Smiley Law Firm May 2018

May 2018

365 Canal Street, Suite 1680, New Orleans, LA 70130

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504-894-9653

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www.SmileyFirm.com

Later this month, we’ll be rolling up our sleeves once again to help out with a great charity with local roots: the Saint Bernard Project (SBP). The whole team will be donning work clothes and putting in some “buildable hours” to assist those whose homes have been struck by disaster. We relish the opportunity to get out in the community and make a difference through practical service. While we’ve been involved in many great charities, getting a chance to help out the amazing folks at SBP is a real honor. They exemplify the power of individuals to do good in the wake of tragedy. On the off chance you haven’t heard the origins of this incredible local organization, allow me to give you a condensed version of their community roots and national impact. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Zack Rosenburg and Liz McCartney were recovery volunteers working in St. Bernard Parish. Originally from Washington, D.C., the couple witnessed how incredibly slow the government-led recovery process was. But everywhere they looked, they saw a community coming together. Inspired by the resilience of the St. Bernard community, Zack and Liz began SBP with the goal of bringing communities together to “shrink time between disaster and recovery.” “Aiding our community always feels good; the fact that we get a chance to spend time with our co-workers outside the office is icing on the cake.” MAKING A DIFFERENCE OUR WORK WITH SBP Over a decade later, the New Orleans-based organization has gone national. With the help of volunteers, SBP has helped rebuild communities from Los Angeles to Staten Island. Carrying forward the lessons from the Katrina recovery, their efforts put an emphasis on helping low-income families with children and disabled persons get

back to a sense of normalcy as soon as possible. We are proud that our firm gets to lend a hand in such important work.

We began volunteering with SBP last October, after tornadoes touched down in New Orleans East. We closed up shop, put on our safety gloves, and headed out to an affected home. The folks at SBP were patient enough to train us on-site, and before we knew it, we were replacing siding (almost) like pros. We’re excited for the opportunity to go out and get our hands dirty again this month. We don’t know exactly what form of construction we’ll be doing, but it’s sure to be a great team-building experience. Aiding our community always feels good; the fact that we get a chance to spend time with our co-workers outside the office is icing on the cake. Part of being a community law firm means serving the people of New Orleans inside and outside the courtroom. We are proud to give back to such a beautiful town that has been so good to us over the years. We’re lucky to be involved with an organization that is committed to carrying forward the strength and resilience of St. Bernard Parish and the greater New Orleans community.

–Seth Smiley

P.S. You can support SBP from home. Visit sbpusa.org and click “donate” to make a secure, instant contribution to this amazing organization.

504-894-9653 • 1

A Boutique New Orleans Law Firm Resolving Your Legal Matters

ARE YOU WASTING WATER, TIME, AND MONEY?

HAND-WASHING VS. DISHWASHER

your kitchen sponge is the single dirtiest item in your house. Soap and water aren’t enough to sanitize your sponge, which is left damp next to your sink after each use. Have you ever noticed that stagnant sponge smell? That’s bacteria growing. And when you wash your dishes by hand, you rub that bacteria all over your plates and silverware. Yum. If you have just a single plate or cup, you obviously don’t want to run them through the dishwasher alone; that would be incredibly wasteful. But the drawbacks of washing by hand are too great to ignore. The best option is to wait until your dishwasher is full, then start up the washing cycle. All your dishes will be clean and disinfected, and you’ll use less water in the process.

Hint: It’s Not the Money A law firm is nothing without the reputation that precedes it, and a good reputation cannot be bought. It has to be earned, grown, and deliberately fostered. This can go for both good reputations and bad, but ultimately, both come down to the concept perpetuated by Maya Angelou: “People will rarely remember what you say, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.” This is why we hold referrals in the highest reverence. If you don’t believe us, here are three reasons your referral means everything. Referrals are the very foundation of our business. Whether it’s from a family member near and dear to your heart or an acquaintance you met on the sideline of your child’s soccer game, your referrals have a direct impact on how we earn. We make a living by providing a service, and that means people are at the center of what we do. But when you refer business to us, you are doing more than assisting in our growth; you’re helping us provide for our families. FOOD ON THE TABLE We’ve all walked into our kitchens, looked at the dishes stacked high in the sink, and asked, “Is it better to throw those in the dishwasher or wash them by hand?” The dishwasher would certainly save you some time, but many people believe that washing dishes by hand uses less water and electricity. In reality, however, washing your dishes by hand is one of the worst things you can do for both the planet and your wallet. Dishwashers use less water than washing by hand. A study conducted in Europe found that individuals who wash dishes by hand tend to use 27 gallons of water to clean just 12 place settings. Meanwhile, modern dishwashers only use 6 gallons of water, and Energy Star appliances use as little as 4 gallons during their wash cycle. The Environmental Protection Agency determined that using a dishwasher instead of washing by hand can save 5,000 gallons of water and $40 in utility costs a year. It’s not just about water! Unless you have incredibly thick dishwashing gloves, you can’t properly clean your dishes by hand. Dishwashers heat water to around 145 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure your dishes are disinfected. Even if the water from your sink could get that hot, you wouldn’t want to stick your hand in it. Which brings us to the science experiment that is your kitchen sponge. Dr. Philip Tierno, a clinical professor in the microbiology and pathology departments at NYU Langone, determined that

WHY YOUR REFERRAL MEANS EVERYTHING

RESPECT AND TRUST

A referral is the ultimate sign of respect and trust. When you send someone our way, it shows that we made a meaningful impact on you. By demonstrating that you want someone else to have the same experience you did, you give us the ultimate compliment for our hard work. Any reputable lawyer will tell you this affirmation is more significant to us than any monetary gain.

