Brauns Law's online newsletter for January 2019
404-418-8244 JAN 2019 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096
Setting the Gold Standard Celebrating Our Best Year Yet
We are starting the new year off in a big way. In 2018, we had the privilege of helping more people than ever before. This was our firm’s best year to date and a real reason to celebrate. As I have stated in the past, it is our ethical obligation, responsibility, and duty to help as many people as possible. Fortunately, most people don’t need a personal injury attorney save for maybe once or twice in their life. Until that time comes, they have no idea what they need out of an attorney. With nowhere else to start, many people shop for firms based on price tag because they don’t know how to shop for service. This is how people in pain end up with lawyers who don’t communicate, don’t listen, and leave them feeling even more lost and frustrated. I know the service and results we deliver to our clients are unlike anyone else in Atlanta, and it’s our job to show this to potential clients right away. If someone chooses not to use our firm, that’s a failure on our part, because we’re allowing a person in need to get substandard service elsewhere. In order to make sure current clients and future clients always enjoy the high level of care we offer as we continue to grow our caseload, I have made it a priority to also grow our team at the firm. We started 2018 with a total of four people in the office handling cases. At the time of writing this, we’ve grown to a team of 12, and we’re still looking to hire more. Many law firms experience rapid growth, but
they often fail to keep up the operation and headcount necessary to handle more cases. People get overworked, and client experience suffers as things fall through the cracks. Where some firms have people who handle 120–140 cases at a time, my promise to my clients and my team is to make sure each person is responsible for no more than 80 cases at once. We cannot be the kind of firm that tries to save a buck by stretching one person’s salary only to have our clients really pay the price. I’d much rather have more time to hire additional team members so I’m not forced to settle. It’s better to have extra bandwidth instead of stretching ourselves too thin and watching our level of client service fall off. “[...] it is our ethical obligation, responsibility, and duty to help as many people as possible.” Our goal for 2019 is to continue to scale up, both in terms of the number of people we’re able to help and the size of our staff. We’ve helped more people than ever before, and we’re not done yet. The
way we do things here should be the gold standard for the way personal injury clients are treated in Atlanta. Somewhere down the line, I want Brauns Law to be held up as the model for how a law firm should work — a great team offering quality service to clients who know they will be taken care of. 2018 was a truly great year, and I am so thankful to the clients who were with us through it all. Thank you for coming us in your time of need or trusting us with your loved one when they required help. We honestly wouldn’t be here without your support. I wish you a very happy new year. -David Brauns
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Get More Life Out of Your
Windshield Wiper Blades
When was the last time you replaced your windshield wiper blades? If you’re like most people, you may not remember. As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your wiper blades about once a year, assuming they’ve been through a normal level of wear and tear. However, with a few easy steps, you can make your blades last longer without compromising visibility. • Keep your windshield and wipers clean of debris, dirt, dust, and other particles. Anything on the window or the blades can cause damage. Simply wiping them off with a microfiber cloth can go a long way. • In cold weather, always clear your windshield of ice and snow before activating your wiper blades. Ice can shorten the life span of most wiper blades significantly. • Every time you gas up your vehicle, take a moment to clean your windshield and the wiper blades. You can run the squeegee sponge over the wiper blade or use a paper towel.
• Watch your washer fluid levels and top it off regularly. When you run a cleaning cycle without washer fluid, the wiper blades deteriorate. How do you know when it’s time to replace your blades? The first sign is when they start streaking. However, in some cases, streaking may be caused by dirt or other grime stuck to the blades. If they continue to streak or skip after cleaning, they need to be replaced.
Thankfully, wiper blades are typically the least expensive and easiest car part to replace. With this in mind, remember that you get what you pay for, and it pays to do research. There are many different blades on the market. Some are suited for icy conditions and some are designed for sunny weather. Take your time to read product descriptions to ensure you install blades that are right for your vehicle.
DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Testimonials
“Very professional but personable firm. David is great to have on your side!” –Cathie Bigman. “David did exactly what we set out to do. He cared about my treatment and did not push or rush the process. He and his staff are thorough and very competent. They are a good team.” –Charles H.
