Finney Injury Law - February 2019

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

225 S. MERAMEC AVENUE, SUITE 821 T • CLAYTON, MO 63105 // FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222 // FEBRUARY 2019

RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO SUPPORT US IN FEBRUARY A VALENTINE’S SHOUTOUT TO MY WIFE

G iven that Valentine’s Day is this month, I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about my wife, Christine, and how vital she is to Finney Injury Law. As some of you may know, we are lucky enough to have four healthy sons: Mac, 6; Lew, 4; Sully, 2; and Quinn, 1. I can still remember when Christine was pregnant with Mac and we were sitting at the now-shuttered Mad Tomato in Clayton and I told her that I couldn’t do it anymore. I was quitting my nice salaried job with benefits at a medium-sized firm. I handled it all wrong. She cried. Drinks were accidentally knocked over. The table next to us asked us if everything was okay. It was a mess and a perfect illustration of my mindset at the time: chaotic, poorly thought-out, and selfish. What followed next was my decision to be a jury trial lawyer — to represent living, breathing people and help them when they have been wronged by insurance companies, no matter the cost. Christine never questioned me. It was hard. It is hard. But she is steadfast, honest, loyal, and dependable. She is completely selfless. My early career results were less than encouraging. I frequently took cases to trial in small claims court, had those appealed to associate circuit court, lost, and received verdicts of $0 or $500

with 40 percent fault. I put up my own website that failed miserably. I advertised on the radio and got ridiculed. I tried to think of any way to achieve my goal of trying cases and providing for my family. I was convinced this would pay off. If Christine was nervous, she never showed it. She encouraged me to be patient and said that it would all work out. She still does. She also reminds me that work is not the most important thing and that our growing family should come first. She is right. I don’t know what I did to find such a perfect match for a wife. During my early career struggles, she worked full time to provide for us. During jury trials, she shines. She knows my hours will be early and late and that I will be absent- minded when prepping for trial and during a trial. Without a doubt, I could not do any of this without her.

In fact, I only get to do this because of her. I seek her advice every night. Her thoughts are balanced and measured. Mine are not. I trust her opinions more than anything. If she doesn’t have a good feeling about something or someone, then I don’t either. She is at her best when she’s with our boys. She is firm but fair. She can discipline and empathize at the same time. This short space isn’t enough to truly convey all that Christine does and how strong she is. I am certain many of you reading this feel the same about your own spouses or loved ones. February is a great

month to give them the recognition they deserve.

SPEAK FROM THE HEART HOW MR. ROGERS SAVED PBS

It’s May 1, 1969. As the war continues in Vietnam, people gather in the Senate Subcommittee on Communications in D.C. to fight for what they believe is critical to the American public. Proposed budget cuts to Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) threaten the programs that have become dear to so many, and $20 million is on the line. For a public television station, this is everything. Over the course of two days, Senator John Pastore, chairperson of the subcommittee, has listened to speech after speech about why PBS should be awarded the funding. He’s tired of hearing the same bland data and is eager to have the ordeal over with. Then Fred Rogers, host of the newly syndicated series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” steps up to the microphone. Unlike his fellow speakers, Mr. Rogers doesn’t use numbers or research to persuade Senator Pastore. In the calm voice many of us associate with our childhoods, Fred Rogers shares with Senator Pastore the reasons why he’s concerned about what children see on television. Two minutes after Rogers has begun talking, Pastore’s demeanor changes — his face softens, and he can tell Rogers has something important to say. From his work in child development, Rogers has come to empathize with and understand the worries and fears of children. He explains to Senator Pastore that he’s created a

show for children, saying, “I feel that if we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health.” He doesn’t speak from the piece of paper in front of him; he speaks from his heart. Rogers shares with Pastore what he tells viewers at the end of each episode: “You’ve made this day a special day just by being you.” “I’d like to see this program,” Pastore says. Five minutes into the speech, he is transformed, just like anyone who’s seen Rogers’ show. “I’m supposed to be a pretty tough guy, and this is the first time I’ve had goosebumps for the last two days,” Pastore tells him. How has Rogers swayed the senator? He hasn’t waved a magic wand or given a dramatic performance, but Rogers’ passion is so palpable, even Senator Pastore can’t help being won over. After Rogers shares the words of one the songs he features in “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” Pastore has heard enough. “I think it’s wonderful,” Pastore declares. “Looks like you just earned the $20 million.” If you’d like to see Mr. Rogers' testimony for yourself, you can check it out at youtube.com/watch?v=fKy7ljRr0AA .

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRUCKING ACCIDENT CASES NOT YOUR AVERAGE ACCIDENT

You don’t need a degree in physics to understand why accidents involving semitrucks are so dangerous. Compared to a standard passenger vehicle, an 18-wheeler is a hulking behemoth that can cause critical harm in the event of a crash. Due to the serious nature of injuries, trucking accident cases are considerably different than those involving two-passenger cars. The first way this difference manifests itself is in how quickly the trucking company will move to resolve the matter. The moment that an accident happens, they are thinking about the least-painful way out of it. Accidents can crush their bottom line and leave their reputation

in tatters, so they don’t waste any effort in ending cases swiftly and in their favor. To keep yourself and your right to compensation protected, you need to hire an experienced attorney as soon as possible . The timeliness with which you retain counsel could have a huge impact on the result of your case. In a regular accident, fault lies with the parties involved. But in trucking accidents, there are additional parties who you can bring action against. A thorough investigation will seek to find if the trucking company, parts makers, or loading company are also at fault. Let’s say that the company didn’t perform a proper background check on the driver,

or a manufacturer provided a defective part to the company. In instances like these, you can recover more compensation by bringing additional actions against these entities. All the issues you encounter in a regular accident are magnified when the accident involves a large truck, from the severity of the injuries you may suffer to the complexity of the resulting case. The trucking company wants to pressure you into accepting as little as possible. Don’t let them do it. Retain the expertise of a skilled attorney who will help you get what you deserve. Call Finney Injury Law today to find out how we can help.

