Friedman & Simon Injury Lawyers - August 2022

Friedman & Simon Injury Lawyers - August 2022

LEGAL BRIEF

AUGUST 2022 FriedmanSimon.com 516-800-8000

CELEBRATING BACK TO SCHOOL AGAIN

(NO, NOT THE 1986 RODNEY DANGERFIELD MOVIE …)

Hello everyone! I hope you have been enjoying the summer season. August is Back to School Month — but whether you are a student, or a parent getting ready for your children to return to school, I think the idea of “back to school” can have meaning that goes beyond the literal “sharpen your pencils.” Or, perhaps more appropriately, “charge your electronic devices.” Taken literally, back-to-school shopping and other preparation can be the most intense part of closing out the summer. NationalToday.com (https://nationaltoday.com/back-to-school- month/) says, “If the ‘summer-ending-and- school-starting’ ritual makes you anxious,” then consider participating in Back to School Month. “Celebrated since the 1960s, Back to School Month will motivate you to start your back-to- school shopping and get you excited overall. So put away the beach bag and pick up the backpack, because it’s time for Back to School Month events - and we want you to get an ‘A’ for participation.” The site then goes into detail about ways to prepare, and interesting facts about the back-to-school season and process. For my family, this year’s back-to-school season is quite different from what it has always been. This past spring, our youngest children, twin sons, graduated college (Ohio State University and Binghamton University, respectively). After decades of our family being in a yearly cycle of shifting gears from a summer tempo to “first day of classes is only a few weeks away,” things will be very different from now on.

must give heartfelt thanks and kudos — will not need to navigate the various forms of school preparation stress that August can bring. This end of literal “back to school” at the Friedman household reminds me of a phrase a friend shared with me once, “Everything in life is a phase.” I appreciate the years of our children growing and climbing the ladder of education, and I am excited as our family begins this new chapter. Back to school can lose its ability to “bookmark” our sense of time as adults. Of course, for students, parents, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, and others who are employed in education, school openings and closings dictate their personal calendars. The schedules of those not connected to schools in any formal way are typically in sharp contrast to the schedules of those on an academic calendar. In fact, some of the former group can be oblivious to when school is, and is not, in session other than noticing different traffic volume on the road. However, as I mentioned earlier, the phrase and the idea of back to school evokes sentiments beyond the literal for me. One of my first thoughts upon hearing the phrase, “back to school” is to think of the 1986 Rodney Dangerfield movie of the same name because, well, I think Rodney was hilarious. But, all jokes aside … As students return to school, their open- mindedness and curiosity nurtures a vitally important character trait: Learning to love learning. I believe the phrase “back to school” can be a wonderful personal reminder, a sort of positive cue to oneself that, ideally,

learning is a process that lasts a lifetime. The setting, format, instructional aides, and teachers may change, but learning is endless. Working in our firm fosters a back-to school mindset quite frequently. Every client and every case are unique and they offer wonderful opportunities to apply what we have already learned and to continue learning. From the particular laws and facts associated with each case, to the new set of people that a new case brings - including the client, their treatment providers, the assigned insurance carrier personnel, and their defense lawyers - every case is a “new semester” presenting a curriculum filled with fascinating and important subjects. Taking it a step further, I believe it’s worthwhile to consider back to school as a season celebrating the never-ending process of self- improvement, a topic

for which school is never out. Thanks for reading — whatever “back to school” means to you this year, I hope it is fulfilling and rewarding.

–Eddie Friedman

As our sons enter the working world we — well, admittedly, mostly my wife, to whom I

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YOU MAY HAVE SUFFERED WATER POISONING Have You or Your Family Ever Lived In Camp Lejeune, NC?

Get Outside With Geocaching

We at Friedman & Simon LLP Injury Lawyers respect and honor the contributions and sacrifices made by active and veteran military service members and their families. We know that many reside in the communities of Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City that we serve, and it has been our privilege to represent many of these patriots as clients in personal injury cases for more than 30 years. The following is important information for those whose service included time spent at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between the 1950s through the 1980s as well as for their family members who resided there during that time. On June 16, 2022, the United States Senate voted to pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, a federal mandate with bipartisan support to provide former residents of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, military, civilians and their families the right to seek reparations from the U.S. government. At the time of passage, and as of the time of this article’s writing, it was anticipated that the bill would be signed into law by President Biden, under the Honoring Our PACT Act, before or during July 2022. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, bill number H.R. 2192, allows those who have suffered as a result of living and working at Camp Lejeune to

bring a legal action against the U.S. government for exposure to toxic water at the base. From 1953 to 1987, water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that contain known carcinogens at up to 280 times what is considered a safe level. The VA confirms that at least 20 diseases are caused by consuming this toxic water. They include:

International Geocaching Day takes place on the third Saturday of the month of August. It’s a chance to experience an adventure-filled day that will get you out of the house and into nature. People of all ages gather to commemorate the placement and discovery of geocaches across the world, and there’s no telling what kind of surprise you might discover if you participate! WHAT IS GEOCACHING? Geocaching is basically a high-tech version of a treasure or scavenger hunt. It is inspired by the older treasure hunt called letterbox, where you plant clues in various locations that lead to the letterbox. For geocaching nowadays, you use a GPS to track down caches. These are typically waterproof containers — and inside there is a logbook for you to sign. These caches can be filled with trinkets such as coins, pins, or even miniature figurines, but if you take anything, be sure that you replace it with something else. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive, just a token of sorts for someone else to discover. IT’S TIME TO GET STARTED. To begin your geocaching journey, first visit Geocaching.com and sign up for a new account. From this, you will be able to create a unique geocacher name that people in the geocache community can call you by! This will also come in handy when you sign the logbook. You can also download the Geocaching app to your smartphone and use it as a GPS receiver. Once you open the map on your phone, it will show a map of your location with bubble icons to see all the geocaches near you. There will be an arrow icon that you can click on that will find the specific geocache you are searching for. It will then open a compass that shows you which direction to go in and how many feet you are away from the final location. This treasure hunt brings an entire community together from all around the world. It encourages people to challenge themselves and get outside. The act of hiding and finding a geocache is thrilling, and you never know what you might find next. Tracking Down Treasures

