Winston & Damman's online newsletter for December 2017
On Your Side (810) 966-WINS (9467)
December 2017
The Source of My Passion for Personal Injury Law
Helping People Get the Compensation They Deserve
I caught the law bug early. Back in a business law class in my junior year of high school, our teacher, Mr. Goettz, organized an elaborate mock trial criminal case. I played the part of the prosecutor and found the entire process thrilling. Everything fromwitness cross- examination to closing arguments gave me the feeling that I’d fallen into the work I was meant to do. From then on, I couldn’t let the law go, bending everything in my life toward the goal of one day becoming a practicing attorney. After graduating law school, I began the search for a job as a prosecutor, only to find that there were no positions available in the local office. So, I joined as an associate at a local personal injury firm. I had no preconceived ideas about auto accidents or the claims process, so I sponged up as much information as possible frommy new mentors. From then on, I loved personal injury lawmore and more, gaining a keen appreciation for representing everyday, injured people in their fight against giant, corporate insurance companies — real David versus Goliath stories. After years of experience, I started my own practice, and I haven’t looked back. “From then on, I loved personal injury law more and more, gaining a keen appreciation for representing regular, injured people in their fight against giant, corporate insurance companies — real David versus Goliath stories.”
It’s a privilege to serve those who put their faith in me to get them the compensation they deserve. I get to hold insurance companies accountable while ensuring my clients are able to pay their mounting medical bills and return to their normal lives. Last year, I had one case in particular that will stick with me forever. My client, a woman with a long history of back problems (which she’d been sure to disclose to her insurance provider and physician), was sideswiped in her car as she passed through an intersection. Though the accident was no fault of her own, and there was little visible property damage to either vehicle, the collision took a lasting toll on her well-being. The jarring impact caused an audible pop in her back, resulting in excruciating pain for months. The accident magnified her pre-existing back problems for the rest of her life. The insurance adjuster, after assuring my client that the company would cover her injuries, later went back on their promise and cut off benefits with little warning. After months of battling it out with the company to no avail, the case went to court. In front of the jury, I called my client’s father to the stand. I was a little nervous about how it would go, as I hadn’t had the opportunity to prepare him quite as much as I would have liked. Nonetheless, it was clear that he was passionate about the issue, having seen firsthand the wide-reaching pain the accident had caused his daughter. Within minutes, completely unscripted, he had nearly everyone in the courtroom in tears, offering a moving account of the human cost of the insurance company’s
negligence and their refusal to do what they’d promised. Then, I called the adjuster to the stand.
After a few questions, which she
attempted to dodge, I pulled up a note on the screen for everyone to see. It was a note she had written that stated clearly, “We will pay for this injury.” I asked her why, if they weren’t planning on covering my client from the start, they’d told her they would. She squirmed in her seat, “Well, that’s a typo. It should say, ‘We will not pay for this injury.’” I furrowed my brow and looked at the jury and the judge. It was clear that they were just as baffled as I was by this ridiculous claim. The adjuster was lying through her teeth. In the end, the enormous insurance company waved the white flag and settled, providing my client with the compensation she required and then some. It meant the world to me that we were able to achieve the result she needed and deserved. Moments like that are more than just another victory in court; they give meaning and purpose to the work I do. It feels incredible to have a real positive impact on my clients’ lives, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help.
Nicole Winston
(810) 966-9467 • 1
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CREATIVE Gift Wrap Alternatives
Old Maps and Calendars These days, pretty much every phone has a built-in GPS, so you probably won’t need the map from your 1999 road trip anytime soon. If you still have an old map, why not use that for wrapping? The unusual designs guarantee your gifts will be one of a kind. And don’t worry if there are notes scrawled across the paper. Old events or directions will add some unique flair to the presents. Furoshiki Fabric is an excellent substitute for wrapping paper. You can use a scarf to create two gifts in one or pull out scraps of fabric from old projects. The traditional Japanese practice of furoshiki is all about wrapping goods in fabric. Described as “functional fabric origami,” you’d be amazed at how a few well-placed folds can turn your gift into a work of art. Learn how to wrap anything, from boxes to bottles, at ceas.ku.edu/furoshiki-instructional-videos.
There’s something magical about seeing a stack of presents wrapped in bright, multicolored paper. However, that enchanting scene quickly evaporates a few hours later when all those wads of wrapping paper and plastic bows are chucked unceremoniously into the garbage. What if we told you there are countless ways you can still enjoy wrapping and unwrapping presents, without all the waste? Here are a few creative gift wrap alternatives to consider this holiday season . Brown Paper Bags With the holiday season comes holiday shopping, and if you opt out of plastic grocery bags, you’re sure to have a surplus of brown paper bags in the pantry. Drop a present into the bag, tape it shut, and you’re good to go. Add some simple lace or a ribbon for an old-timey feel or get creative with stamps and hand-drawn artwork. This wrap job lets your imagination run wild.
You don’t have to follow the same gift wrap habits year after year. After the effort you put into finding just the right present, you should be able to make your gift wrap just as special. Find a method that’s uniquely you and get started! YOU ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NEED Underinsured Motorist Coverage
When the Michigan economy tanked during the recession of 2008, thousands of Michiganders suddenly found themselves unable to pay their bills. As payments were missed, credit scores plummeted, causing insurance premiums to skyrocket. With debts mounting, many desperate people opted to abandon car insurance altogether, resulting in a staggering statistic. In
If you’re unsure whether or not your plan includes uninsured and underinsured coverages, contact us, as we can review your coverages with you. Both coverages are completely optional, and have to be requested for a small additional cost. “Great,” you may say. “Another cost to tack onto my premiums!” But luckily, both uninsured and underinsured coverage are generally quite inexpensive. Some motorists may be able to get them for as little as $12 per year.