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THE DANGERS OF WINTER Watch Out for Hypothermia
We generally hear warnings about hypothermia in exceptionally cold weather, when everything is covered in ice and snow. But you don’t have to be caught in a snowstorm to experience hypothermia. There’s a dangerous misconception that you can only suffer from this condition after prolonged exposure to subfreezing temperatures. The truth is you can experience hypothermia in 40-degree weather if you are wearing the wrong clothing or are damp due to rain or sweat. What are the symptoms? Hypothermia occurs when your internal body temperature falls below 95 degrees, putting you at risk for heart or respiratory-system failure and eventually death. Symptoms of hypothermia include the following:
rooms and senior citizens also face a greater risk of hypothermia. Outdoor pets can develop hypothermia, too — even those with thick winter coats. How do I prevent it? First, if you are spending any amount of time outside, dress
WORD SEARCH January If you think you might be at risk for hypothermia, get inside and warm up immediately. And if you’re with someone who you think might be suffering from hypothermia, don’t hesitate to call 911. With hypothermia, your condition can go from cold to critical in a matter of minutes. appropriately. No one is impressed by the guy who wears shorts and flip-flops in the winter. Wear a jacket, hat, gloves or mittens, warm socks, and a scarf to cover your neck and face. If you plan on engaging in outdoor activities this winter, be sure to eat a nutritional meal and drink plenty of water beforehand. And if you get wet from rain, snow, or sweat, dry off and change clothes right away.
• Slurred speech • Shallow breathing • Lack of coordination • Confusion
• Weak pulse • Low energy • Bright red, cold skin
Who is most at risk? During the winter, homeless people are at a great risk for
hypothermia, but even those with a roof over their heads can find themselves in trouble. The New York Times reported that hypothermia is the No. 1 killer of outdoor recreationists. Babies sleeping in cold
CITRUS AND AVOCADO SALAD
A Y W L U B Q Y H N V R F
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Ingredients • 1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8- inch thick and deseeded • 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
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• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • 1 bunch arugula • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves • 1 avocado, cut into wedges • Salt and pepper, to taste
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F J R O M R N X O K P V R I A K T S C A P R I C O R N K M S Y E B T F W A E Z I S M S F T R V E V T Y L G U E T N C X H S U I R A U Q A N F E H U N D W O N S Z N Z D W E G R X E O N E W Y E A R D S O I J F T T B J I K H P A I R G D F N G M E W V K T J W B C X T V K E R
Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F.
2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.
AQUARIUS
CAPRICORN FIREWORKS MIDNIGHT
CELEBRATE FREEZING NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
CHAMPAGNE AQU RIUS CHAMPAGNE JANUARY JANUARY PARTY SNOW
CAPRICORN FIREWORKS MIDNIGHT PIG TOAST
CELEBRATE FREEZING NEW YEAR RESOLUTION WINTER
PIG
TOAST
WINTER
PARTY SNOW
Inspired by Food Network
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096
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Raising the Bar With Brauns Law
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Get the Most Out of Your Windshield Wiper Blades
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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying
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Can You Get Hypothermia in Atlanta?
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Citrus and Avocado Salad
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Have a Cold? Recover Faster!
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Easy Ways to Recover Quickly From a Cold
During the winter months, colds and the flu can spread like wildfire. Getting sick at least once during the season can be hard to avoid, and once you are sick, you want nothing more than for it to be over and done. While there is no way to completely avoid getting sick, there are ways to speed up your recovery. Next time you’re suffering from a cold, try these remedies to get back on your feet a little bit faster. Elderberry Syrup Also referred to as elderberry extract, this syrup is made from a plant called European elder. It can be purchased at many health food stores or made at home (but use caution when doing this, since raw and undercooked elderberries are toxic). Many people swear by the berries’ ability to ease congestion and relieve a number of other cold symptoms. Plus, elderberry syrup is known for having anti- inflammatory and antiviral properties, making it an ideal tool for fighting the common cold. Some research even suggests that it can shorten flu symptoms by up to three days. Eucalyptus If you’re suffering from congestion or can’t stop coughing, eucalyptus may offer the relief you’re looking for. Available
in several different forms, including syrup, oil, and dried leaves, eucalyptus can be used as an expectorant or as a way to relieve a sore throat. When you’re at home and sick, try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water in a humidifier. The results are remarkably soothing! Zinc While many people turn to vitamin C to hurry through a cold, that’s not the supplement you should be focusing on. In fact, an overwhelming number of studies show that vitamin C does absolutely nothing to help shorten a cold. Instead, take zinc. You can find it as a nasal spray or lozenge, or even as part of a vitamin C supplement. One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that those who took zinc reduced their recovery time from a cold by half. Cold symptoms among those taking a zinc supplement lasted about four days, while symptoms among those taking a placebo lasted about eight days.
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