Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton - October 2020

Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton - October 2020

October 2020

WHEN A LOVED ONE IS IN THE HOSPITAL

he passes away, never getting to hold their hand or comfort them in their most serious moment of need.

patient’s condition without confirmation that they have the legal authority to do so. Collect Information Once your loved one is in a hospital, it’s up to the family members to gather as much information as possible. Ask which floor they’re on and which room they’ll be staying in. Learn which nurse is on duty on that floor, who is in charge, and which physician will care for them. This can be a good time to get in touch with the hospital’s patient advocate or social worker. They can help families get the information they need, including if their loved one has been moved to a different unit or is having issues Give Information Just as families should collect as much information as they can, they should also be sure to inform the hospital staff of any medical conditions their loved one may have. This may include: trouble eating certain foods, cognitive complications, vision or hearing issues, or special needs related to Alzheimer’s or dementia that the doctors and nurses need to be aware of. Since no family is likely to be there to recognize cognitive changes that their loved one may exhibit, it’s important to do all you can to educate their providers of pre-hospital status so the quality of care they receive will improve. Being in the hospital with an illness is scary, and not being able to talk to family makes it far worse. By following the steps above, you’ll do everything in your power to ensure your loved one is not alone. If you need help getting a power of attorney or have any questions regarding the steps above, call our office. The team at Hare Wynn can help you find the answers you need or help you get in contact with an attorney who can.

It is our hope to prevent these grievous situations from happening to any more patients or their loved ones across Alabama. There are some steps families can take to reduce this uncertainty, increase awareness, and stay as up to date as possible especially while their sick loved ones are in a hospital. Hospital Visitation Before you check a sick loved one into a hospital, you should first review their visitation policy. Each hospital has a different policy, and it’s important to find the one that matches your needs and preferences or that you have a clear understanding of the limitations. Some hospitals only permit visitors for children, when someone about to pass, or during childbirth, while others don’t permit visitors at all. Keep in mind that many of the restrictions that are in place now due to COVID-19 may remain even after the pandemic is over. Power of Attorney/Living Will One of the best ways to ensure you can communicate with your loved one and medical staff is through a power of attorney. You should ensure your loved one has designated a power of attorney before a medical emergency arises. Further, it is always important for the patient to have completed a living will. That way, if something should happen, a family member or a trusted family friend can make sound medical decisions for their loved one if they are too ill to speak or they fall unconscious. Additionally, having a power of attorney allows you to legally talk to doctors and nurses about your loved one’s medical details. Some health care providers are reluctant to speak to anyone about a

I n September, one of our partners, Mike Ermert, was interviewed by AL.com. The article that resulted from that interview highlights the real and tragic events that many families have had to endure these past few months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having to be admitted into a hospital for either an emergent or elective hospitalization can be a frightening experience. One of the most difficult aspects for both patients and their families that has arisen due to COVID-19 is the limit or absolute ban on anyone visiting a patient. Unfortunately, even though a family member may be so sick that they’re unable to communicate with the nurses and doctors on their own, their family members cannot come into the hospital due to the virus restrictions. This can result in less than optimal communication from the doctors and nurses as family members anxiously wait for news of their loved one’s condition. In some cases, weeks later, the family may receive a distressing call informing them that their loved one’s condition had deteriorated drastically or that they have even passed away with no family there with them. These instances of inadequate communication have caused a lot of anguish for families. One day, they walk their sick grandfather into the hospital, then two weeks later, they receive a call from a doctor who says their grandfather is now critically ill. Sometimes the family may only be allowed to call their grandfather to say their last goodbyes before

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And Get a Good Night’s Sleep Though there are very real medical conditions, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, that deprive people of sleep, the reason most of us probably don’t get enough sleep is simply because we put off our bedtime. Instead of getting into bed, we opt to check off another item on our to-do list or watch another episode of our favorite show. This is sometimes called “bedtime procrastination.” We all know a good night’s sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so how can we stop putting it off?

Another big part is creating an environment that is conducive to a good night’s sleep, and that starts with turning your electronic devices off well before you get under the covers. Smartphone screens, computer screens, and even some energy-efficient lightbulbs emit blue light, which reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone that tells your body it’s time to go to bed. Instead of looking at your phone, try reading a book before going to sleep. If your screens prove to be too big of a draw for you when bedtime comes, it might be a good idea to move your devices to another room so they’re out of sight and out of mind. Finally, don’t get discouraged if you don’t start getting better sleep right away. Setting up good bedtime routines takes time. But if you stick with it — and maybe have someone else in your house hold you accountable to your commitments — you’ll start to get better sleep and have more energy to take on the day in no time.

A good place to start is by keeping track of your day. The human mind isn’t meant to internalize checklists and task reminders, so use your phone or journal as a scheduling assistant. However you decide to keep track, make sure to give yourself a set amount of time to accomplish your tasks, like letting yourself watch TV for just one hour or blocking out three hours to help your kids with their homework. It might even help to set alarms on your watch or on your phone to let you know when your time is up on any of your activities.

EXPERIENCED, HONEST, AND PROFESSIONAL Our Team Takes Challenges Head On

Our law firm has been fortunate to help many deserving individuals, families, and small businesses obtain justice. At Hare Wynn, the practice of law is more than a business model — it is our calling. Our passion for personal service is one reason why a large percentage of our cases come from personal relationships, referrals, and word of mouth. Over the past several years, Hare Wynn’s lawyers have obtained numerous jury verdicts, several of which ranked among the top 100 in the nation. In addition, the firm settled a significant class action and multiparty case for hundreds of millions of dollars which changed the lives of thousands of our clients. If you find yourself in need of legal representation, don’t hesitate to contact us. It would be our honor to represent you.

