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APRIL 2023
FROM THE MOUTH OF THE DOG
4 WAYS TO PREVENT DOG BITES
Statistics show that dog bites cause 1,000 people in the United States to seek medical attention every day. Annually, 12,480 people are hospitalized with serious dog bite injuries. Dog bites are unfortunately very common and some of them can be very serious, if not deadly. Here at Case Barnett Law, we frequently represent victims of dog bites. These attacks leave individuals dismembered, traumatized, and scarred. Here in California, we have laws surrounding dog bites, and even though a dog may have never bitten anyone before, the owner can still be held liable. A dog owner’s homeowners insurance, through the personal liability coverage, may potentially cover injuries, legal costs, and medical bills resulting from a serious bite just as renters insurance will also cover dog bites. However, it’s important to understand that not all homeowners and renters insurance policies offer this protection, thus it’s important as a dog owner to know what type of insurance you have and what it covers! National Dog Bite Prevention Week takes place during the second full week of April, a time in which I encourage everyone, whether or not they own a dog, to be aware of the seriousness of dog bites. While dogs are pets, anything can happen, and it’s important to take steps to prevent bites.
Especially for children, here are a few general facts on preventing dog bites!
can lead to unpredictable behavior and actions, such as a nip or bite.
Don’t touch other people’s dogs. In our family, our kids are huge animal lovers, so it’s tough to take my own advice, but it’s crucial to ensure their safety! Even if you’ve been around a specific dog before, it’s important, especially for children, to avoid petting dogs you don’t know. Even if the owner ensures you that it will be okay and the dog is friendly, you just never know. By taking this blanket approach, you’re keeping everyone safe and happy. If a young child gets bit, they could potentially be scarred forever. Stand like a tree. If a dog is ever loose in your neighborhood, at the park, or even in your own driveway, have your young child learn to “stand like a tree.” By staying very still and limiting sudden movements, they are less likely to startle the dog or make them even more nervous, which could lead them to behave abnormally. Present the back of your hand first . If you’re going to pet or interact with a dog that you aren’t familiar with, always present the back of your hand first so the dog can sniff and understand that you are not a threat. When hands come at dogs quickly, this can startle them or catch them off guard, which
Read the dog’s body language. Just like when we interact with other humans, it’s important to read the body language the dog is presenting. If a dog is stretching or trying to appear larger, this is an aggressive behavior and you should not approach the dog. When they are more closed off and almost appear like they are attempting to hide, this means they are anxious or scared. Sometimes, dogs can alternate between the two if they are conflicted. While dogs are certainly members of the family, they are still animals and can be unpredictable. If you are a dog owner, we recommend that you limit your dog’s interaction with others. On the flip side of things, if you see or encounter a dog that does not belong to you, it’s important that you do not approach or pet them. Erring on the side of caution is always the best route — take our word for it! We see dozens of horrible dog bite injuries that result in extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Give us a call today if you or someone you love has suffered from a dog bite — we are ready to step in and help! –Case Barnett
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‘FREE TIME’ HELPS US SAVE OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE BEATING THE CLOCK
Further, many things we spend so much time on are unnecessary. Blake’s approach to conquering the hamster wheel of entrepreneurship involves creating workable systems and a winning team. Many tasks we think no one else can handle can often be automated and outsourced to others. While many entrepreneurs think their only options are to do it all or hire a small army, Blake advocates for a “delightfully tiny team” that can get more done with improved processes. There’s no one-size-fits-all system for every business, but “Free Time” will help any reader discover theirs. The exercises and recommendations will give you plenty of food for thought and actionable ways to find your ideal work/life balance — which, as Blake notes in the book, is different for everyone. Business leaders are used to books and courses that promote growth at all costs. That’s fine for some, but not everyone wants to scale their business endlessly. Sometimes, small- business owners want to keep their businesses small — and there’s nothing wrong with that. Blake shares that she limits her work to 30 hours a week because she values her other
Time is money, as the adage goes. But author Jenny Blake believes time is our life force, making it much too precious to waste. In her 2022 book, “Free Time: Lose the Busy Work, Love Your Business,” she argues that many entrepreneurs aren’t making the most of this crucial resource and suggests sustainable changes to how many of us do business.
pursuits. The idea may sound impossible now, but there are many ways to reduce your current workload without sacrificing your continued success. “Free Time” is for people currently bogged down with “The Burdensome B’s.” If you’re bored, bottlenecked, burned out, or buried by bureaucracy, this book will help you reclaim your life. Blake reminds us that our time is much more precious than money. Isn’t it time you learned to use yours more wisely?