• •

Adult leukemia

Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bladder cancer Kidney cancer

Liver cancer

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Parkinson’s disease

Bladder cancer Breast cancer

Esophageal cancer Female infertility Hepatic steatosis

Kidney cancer

Leukemia

Lung cancer Miscarriage

Multiple myeloma

Myelodysplastic syndromes Neurobehavioral effects Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Renal toxicity Scleroderma

If you or a loved one either served in the military at Camp Lejeune or resided there as a family member of a military person stationed there during the subject time period and have suffered from a serious medical condition, please call us at 516-800-8000 to discuss your rights. We look forward to winning the long-delayed justice that many of our neighbors, who gave so much as military service people, and their families, deserve.

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One of the best parts of summer vacation is spending time at the beach. It’s a great place to relax while soaking in the sun and dipping your toes in the water. One thing that can be a hassle, though, is protecting your valuables. With so much traffic on the sand, it’s an easy place, unfortunately, for a miscreant to scoop up a bag or snag a phone that’s sitting on a towel. Here are a few helpful tips to keep your valuables safe while you enjoy the beach. THE PROS OF THE LIFEGUARD TOWER Something as simple as sitting near a lifeguard tower can deter potential thieves. Since lifeguards have a clear view of the area, they may spot suspicious-looking people who are creeping too close to your belongings. If there isn’t a tower nearby, consider sitting near a pier. As with most crime, you are less likely to be a victim and your items are less likely to be stolen where there are more witnesses nearby. WATERPROOF ACCESSORIES Who says you can’t be stylish on the beach? Wearing a waterproof waist pouch or carrying a waterproof dry bag can create a greater Soak in the Sun With No Worries PROTECT YOUR BELONGINGS

sense of security. Knowing your valuables are right there floating with you can ease your mind. You could even bury your waterproof bag in the sand for extra protection.

DISGUISING VALUABLES One great way to hide smaller valuables, like keys or cash, is to disguise them in food packages. Items such as Cheez-It boxes or cans of Pringles are a sneaky way to divert attention away from your belongings. If someone just so happens to creep by your spot, it’s unlikely they’ll grab a snack as they look for valuables to steal. SOMEONE TO WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS If you don’t have acquaintances nearby, find someone who appears trustworthy to watch over your things — families with children may be a safe option. This isn’t an ideal tactic, since it requires you to have a bit of trust in human kindness from a complete stranger. Or you could possibly leave belongings at a restaurant or bar you frequent. Spending vacation at the beach doesn’t need to be stressful. The risk will always be there, but these options can reduce the chances of someone stealing your valuables and can ease your mind while you relax. SUDOKU

Tasty Bruschetta Chicken Inspired by Delish.com

Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag. 2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.

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516-800-8000 FriedmanSimon.com

390 N. Broadway, #210 Jericho, NY 11753

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2

Why School Is Never Really ‘Out’ Enjoy the Adventure and Hunt Military Families, Please Read This PSA Keep Your Valuables Safe on the Beach

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Tasty Bruschetta Chicken Pigs Are Brave and Loyal Pets, Too!

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LULU THE PIG IS A HERO! SHE SAVED HER OWNER FROM A HEART ATTACK

Lulu captured the hearts of the Altsmans when their daughter asked them to pet-sit her overweight pot-bellied pig. The pair quickly fell in love with Lulu, and their bond got stronger each day. This relationship was literally life-saving when the wife suffered a heart attack one August afternoon. Jo Ann Altsman was home alone with Lulu and their dog, Bear, when the incident occurred. Her husband was off on a fishing trip, and the pair didn’t have any neighbors nearby.

After 45 minutes, a gentleman on a motorcycle pulled over to check on Lulu. She immediately perked up and began walking toward the house, leaving a trail of blood behind her as she walked. The man followed Lulu and found Altsman unconscious on the ground. He quickly dialed 911 and asked for assistance. When the medics put her owner in the ambulance, Lulu attempted to get in with them. Of course, she couldn’t come, so she began to squeal as she watched the medics take her mom away. Thankfully, Lulu’s wounds were attended to, and Altsman received life-saving open-heart surgery at the Beaver Medical Center.

Bear began to bark to try and get someone’s attention, but Lulu knew she had to do something before it was too late. So, she made her way out of the doggie door, which badly scraped her belly as she exited. Lulu had never left the yard, but today was different. To get some attention, she decided to lie down in the middle of the road and play dead until a car

Because of her loyalty and creative thinking, this pot-bellied pig became a celebrity overnight! She was a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and the “Late Show With David Letterman.” Everyone fell

stopped to check on her. After several minutes of lying on the street, several cars passed by but didn’t stop. So, she checked on her owner, then squeezed through the doggie door and lay down on the road again.

in love with Lulu and her heroism.

Thank you, Lulu, for being a loyal and brave pet!

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