Smiley Law - October 2018

October 2018

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

OUR FAMILY COMEDIAN LUKE’S JOYFUL, TENDER HEART

As the weather cools off under the autumn sun and we prepare to celebrate Halloween, my family is gearing up for another celebration — Luke’s 5th birthday. It’s hard to believe my little boy is now in his last year of pre-Kindergarten; both of my sons are growing up too fast! Back in June, when I was writing about Jude’s 7th birthday, I noted how both boys were reaching ages when their personalities really start to develop. I have to say that watching Luke become the character he is today has been a real treat.

his brother was at his age, but time and time again, Luke shows that love conquers fear. He adores his older brother, and often looks to Jude for inspiration. No matter what stressful situation he finds himself in, if Jude is there to back him up or tell him the right thing to do, Luke will hop to it immediately. It’s great to see brothers so close in age have such a supportive relationship.

“It’s been amazing to see Luke come out of his shell and develop such a vibrant, loving personality.”

Luke is hands-down the comedian of the family. Where his older brother has a stoic kindness and laser focus, Luke wears his heart on his sleeve, giving hugs, making jokes, and putting on a silly face any time we try to take a family photo. He exudes creativity, making crazy contraptions with his Legos at home and creating drawing after drawing at school. Luke also loves to cook, and he helps my wife in the kitchen every chance she lets him. His favorite dish? “Mommy pancakes.” That’s when you mix a banana, an egg, a tablespoon of almond butter, a tablespoon of vanilla, and cinnamon together into a batter and fry it up like you’re making pancakes. I shouldn’t have started writing this on an empty stomach. Behind Luke’s goofy, artistic personality is a tender heart. He won’t let me or his mother leave the house without giving us a hug and kiss first. He can get spooked at times and may be scared in more situations than

For me, watching Luke turn another year older is especially tough. In many ways, he’s my baby. Jude tended to cling to his mother when he was younger, but Luke? Ever since he could crawl, he has been close to me. It’s been amazing to see Luke come out of his shell and develop such a vibrant, loving personality. But I won’t lie; it’s bittersweet watching him laugh and joke his way into the wider world and away from me. Luke, you are truly one of a kind. Your joy is contagious, you’re always ready to laugh, and you aren’t afraid to show affection — the world needs more people like you. Keep that bright spark of yours lit, and you’ll make this a brighter place. You’re already a star in my eyes.

Happy Birthday,

Dad

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A Boutique New Orleans Law Firm Resolving Your Legal Matters

HAVE A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!

EVEN THE MOST FRIGHTENING GHOULS NEED TO BE CAREFUL

When a friend is injured and they don’t know where to turn for legal representation, it can be the scariest feeling in the world. Medical bills pile up and insurance adjusters ask prying questions, all while the victim tries to recover and get back to familiar routines. We’ve seen this nightmare scenario countless times in our line of work, and the real hero of the story almost always ends up being a concerned friend or loved one like you. While you can’t represent your friends’ case unless you pass the Louisiana bar, you can recommend them to a law firm you trust. Most people know very little about the personal injury process, let alone how to find effective representation. Having someone who has been through a similar experience give their perspective can be a huge stress reliever. With all the uncertainty that comes after an injury, offering your knowledge and recommendations makes a real difference. These days, any firm can have a stellar-looking website, so it can be hard to tell the good lawyers from the bad. Having a referral from a trusted friend or family member allows your loved one to cut through the noise and get straight to a firm that can actually help them. You are saving them time, energy, and the Happy Halloween, you goblins, ghouls, witches, and spooks! It’s that time of year again when kids and adults alike can dress up and roam the streets as their favorite heroes, frights, or princesses. While kids are eager to show off their outfits and fill their pillowcases with sugary treasures, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers on Halloween night. Practice Street Safety Make sure your kids understand basic road safety. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, “Children are more likely to be struck by a vehicle and killed during Halloween than any other day of the year.” Before heading out for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, take the time to go over basic safety tips. Teach kids to look both ways before crossing, use crosswalks and traffic signals, cross streets on the corners, and never run across the street. Making eye contact with drivers before walking in front of their cars is also a good way to make sure the driver knows the child is there. Choose Smart Costumes Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes! They should be fun, but you can also make them safer by following a few simple guidelines. Add reflective tape to candy bags and costumes and wear light colors to stand out in the dark. Buying or making the right-sized costumes is also important. If they’re too large,

they create a tripping hazard, and if they’re too tight, they can restrict movement. If your child wears a mask, make sure they can see out of it properly. Make a Plan Before heading out to trick or treat, create a plan and discuss it with every member of your family. This ensures that if someone in your group wanders off, they’ll know where to look for you or where to go. In case you’re separated, label your child’s costume with your name, address, and phone number. If your children are old enough to trick or treat without adults, make sure that their cellphones are charged and on them at all times, and schedule regular check-ins.

