OCT 2018
LEGAL INJURY GUIDE
327 Bankhead Hwy, Carrollton, GA 30117 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION | PERSONAL INJURY | SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
FORGING MY OWN PATH
Finding My Specialty on the Front End
I’d much rather do the front-end work. That’s my specialty. I get exhibits and attorneys prepared and am available for clients to talk to and reassure them.
I was born and raised in Carrollton. My husband and I made our home in Carrollton, so joining Smith, Wallis & Scott was an easy decision for me. I’d been working for a firm in Atlanta, but after my daughter was born, I didn’t want to be so far from home. When the opportunity came to work with Chris Scott, I knew it was the perfect fit. I’m the lead paralegal in the Social Security Department, and it is one of my favorite areas that our firm covers. It’s rewarding to help people get the monetary stability and health insurance they need. That’s a big part of what we do. Our office is a lot like family. We all get along. Chris is wonderful to work for. He’s easygoing, appreciative of the work we do, and doesn’t get rattled by much. That’s true of every attorney here and it’s something I love about working at our firm. Outside of the office, I spend time with my family. My daughter, Jenna, is in high school, and my stepdaughter, Kristen, and her husband, Kyle, also live in the Carrollton area. My husband, Glenn, works out of town most weeks at his home office in Nashville, so we also travel back and forth quite a bit. One activity we enjoy doing is going to the beach together as a family. I like to cook and do photography. Photography is my favorite thing to do when I’m not working. College football is another one of my passions. As an Auburn graduate, I’m an avid Auburn fan.
As the child of an attorney, I had a good sense that I would end up in a legal career, but I still had to figure out my path on my own. I studied finance at Auburn University and then attended paralegal school in Atlanta to determine if I wanted to go to law school. Based on what I’d seen my dad do, I thought I might enjoy a career as an attorney. But once I got into the paralegal side of things, I found I liked it a lot, so I stuck with it. Taking on the front-end responsibilities of a case is well-suited to my personality. I enjoy doing the prep work that helps our attorneys win their cases more than I enjoy being the one in court. Two weeks into my first paralegal job in Atlanta, we were involved in a multi-million dollar patent litigation. It was intense, to say the least. I can handle that kind of stress, but
–Stacey
1 (770) 214-2500
WHY THERE ARE KIDS ON YOUR PORCH ASKING FOR CANDY
The History of Trick-or-Treating
Long before there were young’uns on your porch dressed as Thanos with candy-filled pillowcases in hand, the Celts believed that Samuin marked an overlapping of the realms of the living and the dead. To trick the spirits leaking into our world, young men donned flowing white costumes and black masks — a great disguise when ghosts were about. The Catholic Church was never a big fan of these pagan traditions, so they renamed it “All Saints’ Day” and gussied it up in religious garb. By the 11th century, people were dressing up as saints, angels, and the occasional demon instead of spirits. Eventually, costumed children started tearing through town begging for food and money and singing a song or prayer in return — a practice called “souling.”
As Halloween looms and you load up your grocery cart with candy, you may ask yourself, “Why do I provide these spooky gremlins with a sugar high every Oct. 31, anyway?” Well, when your doorbell starts ringing around 6 p.m. this All Hallows’ Eve, you can thank the Celts for this tradition of candy and costumes. Halloween itself is a kind of mishmash of four different cultural festivals of old: two Roman fêtes, which commemorated the dead and the goddess of fruit and trees (not at the same time); the Celtic Samuin or Samhain, a new year’s party thrown at the end of our summer; and the Catholic All Saint’s Day, designed to replace Samuin and divorce it from its pagan origins. WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT? Important Steps in the Hours and Days Following Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is not something they teach in school, and we know there’s a lot to think about. Trying to establish priorities is challenging at any time, not to mention in this situation. You probably already know that your top priority is making sure you and your loved ones are okay. You should also exchange information with the other driver and document (or have a friend or loved one document) the scene of the accident, including taking pictures of both cars and the area around you. In addition, don’t admit fault to anyone, including bystanders. This can be used later to establish fault, even if it’s not yours. In our line of work, there is one common mistake we notice people making after accidents: not going to the doctor. It’s understandable — maybe they’re worried about the bills they can’t afford for a doctor’s visit; maybe immigration status is a concern. But not going to the doctor after your accident is neglecting your well-being. It can take time for pain or other issues to develop, and you may be in shock after what happened. Even if you’re not feeling anything right away, seek medical attention as soon as you can. Waiting to go to the doctor can put you and your claim at risk and make it harder to get reimbursed for the care you truly need.
