Dickerson Oxton October 2018

816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com

OCT. 2018

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

AMemorable TimeofYear A funny reversal has happened to my relationship with Halloween over the years. When I was growing up, I never really put much effort into my costume. I didn’t care much about what character I was or how detailed my outfit looked. For young Chelsea, it was all about the candy. This was back when it was still normal to go trick-or-treating using a full-size pillowcase. As a mother, I’ve undergone a total role reversal. Not only am I the one at the start of the season trying to get Heidi and Ian’s costumes squared away, I also step in to monitor

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Our family memories in Kansas City are important to me this time of year. As the leaves start to change, inevitably I feel a tug of nostalgia for my home town of Omaha, Nebraska. Autumn is beautiful throughout the Midwest to be sure, but only Nebraska has Cornhusker football. As an alumna of UNL, my father has been a proud season ticket holder for decades. So many of my memories from this time of year are from Memorial Stadium, cheering on the team despite freezing temperatures. Much of this was during the ‘90s, when quarterbacks Tommie Frazier and

BURN INJURIES

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

Brook Berringer carried us to two consecutive national championship games, and current coach Scott Frost carried us to our third national championship. Those are the kind of seasons that make you a die-hard fan for life. Nowadays, I don’t get to make it out to as many games as I’d like, but I’ll settle for watching them on TV in the warmth of our own home. It’s fun to watch the kids get into the game with us, cheering, “Go Big Red!” as loud as possible.

their candy consumption. It definitely makes me appreciate the work my mom did for us all those years ago. The work is definitely worth it. Both kids have had adorable costumes over the years. While we’re still working on ideas for this year, it’s a good bet that Heidi will go as something princess-related. She’s been everything from Minnie Mouse to Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.” Ian has had a bit of variety over the years

"Astheleaves starttochange, inevitably I feela tugofnostalgiafor myhometownof Omaha,Nebraska."

NURSING HOME ABUSE

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

Between football and Halloween, this time of year is rich with memories new and old. I can’t wait to see what new ones we add this year. I hope this autumn gives you plenty of moments to cherish as well. Happy Halloween from our family to yours!

but particularly enjoyed dressing up as Batman. His suit came with built-in muscles, which he got a kick out of.

BOATING ACCIDENTS

Back in the early days of our firm, our office was conveniently located right next to Heidi and Ian’s day care. Every Halloween, they and the other children used to parade by our office, and our staff passed out candy to them. We loved every minute of it! As much as I enjoy our downtown location, I’ll always hold those office visits by trick- or-treaters close to heart.

Go Cornhuskers,

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Our business is a family business built on referrals, and we invite and appreciate referrals from you. Referring a family member or friend to us on an injury or other legal matter is the best compliment we can receive. We practice personal injury law, but if you ever have any type of legal problem, we would be happy to see how we can help you. 1 —Chelsea Dickerson

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

SportsandtheLaw WHYWE TAKE INJURIES SERIOUSLY As fall sports get rolling for athletes of all ages and abilities, it’s important to understand your legal rights on the field. While sports like soccer and football can be exciting to play, they also put you or your student athlete at risk of serious injury. When these injuries occur due to improperly maintained equipment or the negligence of another player, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Kansas City sports injury lawyer. Yes, most professional and semi-professional sports require athletes, or the parents of student athletes, to sign liability waivers exonerating the sporting venue and the team in cases of injury. However, these documents are often imprecise with their language and rarely hold up in injury cases where true negligence was at play. At the very least, you should have a personal injury attorney look over the document after an injury. THE WAIVER MAY NOT MATTER.

CatGotYourTongue? THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING TEETH

SPORTS INJURIES HAVE LASTING IMPACTS.

As Canadian resident Phil Bailey was preparing to take a shower one morning, he took out his dentures and set them near the bathroom sink. But when he got out of the shower, the dentures were nowhere to be found! He and his wife searched for hours, but as the time for work grew nearer, Phil was forced to leave the house toothless. He spent the rest of the week that way. During one of his frustrated commutes to work, he started to suspect that either his son was pulling a prank on him or that his cat, named Herbert Spencer, had sneaked into the bathroom, stolen his dentures, and hidden them somewhere in the house. Later that weekend, Phil (still toothless) traveled to the Tournament of the Bands to watch his son’s high school marching band compete. Unable to hide from friends and family his embarrassment at having lost his dentures, he explained his suspicion about Herbert Spencer’s possible mischief. One of his son’s classmates retorted, “What’s the matter, Mr. Phil? The cat got your teeth?”