Our lawyers and legal teams compete against the largest corporations and law firms in the world. Our ability to process and present information allows us to excel in complex, fast-paced litigation. We are a firm with no boundaries, and we’ll proudly put our record of success up against any others. At Hare Wynn, our attorneys can be summed up in three words: experienced, honest, and professional. These traits guide everything we do. Those of us who are fortunate enough to practice law at Hare Wynn do so with the goal of providing the very best legal representation available. It starts with the training and experience our courtroom lawyers and support staff bring to bear on behalf of every client. Hare Wynn has a “deep bench” of trial talent, and we are ready to serve a client on a moment’s notice.

On Oct. 5, 1882, Robert Goddard, also known as the Father of the Space Age, was born. Looking back, many appreciate how his ingenuity and brilliance gave rise to the Space Age, but during his lifetime, he was mocked for his ideas. After Goddard proposed he could build a rocket, the press openly criticized him, stating that it could never happen. Yet, only six years later, he launched his first rocket. We contend with similar challenges and skepticism in the field of law, though not as harshly as what Goddard had to endure. Hare Wynn takes on cases every day that, to some, may seem far too complex or difficult to litigate. But just as Goddard faced his challenges head on, we too do not back down from ours.

I t seems everyone has had to adapt to a different way of life since the pandemic began. Even as we return to a semblance of normalcy, some things have changed forever. As we push forward into an unknown future, one thing remains certain: People still need our help. Over the past few months, nonprofit organizations have continued to operate to the best of their ability. Their commitment to helping those in need has remained strong, even in the midst of a pandemic, which has put a strain on many nonprofit resources while increasing the need for their services in the community. That kind of motivation and passion also drives the Hare Wynn team to do what we can to support our local nonprofits. Nonprofit events may look different this year, but these organizations need our support now more than ever. In these past months, we have enjoyed partnering with nonprofits on virtual events in support of some amazing causes. One such event was the Birmingham Bar Association Young Lawyers Section (YLS) Charity Trivia Night, which took place on Sept. 24. The event was a hit and it raised funds to benefit One Place, which “provides coordinated services to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence through a multidisciplinary team of professionals working together under one roof.” We are proud to be part of this team of professionals who support people with reporting these incidents and seeking help. In giving our support to One Place, we were able to help produce a training video that gives local law enforcement officers the tools and knowledge they need to help someone in these abusive situations. All the proceeds from the trivia event went toward supporting this training video, as well as the purchase of a color printer for One Place. In addition to the trivia night, our attorneys have participated in many other virtual events including the “Out of the Darkness” event, which was held by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Instead of a walk, this year’s event was moved to a virtual platform. Through “Out of the Darkness” AFSP is able to raise millions for suicide prevention programs, unite those who have been affected by suicide, and create communities that are smart about mental health. Though these events may be over, there are still plenty of charities to help. Keep your eyes open for virtual charity events you can support in the community, and if there’s one you’re particularly excited about, let us know!

Solution on Page 4

Inspired by Candiquik.com

These adorable chocolate-dipped strawberry ghosts will be the stars of your Halloween party!

Ingredients

• 16 oz white chocolate, chopped • 24 strawberries • 1 package mini dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate at 50% power for 30 seconds. Remove it and stir, then repeat the process until melted. 2. Lay out a sheet of parchment paper. 3. One by one, dip the strawberries into the melted white chocolate and set them on the parchment. Allow the extra chocolate to pool to form a “tail” effect. 4. Before the chocolate coating fully cools, add three mini chocolate

chips to each berry to form two eyes and a mouth. 5. Let chocolate set, then serve your spooky snacks!

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Solution

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Hospital Restrictions andYour Sick Loved One

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Top 100 Jury Verdicts in the Nation

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Our Nonprofits Need Us NowMore Than Ever!

BloggingThrough the Pandemic

Blog Your Way Through the Pandemic E veryone has faced trying times over the past few months. While many activities help get us through these challenges, blogging can be one of the most impactful. Writing enables you to express through sharing your blog. You never know — from new readers and followers, you might learn of support groups to provide additional insights to your experiences. You can also find empathy and provide support to others. An online community can help you feel less isolated due to the pandemic or provide support through other challenging aspects of your life. Express your anxieties. Writing helps people cope with stressful

your feelings and experiences, and blogging allows you to share them with others. Here are a few reasons why starting a blog can be an important part of coping with the pandemic. Connect with your readers. At times, it can feel like you are alone in the world, especially now. However, your blog can reach people who feel the same as you or who have had similar experiences as you. Also, writing down your story will inspire other people, and they may even start their own blog. In this way, you not only help yourself and others, but you also spark change in their lives. Meet new people. In addition to encouraging others, you might find a community of like-minded people

experiences, and the pandemic has ushered a huge amount of uncertainty into their lives. Many people have felt afraid and anxious in the last eight months, and they continue to wonder what the future may hold. Your blog gives you a chance to express those fears and ease your stress. Harvard Medical School studies have shown that writing your thoughts down helps you organize ideas and even regulate emotions. With less on your mind, your body can relax. Write out your experiences, no matter what situation you find yourself in. You will help other people and especially yourself.

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