The Law Offices of William F. Underwood - November 2023

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Justice MONTHLY

229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law

NOVEMBER 2023

My Family’s Go-To Weeknight Dinner Menu COOKING BEYOND NATIONAL MEN MAKE DINNER DAY

While I think I cook pretty often at home, my wife Priscila may not entirely agree. I’ll admit she certainly does the majority of the cooking at our house, but I do try my best to help whenever I can, even if my cooking isn’t anywhere near her level of expertise. Nov. 2 was National Men Make Dinner Day, and I can at least brag that I cook more often than just once a year! We try to keep to a specific routine throughout the week when it comes to cooking, but it can be a challenge with the little ones. I cook my own breakfast during the week (quite the achievement, I know), but Priscila will make this delicious breakfast spread on the weekends. She’ll always outdo me when it comes to cooking! Fridays, however, are my time to shine. I’m responsible for Friday night dinners, and I’ll be completely honest: It will usually be something I can cook right on the grill, like steak and potatoes. I may not be the best chef, but I can definitely handle a grill! If Priscila ever needs anything grilled for her recipes, I’m her man. While I’m no “Grill Master,” she trusts me enough when it comes to grilling meats and vegetables. Since Priscila is Brazilian, she makes many incredible Brazilian recipes. One that requires my grilling expertise is picanha com farofa , or grilled steak with a flavorful, buttery corn-based meal. Isabella isn’t the biggest fan of meat, so she’ll just eat the farofa. We were honestly shocked to see her finish up all of her chicken breast. We’re making progress! Another Brazilian staple we eat at our house is pastel , a pastry filled with perfectly seasoned ground beef. Aside from Brazilian cooking, she also enjoys making risotto and homemade pizza in our Ooni woodfire oven. She truly embraces her 25% Italian side! Of course, on top of all that, Priscila also loves baking. Although she’s a talented chef, she shouldn’t be expected to cook every night. Other than Friday nights, I also like to pitch in on Thursday’s

taco night. We’ll do all kinds of tacos and work as a team to make it as easy as possible.

We’re both busy, and there are days when we know nothing elaborate will be hitting the dinner table. We joke that whenever we’re tired, we’ll make our “house special,” a simple pesto pasta. All you have to do is cook the pasta and pour the sauce. When even that is too much for a rough weeknight, we won’t shy away from Chinese or Indian takeout! I know National Men Make Dinner Day should prompt me to share my special dishes, but in the end, I can’t lie. Priscila’s cooking is what makes our family dinners even more special. I’ll always be grateful for the hard work and love she puts into making our meals. I tried making risotto once and knew I’d never want to try again. Thank you, Priscila, for all you do!

-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III

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MAYO MAGIC: THE SECRET TO JUICY THANKSGIVING TURKEY

Spice Kick Don’t worry — you’re not using only mayonnaise on your turkey. The mayo method serves as an excellent base for your choice of seasonings. You can create your own mixture before applying it to the turkey. Thyme, parsley, garlic powder, sage, cayenne, and rosemary are all great options.

The turkey undoubtedly takes center stage among the many culinary delights that grace the Thanksgiving table. While there are plenty of methods for cooking a turkey, many chefs and home cooks swear by the “mayo method” as the best way to achieve a moist and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey — here’s why! Moisture Lock One of the biggest challenges when roasting a turkey is maintaining its moisture. The mayo method involves slathering the turkey with a layer of mayonnaise before roasting. Because mayonnaise contains oil, it helps lock in moisture during cooking, resulting in a juicy and tender turkey. Flavor Infusion If you’re a mayo lover, you’ll agree it’s delicious! While it gives the turkey a subtle and rich flavor, the result doesn’t taste like mayonnaise at all! (Mayo haters can breathe a sigh of relief.) Even Browning Applying mayonnaise to the turkey creates an even and beautiful browning effect on the skin. This enhances the visual appeal and contributes a succulent and slightly crispy texture.

Simple Preparation The mayo method streamlines your preparation process — here’s what to do:

Allow your turkey to thaw. Create your custom mayonnaise by mixing it with your seasonings of choice.

• Dry the turkey with paper towels and season it with salt and pepper. • Gently separate the skin from the bird and slide in cubes of butter. • Rub the entire turkey with your mayonnaise mixture, inside and out. • Bake at 450 F for 30 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 325 F and cook for 15 minutes per pound.

This Thanksgiving, give the mayo method a whirl — you and your guests won’t be disappointed!

Your Top Questions on Injury Claims and Workers’ Comp We handle legal cases daily, dealing with personal injury cases and complex workers’ compensation claims, so we know these processes inside and out. However, we also know you likely don’t. That’s why we always do what we can to explain to our clients their next steps, specific procedures, and any questions they may have about their case. Of course, some questions come up more often than others. To clarify any concerns you may have about personal injury or workers’ compensation cases, here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Personal Injury

option to receive the compensation you deserve.

Why do I need a police report after a car accident? A police report is considered a significant form of evidence after an accident. When an insurance adjuster decides whether to approve or deny your claim, they will examine the police report. You can receive your report by contacting your local police department.

Workers’ Compensation

Why can medical treatments be denied? When receiving workers’ compensation, the insurance company will control what doctor you see and what treatments they will reimburse. However, if you discover they are denying treatment or refusing to pay for it, it may be because they’ve determined it’s unnecessary, you’ve received enough treatment, or the treatment does not pertain to the work-related injury. What do I do if an adjuster won’t return my calls? Insurance companies will delay responses for as long as they can. Their system is designed to discourage you and reduce the number of claims they must handle. If your workers’ compensation insurance company ignores your calls or emails, you need an attorney who can aggressively bridge the gap for you.

