Take a look at our October newsletter!
816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com OCT 2022
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
Building Into the Future A Sincere Commitment to Be the Best
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
I grew up in a little town north of Kansas City called Excelsior Springs and studied at the University of Missouri as an undergraduate, with degrees in both English and philosophy. From there, I worked for a couple of years but realized I wasn’t ready to permanently join the workforce, so I decided to go to law school, partially because I believed in it and wanted to pursue that as a profession. I went to law school at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and it was quite the culture shock to go from living in a small town in Missouri to the East Coast. I married my wife, Melissa, while in law school, and we took the leap together, which was a good growing experience for both of us. After law school, we moved back to Kansas City, and I started doing mass tort litigation right off the bat and have been doing that type of work for the last 14 years. Melissa and I have two children of our own and two adopted children, and in our spare time — though it is hard to come by — we enjoy doing all the different activities that the kids do, like soccer, football, marching band, gymnastics, all that fun stuff. Apart from that, we enjoy camping, hiking, and just being outside together whenever possible.
good of the firm and the good of the clients. My particular position at the firm is to oversee and build the mass tort department, which is different from the types of cases that Tom and Chelsea normally handle. We’re adding a new division of separate litigation to the firm to increase the different offerings that we have for clients and build something into the future. What’s different about this division is the type of cases we will handle: Rather than it being a single individual who is harmed by the wrongful conduct of a person or company, it’s the type of case where the harm is done to a large number of people in the same way. It usually takes the form of a problematic pharmaceutical drug, medical device defects, and sometimes environmental exposures. One of the litigation projects that I had been working on for the last several years regarded a dangerous surgical mesh product, and our litigation efforts actually got the project off the market completely. Instead of it just leading to a settlement and the product still being out there hurting people, we saved lives and livelihoods through the work we did. That’s the most satisfying part — having that tangible result to hang on to. In the last three months, we are already taking on new clients for this new division! We really had to hit the ground running because I’ve been
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
doing this for a long time, and when I joined the firm, many of my referrals and other law firms that wanted to co- counsel followed me over here, and we’ve been accepting new cases since. I was fortunate enough to meet Tom and Chelsea at a couple of different mass tort conferences where I was presenting, and luckily we got the chance to talk at length and get to know each other. In addition to just being delightful people, it became very clear that we all had the same moral compass and approach to the practice and had that real, sincere commitment to be the best at what we do. In the few years that followed, we became friends, and over time it became clear that we should join forces and build something better into the future. As many know, anything new is always scary, and the nerves attached to it as to whether you’re going to be a good fit can be difficult. But I think that the team Tom and Chelsea have built is incredibly welcoming and made it an easy transition, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for the future of the firm. –Adam Evans
BURN INJURIES
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
As a new partner to the firm, I share the decision-making process for the
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals. Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and the development of certain diseases later on. If you or a loved one were present at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 and were diagnosed with one of the conditions listed below, you may be entitled to significant compensation. WE’RE READY TO TAKE CAMP LEJEUNE
The True Story of F.D.C. Willard A CAT COAUTHORED AN INFLUENTIAL PHYSICS PAPER
Cats defy the laws of physics all the time, so it’s only fitting a cat would teach us physics more directly — by coauthoring a highly cited, influential physics paper.
In 1975, Jack H. Hetherington was a professor of physics at Michigan State University, and he completed a paper on
• Cancer • Female infertility • Hepatic steatosis • Stillbirth/miscarriage • Birth defects
• Multiple myeloma • Myelodysplastic syndromes • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma • Kidney Disease • Scleroderma
atomic behavior. However, he had a problem: As a sole author, Hetherington had used “we” throughout the paper. A colleague pointed out that publishers reserved that language for papers with multiple authors.
WHY ARE LAWSUITS BEING FILED? On Aug. 10, 2022, President Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (S.3373) into law. The act allows military veterans and other affected individuals to file civil lawsuits against the U.S. government for harm caused by at least 30 days of exposure (including in utero exposure) to water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from Aug. 1, 1953 to Dec. 31, 1987. The U.S. Join us in Kansas City to celebrate the fall festivities with pumpkin patches and tons of other outstanding outdoor activities this spooktacular season. CAROLYN’S PUMPKIN PATCH This pumpkin patch has something fun for the entire family. You will find plenty of pumpkins and gourds in their 50-acre patch as well as fun fall activities like wagon rides, a little farmer’s playground, pig races, and even an antique pedal tractor carousel. Celebrate the Spooky Season Let the Ghoul Times Roll in Kansas City
With today’s software, this would be a minor inconvenience. But to fix his error in 1975, Hetherington would have to retype the entire paper manually on his typewriter. Time was short, and Hetherington had done all the work himself. According to Hetherington’s 1982 book, “More Random Walks in Science,” he explained, “After an evening’s thought, I simply asked the secretary to change the title page to include the name of the family cat.” And that’s what happened; the professor named his Siamese cat, Chester, as his coauthor. Of course, the name Chester wouldn’t look convincing as a scientific paper coauthor. So, he invented “F.D.C. Willard.” The initials stand for Felis Domesticus Chester. The last name, Willard, was the name of Chester’s father. The professor didn’t feel too guilty for trying to deceive the publisher: “Why would I do such an irreverent thing? … If it eventually proved to be correct, people would remember the paper more if the anomalous authorship were known. In any case, I went ahead and did it and have generally not been sorry.” The journal loved the paper, but the ruse stayed secret among his close colleagues until a visitor arrived to meet the authors. When Hetherington told them the truth, they laughed, and not long after that, the feline coauthor became quite famous. F.D.C. Willard not only saved Hetherington from rewriting the entire paper, but also continues to inspire cat-related academia antics. On April 1, 2014, the American Physical Society (APS) announced all cat-authored papers would be made freely available. “Not since Schrödinger has there been an opportunity like this for cats in physics,” they wrote. We couldn’t agree more.
