Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton - July 2020

Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton - July 2020

July 2020

I t was a nice summer day in July 2016 and George and Kathey White were getting ready to leave for a weekend trip to the lake. Kathey was waiting for George to return home from the store when she received a call informing her that he had been in a car accident and she needed to go directly to the emergency room at the University of Alabama Medical Center (UAB). The news was dire when she arrived. George had been in a horrific head-on collision. The other driver had been distracted by her cellphone, crossed the center line, and hit George head-on. George suffered multiple serious injuries from the accident that would require a number of difficult treatments and procedures. No one knew at that point whether George would live. Having been married for nearly 50 years, Kathey was utterly devastated. The day after the accident Kathey was contacted by a lawyer friend advising her to contact Hughston Nichols at Hare Wynn. She recalls, “I remember how much I liked Hughston from the very first time I met him. He was straightforward and honest, and he made no promises regarding the outcome. But when he told me he would do the best he could, I believed him. Without Hughston and his assistant Andi, I don’t think I could have survived the next few weeks. They were so helpful and encouraging — not only with legal advice but on a personal level as well. They knew what a difficult ordeal this was for us and they were committed to helping us in every way they could. It wasn’t just all business.” As if George’s situation wasn’t traumatic and precarious enough, the driver who hit George was an uninsured motorist. The Whites made a claim for “uninsured motorist” benefits through their personal auto insurance carrier. However, they were

only covered for a fraction of their medical expenses. With a total hospital bill of over $1 million, the amount they were personally responsible for would have bankrupted the couple. Because Hughston had years of experience with insurance issues just like this, he negotiated with the White’s health insurance carriers for pennies on the dollar — paying back only $25,000, which was accepted as payment in full. George and Kathey knew they could not have gotten these results without Hughston. In Kathey’s words, “When Hughston told us he could negotiate that price down, it literally blew me away because there was no way we could have paid that kind of hospital bill. It was astronomical. George had spent 42 days in intensive care and then three weeks in a rehab facility learning to walk again. If Hughston hadn’t helped us settle that … well, I don’t even want to think about where we’d be.”

Perhaps the greatest heartache for an attorney working with clients in challenging and traumatic circumstances is not being able to give them everything they need because of the constraints of legal and financial realities. In this case, these realities were the amount of the White’s uninsured motorist coverage and the financial situation of the other driver. Hughston fully evaluated the case to see if they should go to court, but in the end determined it would be pointless, telling Kathey, “We could probably get a large judgment, but you would never see a penny of it. We would not be able to collect.” Kathey appreciated his honesty, saying “I needed Hughston to be very practical and truthful and that is exactly what he was. He was just great. He was great the whole time.”

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With a Family Entertainment Room Families around the world are finding new ways to spend time with each other, and their homes are changing accordingly. Whether your family members are video gamers, movie enthusiasts, or board game fans, everyone can benefit from having a dedicated entertainment room. Here are some tips for putting one together. Use your space wisely. instantly. You can set them up around the room for clearer, more immersive sound for movies and games, and by spacing out each speaker, you can eliminate cord clutter and tangle. Soundproof your space.

Trying to impress your guests with great sound doesn’t mean that your entire neighborhood has to hear what you’re watching! Soundproofing not only helps shield your neighbors from action game explosions and booming movie scores, but it also improves the sound quality in the room. Thick curtains and carpets, wall-mounted foam panels, or freestanding acoustic panels work for basic soundproofing, but if you plan to utilize your space every day and night, then consider hiring a contractor to help estimate materials and cost for a more sophisticated soundproof space. Have great lighting. There’s nothing more inviting than a well-lit space, and this also applies to your entertainment room. Whether you’re playing a board game or putting together puzzles with the whole family, mood

Consider the advantages and challenges of your available space. You don’t want small spaces to feel cramped, and you don’t want large spaces to feel empty. If your room is small, then design the space to serve multiple purposes, like installing a bar with a TV on the opposite wall. If your room is large, then why not have two or more TVs to let visitors play multiple games or watch different shows? A projector can also be used to maximize a room’s space. It allows you and your guests to utilize an entire wall without requiring much physical space. Set up surround sound. Whether you’re using your entertainment room for movies, music, video games, or all of the above, investing in high-quality speakers will pay off

lighting can make the experience feel even more cozy and special. Try experimenting with different, stylish lamps or overhead fixtures to light up your space.

WHAT OUR TEAM HAS BEEN DOING DURING THE PANDEMIC

• Phillip Carter, our trial technology coordinator, has used this time to help his neighbors by doing some yardwork and picking up groceries. • “I’ve been able to spendmuchmore time withmy children than I would have been able to do with one living on her own and the second about to live on his own,”said attorney Don McKenna. “It’s been great to have all three of them together at muchmore mature ages and get to really hang out with them and talk

• Jan Hickey, our nurse practitioner consultant, says her neighborhood has gathered together over food trucks during this time. Throughout the spring, one of Jan’s neighbors ensured that food trucks came to the neighborhood at least twice a week to make sure that everyone had a chance to get something to eat. “It’s been a great break from cooking, the food is good, and I have met neighbors — at a distance of course — that I had never made the time to meet before. It’s been a wonderful relief from isolation, and I’m feeling good about supporting local, small businesses. • Brian Vines, another of our fantastic trial lawyers, is now raising chickens! While quarantine has been extremely difficult on all of us, we’ve chosen to remain positive andmake the most out of our time at home. Regardless of what lies ahead of us, we will continue to prioritize our own and all our clients’mental health and well-being.

