GA Injury Advocates April 2019

GA Injury Advocates April 2019

Auto Injury T R I B U N E

April 2019

Recognizing a Learning Experience WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FAIL? A few weeks ago, I was talking to a young lady who used to work at the firm but is now training to become something would come up. My car would break down or a big bill would come in.

a cop. We keep in touch, and I’m something of a mentor to her. Recently, she applied to a position at the sheriff’s department, and part of the application involves an agility test that includes carrying 50-pound weight and climbing over a 6-foot wall. In order to pass, you have to finish within two minutes and 30 seconds. She clocked in at around three minutes, failing the test. “Don’t use the word fail,” I told her when she called me to break the bad news. “You didn’t fail; you learned. Most people are never able to get over that wall, but you did. You know you can do it. Now you can practice and train and improve for next time.” I’d like to think my advice helped her. She’s a good person, and I know she’ll make a great cop. Before we got off the phone, she said, “That’s the great thing about talking to you, Ramiro. You don’t ever seem to be down.” It’s a nice compliment, but the truth is I do get down sometimes, just like everybody else. But I don’t stay there. I look around, find a reason why my life is pretty darn good, and I look ahead to what I need to do next. No matter what knocks me down, I know how to get back up.

I decided I just had to work even more to get over the hump, but Compact had a rule against working over 60 hours in a week. I broke that rule so many times, a supervisor started escorting me out of the building whenever I reached 60 hours. So, then I got a brilliant idea to start working for another contract company to get those extra hours. This new company also put me to work at Compact but in a different division. I was able to work 60 hours in one division, and an extra 20–30 hours in the other. Yes, this was exhausting. At one point I came home, knelt down to take off my boots, and fell asleep right there by the front door. I didn’t wake up until morning. But it was worth it. I was finally able to save up enough money to take the class that helped me pass the LSAT and get into law school. There have been countless times in my life when I could have given up after “failing,” like when I couldn’t afford the LSAT class or when I struggled to save up enough money. But instead, I looked at the situation, figured out what I need to do, and put in the hard work. Moving past failure isn’t easy, but I will always say that it’s worth it. –Ramiro Rodriguez, Jr.

I’ve told my kids that failure is okay as long as you learn something from the experience and go at it again. My whole life has been a series of learning experiences. Back when I wanted to get into law school, I learned what I needed to score on a test called the LSAT. This is an incredibly hard test, and if I wanted to have any hope of passing, I needed to take a class just to prepare. When I looked into it, I discovered that this class was pretty expensive, especially for someone like me who was paying my own way through school. The only way I was going to afford that class and pass the LSAT was by working extra hours and saving up. At the time, I was working as a contractor for Compact Computers. I started working extra hours, but every time I got close to having enough for the test,

El Abogado Ramiro (El Abogado Amigo) y su equipo hablan español

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WHAT DO RATINGS MEAN, AND HOW SHOULD YOU USE THEM? Despite guidance from ratings systems, it can be difficult for parents to discern what digital content is appropriate for their children. Learn more about ratings guidelines for common entertainment media and how to decipher that information so you can make educated decisions that work for your family. MOVIES: G-rated movies are considered suitable for all ages, whereas PG, PG-13, and R-rated movies are progressively less appropriate for kids because of violence, nudity, and language. Some ratings come with age limits; children who are under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult at R-rated movies. TV SHOWS: Due to laws that limit inappropriate content on public airwaves, TV rating systems follow unique codes. In the U.S., shows that are rated as TV-14 (content that is suitable for those ages 14 and older) can only air after 5 p.m. Meanwhile, TV-MA (content that is appropriate for mature audiences) can only air between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Most shows airing between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. are rated TV-G or TV-PG. These are similar in content to their movie counterparts. Some television children’s shows will also be rated as TV-Y or TV-Y7, and their only distinction is that TV-Y7 has been deemed appropriate for young children ages 7 and older. TV ratings can also have additional descriptors attached to them to explain what kind of content earned the rating. VIDEO GAMES: There are seven video game ratings: Early Childhood (EC), Everyone (E), Everyone 10+ (E10), Teen (T), Mature (M), Adults Only (AO), or Rating Pending (RP). These ratings provide consumers with more information about content. Again, as the age of the intended user increases, content progresses from allowing mild violence or suggestive content to adult themes. When choosing family entertainment, experts suggest using both the rating and the description of the media to make your decision since the rating system may not fully explain media content. For example, studies have found that a PG-13 movie can sometimes have just as much violence as an R-rated movie. Additionally, you may be fine with the content in a T-rated video game for a more developmentally advanced 11-year-old. Once you get past all the combinations of numbers and letters, you as a parent might find that ratings for video games, movies, and TV shows provide helpful information. Couple the ratings with your own research and your own values, and put an end to worrying about what surprises may lurk in your children’s media.