New this year, kids will have a chance to tackle the giant spider web, dig in their Corney Corral, and visit their new baby calf — Oreo!
This event will take place from Sept. 17–Oct. 31, and tickets are priced at $10 for Monday through Thursday and $12 for Friday through Sunday. Children under the age of two will get free admission, and there are also family passes available.
For more information and ticket passes, check out CarolynsPumpkinPatch.com .
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LAWSUITS
YOUR CASE
District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina is the exclusive venue for actions
brought pursuant to the act. The act precludes the U.S. government from asserting immunity that otherwise would be available in response to litigation. The law also overrides a North Carolina statute of repose that precludes the filing of tort claims after 10 years. WHY CHOOSE US? The Dickerson Oxton Law Firm has years of experience handling cases involving injuries from exposure to dangerous substances. We have a history of impressive case results, obtained by always putting the client first. Clients trust us with their complex Camp Lejeune lawsuits. • Our firm does not charge any fees unless we win. • Our firm is committed to honesty, transparency, and compassion. • Our firm offers client-focused legal services. If you have been affected by toxic chemical exposure at Camp Lejeune, call our attorneys today. Our personal injury lawyers are investigating cases involving Camp Lejeune water contamination. We may be able to help you obtain financial compensation for your damages. Call our Camp Lejeune injury attorneys at (816) 268-1960 today for more information. CARVED HAUNTED TRAIL Beware and prepare for the most terrifying night of your life. On Oct. 15, from 5:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m., Carved Experience will be hosting its one-night-only event for all ages. There will be haunted trails, kids’ spooky trails, fortune tellers and tarot card readings, fire performers, food trucks, and so much more! Admission to the event is free, but paid tickets are for the haunted trail only. This ticket provides one single entry to the haunted trail at Carved. Children 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult to enter the haunted trail.
TAKE A BREAK
Pumpkin Pie Parfaits
Inspired by RecipeTinEats.com
These parfaits are an easy fall dessert everyone can make!
INGREDIENTS
• 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix • 2 cups cold milk • 15-oz can pumpkin purée • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg • 1/8 tsp ground cloves • 1 cup vanilla sandwich cookies • 8 oz whipped topping
Check out CarvedExperience.com for more details.
WORLDS OF FUN — GREAT PUMPKIN FEST Taking place on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 17–Oct. 31, Worlds of Fun hosts the Great Pumpkin Fest and will have something for the whole family to enjoy. For the little ones, you will find play zones, costume contests, and dance parties with Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang. There will also be live entertainment, frightening scare zones, world- class roller coasters, and delicious fall-themed sweet treats and savory goodies.
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. 2. In a blender or food processor, crush vanilla sandwich cookies into crumbs. 3. In small jars or glasses, place cookie crumbs on bottom, then pumpkin mixture, then whipped topping. Repeat these layers twice and end with cookie crumbs. 4. Chill until ready to serve!
Ticket prices may vary, so check out WorldsOfFun.com for more information!
Let the good — and scary — times roll this season with these Kansas City Halloween and fall events.
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Giving Back
Advertising Material
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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Welcoming Adam Evans to the Team!
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A Cat Helped Write a Physics Paper?
PG2
Camp LeJeune Lawsuits: We Can Help
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October Events in Kansas City
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Pumpkin Pie Parfaits
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3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions Guaranteed to Spook
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Get Out of the (Haunted) House Halloween is just around the corner. You’ll soon have trick-or-treaters approaching your door requesting a healthy share of candy. Before then, you may want to go out and feel the thrills of the season yourself, but maybe you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy the cramped spaces of haunted houses. You don’t have to step indoors to experience a spooky attraction though. There are plenty of outdoor Halloween attractions to check out, and below are three of the most thrilling. ZOMBIE PAINTBALL We’ve all watched a scary movie and thought we could do better than some of the characters in these extreme situations. Now is your chance to prove it.
With These 3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions
involved. You’ll step aboard a bus or trailer outfitted with paintball guns and proceed along a course full of zombies and creatures. Before long, your friends and family will get into the competitive spirit to see who can hit the most targets. HAUNTED CORN MAZE Haunted houses are great if you’re trying to experience some jump scares. But if you want to get the haunted house experience in an outdoor setting, you should check out a haunted corn maze. You’ll hear screams coming from all around to help amp up the fear. It’s also a great way to get some exercise! HAUNTED HAYRIDE So, what if you want the best of both worlds? You may want to feel scared without walking through a maze or using a paintball gun. That’s where haunted hayrides come in. On a haunted hayride, you’ll hop aboard a platform that’s being towed by a tractor or truck as they take you through a dark forest and possibly some barns.
There are zombie paintball courses throughout the country, and they can be a great time for everyone
Performers will be woven throughout to provide scares at the perfect moments. It’s a great way to get the classic Halloween experience without having to walk through a house or maze.
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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