Friedman& Simon - November 2021

Friedman& Simon - November 2021

LEGAL BRIEF

NOVEMBER 2021 FriedmanSimon.com 516-800-8000

Unfortunately, it can be too easy to forget to be kind, but I think it’s even easier to forget how miraculous kindness really is. So, why did it break national news that people were buying coffee for strangers in Starbucks drive-thrus? I remember someone telling me once that there’s a difference between grace and mercy. Grace is received when you don’t ask for it. Mercy is received when you don’t deserve it. Let me tell you a personal story about grace that really changed my perspective on my neighborhood. Last summer, we had just moved into our new house and barely knew our neighbors. We knew each other enough to smile and wave, but we weren’t friends. Then, we got hit by a pretty big storm in New York that knocked out the area’s power for a couple days. This was a big deal for my wife and me, since we had two babies. But when we got home, we realized that both our neighbors had generators — not just because you could hear them, but because they both left extension cords in our yard for us to use. Not only could we keep our phones charged, but we could also keep the air conditioning on or turn on a light while mixing baby formula at night. It allowed us to get by until the power came back. A little grace is a miraculous thing. It changed the way I saw our neighbors and even future neighbors. Now, I’m the first person to move people’s packages if they’re left in the rain. If there’s an opportunity to step up, I always take it. “[A little grace] changed the way I saw our neighbors and even future neighbors.” Kindness Doesn’t Make Life Perfect — It Makes Life Better

Their acts of kindness made me want to be the type of person who helps out the people around me. It doesn’t always have to be a big gesture, either. Maybe I don’t lash out at someone for cutting me off and give them the benefit of the doubt that it was a mistake or they’re having a bad day. Maybe I let a worried-looking person take my spot in line if I’m not in a rush. I know Thanksgiving can be a stressful time for people, and I get it — but hey, it might be a great time to try and offer some acts of grace and mercy, even if it’s a small action and only brings 15 more minutes of peace than your attempt did last year. Maybe it won’t make life suddenly perfect, but it’ll make life better.

And, if there’s anything we learn as adults, better is good! I’d take better every time.

-Michael J. Mills

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Hi, everyone. Michael here. In the course of our work representing seriously and catastrophically injured people, we have encountered many instances where such victims were initially reluctant to assert a claim for the harm they’ve suffered because they believed that they themselves were at fault in causing their accident. I want to get the message out, loud and clear — and far and wide — if a person has been injured in an accident, it is always a good idea to consult with an experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyer. Many of our clients initially thought they did not have a case. Typically, a friend or relative suggested, or even pressured them, to call our law firm. When it turns out that an initially doubtful client does, in fact, have a claim with merit, they are pleasantly surprised. In fact, I had a recent case that’s a great example of such a situation. One evening, my client was traveling on a roadway with two lanes, one in each direction, divided by a double yellow line. There was absolutely no traffic besides a single car ahead of her. She approached the vehicle ahead of her, which was stopped in the roadway. She wanted to pass him to continue going straight, so she put on her blinker, crossed the double yellow line, and began to pass. As she was passing the other car, the driver of that car initiated a left turn and hit our client. After the accident, our client thought that by crossing a double yellow line she was clearly at fault. However, the controlling section of New York’s Vehicle & Traffic Law (VAT § 1120 (a) 3,) makes such a maneuver permissible: “When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided, any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard.” Through the case discovery process, we obtained evidence that the other driver had been stopped for at least 3–5 minutes in that lane. He was on his phone, on his way to an address he’d never been to before. We successfully argued that the stopped position in the roadway constituted an obstruction permitting our client to pass the double yellow line as per the applicable section of law. Given the long duration of the other car being stopped, our client thought he was parked, and we maintained that any reasonable driver would’ve thought it’d be safe to move around him. That other driver was reckless in making a turn without proper awareness of his surroundings. Please don’t give up on your case without giving us a call. We offer free, patient, comprehensive consultations, and we can help you figure out the best next step for you and your family. The Badly Injured Client Was Skeptical of Their Own Case

