Smith Wallis & Scott May 2019

Smith Wallis & Scott May 2019

MAY 2019

LEGAL INJURY GUIDE

327 Bankhead Hwy, Carrollton, GA 30117 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION | PERSONAL INJURY | SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

FEELS LIKE HOME Nancy Takes the Time to Listen

Nancy started as a receptionist with us, being the first point of contact for clients. A few months ago, she moved into a new position as our intake specialist. Congratulations, Nancy! As our intake specialist, Nancy is usually the second person you’ll talk to, but her role is just as crucial in reassuring clients that it will all be okay. “My role is to get to know them, ease their worries, and reassure them that they come first, no matter what they’re going through. If you don’t win, we don’t win,” Nancy says. “There’s a lot to learn, but it’s been a great experience.” Reflecting on what she loves about working here, Nancy talks about the team she works with and how welcoming and encouraging they were when she first started. “It’s easy to get along with everybody here,” she says of the team at Smith, Wallis & Scott, “everyone welcomes you like family. You feel safe and at home.” It wasn’t that long ago that Nancy was new to Georgia. Five years ago, she moved here with her husband, who’s a Georgia native. They moved from Kansas, where the military brought them together — Nancy’s father served in the military, and her husband does as well. “We met in Kansas and have been together ever since,” she says affectionately. After the couple moved to Georgia, Nancy found her new home. “It’s one of my favorite places I’ve lived,” she shares. That’s no small statement. Growing up in a military family, Nancy got to live in different areas of the United States, including Colorado, Hawaii, and Kansas. Now, Nancy and her husband are enjoying going on adventures in Georgia’s beautiful outdoors, hiking and exploring our local state parks. Nancy recently got a new camera, and she likes to appreciate nature through photography as she and her husband explore. We’re pretty grateful that love brought Nancy to Georgia, and ultimately, to our team. She is an amazing person to work with, and we know those of you who’ve interacted with her feel the same way. Thank you, Nancy, and congratulations on your role as our intake specialist! – Smith, Wallis & Scott

Think of the first time you walked into a new business. You didn’t know anyone yet, you didn’t know what to expect, and maybe you felt a little anxious about what was to come. But when an employee welcomed you with a kind greeting, it made all the difference in how you felt about your experience. The first person you interact with at a company has a big impact on your perspective of it. As one of the first people to interact with our clients at Smith, Wallis & Scott, Nancy Lee knows this fact well. “The first person you come in contact with is very important — they set the tone. People call in with their worries and fears, often saying, ‘I don’t know what to do.’ They feel completely lost.” Nancy is there to help people in those moments, guiding them through the process and getting them started on the right footing. “I like interacting with people and sharing a piece of myself with them,” Nancy says of her role. “Most people are frantic and don’t know what to do. I like that I can bring someone peace and ease of mind,” she shares. Nancy adds that it’s the emotional relief she’s able to give to people in her role that’s most gratifying. “Whether we sign them or not, it feels great to have them be one person when they get on the call, and then a completely different, more at-ease person when they’ve had a conversation with someone who listens.”

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POPULAR STREAMING SERVICES

Which Services Are Right for You?

Finding that perfect streaming service for your family can cause parents some stress. There are so many options, and it can be difficult to determine which services provide child-appropriate content AND won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Luckily there are plenty of affordable platforms that have family-friendly content. NETFLIX AND HULU Known as two of the most popular streaming services that offer family-friendly content, Netflix and Hulu feature plenty of shows and movies that are perfect for kids. For families who own smart TVs or a digital media device, like Roku or Apple TV, both services are available after a quick app download. Both of these platforms have parental controls, allowing parents to set up accounts and restrictions for what their children can watch. You’ll never miss an episode of “Ninjago” or “Sesame Street” again! Their prices are reasonable

as well, with Netflix plans ranging from $8.99–$15.99 a month and Hulu being slightly cheaper at $5.99–$11.99 a month.

AMAZON PRIME VIDEO For parents who are already Amazon Prime members, Amazon Prime Video is included with their membership. Those who aren’t can enjoy this streaming service by itself for $8.99 a month. Offering an extensive collection of titles of multiple genres, Amazon Prime Video is a great streaming service. Movies range from “The Daniel Tiger Movie: Won’t You Be Our Neighbor” for your toddler to the more serious “The Dark Crystal” for kids who are a little older. As with Netflix and Hulu, this service also has a parental control feature, ensuring kids don’t watch anything that may be inappropriate. DISNEY+ Disney+ will be the newest streaming service, which is set to be released later this year. Families will have access to classic Disney movies as well as other content that Disney has influenced. They’ll even have exclusive access to the newest Disney creations. It’s been speculated that anticipated titles “Captain Marvel,” “Toy Story 4,” and “Frozen 2,” will only be available to stream on Disney+. Parents can rest easy knowing that R-rated films won’t be available through this new service as Disney wants to keep its family-friendly approach.

