Harmonson Law Firm - September 2021

Harmonson Law Firm - September 2021

HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND SEPTEMBER 2021

BEING YOUR BEST

There’s Always Room for Improvement

September is Self-Improvement Month, but I do my best to celebrate all year — my family even likes to joke that I have a self-improvement book of the week. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I do like to read as much as I can, and I recently finished both “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero and “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz. The latter is an oldie but a goodie and makes a simple argument: You only have one life to live, so why make it small? Both books share a theme of believing in yourself and manifesting your own success, arguing that it’s really up to you whether or not you achieve your goals. That idea resonates with me and my efforts to constantly improve. Even though I only tend to remember a small percentage of what I learned from each book I read, that little bit of information helps me set up daily practices to improve myself. We all go through peaks and valleys, and I just want to keep on making progress. I also try to read inspiring biographies, and I’m currently reading “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, a criminal defense lawyer who works with disadvantaged clients. (Maybe you saw the movie adaptation last year, starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx.) There are a lot of differences between what Stevenson and I do. He deals with the death penalty and criminal law, while I deal with personal injury, but it’s inspiring to see someone do big things for their clients. As a lawyer, it can be easy to get wrapped up in yourself and get bogged down in the process. Books like “Just Mercy” remind me that the work we do matters to people and makes a real difference in their lives. In the end, it’s all about the client. On a more personal note, I’ve been working on losing some weight and getting back in shape. Back in high school, I was very athletic and played varsity basketball. As I got into adulthood and went through college and law school, I definitely didn’t stay in peak fitness. I picked up running about 10 years ago, and I love it. Running makes a huge difference in my life, both physically and psychologically. There’s nothing like a run to help clear the cobwebs out of your mind. I’ve been on the Noom weight loss app for a couple of weeks now, and now I have committed to running in the Albuquerque half marathon. The pandemic has made things harder, but I am a big fan of marathons. Last year, my wife and I did a pandemic half marathon where we just left our house and ran 13 miles. Unfortunately, I’ve let running fall by the wayside since then. I find that one of the best ways to hold myself accountable for my goals is to tell other people about them, so that’s why I’m telling you. Maybe I’ll even inspire you to make some goals of your own. The next time you see me, feel free to ask how the training is going!

We all go through peaks and valleys, and I just want to keep on making progress."

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CAN I RE FOR PAIN

AND EXERCISE THROUGH THE FALL

Less sunlight can have a negative impact on your mental well-being, and as you head into the darker, chillier months, worsening weather and shorter days can make staying in shape more of a chore than a joy. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With a few tricks, you can thrive through the cold season. Finding ways to stay active while cooped up inside has never been easier. Thanks to the pandemic, online exercise courses, at-home workouts, and remote Zumba classes grew in popularity and are still going strong. If you embraced these for your summer workouts to avoid the heat, you can continue that routine this fall and winter and keep up your exercise, mixing it up if one course gets stale.

HOW THE LA

If you’ve been injured through someone else’s negligence, then chances are a legal case can help you recover compensation related to medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. You may have also heard of legal judgments related to “pain and suffering” — but what is it, and could you be owed compensation for it? Pain and suffering is defined as a physical or mental injury and can include both injuries the victim has already suffered and those they are likely to suffer in the future. Physical injuries can include back or neck pain, broken bones, brain injury, organ damage, or paralysis, while mental injuries can include depression, post- traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, or phobias. Any of these ailments can last for months or years and significantly impact quality of life.

Unfortunately, pain and suffering is a subjective measurement, so there is no firm legal standard. Following large or high-profile jury awards, some states have limited the damages victims can receive. Fortunately, New Mexico juries are allowed to award as much compensation as they deem appropriate for pain and suffering. What the Insurance Companies DON’T Want You to Know About YOUR RIGH

Claims was written to with vital information wheeler, work vehicle s to bear in mind that up premiums for their amount that they are E ONE GOAL— HAREHOLDERS.

Injured in a Car Accident? The Insurance Company Is NOT Your Friend

Written by experienced car accident attorney, S. Clark Harmonson, this is a valuable resource with the vital facts you need before talking to the insurance company or hiring a lawyer. In this book, you’ll learn everything insurance companies don’t want you to know, such as: • 12 shady auto insurance company tactics • 10 common myths and

Similarly, winter provides a great time to focus on a new type of fitness goal, like building muscle in an indoor facility or taking martial arts classes at the gym. It doesn’t matter what you do; what matters is that you do it. Stay active! While it’s a bummer that you can’t go trail running or biking, any exercise is better than none. And don’t wait to get started: Add that “winter workout” into your weekly routine now. Not only will it help make the transition a little easier when you can’t go for your morning run, but also, if you’re trying a new sport, activity, or exercise, it gives you a buffer in case you decide it’s not for you after all. Don’t let bad weather or fewer daylight hours be an excuse for less exercise. Your brain will thank you, and who knows? You might actually have fun too!

g e e e e d s y

misconceptions about your car accident claim How we hold negligent drivers accountable

“I wrote this book to help you cut through all the confusion surrounding you accident.”