3 GOALS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS IN 2022

By now, you should have an idea of what you want your business to achieve in 2022, but have you considered how you will grow during that year — and the impact that could have on your business? Often, entrepreneurs and business leaders take on the identity of their companies, but in order to personally thrive and see their companies take off, they have to grow right alongside it. To do so, consider these goals all entrepreneurs must focus on at some point in their careers. Goal No. 1: Get a Life You are more than the company you started. Plus, having hobbies or personal interests outside of your work can help you excel in work. It allows your brain to grow in new ways, sparking fresh ideas and perspectives. Consider activities that you’re interested in learning more about — like painting, podcasting, reading, or running — and get started. Maybe you’ll fail, but just keep trying! You may find a new activity that brings you the joy you need. Goal No. 2: Save More Many of the dimes you earn as a business owner go back into the company, but don’t forget to consider your future. Is your retirement plan in order? Do you have a plan should your company need to close? Will your family be secure? Consider these questions and hire a trusted financial advisor who can help you find personal investment success. Goal No. 3: Meet New People Becoming inundated by daily, menial tasks can make us miss opportunities. This is where meeting new people can be so valuable! By doing so, you create a network of people who have different experiences than your own. They can help you see beyond your biases and discover a new path. Who knows? You just might find the next great venture for your company!

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Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing Inspired by FoodNetwork.com Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety. Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early 3 TIPS FOR A MERRIER TIME Have a Low-Stress Holiday The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to partake in festive meals and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. Recharge First

Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but hopefully they will be enriching and a lot of fun. SUDOKU

Spicy, savory, and sweet, this unique stuffing will level up your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Mexican chorizo • 1 white onion, chopped • 1 carrot, chopped • 1 celery rib, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, chopped • 2 cups premade cornbread, crumbled

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped • 1/2 cup chicken stock • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for greasing • Cilantro, for garnish • Cotija cheese, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chorizo for 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 10 additional minutes. Stir in the cornbread and cilantro. 3. While stirring, slowly add the chicken stock. Stir until absorbed. 4. Butter a small casserole dish, then add the stuffing in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, garnish as desired, and serve!

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Better Is Good, Every Time 3 Personal Goals to Make 2022 Better

Why Accident Victims Should Consult Trained Injury Lawyers Lowering Holiday Stress Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing Football and Thanksgiving: A Match Made in Marketing Heaven

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FOOTBALL AND THANKSGIVING: A MATCH MADE IN MARKETING HEAVEN

Last year, 30.3 million people tuned in to watch the NFL’s Thanksgiving showdown between the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys. For those Americans (and probably for you if you’re reading this article), football is as essential to Thanksgiving as turkey and stuffing — but why? As it turns out, there are two answers to that question. The first is that games have been played on the holiday for almost as long as it has officially existed. Thanksgiving became a holiday in 1863, and just six years later, the third American football game in history was played on it.

decided that in order to attract more fans, his team would make a point to always play on Thanksgiving when most people were off work. To sweeten the pot, he committed his radio station (an affiliate of the NBC Blue Network) to broadcasting the Thanksgiving game live on 94 different stations across America. This idea was a hit from day one! According to Sporting News, the long-unloved Lions “not only sold out the stadium, they also had to turn people away at the gates.” In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys signed on to play every Thanksgiving, too, for similar publicity reasons. Since those early days, football-themed traditions have flourished in American families. Apart from watching games on TV, one of the most popular is organizing a pre-turkey game of family touch football a la the sitcom “Friends.” (Its famed episode “The One With the Football” aired Nov. 21, 1996.) If you’ve never organized a game, this could be your year! To get started, Google “Scott’s Family-Friendly Touch Football” and click the first link.

According to SB Nation, the Young America Cricket Club and the Germantown Cricket Club faced off in that inaugural Thanksgiving game in Philadelphia, and football has been played on Thanksgiving pretty much ever since! When the NFL was founded in 1920, the Thanksgiving game was official from the get-go. The second reason we watch football on Thanksgiving is more about money than tradition. In 1934, a Detroit Lions coach, George A. Richards,

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