What do I tell/not tell an insurance adjuster?

When speaking with insurance adjusters, you should be incredibly cautious. Their job is to pay you as little as possible. So, you should always refrain from saying anything incriminating, such as admitting fault, dismissing injuries or pain, and so on. Simply give them the facts and nothing else. Why shouldn’t I take the first offer? As we said, they will try to offer the lowest compensation possible. Keep negotiating if you and your attorney know your damages are higher than this first offer. If you and your insurance company can’t reach an agreement, then a trial may be a suitable

If you have more questions you need to be answered, call 229-303-4995 to learn more.

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THE ESSENTIAL TRAITS OF AN EFFECTIVE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY FIND AN ATTORNEY WHO FIGHTS FOR YOU

Diligent and Dedicated The main question you need to answer is this: Will this attorney fight for my case as if it were their own or even their family member’s case? You want a diligent lawyer who will do whatever they can to help you get results. They need to stay on top of your case, effectively negotiate with insurance companies, and work with dedication to earn the best outcome possible for you. Personally, I’m here for the long haul. I’m not looking for a quick buck and working only to give the bare minimum. I take pride in my work and want to show my face in this community! To be proud of my work and live up to the firm’s reputation, I must give all I’ve got. You can see if I meet the mark when you schedule a consultation, and I’ll do whatever I can to show you I do!

After experiencing an injury, you’ll face many challenges and need help recovering expenses. The outcome of your case can make a world of difference to your well-being. With so much on the line, it’s vital you choose an attorney who will put in the effort needed to give you the best results. That’s why I never recommend choosing the first attorney you see on a billboard or hear on the radio. When you examine different lawyers, determine if they have the following qualities. Strong and Consistent Communication Throughout the legal process, you have urgent questions or have to wait for specific results. I know most of my clients’ worries are diminished when I give them regular

updates and are there for them when they need me. The last thing you need is to be anxiously waiting by the phone to hear back from your lawyer. You need an attorney who can not only effectively communicate with you but also with insurance companies, judges, juries, and so on. Specializes in Cases Like Yours While fancy advertisements about impressive results can do wonders, it’s no help to you if an attorney has no experience with cases like yours. You should always ensure they specialize in personal injury and have experience working with clients who have been in an accident similar to yours with comparable injuries.

TASTY APPLE PIE

We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our September newsletter:

Ingredients • 2 9-inch unbaked pie crusts • 6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples • 1 tsp cinnamon

Shametrics Carr Dominique Pollard Andrea McNair

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 2 tbsp butter

Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations so they can find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Place 1 pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate.

3. In a large bowl, combine apples, cinnamon, sugar, and flour. 4. Spoon mixture into pastry-lined pie plate and dot with butter. 5. Cut remaining crust into 1/2-inch-wide strips, then arrange strips in a lattice design over top of pie. 6. Trim, seal, and flute edges. 7. Bake for 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.

Thank you for trusting us to serve you!

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How We Balance Cooking Duties in a Busy Household PAGE 1

Tips to Make the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Essential FAQs for Maximizing Your Compensation PAGE 2

Choose Your Attorney Wisely! Tasty Apple Pie PAGE 3

Did the FBI Really ‘Steal’ $86 Million? PAGE 4

THE STORY BEHIND A MIND-BLOWING CALIFORNIA RAID HANG ON — THE FBI ROBBED A BANK?

“This was the largest armed robbery in United States history, and it was committed by the FBI.” That jaw-dropping statement came from Robert Frommer, an attorney representing several hundred people whose safe deposit boxes were emptied during an FBI raid in 2021. The story is wild from start to finish. On that fateful day in March, armed FBI agents stormed a California strip mall and burst into a U.S. Private Vaults bank branch. They searched 1,400 safe deposit boxes and confiscated the contents of many of them — making off with roughly $86 million, plus valuable collectibles like coins, gold, and jewelry. Why would the agency do this? Well, after a two-year investigation, the FBI suspected U.S. Private Vaults was catering to drug dealers and other criminals hiding cash in Los Angeles. So, the agency obtained a warrant and raided the bank to look for proof. And apparently, they found it. After the raid, U.S. Private Vaults pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder drug money and closed its doors for good. However, that wasn’t the end of the saga.

Remember attorney Robert Frommer? Roughly 400 people who kept their money at U.S. Private Vaults hired him to get the contents of their safe deposit boxes back from the FBI. They said they weren’t criminals and wanted their money back. One of those people was Joseph Ruiz, who lost $57,000 in savings during the FBI raid. He filed a lawsuit, claiming the raid was unconstitutional. When the FBI accused Ruiz of making his money through illegal drug sales, Ruiz showed proof of his income, and in August 2021, the FBI agreed to return his funds. However, not every U.S. Private Vaults customer has been so lucky. In September 2022, a judge ruled that the FBI raid was legal under civil forfeiture laws and dismissed the depositors’ class-action lawsuit. An FBI spokesperson also said the agency was putting a process in place to return items to innocent owners, but as of March 2023, at least one person still claimed she hadn’t gotten her money back — even though she wasn’t criminally charged.

If this story ever becomes a Hollywood movie, we’ll be first in line at the box office.

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