Several years ago on a hot August morning, Nettie was driving to work when, suddenly, another driver swerved into her lane and hit her car head-on. She was in and out of consciousness as emergency workers tried to free her leg from between the seat and dashboard and get her out of her car. Finally, they transported her to the hospital, where Nettie went through 10 hours of intensive emergency surgery. “For days, it hurt to breathe,” she said. Still in recovery, Nettie received more devastating news: The woman who had hit her had been driving drunk with a blood-alcohol level well above the legal limit. Nettie’s distress turned to anger. To make matters worse, the at- fault driver had insufficient auto insurance, and Nettie would have to pay for all her own medical expenses. Nettie became depressed, so she began seeing a therapist to help her work through the pain. During their sessions, Nettie learned to acknowledge her hurt and anger — and then let it go. “It was hard to do,” Nettie said. “But asking, ‘Why me?’ over and over was getting me nowhere.” During the at-fault driver’s hearing, Nettie found it within herself to forgive the woman. Nettie says, “I wasn’t in control of her actions that morning, but I am in complete control of how I respond from here on out, and I decided to choose forgiveness over hate.” MOVING BEYOND ANGER Finding Forgiveness in the Most Devastating Circumstances

emotional side, too. Working with a mental health professional can help you learn to work with, rather than against, your emotions to eventually heal from the pain you’ve suffered. As for the legal side, let the team at Smith, Wallis & Scott help. Our compassionate attorneys and legal staff are here for you. We promise to listen and guide you through this process. Give us a call and let us help you find resolution.

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you know recovery can take a long time — not just the physical side, but the

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You wake up slowly, still groggy from a raucous night out with your friends. As you look around, taking stock of your surroundings, you see the other inhabitants: a desk, your shoes, a penguin … a penguin?! While footage confirms that two young Welshmen stole Dirk the penguin from his SeaWorld Australia home, the men had little memory of the night’s misadventures the next morning — until they saw Dirk waddling around their rented apartment. The night before, after imbibing a hefty amount during their vacation in Australia, the men got the harebrained idea to break into SeaWorld and swim with the dolphins. After getting inside, video footage captured them stripping down to their skivvies and running around the facility — until they spotted the penguin enclosure. “Look at them!” one said. Distracted from their original plan, they made their way to the penguins, grabbed one, and left. Dirk, the 7-year-old fairy penguin (the smallest species of penguin), was bred in captivity and had never left his enclosure. The next morning, realizing what they’d done, the three young men panicked and released Dirk into a nearby canal. But Dirk’s misfortunes weren’t quite over. He was chased out of the canal by what onlookers believe was a shark, only to be chased back in by a surprised dog. THIS ISWHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STEAL A PROTECTED ANIMAL Animal Theft and Trespassing Don’t Go Unnoticed

Fortunately, concerned passers-by called authorities, and SeaWorld workers came to rescue Dirk and bring him back to his family.  

Dirk returned unharmed to his partner, Peaches, but his kidnappers weren’t so lucky. Once a Facebook post recounting their misdeeds made its rounds, police traced the crime back to the two Welshmen. They were charged with trespassing, stealing, and keeping a protected animal, and there was no shortage of public shaming as their crime circulated the internet. Taking note of their letter of apology and admissions of guilt and regret, the judge enforced a heavy fine for the crime in lieu of jail time. Charges for kidnapping a protected animal vary from state to state, but the Endangered Species Act ensures perpetrators face harsh penalties, including fines and maximum sentences. The Animal Legal Defense Fund also provides free legal assistance and training to help protect animals from harm.

Be careful on your next night out, and please, enjoy wildlife without stealing it! 

TAKE A BREAK

SHRIMP SAUSAGE SKEWERS

These shrimp skewers are a quick way to add some surf and turf to your cookout. Pair them with a vinaigrette salad for a side dish that complements without overwhelming the main event.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well- cooked (6–8 minutes). 3 (770) 214-2500

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1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder • 1/4 tablespoon dried oregano

1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder

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1/4 tablespoon dried thyme

Inspired by PaleoLeap.com

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(770) 214-2500 swslawfirm.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE

327 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton, GA 30117

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Get to Know Our Amazing Team

Streaming Services Perfect for Your Family

Recovering After a Devastating Collision

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The Price You Pay for Stealing a Penguin

Shrimp Sausage Skewers

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Out and About in Georgia

Get Your Summer Fun On

WITH 3 LOCAL EVENTS AND CLASSES

You’ll find no shortage of exciting events over the next few months in Georgia, from festivals in Atlanta to educational activities closer to home. Here are a few to check out.

VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND SUMMERFEST June 1–2, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. John Howell Park, Atlanta

With live music, art, food, and a Kidsfest, the Virginia-Highland Summerfest means fun for the whole family. For those who prefer to get some activity in the mix, there’s a Summerfest 5K and Tot Trot that takes place on the morning of June 1. As an annual fundraiser for the Virginia-Highland Civic Association (VHCA), Summerfest plays an important role in maintaining the Virginia-Highland neighborhood and is dedicated to using funds toward improving parks, safety, and preservation. Join the festivities at John Howell Park in Atlanta the first weekend of June and see what it’s all about!

tastings with more than 250 chefs, restaurants, and artisans. Find tickets at AtlFoodAndWineFestival.com/tickets.

ATLANTA FOOD & WINE FEST May 30 to June 2 Midtown Atlanta

CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CARE CLASS Friday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m., and Monday, June 10 at 6 p.m. Future One Chiropractic, Douglasville For a few dates in May and June, Dr. Caitlin Waldrip is offering a free class to teach the community more about chiropractic care. She’ll cover insurance, treatment options, and the role chiropractic care can play in improving your overall health and well-being.

If there’s one word that sums up the Atlanta Food & Wine Fest, it’s “yum.” For anyone with an appreciation for thoughtful, inventive, and Southern- inspired fare, the Food & Wine Fest is the place to please your taste buds and expand your culinary horizons. The weekend features food and wine

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