WALK TO WORK DAY

A START TO A MORE ACTIVE LIFE Everyone knows that walking is healthy for us, but not very many people have the chance to stretch their legs. With a busy schedule, you might not have the luxury to get up earlier and get a quick brisk walk in. But that doesn’t mean routines can’t be changed. Walk to Work Day is an unofficial holiday that encourages people to walk more in their daily lives. Finding the time to walk for 30 minutes a day can help you lose weight, reduce the chance of heart disease and diabetes, and improve emotional and mental health. A LITTLE HISTORY Walk to Work Day takes place on the first Friday of April every year and has been celebrated since 2004. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services promoted the holiday with enthusiasm as a way to counter the alarming rise in obesity and health issues throughout the country. Since its debut, Walk to Work Day has been picked up by people, businesses, and organizations across the world to inspire people everywhere to exercise more. OBSERVING THE HOLIDAY To celebrate Walk to Work Day, simply slip on your walking shoes, grab a portable breakfast, and head out the door! Be sure to bring an extra outfit and shoes with you as walking in high heels, dress shoes, and/or dress attire can be uncomfortable. For people who don’t have the time, try taking a short walk around the workplace during breaks or lunch. Getting in a 15-minute walk during the day will help you feel more refreshed and ready to get back into the grind. You can also invite other coworkers or friends to walk with you. OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION Although Walk to Work Day encourages people to walk, there are other ways to get to work without having to drive. Biking is an excellent means of transportation and can be helpful for people who might have a longer commute. If you don’t own a bike but are still in need of a quick transport between two locations, you can hop on an electric scooter. These scooters have appeared across America over the past year or so and have proven handy for individuals needing to get from point A to point B quickly. Walk to Work Day offers a perfect chance to change up your routine for a more active lifestyle. Let this holiday be the first step in many that will come!

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CAN A VISIT TO THE ER HURT MY CASE?

“Should I go to the ER?”

may not have to go to the ER. In fact, going to the emergency room could do more harm than good for a couple of reasons. First, the at-fault party who caused the wreck are able to look at your medical bills and determine if they are “customary and reasonable.” Massive ER bills that resulted in no treatment can be labeled “too much.” Additionally, because Georgia law allows hospitals to file a lien on your case to get paid, some hospitals may not accept your health insurance and instead demand most of your case settlement in order to cover the huge ER costs. If you’re in pain after a car accident and wondering if you should visit the emergency room, ultimately this is a decision only you can make. You are experiencing your pain and you can determine whether it’s enough to demand emergency room care. However, if you’re not sure, feel free to come by our office or call (770) 233-7400. We can talk it through and help determine if you need to visit the ER or if you would receive more effective treatment from your regular doctor, a physical therapist, chiropractor, or nonsurgical orthopedic doctor.

This is a question we get from many new clients who come into our office the day after a car accident. If you are bleeding badly, have suffered from broken bones, or were told by an EMT at the scene of your accident that you should visit the emergency room, then you should go immediately. However, if you walk away from an accident and start to experience pain the next day, going to the ER might not be completely necessary. Right now, a big problem we’re seeing in personal injury cases is incredibly high bills after visits to the emergency room that didn’t result in treatment. When a person goes to the ER after a car accident and they aren’t experiencing an obvious life-threatening injury, they’re just put through a series of scans. If these scans diagnose a serious problem, that person is admitted to the hospital for treatment. But quite often, the scans don’t identify a problem, and the patient is sent home with a bill between $10,000–$30,000 after getting almost no help. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t get any treatment. It is important, to both your health and your case, that you are examined by a medical professional soon after your accident. But you

GETTING THE RIGHT TREATMENT

RECIPE:

EASY BACON AND SPINACH STIR-FRY

SUDOKU

This super easy stir-fry is the perfect weekday dinner. It manages to pack a ton of flavor using just a handful of ingredients.

Ingredients:

• • •

3 slices bacon

• •

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper Salt and black pepper, to taste

3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

2 bunches spinach

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet to medium. 2. While skillet is warming, cut bacon into squares. 3. Cook bacon until fat is rendered and bacon is almost to your desired doneness. If desired, you can remove bacon fat from skillet and replace with 1 tablespoon oil.

However, keeping the fat is recommended for flavor. 4. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes. 5. Add spinach and crushed red pepper and stir-fry for 10 minutes. 6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Solution on page 4

Inspired by OhSnapLetsEat.com

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If you or a loved one has been injured, call our office today for a free consultation.

332 North Marietta Pkwy Marietta, GA 30060 GAInjuryAdvocates.com (770) 233-7400

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Sudoku solution

Inside

What’s There to Fear in Failing?

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Walk to Work Today! Understanding Media Ratings Should You Go to the ER After an Accident? Easy Bacon and Spinach Stir-Fry

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Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

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Much-Awaited Marietta Square Market Opens Its Doors

First announced in 2017, the grand opening of Marietta Square Market has been pushed back a couple of times. Originally scheduled to open its doors in summer 2018, issues with easements and utilities in the converted warehouse caused a few delays. But when Marietta Square Market celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, March 28, it proved that good things come to those who wait. Inspired by the success of the adaptive-reuse food halls of Atlanta, developers have been hard at work renovating an old warehouse in Marietta’s historic town square. Eighteen different shops and food vendors are now nestled within the Market, offering everything from ice cream and ramen to crepes and Cajun dishes. Marietta Square Market is just a few blocks away from our office, and it goes without saying that we’re really excited for the new lunch options.

Though Marietta Square Market is modeled after the Krog Street and Ponce City markets of Atlanta, developers worked hard to incorporate a distinctly Marietta feel in the area. The first thing visitors see when they approach the Market is a red and cream-colored electricity trolley perched at the top of the steps. This isn’t a replica. This iconic streetcar is the same type that ran between Marietta and Atlanta from 1905 to 1944. Only one of four cars of this type are still in existence, and the trolley has found new purpose serving smoothies and drinks to help Market visitors quench their thirst. Marietta Square Market is one of the many new additions to revitalize our old city. We’re excited to see how this fantastic environment will help shape our community.

Something New and Delicious

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