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LEGAL BRIEF
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OCTOBER 2024 FriedmanSimon.com
FAMILY, FOOD, AND FOCUS WHY MY FAMILY’S STORE BELL STILL RINGS TRUE IN MY LEGAL PRACTICE
Hello friends,
father would open at 7 a.m. as my mother prepared breakfast and got us kids off to school. Later, my mom would come down to work at the cash register as my father dealt with merchandise vendors or other managerial tasks. At various points during the day, they’d switch back and forth, and then, in the late afternoon, Mom would go upstairs to cook dinner. (I’m still amazed how she juggled this with laundry, keeping the apartment clean, and childcare.) Customer care and satisfaction were extremely important to my parents. Glen Cove was a small town, and your reputation directly correlated with your business’s success and failure. It’s funny in hindsight, but when I was 8, my parents felt comfortable having me work the register at times, accepting payment for purchases and making change. They emphasized the importance of being polite when speaking with customers and precise when handling money. I vividly recall my feeling of joy when they placed their trust and confidence in me to do the work. Among the many items we sold, we carried newspapers. In those pre-cable TV, pre- internet days, if people wanted to know how the stock market closed, they needed a copy of the “Late Edition” of the paper. Accordingly, newspapers were delivered to the store twice a day. The first delivery was around dawn, and the second delivery, which would usually be eagerly waited for by a group of men from the town who invested in or “played” the market, came around 6–7 p.m.
If the store had a sudden rush during dinner and my father needed help, one of the kids or my mother would have to run downstairs to pitch in. At one point, my father even installed a handy button near the cash register. When it became busy, he would press it, which would cause a bell to ring in the kitchen upstairs. This was the “HELP!” signal, and one or more of us would rush down to lend a hand. Childhood dinners were often punctuated by that bell and a “drop everything, all hands on deck” feeling. Although the practice of law can be an orderly undertaking, there are certainly times when something unexpected requires immediate attention. While it might now be a telephone ringing to alert me to an urgent situation, I sometimes still remember that bell above the store, calling me to come down and give my focused attention to a problem. I didn’t know then that those dinners were part of my professional training. I am grateful to my parents for their love, hard work, and the lessons they helped me learn. Even today, amid a busy legal practice, I find myself drawing on those early experiences. My parents’ values continue to guide my
As I began writing this month’s cover article, I discovered that October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month — a time dedicated to the simple yet powerful act of sharing meals with loved ones. Gathering around the table with family and friends regularly has been proven to improve one’s social skills and reduce stress. It brought back a memory from my childhood. My parents were immigrants to the U.S., and I am a first-generation American. My parents owned a store in Glen Cove, NY, and our family, which included my parents, older sister, older brother, and me, lived in an apartment directly above the store.
approach to my work and life, reminding me that sometimes, the most meaningful lessons come from the simplest moments shared around the dinner table.
We carried a wide range of items. Over the years that we owned the store, our days and hours of operation changed a few times, but when I was a little boy, the store opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m., seven days a week.
–Eddie Friedman
Everybody had to chip in to ensure the store could always care for our customers. My
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While treatment and recovery from physical injuries are typically the primary concerns of our car accident injury clients, the question, “Who’s going to pay to fix my car?” is another important concern. If our client carries collision insurance, they can have their own company pay for the damage to be repaired or, in the case of a total loss (i.e., when the repair exceeds 70% of the car’s market value), the vehicle’s current value. The host vehicle’s insurer will also pay a set daily amount for a rental car while the damaged vehicle is being repaired. For those with collision coverage, a collision claim is the easiest, most convenient, and quickest way to pay for car repairs. NAVIGATING DAMAGE CLAIMS AFTER AN ACCIDENT Who Will Pay to Fix My Car?
Kids these days! They don’t know how to curtsy before their lords, stay stoic and straight-faced when photographed, or duel to the death when someone besmirches their honor. In all seriousness, while some courtesies have gone out of fashion, there are still manners your kids should know. Manners are essential for people of all ages and can significantly improve your kids’ social standing, success, and behavior in the years to come. Here are three need-to-know manners to teach your kids. WHAT’S THE MAGIC WORD? It may sound simple, but no common courtesy is more important than knowing when to say “Please” and “Thank you.” It also helps establish a model of good behavior and parental respect that is important to reinforce in children. When your children ask for something, remind them to say, “Please.” When someone has done something for them, remind them to say, “Thank you.” You also need to model the practice and return the same courtesy! It shows how important it is for everyone to have good manners. MAKE AN INTRODUCTION. Greetings and introductions may seem trivial; however, they are anything but . Properly introducing yourself, especially on the phone, is pivotal to starting a relationship or phone call on the right foot. It also gives you more authority and respect for the remainder of the conversation and beyond. LEARN TO BE HELPFUL. No act is more endearing to others than offering a helping hand. Whether mowing your neighbor’s lawn, staying after class to help your teacher clean up, or lending a hand in dinner prep with a parent, acts of kindness can help build character. They are also a great way to forge new friendships and cement current relationships, as you never know what others are going through, and a bit of help may be just what they need. Build Character With Manners 3 Behaviors to Teach Your Kids
The potential negatives of making a claim against your carrier are:
• You will probably have to lay out a deductible (which your insurance carrier may be able to reimburse you for if they recover it from the at-fault insurer). • It will become part of your claim history with the company, which will be considered when your policy renews and a new premium is determined. The other option is to make a property damage claim against the at-fault party’s insurer. If the accident was clearly the at-fault party’s fault (for example, you were hit in the rear while stopped at a red light) this type of claim is probably the best. However, if liability is disputed (as in a “he said/ she said” dispute over which driver had the green light and which driver had the red light in an intersection accident) a property damage claim against the at-fault party may be frustrating and disappointing. In the red light/green light example, the at-fault party’s insurer may offer only 50% of the damage repair. While property damage claims can be litigated, most people want and need the property damage portion of their claim resolved quickly. The delays and uncertainties of litigating the property damage claim make doing so impractical and unacceptable. If you have concerns about property damage sustained in an accident involving physical injuries, call us so we can address the specific circumstances of your claim.