Michigan, more than one in five drivers are completely uninsured. This is a serious problem, not only for these unprotected individuals, but for all drivers. Why? Because even when you have “full” coverage, if you find yourself in a collision with an uninsured driver — even when it’s their fault — you may find yourself bearing the brunt of the person’s wrongdoing as you will have no one to compensate you for your injuries. This is why we always recommend that all Michigan drivers have both uninsured and underinsured coverage in their insurance plan .
Make sure you investigate your insurance forms to check whether you have uninsured and underinsured coverage. If not, tell your agent that you want to add them to your plan. This way, you can financially protect yourself and your family, regardless of who carelessly collides with you on the road.
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The Basics of Michigan No-Fault Insurance
As many motorists may be aware, insurance works a little differently here in Michigan than it does in most other states. By law, every car owner must carry what’s called “no-fault insurance” coverage in order to get their license plates. But what exactly is no-fault insurance, and what does it mean for you? Essentially, no-fault insurance gives the insured the right to recover a set of specific “no-fault benefits,” typically from your own insurance company. This coverage differs from other types of insurance in that it doesn’t matter who actually caused the accident or whether you were driving or riding in the victim’s car at the time of the collision.
are covered for your entire life with no maximum limits. Wage Loss: If you are unable to work due to your injuries from the crash this benefit will provide 85 percent of your lost wages, with a maximum of $5,541 per month. This benefit is payable for the first three years following the crash.
Household Services: If your injuries prevent you from performing your normal household chores you maybe entitled up to $20 per day in order to pay someone who performs these activities on your behalf. The household service benefit is typically paid monthly and is available for the first three years following the crash. Even if you’re responsible for the accident, your no-fault policy will provide you with the above benefits. Be aware, though: In order to receive benefits, the insured must file a claim with their insurance company within one year of the accident.
Basic no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance includes three types of coverages:
Allowable Expenses: This component of no-fault insurance will cover all medical bills along with anything you may need for your care or recovery including attendant care. Attendant care is a benefit that pays someone to help care for your personal needs similar to a home health aide. Allowable expenses
Laugh Out LOUD
Easy Holiday Party CHEESE FONDUE
INGREDIENTS
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¾ cup dry white wine
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1 clove garlic
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
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Salt to taste
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1 (8-ounce) package sliced Swiss cheese
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Foods to dip (apple slices, bread cubes, roasted vegetables, etc.)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, whisk together wine and cornstarch.
some cheese and slowly whisk. When nearly smooth, add more cheese and whisk gently. Repeat until all cheese is melted. If mixture seems too tight, add 1 tablespoon wine. 5. Season with salt and serve immediately. Keep pot on low heat to keep the fondue dippable.
2. Chop cheese slices into small, uniform pieces.
3. Rub clove of garlic all over the sides and bottom of a heavy-bottomed pot, then discard. 4. Heat wine mixture over medium-low heat in the pot until thick and bubbling. Add
6. (Recipe inspired by PinchofYum.com.)
(810) 966-9467 • 3
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this edition INSIDE
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Helping the Injured Get Back on Their Feet Stop Wasting Gift Wrap! Why Your Car Insurance Coverage Isn’t Enough What You Need to Know About No-Fault Insurance Easy Holiday Party Cheese Fondue Where’s Santa?
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Santa Tracking Goes High-Tech It’s almost Christmas, and if you have small kids, you know what that means: prepping for the arrival of a jolly man in a red suit and his confusingly named reindeer. Some of us may remember spending Christmas Eve curled on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa as radio reports tracked Santa’s trip around the globe. But these days, kiddos have gotten a little more high-tech in their search for up-to-date, GPS-driven Kringle updates. When the eve of the big day finally comes, Google promises a showcase of Santa’s “dashboard, the technology that powers his sleigh during his around-the-world journey.” Featuring “the latest and greatest … in sleigh engineering,” the app displays a Google Maps window that tracks each of Santa’s stops, gives status updates from Old Saint Nick, and tells kids how far he is from their city. It’s a colorful, fun adventure for the whole family.
Of course, Google’s not the only kid on the Santa-tracking block. There’s also NORAD Tracks Santa, operated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the same organization that tracks nuclear missiles for the government. Similar to Google, noradsanta.
First, there’s the Google Santa Tracker (santatracker.google.com), a full- fledged holiday hub for your browser powered by Google Maps, including, of
course, an up-to-the-minute GPS tracker for the big man. The application arrived in 2004, and it’s been updated every year since. During the countdown to Christmas, there’s a colorfully animated advent calendar of sorts, where buildings around Santa’s village “thaw out” and reveal a host of fun games and activities. There’s even a section titled “Santa Tracker for Educators,” which includes kid-friendly coding games, information on international holiday traditions, and a translation app to “learn the Santa lingo from around the world.”
org includes a variety of fun games and activities leading up to Christmas. But unlike Google, NORAD has a dedicated Santa-tracking app for your phone, where you can see a 3-D view of Santa’s location during his trip. The app also features videos, so you and your little ones can see clips of Santa flying around major landmarks and world cities. Just don’t stay up too late watching them. You don’t want Santa to skip over your house!
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