Alex R. Hernandez Jr. - March 2019

Take a look at our newsletter this month.

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TEXAS TRIAL LAWYERS REVIEW

MARCH 2019

SAN ANTONIO | AUSTIN | EDINBURG | HOUSTON | LAREDO | DALLAS | EL PASO | CORPUS CHRISTI

An Inspiring Woman

Lessons From My Mother

Since March is Women’s History Month, I wanted to take a moment to recognize the sacrifices and accomplishments of one of the most inspiring women I know — my mother. As many of you may be aware, she works here at the firm as our paralegal. Her tenacity, patience, and decades of experience make her an invaluable member of the team and a grounding force in my life. My mother has always been the most supportive person I’ve ever known. She had me when she was 19 years old, raising my sister and me while our father pursued first his bachelor’s degree, then his Juris Doctor. As we moved across the country, then halfway around the world, my mother was an anchor for us kids. She took us to school, cooked, and cleaned, never failing to be attentive and compassionate. Looking back, it’s no wonder she excelled at paralegal work. When we moved back to the states and my father took up private practice, my mom re-entered the workforce, becoming his paralegal. She took to the research and archival side of the job quickly, and when it came to working with clients, she was already a master. Fast forward to today, and she now has roughly 40 years of experience in the field, something that proved invaluable when it came time for me to found my own firm. Most mothers support their children’s’ endeavors, but in my case, the help I received was very direct. More than simply encouraging me to start this firm, my mother really stepped up and showed me the elements of the business they don’t teach in law school. She did a lot to help me understand and map

out the overall organization of the firm, although I did find some areas where I actually got to be the teacher. Coming from the days of typewriters and filing cabinets, my mother had a host of new skills to learn in the age of cloud computing. Technical aspects aside, she taught me the most important skill any lawyer can learn: patience. Whether they are hurt in a car accident or run into trouble with the law, people seeking a trial lawyer are understandably anxious. They have questions about timelines, the details of their case, and the outcomes they can expect. Working with so many clients every day, it’s easy for an experienced lawyer to become desensitized to these understandable concerns.

Lucky for me, I had a shining example of the value of patient compassion long before I became a lawyer.

My mother cares deeply about every client who has come to us for help. Her ability to open her heart to others is one of her most admirable qualities and one I strive to embody myself. Still, I admit that several of our clients call me only to ask to be put through to her! Try as I might, I can’t seem to best the master.

Here’s to all the inspiring women in our lives,

Alex R. Hernandez Jr.

More than simply encouraging me to start this firm, my mother really stepped up and showed me the elements of the business they don’t teach in law school.”

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In the aftermath of a car accident, it’s important to stay on your toes when dealing with insurance adjusters. In a perfect world, these employees would fully understand your claim and help you receive just compensation. However, insurance companies are, well, companies. They have bottom lines to protect, which often leads the adjusters they hire to seek out any reason to reduce or deny your claim. That’s why it’s important to raise a few important questions when these insurers come calling. AM I BEING RECORDED? This is an important question to ask right at the start of the conversation. Knowing that your words are being put on tape — and may be used against you later — means you have to be very careful about what you say. IS THIS FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY? Usually, different adjusters handle different types of damages. One adjuster may call you to talk about the damage to your vehicle, while another will handle questions regarding your physical injuries. However, sometimes property adjusters will try to sneak in questions about your personal well- being, including seemingly innocuous questions like, “Are you feeling okay?” Be aware of these traps and limit discussion with an adjuster exclusively to the damages they are responsible for evaluating. WHO DO YOU WORK FOR? It’s best to establish which insurance adjuster you are talking to, one who represents your insurance or the other driver. If this adjuster works for the Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer Know What to Look For 5 Important Questions to Ask an Insurance Adjuster Most of us don’t put much thought into what to look for in a lawyer until we need one, which makes finding a personal injury attorney especially daunting. Life after a serious incident, such as a car crash, can be disorienting enough as it is. Finding someone you trust to represent you in such an important case is no small matter. It’s best to know what to look for at the outset. In a word, no. Each area of the law has its own nuances and considerations — a lawyer with three decades of experience in corporate law would be ill- prepared for a personal injury case, and vice versa. Ideally, you want to find an attorney with a proven track record of personal injury representation local to your state. This way, they aren’t just familiar with the ins and outs of dealing with the insurance companies and courts, they have a deep knowledge of local ordinances that may affect your case. WILL ANY LAWYER DO?

AN INSIDE JOB The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags

Theft is a serious matter, made even more grave when the victims are fallen war heroes. Such was the situation that stumped police in Hudson, New York, in 2012.

The crime was first committed in July of the previous year. Flags had been placed around the graves of soldiers in Cedar Park Cemetery — only to go missing right around Independence Day. Veterans groups and locals were outraged and mystified by the crime. Some worried that a hate group was to blame, as the missing flags had adorned the graves of Jewish soldiers. Veterans worked to replace the flags, one by one, and right the wrong. No culprit was found, and the community moved on — until the following July, when the mystery repeated itself. Like the year before, flags were placed on veterans’ graves in honor of Independence Day, and again, they went missing sometime in the night, this time taken from the graves of African American Civil War soldiers. Cemetery caretaker and veteran Vincent Wallace was appalled, as was the rest of his community. “I just can’t comprehend the mindset that would allow someone to do this,” Wallace said. Determined to find out who was to blame, police put up surveillance cameras and recorded the goings-on in the cemetery. As they watched the tapes, sure enough, they saw one of the culprits sitting atop a gravestone with an empty flagpole in front of him. It was a groundhog.

