Whether because they get overly frightened or stumble over a severed arm in the dark, many people get injured in haunted houses every year. Most haunted houses anticipate these kinds of injuries, and have participants sign waivers before allowing people to enter the haunted house, print disclaimers on their tickets, or post warning signs at the entrance. However, sometimes patrons of haunted houses are still injured even when precautions are taken to prevent injuries. The question then, is who is responsible when a patron is injured in a haunted house. This is when the question of negligence on the part of the owner and operator comes into play. With that in mind, what should you do if you find that you’ve injured yourself in a haunted house?

“Whether because they get overly frightened or stumble over a severed arm in the dark, many people get injured in haunted houses every year.”

– Moses DeWitt

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PERSONAL INJURY - DIVORCE - REAL ESTATE

THIS MONTH ON THE 'D e W itt L aw R eview '

The DeWitt Law Review airs every Sunday at 10 a.m. on 107.3 FM and 580 AM WDBO. It is always our goal to bring the listeners of Central Florida the latest legal news and create a forum where they can ask legal questions anonymously from the comfort of their own home without having to retain an attorney. To listen to this month’s episodes or any episode the DeWitt Law Review, you can visit our website at dewittlaw.com, where you can download the podcast from Apple Podcasts or Spotify. We receive many legal questions from our listeners each month, and we wanted to share some of the interesting questions in hopes that they may also benefit others facing similar legal issues. If you would like to ask a question, give us a call and leave a voicemail at 407-536-6737. You can also text questions to that number or email [email protected] Q: I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT A WEEK AGO, IS IT TOO LATE TO FILE A CLAIM AND GET TREATMENT? A: No, it is not too late to get treatment and file a claim. In Florida, the statute of limitations to file a claim for a car accident case is typically four years. However, it can vary depending on the circumstances. While the staute of limitations may be four years, you must seek medical treatment within fourteen (14) days of the accident to be entitled to your PIP/No-Fault benefits. PIP, or Personal Injury Protection Benefits, commonly called no-fault benefits, basically allow you to get up to $10,000 in treatment from a medical provider as long as you seek treatment within 14 days of your accident. Q: I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO. I AM IN A LOT OF PAIN, BUT I’MWORRIED ABOUT THE COST OF GETTING TREATMENT BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? A: We get this question quite often. In Florida, you are entitled to receive PIP or Personal Injury Protection benefits. This is commonly referred to as the Florida No-Fault Law or No-Fault Insurance in the amount of up to $10,000. Personal Injury Protection is protection offered by your own insurance company for medical treatment you need from a car accident regardless of who is at fault. However, in order

THE BEST FALL SPICES TO BOOST YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

It’s the season of fall spices. Pumpkin spice — which is actually a mix of many different seasonal spices — is a favorite, but it’s not the only one we should try this year. Seasonal spices are a fun way to literally spice up your meals, and many of them also have surprising health benefits! SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART: CINNAMON Cinnamon can actually help lower your blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for folks with Type 2 diabetes. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website also reports that cinnamon has heart- healthy benefits. For example, studies show that cinnamon can reduce high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus decreasing the risk of developing heart disease. How to add more cinnamon to your diet: Sprinkle cinnamon on oatmeal or plain yogurt for a warming boost of flavor. You’ll also find cinnamon in pumpkin spice, a seasonal favorite. SOMETHING FOR YOUR BRAIN: TURMERIC Recent research has found that turmeric can reduce inflammation. A compound in turmeric called curcumin has been shown to help reduce the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric may also help reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s. How to add more turmeric to your diet: Homemade curries are a great way to get a good dose of turmeric. You can also add turmeric to roasted vegetables or taco seasoning. SOMETHING FOR YOUR STOMACH: GINGER If you’ve ever drunk ginger ale on a plane to calm your upset stomach, then you’ve already experienced the healing properties of ginger. Ginger can be used to treat nausea, including nausea due to motion sickness and pregnancy. Studies show that ginger can also offer relief to cancer patients suffering from nausea caused by chemotherapy. How to add more ginger to your diet: There are many baked goods that call for ginger. Your morning coffee or tea could also benefit from a hint of ginger.

These are just a few spices that are also superfoods! Do some research to discover the secret benefits of your favorite spices.