Being busy has become a virtue in our culture. People who aren’t constantly busy are seen as lazy and unproductive — and no one expects an unbusy entrepreneur to be successful. But Blake turns this thinking on its head. She argues that you can build the business you want without sacrificing the rest of your life.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST “Case Barnett Law is an outstanding law firm that helped me through a lawsuit involving a traumatic brain injury. They have a wonderful team, their paralegal Paige Smoot was always prompt in keeping me updated on my case. Conor Mulvaney, my attorney, was especially helpful. He took the time to explain each step in the legal process and made me feel like I had someone in my corner. More than any of that, Conor went the extra mile to get to know me and the pain I went through. It really made me feel like he and the law firm had my best interest in mind. I am very grateful to have had Conor Mulvaney and Case Barnett Law represent me and would recommend their services to anyone and everyone.” –Gregory W.
This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
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CASE CLOSED Monumental Wins for Our Clients We’ve been busy in the courtroom and want to keep you in the loop. Among other cases, we’ve had two monumental wins in cases where our clients experienced devastating injuries. We are proud to have battled in the ring to get them the compensation they deserve, and it’s always just as rewarding to have you cheering us on. Dog Bite Case Roughly three months ago, we settled a case in which a neighborhood dog terribly bit our client. The tooth of the dog had torn his tear duct, leading to severe eye complications, medical bills, time out of work, and healing. Dog bite cases happen often and can be devastating.
ONE-PAN CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS WITH EGG NOODLES
Inspired by MarthaStewart.com
Ingredients
• 3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, halved
• Salt and ground pepper • 3 tbsp butter, divided
We settled this case for a policy limit of $300,000 for the victim.
• 8 oz button mushrooms, trimmed • 8 oz shallots, peeled and halved
Elliptical Machine Accident While at school, a middle school girl was using an elliptical machine in the school gym when her finger became tragically trapped
• 3 cups chicken broth • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 8 oz egg noodles • 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
inside the machine. Her middle finger was split down to the bone, and once it was
freed, she required emergency transportation and treatment
Directions
1. In a large pan over medium heat, cook bacon until browned, 7–9 minutes. Remove from heat, discard fat, and set aside. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Return pan to medium- high heat and melt 2 tbsp butter. Add chicken, skin-side down. Cook, turning a few times, for 10–12 minutes until browned. Transfer to a plate. 2. Place remaining 1 tbsp butter in pan to melt. Add mushrooms and shallots; cook 8–10 minutes. Add broth and cream; bring to a boil. Stir in noodles. 3. Add chicken (skin-side up), cover pan, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring once halfway through. Cook about 10–12 minutes. 4. Uncover and simmer until thickened. Stir in dill and top with bacon. Serve and enjoy!
to repair her injuries. Surgeons were able to work a medical miracle and repair the damage.
This tragic case was settled for $425,000.
Please reach out if you’d like to join us in the courtroom and support us! There is always a seat reserved for you.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Page 1 Don’t Fall Victim to a Dog Bite!
Page 2 Make the Most of Your Day With ‘Free Time’
Our Clients Say It Best
Page 3 Recently Completed Trials
One-Pan Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles
Page 4 Make a Successful Chore Chart
Every parent knows the struggle: You try to assign chores to yourself, your spouse, and your children, but somehow at least one falls through the cracks. Maybe your son “forgets” to vacuum, or your daughter “thought it was her brother’s turn” to do the dishes. If you’re sick of the excuses, don’t worry — we have a solution. A chore chart will solve your tidy home problem. SAYING GOODBYE TO ‘FORGOTTEN’ CHORES BY USING A CHORE CHART
chores. Second, thanks to the prominent reminder, everyone will be more likely to do their tasks on time. Third, with all the duties clearly outlined, you can ensure that the distribution of labor is fair for everyone. Finally, you’ll teach your kids task management and help them reap the benefits chores provide. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, your children will gain higher self-esteem, become more responsible, and display increased resilience when facing challenges. How can you make one? You’ll need a whiteboard and a few markers to create a basic chore chart. On the left side of the board, write a list of your family members’ names and their daily chores (for example: “Sarah, set the table”) from top to bottom. Across the top of the chart, write the days of the week from left to right. Then, draw horizontal lines between the chores and vertical lines between the days to create a grid. That’s it!
What is a chore chart? A chore chart is a supersize spreadsheet that maps out all of your household’s necessary chores as well as who is responsible for completing them. It’s a powerful tool to help you divide labor among family members. You can even place the chart in your kitchen or living room to keep your whole family on track. How will it help your family? First, your family won’t need to waste time arguing over whose turn it is to do which
Throughout the week, your family can make check marks in the boxes corresponding to the chores they’ve finished. You can also use magnets to mark completed tasks if you have a magnetic board. To inject a little fun into your chart, use different colors for each family member and decorate it with meaningful drawings and quotes. You can create similar charts for weekly or monthly chores, too!
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