Kevin Patrick Law - October 2019

Take a look at our newsletter this month.

OCTOBER 2019

Legally Brief With Kevin Patrick Automobile accidents | Daycare injuries | wrongful death

Serving on the state bar of georgia's commitee on professionalism

Why Professionalism Is a Vital Trait for Every Lawyer

As many of you already know, I admire Harper Lee’s Atticus Finch, the fictional lawyer in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Finch is portrayed as the consummate professional, and I truly admire his character. I was deeply honored to have been appointed by the President of the State Bar of Georgia to the Committee on Professionalism, where I’m now in my second term. I’ve always been involved in the bar because I feel that participating in the volunteer work, committee meetings, and mentorship opportunities offers a new level to the practice of law, but I’ve found myself becoming more and more active in this particular committee. I think it really embodies Finch’s goal of making sure our profession is seen in a noble and honorable light. Lawyers have a reputation for being adversarial in nature. But, even though we might have a tendency to argue, it’s important we recognize one another across the courtroom not just as adversaries but as human beings with our own unique lives, goals, and dreams. That’s the only way we can work toward the common good of our profession, and most importantly our clients, and I’m happy to do whatever I can to further the mission. In that spirit, I’ve really embraced my work with the Committee on Professionalism. Though it might sound like a group that’s all about enforcing crisp suits and matching ties, we actually focus on conduct. When school is in session, we visit classrooms to teach first-year law students about professionalism and how to handle themselves in upright, dignified, meaningful ways. We put together hypothetical scenarios and ask them questions like, “What would you do in this situation?” and “How would you handle this problem if it came up?” When I was a young lawyer, I went through this same sort of training and was fortunate to have wonderful mentors. One of them was Chief Judge John H. Bailey, Jr., whom I clerked for right

out of law school. I looked up to him as a judge, a lawyer, and a person, and I learned valuable lessons from his advice and watching how he handled things in the courtroom. He is one of the finest men I know. I’m particularly excited about a few new initiatives the committee is working on: First, we’re trying to put together an online database, so lawyers have access to tips, advice, and hypothetical scenarios that can help with their work. That way, they won’t always need to go to a presentation or ask a friend to get answers. I’ve been appointed to co-chair and will be heading up that effort, which is still in its early stages. Second, we want to encourage lawyers across the profession to collaborate more. Even just having lunch or coffee together, which is where we plan to start, can help foster a sense of community and commonality. Ideally, we want to encourage lawyers across Georgia to form those relationships now, so they feel comfortable picking up the phone to discuss meaningful solutions to cases. Ultimately, I think professionalism comes down to the golden rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. If you can look yourself in the eye every day in the mirror and feel proud of what you do, odds are you’re on the right track.

This publication is for informational purposes only, and no legal advice is intended.

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What to Do if You’re in an Uber or Lyft Accident The Risk of Rideshares

5 Tips for Longer-Lasting Jack-O’-Lanterns PUMPKIN SCREAMS

Every month, we have been handling more Uber and Lyft accident cases. People use

rideshares like Uber and Lyft every day in busy cities like Atlanta, and as a result, car accidents involving rideshares are more common now even compared to just a few years ago. According to the Chicago University Business School, “The arrival of ridesharing is associated with an increase of 2–3% in the number of motor vehicle fatalities and fatal accidents.”

Jack-o’-lanterns are an iconic part of the Halloween aesthetic, but they can quickly backfire. If you carve your pumpkins too early, you may end up with a moldy mess on Halloween. The first rule of jack-o’-lanterns is to wait as long as possible before you start carving. Here are some other tips to help you achieve the perfect jack-o’-lantern this year. FIND THE PERFECT PUMPKIN. A great jack-o’-lantern starts in the pumpkin patch — or in the grocery store if you’re short on time. Look for a fresh pumpkin with a sturdy, green stem, no bruises, and a flat bottom so it’s stable when you’re carving. Size and shape aren’t important, so long as the pumpkin sparks your creativity. Just make sure you don’t accidentally bring home a small sugar pie pumpkin, which will be harder to carve. WASH YOUR PUMPKIN. Before you start carving, mix 1 tsp of chlorine bleach with 4 liters of water and wash your pumpkin to help prevent mold. Be sure to wear gloves! CUT FROM THE BACK. Cutting the top of the pumpkin is traditional, but it removes the stem, which helps keep the pumpkin fresh. It also threatens the structural integrity of the pumpkin. Cutting from the bottom is not good, either, because all the liquid inside the pumpkin will ooze out. For the best results, carefully cut a hole in the back of the pumpkin. APPLY PETROLEUM JELLY. After you’ve scooped out all the “pumpkin guts” and carved your masterpiece, apply a little petroleum jelly to the cuts. This will help seal in moisture. The Farmers’ Almanac also recommends spraying your pumpkin with anti-humidity hairspray to lock in freshness. GO ELECTRIC. Using a real candle heats up the inside of the pumpkin, causing it to decompose faster. An LED tealight with a flickering effect will create that classic spooky jack-o’-lantern look and keep the pumpkin cool. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any trick-or-treaters getting burned if they accidentally trip over your pumpkin. These tips are to help your jack-o’-lantern last longer. When it comes to designs, feel free to let your imagination run wild! The best jack-o’-lantern is one you’re proud to show off on Halloween.