In the midst of the pandemic, we asked the firmwhat our teammembers did during this time. We received several replies from individuals who have rekindled their passions or picked up new hobbies. • Attorney Randi McCoy decided to try her hand at needlepoint and discovered that she truly had a passion for this art. • Darcy Glasgow, litigation support, said, “The best thing to come out of all of this is that my father-in- law has been forced to quarantine with us while he undergoes chemo. He lives in Muscle Shoals and usually sees his only grandsons once a month, but now he sees them every day. Some days he doesn’t even feel like eating, but these silly boys always put a smile on his face. They say part of healing is having something to look forward to, and I believe seeing themgrow has become his reason to live.”

about what is important in life and their futures. Normally, we are just rushing to the next thing someone has to do.”

• Paralegal Peggy Little says that this time has given her the chance to rekindle her love of

making jewelry. She was able to repair a necklace for her sister, which she originally made for her in 2010.

Peggy Little’s repaired white turquoise necklace.

Even if It’s at a Distance

Even as the world starts to recover from the pandemic and businesses reopen, there’s still uncertainty in the air. Many people are unsure of how things will look in July, much less how the rest of the year will transpire. But this doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy this summer month with the people we love! The Fourth of July gives family and friends a chance to get together and celebrate our country’s independence, even if we can’t see each other face to face. Now is the time to get a little creative to continue your family traditions and enjoy the Fourth of July, and the rest of the month, to the fullest. Get Together In the past few months, video chatting has become a popular way to stay in touch. You can still plan a barbecue or outdoor cookout with a group of friends and family through a video call with one of many videoconferencing platforms. Enjoy chatting, good food, and have fun in the sun together ... virtually! Or consider hosting a barbecue or picnic while observing social distancing at a park that permits this. Parks are an excellent way to get together safely to celebrate the Fourth. Spread out a few blankets or space small groups out on different picnic benches. Then sit down and enjoy a beautiful day together. Stay Safe No matter how you choose to celebrate the Fourth this year, do so safely. If you’re planning to have a backyard barbecue, remember not to grill too close to the house or any flammable objects. Position your grill in an area with no overhangs or overhanging branches, and where no one can accidentally bump into it. If you plan to set off fireworks in front of your home, be sure to keep a bucket of water and a charged garden hose close at hand, just in case. Practice social distancing safety measures that follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines, which you can find at CDC.gov/coronavirus.

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For many months, George had been in a fight for his life, struggling to regain his health. During that time, Kathey was deeply touched by Hughston’s sensitivity and kindness as the couple faced new and heartbreaking realities. She recalls a day in Hughston’s office when he explained to them that there was nothing more they could recover from the case: “My husband got so emotional because there was no compensation as far as the work that he had missed and the income we had lost by him not being able to work. He literally just ripped his shirt open and with tears running down his face he said, ‘Look what this woman has done to me!’ Everyone could see that he had a scar running all the way down his chest. Hughston, Andi, and I were tearing up, and then Hughston reached out and grabbed George’s hand and said, ‘I am truly sorry that I could not have done more for you.’ “It was such a beautiful moment for it showed us his heart and his humanity. It meant so very much to us. Our lives had been devastated. It was touch-and-go for a very long time. Emotionally, physically, and financially it took quite a toll on us. There is no doubt in my mind, however, that he did the very best he could for us. Hughston handling the legal side of things allowed George time to not be stressed and just focus on recovering — which he has done. It’s so hard when you’re in a situation like we were, and it helps so much when you have somebody who shows compassion. He was just so compassionate, and he wanted what was best for us, and I knew that from the first minute I spoke with him. I’m now a lifelong friend and follower.”

Despite the distance, you can still have fun this Fourth! Get out there, stay safe, and enjoy yourself.

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‘ItWasn’t Just All Business’

Planning a Family Entertainment Room

A Positive Side to the Pandemic

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Celebrating the Fourth of July!

3 Ideas for the Ultimate Backyard Campout

Right in Your Own Backyard Even though it’s almost peak camping season, you and your family might opt to cancel your out-of- town trip this summer, but don’t worry. Just because you don’t head into the mountains doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy time outdoors with a backyard

you’re in luck! You can make your own big screen at your backyard campout. All you need is a large white sheet, a home projector, and some speakers. Then, snuggle up in some cozy blankets and pillows under the stars while you watch the best summer blockbusters or throwback favorites. Build a Firepit No campout — backyard campouts included — is truly complete without a roaring campfire. With a gravel base and a simple stone barrier (as well as some quick and easy instructions available online), you can build the ultimate firepit for warming up on chilly nights, telling spooky ghost stories, and of course, roasting marshmallows. As a bonus, you can keep a firepit around when cooler weather rolls in too. This is far from a comprehensive list of backyard camping activities. That said, these three ideas alone can make for several nights of outdoor entertainment. Why not explore the various ways you can have the best camping experience your backyard has to offer?

campout. It might not be your favorite spot in a sprawling national park, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn backyard camping into the best staycation ever with these ideas and more. Make a DIY Tent While pitching a tent for camping always comes with some level of frustration, making your own tent using household items like tarps, rope, blankets, and more can be a fun project for the kiddos. It’s an opportunity to let them exercise their imaginations and build something they can relax, play, and even spend the night in. Create an Outdoor Movie Theater

If you’ve been craving the big-screen experience that you thought only movie theaters could offer,

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