Check out our April newsletter!
april 2020
www.herrmanandherrman.com • 844.567.6399 1201 3rd St., Corpus Christi, TX 78404 • 4121 N. 23rd St., McAllen, TX 78504 855 E. Harrison st., brownsville, tx 78520 • 8122 Datapoint Dr., Suite 816, San antonio, TX 78229
It’s a Stressful World
Everyone experiences stress — we see this every day when our clients come to us in stressful situations and turn to us to ease that stress. We might be a little biased in saying this, but in the many years of running our firm, we’ve found that hiring an attorney after a traumatic experience, like a car accident, is a good way to lower stress. It takes so much of the burden off your shoulders. April is Stress Awareness Month. We bring it up because stress is so prevalent these days; it seems like everybody deals with it to some extent. But beyond that, it’s no secret that stress is detrimental to your health. Stress often leads to high blood pressure, anxiety, an increased risk of hypertension, and ultimately, a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Stress also releases other chemicals into the bloodstream, which can trigger the fight-or-flight response. But when you’re in a position where you can’t really do either, this can lead to anxious feelings. When we are unable to focus on getting our stress or anxiety under control, this is when the harmful effects start to surface.
Breathing exercises are an easy way to meditate. When you’re focused on each breath, you are better able to clear your mind of intrusive, stressful thoughts. Plus, breathing exercises help bring more oxygen into the blood, which can be very beneficial for your health. If you haven’t tried meditation, it’s worth it. Another great way to reduce stress is through exercise. Research shows that 20–30 minutes of physical activity every day can have a huge impact on stress, even if it’s something simple like a 20-minute walk. For many people who have recently been in a car accident, getting physical activity can be a challenge, but this is where it can be beneficial to work with a physical therapist to really home in on exercises you can more easily do. Finally, many people are able to reduce their stress by simply using a distraction to focus their minds. Some people turn to video games, while others turn to building puzzles or LEGOs. There has actually been some research that LEGOs are effective as therapy tools for people with anxiety. Earlier this year, The LEGO Group revealed that it was coming out with adult-targeted products specifically designed for stress reduction. It might be something to investigate! As we wrap up another busy month, we do want to mention two upcoming events we’re sponsoring in May. First up, we have the CASA Superhero 5K Corpus Christi (May 2). Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is an organization dedicated to being there for kids who have been abused or neglected. The CASA Superhero 5K helps raise money and awareness for the organization. Later in the month, on May 16, we have the annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon. It’s one of the largest relay races in the country and attracts people from all around the world. You can register for the race at BeachToBayRelay.com. You can also register for the CASA Superhero 5K at V-F-Productions.RaceEntry.com or search for the CASA Superhero 5K Corpus Christi online.
Common signs of stress and anxiety include:
• Elevated heart rate • High blood pressure • Chest pain • Rapid breathing • Restlessness
• Sleeplessness • Headache • Digestive issues • Muscle tension
Stress can affect just about every part of the body, including the mind, but it can affect everyone differently. Some people may experience nearly all of these symptoms of stress, while others may only experience a few. Regardless, it should be dealt with so that it doesn’t impact your overall health and lead to other complications. What can you do? One of the best ways to manage any kind of stress is meditation. There are many different types of meditation, but a popular way to meditate is through the use of smartphone apps. Good meditation apps include Calm, Headspace, 10% Happier, Insight Timer, and Buddhify.
We hope to see you out there, and happy Easter!
-Greg Herrman
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Something in the Water Why Rob Bilott Took on DuPont
Rob Bilott never should have agreed to represent Wilbur Tennant’s case.
Tennant’s farm and into the drinking water of every American.
The cattle farmer had presented evidence of the strange malady plaguing his cattle to lawyers, politicians, and veterinarians in Parkersburg, West Virginia, but no one took Tennant’s case seriously.
The letter mentioned a mysterious chemical called PFOA, and Bilott requested documentation from DuPont to find out more about it. However, the company refused, so Bilott
But when Bilott saw the evidence for himself, it was clear that something was wrong.
requested a court order. Soon, dozens of disorganized boxes filled with thousands of 50-year-old files arrived at Bilott’s firm.
The videos and photographs Tennant had collected showed cattle with patchy fur, growths and lesions, white slime coming from their mouths, and staggering gaits. Tennant told Bilott that the abnormal behavior and physical deformities had started after his brother Jim sold his property to DuPont, a chemical company with a big presence in Parkersburg. Jim’s property bordered on Wilbur’s, and a stream running from Jim’s property provided water for all the cattle and wildlife in the area. Since the sale, the stream had become frothy and discolored, and the animals that drank from it were sick, malformed, or dead, including 153 of Tennant’s 200 cows. When Bilott stumbled upon a letter from DuPont to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the real horror story began to emerge — one that went far beyond the boundaries of
He was worried he wouldn’t be able to find anything incriminating or even conclusive in the mess of documents, but soon, his time as an environmental lawyer helped him see the bigger picture. It became clear that DuPont had orchestrated a massive cover-up regarding their use of PFOA. PFOA is used in the manufacturing of Teflon, and the company had knowingly exposed workers and the Parkersburg water supply to it. Bilott filed a class-action suit as a medical monitoring claim on behalf of the people of Parkersburg, and, as of 2011, a probable link between PFOA and six health conditions, including two types of cancer, has been found. Because of the medical monitoring claim, plaintiffs can file personal injury lawsuits against DuPont. So far, 3,535 people have. If it weren’t for Bilott and Tennant, the public might have never known the dangers of PFOA.