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WITH: 12 Dirty Tricks the Insurance Adjuster Will Use to Wreck Your Claim

• What you need to do immediately after an accident • Top five worst auto insurance companies in Texas

Get your free copy at ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com or by calling our office at 915.584.8777 .

AR ACCIDENT… ET THIS RIGHT!

2 • www.ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com

MedPay is a type of insurance available in New Mexico that covers your medical bills in the event of a car accident. It’s optional insurance that usually covers you, your family members, and any passengers in the car. Learning more about MedPay can help you decide if this coverage is right for you. MedPay’s main benefit is that it covers any car accident you are involved in — even if you cause the accident. It also provides coverage if you are hurt by a vehicle while walking, cycling, or using public transportation. In the event of a fatal accident, MedPay covers funeral expenses. Since fault is not a deciding factor, payouts can often happen faster than through other insurance policies. MedPay does not have any deductibles or copays. It works with health insurance and covers any deductibles, copays, or coinsurance you need to pay as part of your health care policy. Coverage often costs less than $10 per month, but MedPay coverage limits vary by policy and can be as low as $1,000. Before purchasing coverage, it’s important to understand the maximum payout you’ll receive in the event of an accident. There are other downsides beyond the often-low coverage limits. MedPay does not cover lost wages, property damage, nonmedical-related expenses like child care, or injuries caused to the drivers or passengers of other vehicles. It also does not cover assistance with tasks you can’t complete yourself due to injury. Still, it can be a vital resource to fill coverage gaps and pay for your or your family’s medical expenses. NEW MEXICO MEDPAY What You Need to Know

ECEIVE DAMAGES N AND SUFFERING?

AW WORKS IN NEW MEXICO

That said, juries must rely on the instructions they receive from the judge presiding over the case, and there is no set formula for calculating pain and suffering. It is up to the jury to estimate the seriousness of the mental or physical injury. New Mexico uses a “pure comparative fault” principle, which means your compensation is dependent on the percentage to which the defendant is deemed responsible for the injury. If the jury finds that the defendant is only 70% responsible, the plaintiff is only to receive 70% of the pain and suffering award. With so many factors to consider, you need an attorney to manage your pain and suffering case. Finding an attorney who has expertise in pain and suffering judgments in southern New Mexico can be difficult, but the personal injury attorneys at the Harmonson Law Firm are experienced and can provide you with the representation you need. Call us today to learn more through a free consultation.

HTS

ONE-PAN APPLE CIDER CHICKEN INSPIRED BYWELLPLATED.COM

INGREDIENTS

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1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

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4 tsp olive oil, divided

3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2- inch slices 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish

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1 tsp salt, divided

1/2 tsp black pepper, divided

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1/2 cup apple cider 2 tsp Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS

Like all paperwork dealing with car accidents, filing a MedPay claim can be confusing and stressful. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help in dealing with insurance companies and health care providers to get you the care you need quickly, even if you are at fault. Our team at Harmonson Law Firm will do our best to make sure you, your family, or anyone else in the car gets proper medical treatment after an accident. Contact us today at 915.584.8777 for a free consultation.

1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside.

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!

915.584.8777 • 3

5505 North Mesa St., Suite 3 • El Paso, TX 79912 WWW.CLARKHARMONSONATTORNEY.COM 915.584.8777

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For Clark, There’s Always Room for Improvement

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Get a Jump onWinter Blues With Fall Exercise

How Pain and Suffering Is Calculated in NewMexico

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One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

The Basics of MedPay

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Nothing to See Here: Mystery Spot Tourism

Nothing to See Here A History of the Mystery Spot

The most famous mystery spot is in Santa Cruz, California, but it has cousins in Oregon, West Virginia, and Michigan. Each one is inexplicable — drawing thousands of people every year to come and spend their tourist dollars. And for many, the whole thing is just one big hoax, designed to take in suckers and generate cash. Although Santa Cruz has the most visitors, it was “inspired” by the Oregon Vortex, which was a spot that had odd occurrences “documented” back to the early frontier days. From a mining office sliding off its foundation to the high presence of optical illusions, the Vortex was the

home to some odd events. Naturally, the thing to do was build a structure there and start taking people’s money!

It’s not a coincidence that these locations began to pop up at the same time as the average American got access to automobiles — “roadside attractions” of all kinds have been the rage since people began to tour America by car, and it’s pretty clear that, real or not, these mystery spots fall into that category. That’s why many of them have updated over the years to suit changing tastes — such as the Michigan St. Ignace Mystery Spot’s addition of zip lines and other attractions. And unlike many other roadside attractions, mystery spots continue to draw attention. Something in the American psyche loves the idea of the paranormal; Google “Europe mystery spots” and you’re likely to discover lists of unique vacation destinations. Perhaps they recapture the “paradise is just over the hill” mystery that in part drove colonization of the American West.

Or perhaps it’s all a bunch of hooey. The best way to decide, of course, is to visit one of these mystery spots for yourself!

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