Apparently, the wooden flagpoles attract groundhogs, something other groundskeepers have experienced as well.

“I’m glad we don’t have someone who has taken it upon themselves to desecrate the stones and the flags in front of them,” said Hudson mayor Bill Hallenbeck. “We can all rest a little easier knowing that it was a critter and not a human defacing our flags, especially those of the veterans,” added Hudson’s police commissioner.

HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT ATTORNEY FOR ME?

Turns out Punxsutawney Phil has some very naughty cousins — ones who aren’t subject to the law.

After you narrow your search to experienced personal injury attorneys, it’s time to find one you trust with your case. Often, the best way to do this is to turn to any friends or family who have hired a personal injury lawyer in

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TAKE A BREAK

negligent driver who is responsible for your accident, it’s unlikely they have your best interest at heart.

WILL I BE GETTING A RENTAL CAR? While you have an insurance representative on the line, it’s important to look after your practical needs, such as transportation after an accident. Depending on the circumstances, a rental may be provided by the other driver’s insurance or may have to be claimed under your own policy. WHEN WILL MY PROPERTY DAMAGE BE FIXED? Knowing the timeline of when your vehicle and other damaged property will be restored is an important part of returning a sense of normalcy to your life and planning for the future. If they don’t keep these dates, consider calling an attorney.

HOMEMADE CORNED BEEF

Inspired by Food Network

INGREDIENTS

• • • •

2 quarts water 1 cup kosher salt

• • • • • • • • • •

8 cloves garlic

8 whole allspice berries 12 whole juniper berries 2 bay leaves, crumbled 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons saltpeter (potassium nitrate)

1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces 1 teaspoon mustard seeds

2 pounds ice

1 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed

• •

1 small onion, quartered

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

1 large carrot, coarsely chopped 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

the past. After all, they know the lawyer and they know you and your needs. You can also use review sites like Avvo.com to see the highest-rated personal injury lawyers in your area.

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large stockpot, combine water, garlic, and all herbs and spices to make brine. Cook over high heat until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice. 2. Once water temp reaches 45 F, place brisket in a 2-gallon zip-close bag, pour in brine to cover, lay flat in a large container, and store in fridge. 3. Brine for 10 days, checking daily to make sure brisket is fully submerged and brine is stirred. 4. After 10 days, remove brisket from brine and rinse under cool water. In a large pot, cover brisket, onion, carrot, and celery with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 2 1/2–3 hours. 5. Remove, slice across the grain, and serve.

DO I GET TO MEET A LAWYER BEFORE I HIRE ONE?

Most personal injury firms, including our own, offer free consultations. This is so that the attorney can understand the details of your case and gauge the strength of your claim, but it also allows you to get a better sense of the lawyer you’re considering hiring. While you’re having one of these consultations, take the time to ask questions. What’s this lawyer’s preferred strategy for cases like yours? Do they prefer to go to court or to settle? Knowing the answer to these kinds of questions can help you feel confident about your choice of representation.

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INSIDE

1. Lessons from My Mother

2. The Curious Case of the Disappearing Flags

2. 5 Important Questions to Ask an Insurance Adjuster

2. How to Find a Lawyer After You’re Hurt

3. Homemade Corned Beef

4. Family Activities for St. Patrick’s Day

CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY their own. There’s also fascinating history on St. Patrick and why he became the patron of the holiday that your family members can research together. If you have Irish roots, tell your kids about your heritage.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean heading to the local Irish bar and drinking a large green beverage. If you’re not interested in going out this year and would prefer to do something at home with the family, here are a few ways everyone can celebrate. IRISH-THEMED FOOD What better way to get festive than by making some St. Patrick’s Day- themed dishes? You can make rainbow cupcakes, green cookies, St. Patrick’s Day popcorn, or — for a more traditional dish — Irish soda bread. You can also cook up an array of greens for dinner on March 17, which could include Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, green beans, peas, or asparagus. A MISCHIEVOUS LEPRECHAUN To treat your kids to a fun game, leave green footprints around the house and participate in impish tricks! Empty a tissue box, hide the remote, swap out regular light bulbs with green ones, or draw rainbows on the windows. You’re only limited by your imagination. EXPLORING IRISH CULTURE Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family is to sit down and read about Irish culture with your kids. Learn where the legend of the leprechaun came from or read other stories from Irish folklore. You can also watch videos of Irish dance performances and encourage the kids to make

WATCH IRISH MOVIES For a relaxing activity, settle down in front of the TV for a movie night filled with films related to Irish culture. Try “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,” “Song of the Sea,” “The Luck of the Irish,” or “The Secret of Kells.” MAKE AN IMPACT Teach your kids how to be “greener” this month by doing more for the environment. Discuss ways to save energy and water in the home, and talk about the importance of taking a break from electronics and enjoying the outdoors.

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