But when did they start dressing up as Minions? Starting in the 19th century, souling turned to “guising,” which gave way to trick- or-treating in mid-20th-century America, and the costumes diversified. So put on some clown makeup and a big smile, scoop up a handful of sweets, and scare the living daylights out of ‘em — ‘tis the season!
insurance adjuster will look at the time between the accident and when you saw a doctor and use that timeline to establish whether or not you have a claim.
Once you’ve sought medical attention, make sure you hang on to any receipts related to your expenses and keep these organized. These can include medical bills as well as costs for travel to and from your medical provider. These documents will be important in determining what you may be owed. If you’ve been in an auto accident, it may also be helpful to talk to an attorney. We’re here to help walk you through the steps and provide legal advice. Call the law office of Smith, Wallis & Scott today.
Insurance companies review the treatment you’ve received after an accident and use this type of information as evidence that you are not injured. An
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Better Alternatives to the Traditional Treats HOW TO HAVE A FUNHALLOWEEN
Halloween is a fun holiday for kids and adults alike. The comical and creepy costumes, the spooky stories and movies, and the promise of treats (and tricks) fill the streets with excitement. Here are few ways to help you have a fun and safe Halloween — and to keep the ghouls away! MAKE THE HOLIDAY ABOUT SPOOKY FUN AND GAMES. With so many candy bars floating around, it’s hard for anyone to avoid the sugar overload. If you’re giving out treats, instead of fueling the candy craze, try some fun alternatives. Mini Lego figurines, card sets, coloring tools, or crayons are all fun options that kids will get excited about. If you’re getting the family dressed up, consider finding a festival or event that has activities and games that take the focus away from candy and make it about games and pumpkin decorating instead. PRACTICE HALLOWEEN SAFETY. If you’re going out at night, bring a flashlight and make sure costumes aren’t dragging or so big that a little one is going to fall over. Walk on sidewalks and TAKE A BREAK
look both ways before crossing the street. Using reflective tape is a great way to make sure everyone is seen by cars and other pedestrians. No one should go trick-or-treating alone; always use the buddy system and stay in small groups. READY YOUR HOME. If you’re hosting a party or having friends over, keep candles and any flames out of reach of tiny hands or paws. Make sure pumpkins with candles are on a stable surface and away from door steps and walkways where they could get knocked over. Keep stairs and walking areas well-lit and keep obstacles out of the way. Although frightful surprises can be fun, falling or tripping is not. If you are preparing your home for Dia de Los Muertos, make sure candles are kept safely away from anything that can easily catch on fire and are on stable surfaces. Your loved ones who have passed will be glad you are safe.
Have a happy and safe Halloween and Dia de los Muertos!
SPICED PUMPKIN SEED CRUNCH
INGREDIENTS
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1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
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1 large egg white
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1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds
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1 teaspoon light agave syrup
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1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped
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1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder
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1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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Nonstick vegetable oil spray
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture. 5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve. 3 (770) 214-2500 Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
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(770) 214-2500 swslawfirm.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
327 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton, GA 30117
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The Paralegal Perspective
The Surprising Origins of Trick-or-Treating
What to Do After an Accident
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Halloween Tricks and Treats
Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch
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Ways to Support a Recovering Loved One
Taking the time to help your friend with everyday tasks is more than just a practical gesture — it lets them know they don’t have to bear the burden of their injury alone. SUPPORT THEIR EMOTIONAL RECOVERY. People faced with injuries, disabilities, and illnesses can feel emotionally isolated from their friends and loved ones. They may feel that others won’t understand their pain or that they should put on a brave face and not complain. You can’t force your friend to talk about their issues, but simply being there to listen to what your friend is going through makes a world of difference. Having someone who is willing to listen without judgment can provide a salve for emotional hardship. SUPPORT THEIR RIGHTS. Sometimes an injury can leave your loved one tangled up in disputes with opportunistic insurance companies or individuals they feel are responsible for their injuries. While you may not be able to represent your friend’s legal interests in these situations, you can introduce them to someone who can. Referring your friend to a personal injury firm you trust can help them chart a path toward just compensation for their injuries. 3 MEANINGFUL WAYS TO SUPPORT RECOVERY Going Beyond ‘Get Well Soon’
If you’ve ever had a friend or loved one suffer a debilitating injury, you know how powerless you can feel to help. You want to make a difference, but in the face of severe medical challenges, it can be hard to know how. It’s important to remember that, while you may not be able to have a direct impact on your loved one’s physical recovery, there are concrete actions you can take to support them in ways doctors can’t. SUPPORT THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE. Traumatic injuries can make many aspects of day-to-day life difficult or impossible. Simply making dinner or taking their kids to school may now be herculean tasks for your loved one. Offering to be a volunteer driver or preparing a home-cooked meal can give that person a much-needed breather.
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