Smiley Law - August 2018

August 2018

365 Canal Street, Suite 1680, New Orleans, LA 70130 • 504-894-9653 • www.SmileyFirm.com

SWEAT OF THE BROW LESSONS FROM THE JOB SITE

Well, it may not feel like it yet, but summer is coming to a close. If you have kids, as I do, I’m sure you’ve been going through the back-to- school routine. This year, Jude is going into the first grade. At his school, this means he’ll have to wear a button-up shirt along with shoes with laces. He’s proud to be in “big boy” clothes! But despite all the end-of-summer craziness that comes with being a father, I always spare a thought for the real heroes this time of year: construction workers. If you’ve never worked in the industry, let me tell you, summers are the absolute worst it can get for builders in this state. And yet, despite the blazing heat and humidity, these men and women get out every day and help build the infrastructure that makes our lives possible. I know from first-hand experience how hard this work can be. “You don’t really know the value of a dollar until you’re kneeling on a metal roof in 90-degree temperatures watching your shoes melt on galvanized steel.” As the son of a contractor, I worked construction every summer, starting when I was 12 years old. As a kid, I was excited to be able to hang out with my dad, but my father has never been one to “just hang out.” He was sure to put me to work. I still remember my very first job on the construction site. My dad’s business mainly focused on constructing the metal framework for commercial spaces, meaning a lot of the work was spent bolting steel beams together. As a kid, I put the nuts and bolts together ahead of time so they would already be assembled for the guys attaching the beams to one another. When that was done, I spent the rest of my time hunting for tools the older workers needed, running up and down construction sites as a gofer.

As I grew, so did my responsibilities. Soon enough, I was the one doing the bolting and roof work, and I came to understand just how tough this job can be. Again, we worked primarily with metal structures in the summer with no shade to speak of. Sunburns were unavoidable. We used to drench our shirts in water during our breaks just to be able to go up and keep working. Those summers were harder than any time during the school year and taught me just as much, if not more. You don’t really know the value of a dollar until you’re kneeling on a metal roof in 90-degree temperatures watching your shoes melt on galvanized steel. You can bet I was excited to get back to an air-conditioned classroom come September. I owe my get-up-and-grind attitude to those summers. Law school gave me the knowledge to practice the law, but construction is where I got the willpower to pore over case notes for hours on end. Most importantly, that construction work taught me exactly who I wanted to help once I passed the bar. Most of the guys my dad hired were friends and family. My brother and uncle were on the job with me, facing the same sweltering, dangerous conditions. Both of them sustained bad falls during roofing projects and broke multiple bones. Having seen the struggles and the dangers of construction work up close, I wanted to do my part to give workers a voice under the law. Those long days on the construction site were extremely formative for me. They gave me the gumption to pursue a career in law and a deep empathy for the folks out there making a living by the sweat of their brow. So, no matter how crazy things get for me this August, I’ll always spare a thought for the construction worker.

–Seth Smiley

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A Boutique New Orleans Law Firm Resolving Your Legal Matters

3 WAYS TO MENTALLY PREPARE

YOUR KIDS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

It may not feel like it yet, but summer is coming to a close, and summer break is ending along with it. Soon, the kids will be back to early-morning breakfasts before the school bus arrives and late- night study sessions. Thankfully, there are some steps your family can take during these closing weeks of summer to ensure your kids hit the ground running this school year.

home? Do you need to accommodate for a sport or extracurricular activity? Do you work best when doing your assignments in one large chunk, or would

Set an Early Bedtime

you prefer taking breaks in between assignments?”

For many kids, summer schedules are flexible. They may have become accustomed to sleeping in and staying up late without any obligations. Getting back into the rhythm of the school year can take some getting used to. In fact, according to psychologist Cherie Valeithian, it can take upward of two weeks to properly adjust to a new sleep-wake cycle. So why not give your kids a head start and ensure they begin the school year bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?

Your kids may find that last year’s schedule doesn’t work for them this year. Emphasize that this is okay; part of growing up is learning how and when you work most effectively. Don’t be afraid to help them switch things up as the school year progresses.

Ask Your Kids How They Feel

Outline a Homework Schedule

Maybe your kids are excited about the school year. Maybe they are anxious, or perhaps they’re just disappointed to see summer vacation come to an end. Starting a dialogue about the aspects of school your kids are looking forward to and those they’re dreading can help you dispel myths and identify problem areas. More than anything else, this can help your kids feel at ease about the coming year.