NEW CHALLENGES

You help us become better lawyers by referring business to us. Every client has different needs, and every case provides new and unique hurdles. These situations give us the opportunity to become more well-rounded professionals. We are in this business because we love complex problems. Nothing is more challenging than representing not only ourselves but also your good name. At the Smiley Law Firm, we are incredibly thankful for all the referrals we’ve been blessed with. If you know someone who can benefit from our service, reach out to us today and let us show you our appreciation firsthand.

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LEGAL MYTHBUSTING The Stigma of Hiring an Injury Attorney

hope to cover the cost of their recovery. Without it, there would be no checks or balances on the insurance industry. Furthermore, there would be no means of recourse against the dangerous, negligent behavior of others.

Every day, we see hardworking folks who have put off filing legitimate injury claims. Many feel they don’t need the money and wouldn’t want to appear greedy by going after their insurance company. While this is a noble and selfless sentiment, it’s based on a dangerous myth that benefits the insurance industry.

THE DANGER

THE MYTH

The whole idea of “lawyering up to make a profit” after an auto accident is a dangerously pervasive myth in our media culture — so much so that people with high medical costs have expressed an unwillingness to pursue claims or sue the party that harmed them for fear of seeming greedy. That fact that folks dealing with catastrophic injuries feel shamed for seeking compensation is beyond the pale. Insurance exists for a reason: to protect us when things go wrong. Yet insurers make a profit when they dissuade people from filing legitimate claims. It’s in their best interests for you to drop your claim, not yours. If you are unsure of whether or not you or a loved one should file a claim, please give us a call. Our experienced team will work with you to help you understand your best possible course of action, whether that means pursuing a claim or not. First and foremost, we are here to help.

According to insurance companies, the world is full of people looking to play up, embellish, or lie about their injuries to get the most money possible out of their claim. Insurers lean in on this idea that our nation’s courts are full of frivolous lawsuits, and only these greedy con artists hire a personal injury attorney.

THE REALITY

In our experience, the opposite is true. Most folks seeking compensation just want to regain to a sense of normalcy without bearing the monetary burden of injuries that were no fault of their own. Furthermore, they want to ensure that the negligent party in their injury is held accountable so that no one else is harmed by them.

Personal injury law exists to protect the rights of average individuals. It is often the only way auto accident victims can ever

TAKE A BREAK!

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK WITH ASPARAGUS

Asparagus and steak is a classic pairing. Skirt steak packs a ton of flavor without the high price point of other cuts, and this is the best time of year to buy asparagus. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get grilling!

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper • Salt and pepper to taste • Grated pecorino Romano cheese

• 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak • 2 tablespoons canola oil • 1 pound asparagus

Instructions

side, depending on desired doneness. Skirt steak is thin and will cook quickly. 4. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, grill asparagus for 6 minutes, turning once. 5. Sprinkle cheese and crushed red pepper on asparagus. Serve alongside steak.

1. Heat grill to high. Season room- temperature steak with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon oil. Any oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, will work. 2. Trim bottom inch of asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and remainder of oil. 3. Cut steak into four portions and grill for 3–5 minutes per

BLOOMING GARDENING MAY DAY

MAYO GEMINI MOTHERS DAY

EMERALD LILY NIGHTINGALE

SPRING TAURUS WARM

Recipe inspired by Food Network

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.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Our “Buildable Hours” Kitchen Cleaning Secrets What Referrals Mean to Us Legal Mythbusting Word Search Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus How to Make Your Road Trip a Breeze

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ROAD TRIPS DON’T HAVE TO BE PAINFUL TRY GAMES, AUDIOBOOKS, AND PODCASTS TO PASS THE TIME Summer is right around the corner, which means you’ll soon pile the whole family into the car, ready to brave the road for a vacation. Everyone knows that riding in the car for hours can be torture. But with a little creativity, you can turn the worst part of a long trip into a fun event. Pack a Travel Game When the excitement of the family vacation starts to wear off, keep the peace and entertain your kids with a travel game. Many board game manufacturers offer travel-sized versions that are easy to pack and play in the car. Before your next road trip, consider purchasing digital Yahtzee, which packs all the fun of the classic game without the dice, or IQ Fit, a logic game with over 100 challenges. Both games cost around $10 and can provide hours of entertainment. Include the Whole Family Once the travel games no longer pique anyone’s interest, try an activ- ity that can be fun for the whole family: a traditional road trip game. If you have a car full of storytellers, try “Fortunately, Unfortunately.”

The rules are simple. The first person starts by saying, “fortunately,” and mentioning something good about the road trip or the desti- nation. The next person (moving clockwise) then follows by saying something “unfortunate” about the previous person’s statement. Take turns with every passenger in the car. If someone stumbles, they get a strike; three strikes and you’re out. The last passenger standing wins. Play an Audiobook or Podcast We get it. Sometimes passengers don’t want to play games. Occa- sionally, they’d rather relax or take a nap. However, your listening material doesn’t have to be limited to Dad’s favorite music. Instead, consider listening to a family-friendly audiobook or podcast, which can make the longest and most boring parts of your trip an entertain- ing or educational experience. Almost any popular book is available in audio form, but it can be hard to find an enjoyable podcast. “Tran- sistor” is a science-focused podcast that explores subjects kids and adults will find fascinating. Or if you’re looking for something fiction- al, try “Storynory,” in which the narrator tells fairy tales and legends from all over the globe.

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