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When streaming became mainstream, people stopped collecting DVDs. When Roombas became available, owners of these cleaning “robots” stopped vacuuming. Everyone is happy when they find a way to make their lives a little bit easier, and our home lives are no exception. We spend a lot of time at home, so innovations that simplify chores and maintenance are a welcome discovery. Here are two helpful tips for a more efficient household. CLEANING ON A SCHEDULE We have all blown off chores and told ourselves, “I’ll just do it in the morning.” Procrastination on critical cleaning chores can lead to an intimidating stack of tasks. Not only is the chore backlog more challenging to catch up on, but it can also lead to paralyzing inaction, all of which could have been avoided if you had just addressed the tasks as they came up. If it works for the military, it can work for us. Making your bed first thing in the morning — no matter what — is a great way to set yourself up for a successful, productive day. Former Navy SEAL Admiral William McRaven adds, “And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made — that you made — and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.” So, it’s worth the effort and makes you more likely to accomplish other chores around the house. Tidy Up Your Space
Likewise, to keep things tidy, clean up wherever you go in your home throughout the day. When you go to the bathroom, spend a minute wiping down the counters and cleaning the sink. If you’re going to the living room to watch TV, do some quick vacuuming or pick up any loose bits of trash. This makes you your own Roomba, although you will likely be less prone to run into walls and get stuck. This doesn’t mean you have to be cleaning at all times to get anything done. Setting a half-hour timer and working to get as much cleaning done as possible is one way to accomplish this. Afterward, you can take a much-needed reprieve and set another cleaning timer later in the day. SOLVING THE STORAGE CONUNDRUM According to an Opendoor survey, people only declutter their homes about four times yearly. A great way to mitigate the inconvenience of decluttering a home is to add additional storage. Doors and walls are often underutilized when it comes to storage. Floating shelves are a great way to display items while freeing up space in your cupboards, drawers, and closets. Likewise, you can use doors for other kinds of storage with over-the-door hangers for towels, clothing, and pouches to hold cleaning supplies, batteries, etc. When it comes to dry food storage, clear bins are always best. That way, whenever you look into your pantry, you can see what you have and how much of it you have left. The key is to make life easier by having your home storage work for you, not against you.
SUDOKU
Ultimate Baked Ziti
Loaded with rich tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta, this is a family favorite perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients • 1 (16 oz) package of dried ziti pasta • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes • 1 cup ricotta cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. 2. Cook ziti according to package instructions. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onion and garlic until softened. 4. Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. 5. Stir in the cooked ziti and season with salt and pepper. 6. Transfer mixture to baking dish. 7. Top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Directions
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516-800-8000 FriedmanSimon.com
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How Childhood Dinners Taught Me Life Lessons Essential Manners Kids Should Learn INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2
Collision Claims vs. At-Fault Claims
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Top Tips for an Efficient Household
Ultimate Baked Ziti
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A Neurosurgeon’s 4 Crucial Tips
HEED THE W RNINGS SIMPLE STEPS TO ENHANCE PERSONAL SAFETY
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the fragility of life and the importance of simple precautions. However, for Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon in Toledo, Ohio, these lessons have been etched into his life through personal tragedy and decades of frontline experience. Hoeflinger has dedicated over 25 years to treating patients with traumatic brain and spinal injuries and has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of neglecting personal safety. Driven by his loss — the death of his 18-year-old son in a drunk- driving accident — Hoeflinger has made it his mission to educate the public on the most common factors that contribute to these life-altering injuries. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION At the top of Hoeflinger’s list of concerns is alcohol consumption. “Without a
doubt, alcohol is number one,” he states emphatically. “So many cases I see when I’m on trauma call are related to alcohol.” The link between alcohol and traumatic injuries is well-documented, with studies showing that alcohol impairs judgment and motor skills, leading to a higher incidence of accidents and injuries. LATE NIGHTS Hoeflinger’s second warning targets the dangers of late nights, stating that “nothing good ever happens after midnight.” He explains that many incidents, including fights and accidents, occur in the late hours when people are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and less vigilant about their safety. NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS Another critical factor Hoeflinger emphasizes is the importance of wearing
seat belts. “Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, always wear your seat belt,” he urges. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, failure to wear seat belts remains a leading cause of death and serious injury in car accidents. LACK OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS Finally, Hoeflinger stresses the need for heightened situational awareness, particularly for older adults at higher risk of falls. “Pay attention to your surroundings,” he advises. “I can’t tell you the number of people, especially elderly people, I see who accidentally fell down a flight of stairs and ended up paralyzed.” By heeding his advice, we can all help reduce the incidence of severe injuries and fatalities and perhaps even change the world for the better, one life at a time.
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