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HOW STARBUCKS HELPS THE DEAF COMMUNITY ORDERING COFFEE JUST GOT EASIER

If you’ve ever visited a Starbucks coffee shop, you’ve likely heard a patron rattle off a drink order that was more specific than your grandma’s pecan pie recipe. For example, they might say, “I’ll take a Grande, four-pump, nonfat, no-whip, extra-hot mocha.” Without missing a beat, the barista scribbles the order on the cup and starts making the drink. Orders like this one are a mouthful for even the most seasoned Starbucks guru, but for deaf people, it can be difficult to even order a cup of black coffee. Adam Novsam, a deaf utility analyst at Starbucks headquarters in Seattle, set out to address that difficulty by heading the launch of the company’s first deaf- friendly signing store.

elements. In 2005, the ASL Deaf Studies Department at Gallaudet University created the DeafSpace Project using design elements, such as space and proximity, sensory reach, mobility, light, and acoustics, to address potential challenges for deaf people. Starbucks’ signing store incorporates these aspects of DeafSpace to make their store more accessible. For customers new to sign language, the store features some high-tech options for assisting with communication, ordering drinks, and receiving beverages at the handoff counter, including digital notepads

However, deaf partners wear special green aprons embroidered with the ASL spelling of Starbucks. What’s more, these aprons were created by a deaf supplier!

EDUCATION

YOUR REFERRALS MEAN THE WORLD TO US There is no greater compliment we can receive than a client telling a friend or loved one about us. If you know somebody who has been injured and needs an attorney who will fight on their behalf and give their case the attention it deserves, please pass along this newsletter and have them give us a call at 314-293-4222. Thank you for spreading the word about Finney Injury Law. Starbucks’ decision to make their product more accessible has benefited thousands of customers all along the East Coast. Hopefully, as time goes on, other corporations will choose to follow suit so we can make a more deaf-friendly society. For hearing customers who aren’t fluent in ASL — even those just ducking in to grab a cup of coffee to go — the signing store offers an opportunity to learn something new. For example, they can learn how to sign a word like “espresso” in ASL merely by reading the chalkboard above the register with the “sign of the week.”

and a console with two-way keyboards for back-and-forth conversations.

OPERATION

APRONS

The store’s grand opening took place in October in Washington, D.C. Its overall success relies primarily on its purposeful operation and design

All store partners at the signing store are proficient in ASL, whether they are hearing, hearing-impaired, or deaf.

TAKE A BREAK

AQUARIUS ARROW CANDY CHOCOLATE CUPID DATE

FEBRUARY FLOWERS HEART

LEAP LOVE

PISCES ROSES SWEET VALENTINE YEAR

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FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

A Valentine’s Shoutout to My Wife

2 2 3 3 4

How Mr. Rogers Saved PBS

Why Trucking Accidents Require Special Attention

Ordering Coffee Just Got Easier

Puzzle

Where to Book Your Valentine’s Restaurant Reservations

AWESOME ST. LOUIS RESTAURANTS

WORTH A VALENTINE’S MEAL

W hether you celebrate Valentine’s, Galentine’s, or Anna Howard Shaw Day (in the manner of Liz Lemon from “30 Rock”), Feb. 14 is the perfect time to have dinner with somebody special in your life. St. Louis — which just landed at No. 5 on Food & Wine magazine’s list of “Places to Eat in 2019” — offers no shortage of excellent options for a memorable meal. If you’re looking for a new place to sample, check out these culinary hot spots.

VICIA 4260 Forest Park Ave.

Vicia won diners’ hearts in 2018, and with good reason. The restaurant’s focus on light, bright dishes that highlight local produce is a refreshing change of pace from the typical Valentine’s Day steak dinner. Mains, like the celery-root risotto and chicken-fried carrots, are meant to be eaten family style, giving diners the chance to try as much as possible. Head to ViciaRestaurant.com to book a table. Act fast, as this one’s sure to fill up quickly. For those planning to go all-out, you can’t do much better in terms of ambiance than Cinder House, located inside the Four Seasons Hotel. As the name suggests, the menu features plenty of wood-fired fare, including a whole fish that makes the perfect entree for two. The food also nods to the culinary heritage of Brazil, most notably with a take on the beloved pork, beef, and bean stew known as feijoada. Cinder House is by no means inexpensive, but it’s more than worth a special occasion. Reserve at CinderHouseSTL.com. CINDER HOUSE 999 N. 2nd St.

SAVAGE RESTAURANT 2655 Ann Ave.

If your sweetheart is a die-hard foodie who doesn’t mind eating adventurously, Savage offers a dining experience unlike any other. Though there are items served a la carte available before dinner, the main menu features three different options, ranging from a snacks program ($25) to a 12-course, no-holds-barred tasting menu ($75). In each case, you’ll be at the mercy of chef Logan Ely, whose dishes never fail to surprise and delight. Reservations can be made at SavageSTL.com.

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