Resuming a homework regimen can be a difficult transition for some kids. Late summer, when they don’t have assignments to worry about yet, can be a great opportunity to help them prepare a study schedule. Ask the following questions to help them get started: “Do you want to dive right into homework when you get

YOUR WORDS

Maintaining that personal touch is why we rely on your referrals. Sure, we could put our name on buses, billboards, and TV advertisements, but that’s a rather cold, impersonal way to make an introduction. Given the choice, we’d rather have your vote of confidence be our introduction. We have to earn that, after all. And referrals don’t just help us. Someone seeking a team of personal injury attorneys likely has a lot on their plate. Plenty of uncertainty follows the aftermath of an accident. The last thing these victims need to worry about is whether or not they’ve found the right legal representatives. By referring a friend or loved one, you are setting their mind at ease, helping them make an informed decision about their legal options. That’s why referrals are by far our preferred way to meet new clients. You only want the best for your friends and loved ones. That you would think of our firm in their time of need shows a lot of trust on your part — a trust we strive to be worthy of. Having received so many referrals over the years is deeply humbling and lets us know that we have remained true to our goal of remaining a personable, community firm.

The desire to maintain a personal connection with our clients and our community is a foundational principle of our firm. We’re not interested in becoming one of those big one-size-fits-all law offices that churn out bare-bone settlements. As your legal representatives, we want to ensure we always fit your needs.

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IS IT ASBESTOS? Know the Symptoms

Like so many port locales, Louisiana has had an asbestos exposure rate higher than the national average. In particular, shipyard and refinery workers bear a greater risk of having been exposed to the harmful insulation material. Those exposed run the risk of developing mesothelioma and other lung-based health problems. The task of removing asbestos from the workplace began in the 1960s, but because the fiber was so prevalent in the maritime and refinery industries, the Mesothelioma Center speculates that “the work [of removal] has yet to be completed.” To make matters worse, the symptoms of asbestos exposure can take decades to manifest. If you or a loved one was at risk of exposure to this dangerous silicate fiber at some point, it’s important to look out for the following symptoms:

discomfort is being caused by asbestos exposure and help lessen the impact of these symptoms. Unfortunately, the impact of long- term asbestos exposure cannot be reversed.

But those unknowingly

exposed to this harmful substance do have a means of legal recourse. Workers exposed to this banned substance may have a claim for compensation under Louisiana law. However,

• ●Shortness of breath • ●Tightness in your chest • ●Persistent dry cough • ●Chest pain • ●Loss of appetite • ●Finger clubbing (enlarged fingertips) • ●Nail deformities

one has to prove the exposure to asbestos is a primary cause of their lung problems. Habits like smoking can complicate your case.

Speaking with an experienced Louisiana toxic tort attorney can help you understand the strengths of your claim and give you the knowledge you need to make an informed legal decision. If you have been exposed to asbestos or any other harmful substance at your workplace, give our firm a call today.

These symptoms are shared by many other types of lung problems. If you experience these abnormalities, seek the opinion of a medical professional. They can identify whether or not your

TAKE A BREAK!

PARMESAN ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Cauliflower doesn’t have to be boring! With a little Parmesan cheese and some seasoning, it can pack a punch of flavor that will please even your most vegetable-averse family members.

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced • 4 sprigs thyme

• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano- Reggiano • Salt and pepper, to taste

• 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Cut cauliflower into florets. On a large baking sheet, toss cauliflower with onions, thyme, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Roast for 35–40 minutes, tossing occasionally. 4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and finish roasting, about 10 minutes longer. 5. Serve while hot.

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504-894-9653 • 3

A Boutique New Orleans Law Firm Resolving Your Legal Matters

365 Canal Street, Suite 1680 New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 504-894-9653 Fax: 866-761-8934 www.SmileyFirm.com OPEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 2

Seth’s Summer Job

How to Prepare Your Kids for School

Your Words Matter

3

How to Identify Asbestos Exposure

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

4

Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season

BOOK A CARIBBEAN CRUISE SAFE SAILING THIS HURRICANE SEASON

After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year.

predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather.

Flexibility Is a Must

The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!

Safety and Savings

Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively

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