That percent may seem small at first glance, but it’s actually hefty considering the number of automobile accidents already happening in Georgia. While rideshare services provide plenty of benefits, there are several reasons why those drivers may be more likely to cause accidents. Uber and Lyft have put more drivers on the road, and they aren’t always familiar with the routes they’re asked to take. As a result, they often rely on mapping apps to get from point A to point B, a navigation method that can slow down reaction time, making accidents more likely. So, what should you do if you’re hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident? We advise getting familiar with the company’s insurance policy. Both Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in coverage after an accident resulting in personal injury, regardless of whether their driver or another on the road was at fault— an amount well above the minimum limit of $25,000 required by Georgia law. It can cover medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You can report a rideshare accident using either the company’s app or its website (Uber.com or Lyft.com). Accidents are easy to report in-app: Simply click the “Help” tab, and the option is right there. We also advise that you take a screenshot of the information you’re submitting — you never know if you’ll need it for your records down the road (bad pun intended). If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident and have more questions about the Georgia personal injury process, call us today at 404-566-5880.

You can always reach Kevin directly at 404-566-8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cell phone is 404-409-3160, too.)

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Exploring the Georgia Outdoors 3 Local Spots to Visit This Fall

It’s no secret that fall is the best season to get outdoors in Georgia, and not just for hayrides and pumpkin picking. Between the muggy summers and dull winters, this time of year is a temperate oasis tailor-made for exploring all of the mountains, rivers, and valleys our beautiful state has to offer. If you can get away from the city for the weekend or even a day trip, these three destinations within an hour’s drive of Atlanta are all worth the mileage. THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA Located just half an hour from Atlanta proper, this beautiful riverside spot is one of Kevin Patrick’s favorite places to take his young family. The recreation area encompasses 48 miles of the Chattahoochee river and 15 land units. Spend the day walking or biking nature trails; rafting through the shoals; fishing for trout, bass, or catfish; having a waterside picnic; or just enjoying all of the native plants and wildlife as you soak in the sound of the river. RED TOP MOUNTAIN STATE PARK A short 45-minute drive will take you from Atlanta to Red Top Mountain State Park, which is home to a 12,000-acre lake, more than 15 miles of tree-lined hiking trails, and ample opportunities for tent, cottage, and yurt camping. The park was once a vital mining area and gets its name from its iron-rich red soil. It encompasses the Civil War-era Allatoona Pass Battlefield, and

biking, swimming, boating, fishing, geocaching, waterskiing, tennis, pickleball, archery, and miniature golf are all popular attractions. KENNESAW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK Drive just 40 minutes outside of Atlanta and you’ll arrive at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a nearly 3,000-acre spread memorialized as the spot where the Civil War’s Atlanta Campaign was fought. In addition to plenty of historic sites, among them the famed Cheatham Hill and Kolb Farm, visitors can check out 22 miles of interpretive trails, excellent bird-watching opportunities, and the views from Kennesaw Mountain, which is accessible by car on weekdays or shuttle bus on weekends.

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Leftover Candy Snack Mix

This recipe from Momofuku Milk Bar chef and “Master Chef” judge Christina Tosi makes great use of those extra Halloween goodies. It’s a quick and easy way to both elevate and get rid of unwanted leftovers.

Ingredients • 2 cups mini pretzels, coarsely broken • 1/4 cup light brown sugar • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/3 cup dry milk powder

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted • 12 oz mini candy bars, such as Snickers, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

Directions 1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 inch of Heat oven to 275 F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, fold together pretzels, sugars, milk powder, and butter. 3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes. 4. Let cool for at least 30 minutes and mix in candy bar pieces before serving.

Solution

Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

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Inside This Issue 1 From Atticus Finch 2 The Secret to a Perfect Jack-O’-Lantern Are Rideshares Risky? 3 3 Georgia Landmarks to Visit This Fall Leftover Candy Snack Mix 4 Amazing Cat Tales

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Tails From the Past Mythical Cats of the World

Most owners will tell you their cats act like ancient deities. Majestic, scrupulous, and utterly unpredictable, these fascinating creatures have long captured our imaginations. Even before cat videos took the internet by storm, humans have been idolizing felines, placing them alongside some of their most important mythological figures. BASTET — EGYPT Of course, a list of mythical cats has to start with Egypt. While many people know the pharaohs and their followers thought cats were sacred, you may be surprised by how deep the connection goes. The earliest depiction of Bastet, the feline deity of protection, is a lion- headed woman in battle. But, over the course of 2,000 years, Bastet evolved to resemble the domesticated, pointy-eared cats we know and love today. 招き猫 (MANEKI-NEKO) — JAPAN Legend has it that in the 17th century, a monk living in a small temple in Edo (now Tokyo) was struggling to survive, but he still split his meals with his cat, Tama. One day, Lord Nakaota li got caught in a rainstorm while hunting and took shelter under a tree near the

temple. Nakaota spotted Tama near the temple, and the cat raised its leg, beckoning the noble to come toward him. Curious, Nakaota complied, stepping out from beneath the tree just before a bolt of lightning struck it down. The lord’s life was saved, and to this day, the Maneki-Neko (the beckoning cat) is a symbol of wealth and good fortune. FREYA’S SKOGKATTS — NORWAY In Norse folklore, the goddess Freya had a unique means of travel: a chariot pulled by two cats. These were skogkatts, or Norwegian Forest cats, that were only a little larger than your average house cat. Still, these small felines towed Freya around battlefields as she gathered warriors to send to Valhalla. On top of being the goddess of war, love affairs, and magic, Freya may well have been Midgard’s first cat lady.

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