While bumps and bruises are commonplace in any outdoor sport, competitive or no, the injuries that stem from negligence are

When a product you bought turns out to be defective, the results can be anything from disappointing to disastrous. Some faulty products are just annoying, like a cracked screen protector or a thermos just slightly bigger than what a cup holder can fit. However, other defects can cause serious injury, or even death. In these instances, it’s important to hold the makers of the product accountable. If you are harmed by a faulty product, you may be entitled to compensation for these damages. The first step in bringing a product liability case is identifying the type of A GUIDE TO FAULTY PRODUCTS

The following week, Phil finally found his dentures. His son was settling in on the couch to watch TV, and as he went to wrap himself

in an afghan, he felt something hard hit his hand. Lo and behold, Herbert Spencer had buried the teeth in the blanket. In the years after the dentures incident, the rogue cat stole many other small but important household items from Phil. In fact, the villainy occurred so often that Phil threw out the afghan to rob the cat of his favorite hiding spot. Now Phil holds on tightly to his teeth, just waiting to see what Herbert Spencer decides to purloin next.

defect that caused you harm in the

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TAKE A BREAK

As Chelsea mentions in this month’s cover, we’re big sports fans here at Dickerson Oxton Law Firm. From Tom’s background in soccer to Chelsea’s love of football, the last thing our firm wants to do is discourage you from playing this fall. But it’s important to remember injuries do happen. When they’re caused by the negligent acts of another, it’s important to hold them accountable.

often severe. When padding fails to offer protection, when a player makes a reckless move, or when a coach pushes you beyond your limits, the results can be life-altering. From broken bones to spinal cord injuries, sitting out the rest of the season is the least of your concerns. Costly medical bills, lengthy recovery times, and lingering physical and emotional trauma leave a lasting mark well after the game is done.

WHY PURSUE A SPORTS INJURY CASE?

As with most personal injury cases, the decision to pursue a case can be motivated by multiple factors. Maybe the negligent act has put too great a financial burden on your family.

Maybe you want to insure the parties responsible are held accountable in order to help keep future players safe from repeated negligence. Whatever your reasons, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand the legal avenues available to you.

Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch

than compensating you for the harm they’ve caused — it helps protect other consumers from suffering the same fate.

first place. Under Kansas City law, these fall into three broad categories.

ingredients

DESIGN DEFECTS

• • • • • • •

1 large egg white

MARKETING DEFECTS

1 teaspoon light agave syrup 1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder 1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds 1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Nonstick vegetable oil spray 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

This is when a product’s design makes the product hazardous. Remember when all those hoverboard toys were bursting into flames a few years ago? This was due in large part to companies taking shortcuts in the design and materials used in the toy’s lithium battery housing. These sorts of negligent designs can cause catastrophic injuries, especially when they’re in automobiles or toys.

If you have been harmed by a product whose risks you did not fully understand, it may not be your fault. Absent labeling or misleading advertising could have led you astray. Think of tobacco products decades ago. Even when faced with evidence their products were doing significant harm to their customers’ health, it took a class- action suit by victims and their families

• •

before cigarette and other tobacco companies began listing the health risks of smoking on their packaging. You have rights as a consumer. If you or a loved one have been harmed by a faulty product in the ways listed above, an experienced personal injury lawyer, like our team at Dickerson Oxton LLC, can help you seek justice.

directions

MANUFACTURING DEFECTS

1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture. 5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.

More often, a products design will be sound, but something will go wrong in manufacturing. Say, for example, a bike chain gets made with a cracked link, or a bottle of milk is improperly sealed — these types of mistakes on the factory floor can lead to nasty surprises. Holding manufacturers accountable for lapses in their quality control is about more

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Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine

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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com

inside

THIS ISSUE

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A Memorable Time of Year The Mystery of the Missing Teeth The Legality of Sports Injuries A Guide to Faulty Products Take a Break Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch Ways to Support a Recovering Loved One

GoingBeyond 'GetWellSoon' 3 MEANINGFULWAYS TO SUPPORT RECOVERY

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 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.

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.

Our business is a family business built on referrals, and we invite and appreciate referrals from you. Referring a family member or friend to us on an injury or other legal matter is the best compliment we can receive. We practice personal injury law, but if you ever have any type of legal problem, we would be happy to see how we can help you.

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