Kramer Law Group - January 2019

Kramer Law Group - January 2019

KRAMER LAWGROUP UTAH PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

THE KRAMER CHRONICLES

01.19

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MY APPROACH TO NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS ON SETTING GOALS AND GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION TO FAIL

A s people all across the globe gear up to ring in the new year, they can’t help but think about goals they might try to reach in the upcoming months. With the strong social media presence in recent years, even those who strongly protest the idea of New Year’s resolutions find themselves joining in on the #NewYearNewMe mindset. Unfortunately, statistics indicate 80 percent of resolutions set in that first week are long forgotten by the end of February. In my opinion, people’s inability to stick with these goals doesn’t necessarily have anything to do their work ethic; it’s about the overall approach to New Year’s resolutions. The business world has taught me the value of a reset, especially when it comes to setting goals. In our office, for example, we set new goals every quarter. After three months, we evaluate whether or not we reached those goals, and if we didn’t, we brainstorm new operations or processes to help us reach them in the upcoming quarter. While this is common business practice, quarterly goal

you have to start by doing 10 each day and move forward from there. In my experience, humans work better in short bursts, and New Year’s resolutions are no exception. In addition to helping you set more measurable goals, quarterly evaluations are great for individual morale. If you set a goal at the beginning of the quarter and realize three months in that you didn’t achieve it, you can reset and restart in the upcoming quarter rather than feeling like a failure for the entire year and starting over next January. Quarterly goals give you the opportunity to approach your objectives with a fresh perspective. More importantly, they allow you to forgive yourself if you don’t achieve those New Year’s resolutions the first time around. I’ve found that humans have this idea that they can work on everything in life all at once. They say, “I can get this six-pack, spend more time with my family, finish this huge project, and get more clients simultaneously.” But you can’t do everything at once. Pace yourself and find your focus; you’re more likely to reach your goal if you approach it in shorter bouts and give yourself permission to fail.

setting works outside of the office as well. For example, millions of people resolve to improve their health. They might say, “I want to lose 10 pounds” or “I want to be able to do 100 pushups.” But the problem lies in the fact that you can’t just wake up in the morning and be a supermodel or a professional athlete. It takes more than one big goal, and it takes more than a good dose of motivation. You have to set up smaller, measurable objectives along the way. If you want to lose 10 pounds, you have to change your diet and create realistic gym routines. If you want to do 100 pushups,

By reevaluating your goals each quarter, you no longer have to feel guilty just because you didn’t make it to the gym, learn a new language, join a book club, or travel the world. People need to remember that life is a series of adjustments. So as you start 2019, allow yourself to fail and reset, and most importantly, don’t give up.

–Ron Kramer

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Every time our legal team enters the courtroom, we are excited and prepared to help our clients in the best possible ways. But over the years, we’ve noticed that the prospect of practicing law often seems way more exhilarating on TV than it actually is. Part of this excitement stems from the fictional nature of the cases, but another part is due to the men and women portraying the attorneys. For this reason, we want to highlight three of the best TV attorneys you’d want to represent you in court. A worthy lawyer must be observant, objective, and unbiased. Playing a major role in Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Atticus Finch embodies all of these necessary legal characteristics in his defense of poorly treated characters residing in Maycomb County, Alabama. In the years since the book was published, legal experts believe that no real-life lawyer has done more for the self-image or public perception of attorneys. Due to his insistence on standing up for what is just regardless of popular opinion, Atticus Finch is a lawyer you would definitely want on your team. 3 FICTIONAL LAWYERS YOU’D WANT TO REPRESENT YOU IN COURT ATTORNEYS ON THE BIG SCREEN ATTICUS FINCH

MOM REALLY DOES KNOW BEST

3 WIVES’ TALES PROVEN TRUE

“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn't cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true. For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. GARLIC CURES COLDS HEARTBURN MEANS A HAIRY BABY

ELLE WOODS

Practicing law requires careful preparation, and no one prepares like Elle Woods. She might be a slow starter when it comes to delivering an argument, but few are better at finishing it than she. What makes Woods the complete package is her ability

to stay true to her character and never settle for anything but the best — all while remaining the most fashionable attorney to ever set foot in the courtroom. She is passionate, hardworking, and determined.