THIS HALLOWEEN, BE YOUR LOVED ONES’ HERO

persistent “what-ifs” that come with looking for a lawyer for the first time. They know you aren’t a paid ad for one firm or another; you are giving your honest opinion, which is exactly what they need during this turbulent point in their life. We at the Smiley Law Firm are grateful to have witnessed so

many heroic stories like this over the years, when former clients rose to the challenge and helped their friends and family find the help they needed. We are honored that so many of the people we’ve helped came to us through referrals. That you would trust us to assist your friends and family in their time of need makes us feel like heroes in our own right!

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TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP TO REGAIN CONTROL After a Car Crash

It can be hard to keep your wits about you in the moments after a car accident. As your adrenaline surges and you look around to ensure you and your passengers are okay, emotions can run high. But if you are not in need of immediate medical attention, it’s important that you keep an eye on the long-term implications of the crash.

not afford you the same courtesy. Don’t accuse them of being at fault, but don’t lay blame yourself either, even if you think it would ease tensions. Simply ask to exchange the following information: • Names • Contact information • Insurance and policy numbers • License plate numbers • Vehicles’ make, model, year, color, and VIN numbers • Driver’s license numbers Collecting this information does not mean you or the other driver intends to pursue a civil case. This is simply important information your own insurance company is going to want. Whether you file a claim or pursue damages based on the other driver’s negligence, not having this information can be a huge speed bump in the process. The future can be uncertain after a car accident, but this important step is critical before regaining a sense of normalcy in your life. If you or a loved one have been injured by another driver’s negligence, contacting an experienced New Orleans personal injury attorney, like our team at the Smiley Law Firm, can help you better understand your legal options.

Personal injury claims can take months to process, which is the last thing you need when medical bills are piling up. What many drivers don’t realize is that they can help their claim run smoothly by taking one simple step in the minutes after their accident: exchanging information with the other driver. While talking with the other driver(s) involved in an accident may be difficult, it’s an important part of the claims process for everyone. It’s critical you do your best to conduct yourself in a calm, professional manner, even if the other party does

TAKE A BREAK!

HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS

Ingredients

• 3 packages unflavored gelatin • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar • 1 cup light corn syrup

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract • Powdered sugar, to coat

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water. Let sit while you make the syrup. 2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water until the sugar dissolves. 3. Raise heat to high and bring syrup up to 240 F, using a candy thermometer to check for temperature. 4. With an electric whisk on low speed, slowly whisk syrup into gelatin mixture. Switch speed to high and whip for 15 minutes, until very thick. Fold in vanilla after whipping. 5. Dust a nonmetal baking dish with powdered sugar and spoon mixture into dish. Smooth mixture, top with more powdered sugar, and let stand uncovered overnight. 6. Cut into squares, decorate, and serve.

Cauldron Costume Dracula Ghost

Halloween Hallows Eve

Scary stories Spooky Trick-or-treat Zombie

Haunted Pumpkin

Inspired by foodnetwork.com

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

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Luke Turns 5 Trick-or-Treating Safety! Be Your Loved Ones’ Hero This Halloween What Every Driver Should Do Minutes After an Accident Homemade Marshmallows 3 of the Weirdest Cryptids in Pseudoscientific History

THE MONSTERS SOME BELIEVE ARE REAL 3 OF THE WEIRDEST CRYPTIDS IN PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC HISTORY

The Bunyip

There are people who would have you believe that monsters live among us all year long. These individuals, referred to as cryptozoologists (or just “wishful thinkers” by their skeptics), believe a hidden animal kingdom exists just beyond the edge of mainstream biological science. Here are three of the weirdest, almost-certainly imaginary “cryptids” to ever capture the human imagination.

When European settlers began edging into the territory of Aboriginal Australians, they heard whispered, frightened tales of a man-eating “water spirit” that lived in the lakes and rivers of the area. Descriptions of the creature varied wildly. The monster was alternately described

The Jersey Devil

as an enormous starfish, an alligator-like creature with the head of an emu, or a massive bulldog-faced beast. But accounts held one thing in common: The monster claimed the lives of any who dared camp near its watery domain.

According to legend, the 1.1 million-acre Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey are home to more than just birds and deer. The story goes that when one Jane Leeds gave birth to her 13th child, she was dismayed to add yet another kid to her responsibilities. She cried out, “Oh, let this one be the devil!” Shortly after the child was born, the boy was transmogrified into a twisted creature with the malformed head of a goat, leathery wings, and a thrashing, forked tail. After slicing the midwife with its ragged claws, the beast flew up the chimney and fled into the trees. Hundreds of years later, the beast is still said to creep the backwoods on its cloven hooves, glowering from the blackness with shining, red eyes.

The Loveland Frog

One night, near Loveland, Ohio, a man reportedly beheld a trio of bipedal frog-people slapping their webbed feet along the side of the road. If that wasn’t enough, one even had a magic wand, which shot sparks as the man ran off. Apparently, not all mythical beasts are bloodthirsty monsters; some are a little more Kermit than Cthulhu.

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