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COVID COMEDY JAM 2020

to receive your PIP benefits, you must seek initial treatment within 14 days. If you fail to seek treatment within 14 days, you may waive all of your PIP benefits permanently. If your injuries exceed the amount of your PIP benefits, you may want to utilize your health insurance or speak with an injury attorney about seeking treatment from a doctor who accepts a letter of protection or LOP. A LOP allows you to seek the necessary treatment from your accident with the understanding that the doctor will be paid when the case is settled. Q: I AM DIVORCED AND WISH TO MOVE TO ANOTHER CITY, WHICH IS ABOUT A 65-MILE DRIVE FROM MY CURRENT RESIDENCE. MY FORMER SPOUSE SAYS THAT I NEED HIS PERMISSION TO MOVE. IS THIS CORRECT? A: If you move more than 50 miles, you need your spouse’s permission or the permission of the court. However, the distance of 50 miles is not measured by driving distance, but rather by “how the crow flies” or a straight line from one residence to another. Section 61.13001 of the Florida Statutes, establishes the procedures for a parent wishing to relocate with a minor child or children. "Relocation" for legal purposes is defined as a change in the principal residence of a parent from the time of the last order establishing or modifying time- sharing, or at the time of filing the initial action. The change of location must be at least 50 miles from that residence, and for at least 60 consecutive days not including temporary absences.

THAT’S A WRAP!

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sept. 18 for the 2020 COVID Comedy Jam and contributed to the Yellow Brick Road Foundation. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We were able to raise thousands of dollars for the Yellow Brick Road Foundation, which is a Central Florida-based nonprofit organization that supports families affected by congenital heart disease. We hope you all laughed a little and enjoyed the nine comedians that performed their full sets for all of us to enjoy online. Thank you to all the comedians as well who provided the great comedy! If you would like more information on the Yellow Brick Road Foundation, please visit their website at YBRF.org.

BREAK TAKE A

SPOOKY STRAWBERRY GHOSTS

These adorable chocolate-dipped strawberry ghosts will be the stars of your Halloween party!

Inspired by Candiquik.com

INGREDIENTS

• 16 oz white chocolate, chopped • 24 strawberries • 1 package mini dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate at 50% power for 30 seconds. Remove it and stir, then repeat the process until melted. 2. Lay out a sheet of parchment paper. 3. One by one, dip the strawberries into the melted white chocolate and set them on the parchment. Allow the extra chocolate to pool to form a “tail” effect. 4. Before the chocolate coating fully cools, add three mini chocolate chips to each berry to form two eyes and a mouth. 5. Let chocolate set, then serve your spooky snacks!

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THIS ISSUE

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What to Do if You Get Injured in a Haunted House 1

3 Healthy Spices to Try This Fall 2

This Month on the 'DeWitt Law Review' 2

Spooky Strawberry Ghosts 3 COVID Comedy Jam 2020 3 Blogging Through the Pandemic 4

BLOG YOUR WAY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC The Power of Writing

Everyone has faced trying times over the past few months. While many activities help get us through these challenges, blogging can be one of the most impactful. Writing enables you to express your feelings and experiences, and blogging allows you to share them with others. Here are a few reasons why starting a blog can be an important part of coping with the pandemic. CONNECTWITH YOUR READERS. At times, it can feel like you are alone in the world, especially now. However, your blog can reach people who feel the same as you or who have had similar experiences as you. Also, writing down your story will inspire other people, and they may even start their own blog. In this way, you not only help yourself and others, but you also spark change in their lives.

people through sharing your blog. You never know — from new readers and followers, you might learn of support groups to provide additional insights to your experiences. You can also find empathy and provide support to others. An online community can help you feel less isolated due to the pandemic or provide support through other challenging aspects of your life. EXPRESS YOUR ANXIETIES. Writing helps people cope with stressful experiences, and the pandemic has ushered a huge amount of uncertainty into their lives. Many people have felt afraid and anxious in the last eight months, and they continue to wonder what the future may hold. Your blog gives you a chance to express those fears and ease your stress. Harvard Medical School studies have shown that writing your thoughts down helps you organize ideas and even regulate emotions. With less on your mind, your body can relax.

MEET NEW PEOPLE . In addition to encouraging others, you might find a community of like-minded

Write out your experiences, no matter what situation you find yourself in. You will help other people and especially yourself.

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PERSONAL INJURY - DIVORCE - REAL ESTATE