“I need to give a huge shoutout to Connie Polk! She is hands down the most professional, competent, and courteous person I know. Whenever I need help with anything, Connie is always right there. Thank you,
Testimonials
Connie, for all you do!” -Danielle Clark
Don’t just take our word for it
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Ask Your Doctor These Questions When Getting New Medication
Sometimes when patients are given new drugs, they just accept the prescription and take it to the pharmacist to get filled and be told how to use it. But often patients don’t ask their doctors the right questions, if they ask any at all, because they may not know what to ask. If you find yourself in this situation, here are questions to always keep in mind: What is the name of the medication and what is its function in treatment? It is essential that you know the name of the drug you ingest and what it is meant to do. For instance, in a situation where a person experiences a side effect, without knowing the name of the drug, it may be difficult for a medical professional to assist the patient in alleviating the discomfort. Also, if you do not know the function of the drug, how will you ever know if it is effective or not? What is the side effect profile of the drug? All drugs have side effects, and you should know what to potentially expect from taking your medication. This is important so that you can prepare for, and know what to do if, the side effect shows up. In some cases, you may need to report back to your health care provider when you experience certain side effects. How long do I take my medications? To avoid therapeutic failure or complications, you should always take the medication for the prescribed duration unless you’re told otherwise by your doctor.
Aside from these primary questions, here are a few more to consider asking your doctor or pharmacist:
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What food, drugs, and drinks should I avoid while on the medication? Can I get a generic version of the medication?
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What should I do if I miss a dose of the medication? When is the medication likely to take effect? Is the medication safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? Are there tests necessary to monitor the medication? Are there long-term risks associated with using this drug?
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To ensure that the outcome of therapy is achieved and you are safe while taking the medication, ask questions. Sometimes the drugs may not act as expected, and your only saving grace may be the knowledge you get from the doctor.
Sudoku
Vegan Spring Rolls
Nothing says spring quite like these easy-to-make vegan spring rolls!
INGREDIENTS
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1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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4 leaves cabbage, julienned
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 oz soybean sprouts
1 onion, julienned
2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce 8 sheets spring roll pastry
2 large carrots, julienned
DIRECTIONS
1. In a wok over medium-high heat, add olive oil, vegetables, and tamari or soy sauce. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Set aside filling mixture. 2. Place a pastry wrapper on a flat surface and tilt it to be in the shape of a diamond. Scoop 2 tbsp of filling onto the lower corner of the wrapper. 3. Tightly roll the wrapper and fold in the left and right corners. Brush the
top corner with water and close the roll. Repeat with all wrappers. 4. In the wok, heat a generous amount of olive oil. 5. Add the rolls when hot, cooking for 1 minute or until each side is golden brown. 6. Place rolls on a paper towel to drain oil and cool before serving.
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1201 3rd St. Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Everyone’s Stressed Out! Page 1 The Lawyer Who Took on a Multibillion-Dollar Company Hear What People Are Saying About Us Page 2 What Questions Should You Always Ask Your Doctor? Vegan Spring Rolls Page 3 The Best Locations for Spring Blooms Page 4 Inside This ISSUE
See Spring Bloom In These Beautiful Locations
Spring is here, which means beautiful flowers are finally showing themselves after a long winter. Here are some of the best places in the U.S. to see flower blossoms and welcome the season.
walks, art, photography, culinary experiences, and more. For a truly unique experience, you can even ascend the town’s titular Crested Butte to spot some rare alpine sunflowers next to the picturesque West Elk Mountains.
Great Smoky Mountains The Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches across North Carolina and Tennessee, and while its scenery is beautiful year-round, the park is especially alluring to nature enthusiasts during the spring. Through this season, miles of lady’s-slipper orchids, irises, cardinal flowers, and lilies dot its lush green landscape. It’s dubbed “Wildflower National Park” throughout this time of year, and you can experience it by car or on foot. The park also offers expert-led tours that weave through the flowers during their peak bloom. Crested Butte Crested Butte, Colorado, is best known for its winter sports
Antelope Valley The California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, California, is a 1,780-acre park that features sloping hills covered with fields of vibrant orange, yellow, and red poppies in the spring. Warm temperatures and heavy rainfall across Southern California during this time of year create a brief period of thick blooms as far as the eye can see. And while the poppies can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car, the best way to experience them is to walk the leisurely Antelope Loop Trail for a breathtaking, up- close adventure.
Spring flora is gorgeous and naturally attracts large crowds of people every year. If you plan to visit any of these destinations, just remember that their ecosystems are delicate. Respect park signs, stay on designated trails, and do your part to make sure these flowers return year after year for future generations to enjoy.
and summer hikes. But recently it has drawn the attention of flower enthusiasts for its unique pink, orange, and gold alpine wildflowers that appear in the spring. This natural phenomenon even inspired the creation of the annual Wildflower Festival in midsummer, which features nature
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