BILLY FLYNN

While Billy Flynn is notoriously known for defending guilty clients — primarily, murderous women — his zest, flare, and ability to persuade a room full of people is unmatched. In fact, he boasts that he has yet to lose a case. While his tactics might not be completely honest, his entertaining personality and catchy musical numbers like “Razzle Dazzle” and “All I Care About Is Love” might make him a fun addition to your legal team.

JOINT PAIN PREDICTS THE WEATHER

Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.

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HOW DOES A POLICE OFFICER KNOW

IF YOU’RE TEXTING AND DRIVING?

A s people’s reliance on technology and the internet continues to increase, so too does the nationwide tendency to text while driving. In fact, reports from the National Safety Council show that 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a handheld cellphone on any given day. With texting and driving laws getting more strict as time goes on, you might be asking yourself, “How does a cop know if drivers are texting?” There are actually a variety of methods officers can use to catch you. THE TEXTALYZER A technology company in Israel is developing a “textalyzer” device to help officers crack down on digital communication. As its name suggests, this device will function much like a Breathalyzer, letting involved parties know when an accident occurred due to cellphone distraction. The textalyzer is not available for use yet, and many lawmakers are still determining its overall legality, but be prepared for a device like this to become available in the near future.

modification of Chevy Tahoes sitting higher than other vehicles on the road, New York State troopers can easily peer through the windows of fellow travelers and see their fingers pounding away at the keyboard. In just two months, troopers issued 5,553 distracted driving tickets, soaring over the 924 they issued in the same time the year prior. If you are planning a trip to Canada, be sure your phone is nicely tucked away before hitting the road. Canadian cops have taken to donning “hobo attire” to catch unsuspecting texters in the act. Even with their attire, the disguised officers will hold cardboard signs that include warnings like “My name is Constable Mike Cairns. If you are reading this sign, you are about to get a ticket.” Even with the candid sign, officers still reported issuing over a hundred tickets in a single day. Remember that in the state of Utah, texting and driving is a primary offense, which means that an officer doesn’t have to witness another violation, such as speeding, to pull you over for texting. Save yourself a ticket and stay safe; wait to send that text until you are able to stop your vehicle. THE PANHANDLER ON THE CORNER

THE SUV ONE LANE OVER

The State of New York is committed to ending the era of texting and driving. With $1 million used to fund the

TAKE A BREAK

CITRUS AND AVOCADO SALAD

INGREDIENTS

• 1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch-thick and deseeded • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 bunch arugula • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves • 1 avocado, cut into wedges • Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil,

season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.

Inspired by Bon Appétit

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 2 2 3 3 4

My Approach to New Year’s Resolutions

3 Wives’ Tales That Are True

Attorneys on the Big Screen

How Does a Police Officer Know If You’re Texting and Driving?

Citrus and Avocado Salad

What Happens to Military Service Dogs?

REUNITING BROTHERS IN ARMS

SGT. FIELDY COMES HOME

T here are around 2,500 military working dogs currently in service, and their efforts help save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians every day. One of these brave military dogs is Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black lab who was trained to locate the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan: IEDs. Sgt. Fieldy was deployed to Afghanistan with his handler, Cpl. Nicolas Caceres, in 2011.

deployment, Caceres returned home, but Sgt. Fieldy served several more tours without him. While Fieldy continued to protect soldiers and civilians by tracking down IEDs, Caceres worked tirelessly to make sure he could bring Fieldy home when his service was over. Military working dogs can be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement, or qualified civilians when they retire. After three years apart and a total of four tours served, Sgt. Fieldy was reunited with Caceres. In 2016, Fieldy received the K9 Medal of Courage Award, and in 2018, he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for his service. “These dogs are out there with us,” said Caceres when he and Fieldy accepted the Hero Dog Award. “The dangers we face, they face them too. They deserve to be recognized. We ask so much of them, and all they want is to get petted or play with a toy. They’re amazing animals, and Fieldy is just an amazing dog. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for him.” If you are interested in supporting our nation’s working dogs or would like to adopt a retired working dog yourself, you can learn more at Missionk9rescue.org.

Early in their deployment, their vehicle struck a pressure plate while they were on patrol. Fieldy and Caceres were

all right, but one of the other Marines in their company was badly injured in the explosion. The injured Marine could not be evacuated by helicopter until the landing zone was secured. Fieldy found another IED in the area and alerted Caceres. The bomb was quickly disarmed, and the injured soldier was taken to safety. This wasn’t the only IED Fieldy found. His sharp nose and dedication helped save thousands of lives. After his

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