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OCTOBER 2023
Legally Brief With Kevin Patrick Automobile accidents | Daycare injuries | wrongful death
A Heartfelt Surprise and Meaningful Reminder I’LL BE KEEPING THIS GIFT FOREVER!
WHAT A TREMENDOUS REMINDER TO KEEP IN MY HEART THE TRUE PURPOSE OF BEING A LAWYER AND WHY I TOOK THIS PATH IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Being able to help my clients and watch them prosper is a gift in itself, but a recent present from a past client stunned me. Our team was able to help Jacovia after a severe motor vehicle accident, and after a successful result, she came to our office to pick up her settlement. Just
integrity, and unwavering faith. During the 16th century, More served as a lawyer, worked to better London, and wrote numerous philosophical works to inspire others over the span of 30 years before his tragic demise. More was appointed Lord Chancellor for King Henry VIII but would later strongly and publicly refuse to approve of the king’s divorce from Queen Catherine and separation from the Catholic Church. Due to
always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul.
as I was about to hand over her well-deserved compensation, she handed me this gift.
“Pray that my family may find in me what yours found in you: friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, patience in pain — their good servant, and God’s first. Amen.” After receiving this gift, I hung it up immediately in my office! What a tremendous reminder to keep in my heart the true purpose of being a lawyer and why I took this path in the first place. Supporting my community and being there for those who need their story told is an honor I don’t take lightly. While this line of work is not always easy, I am always reminded how much it matters to make a difference. I’m grateful for my clients’ trust, my team’s hard work, and, of course, you for reading this newsletter and sharing this journey with me!
It was a beautiful plaque engraved with Thomas More’s “A Lawyer’s Prayer” and heartfelt thank-you cards. I honestly
his steadfast devotion and virtue, he was imprisoned for 14 months before being beheaded on July 6, 1535. His
couldn’t believe it! I never expect any sort of gift from my clients, and whenever it does happen, I’m at a loss. To make a difference in a person’s life
historic “A Lawyer’s Prayer” goes as follows:
“Pray that, for the glory of God and in the pursuit of His justice, I may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in argument, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to conscience. Sit with me at my desk and listen with me to my clients’ tales. Read with me in my library and stand
is enough to fill my heart, but it’s such a wonderful feeling when someone goes the extra mile. Jacovia gave this gift knowing I’m part of the St. Thomas More Society of Atlanta, making this quote even more incredible to have in my office.
Recognized as a patron saint of lawyers, Thomas More lived a life of justice,
This publication is for informational purposes only, and no legal advice is intended.
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THE FUGITIVE WHO APPLIED FOR A POLICE JOB From Applicant to Arrested:
Even most criminals need traditional employment to pay the bills, but Zyeama Johnson looked for work in all the wrong places. Perhaps Johnson imagined her previous experience with law enforcement would give her a leg up in her application to the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey in 2022. But unfortunately for her, all of Johnson’s past and future involvement with the police would be on the wrong side of the law. Johnson was looking for a legal way to earn a living when she applied for a job as a security guard at the sheriff’s office. But her past money-making ventures allegedly involved fraud, and she had failed to appear in a Pennsylvania court on the charges. Presumably, Johnson did not realize a police station would perform a background check before hiring — or that this office specializes in resolving outstanding warrants. When processing her application, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office discovered the active bench warrant in Pennsylvania. The routine investigation also found 10 additional active bench warrants in Jersey City, New Jersey; Johnson had allegedly failed to appear on traffic charges.
Most employers in this situation would probably move on to the next applicant, but the sheriff’s department decided to call Johnson in for an “interview” instead. Unsurprisingly, they had no intention of hiring her and arrested the fugitive on the spot. It gave the standard interview question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” a new meaning. After taking Johnson into custody, the police proceeded to search her property. Incredibly, they found two credit cards in her possession they believed were stolen. Police added credit card theft charges to Johnson’s already considerable rap sheet. To make matters worse for her, the sheriff’s office also contacted Johnson’s former employer, the United States Postal Service, which launched its own investigation into her conduct. As of October 2022, Johnson was being held in a Hudson County jail awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania for the most serious charge against her. It’s unclear why she thought applying for a law enforcement position with outstanding warrants was a wise career move, but at least she made her would-be coworkers’ jobs easy that day.
HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR CLAIM Must-Have Evidence for a Strong Personal Injury Claim
While you may know deep down you’re not responsible for an accident or your injuries, collecting the evidence to prove it isn’t always easy. To prove your case, you need evidence to back up your claim and your damages. So, when defending your claim, what counts as evidence? MEDICAL RECORDS AND BILLS While your injuries may be apparent, medical records can better describe the extent of your pain and the treatments or operations you needed. An insurer may try to use your previous medical records to prove your injuries or symptoms were the result of a preexisting condition rather than the accident. Fortunately, these medical records can help prove otherwise. Additionally, your medical bills are just as vital to demonstrate how much financial stress you endured due to these expenses. Be sure to document and save the following information:
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Hospital records Doctor’s notes
rehabilitation bills At-home care
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Surveillance footage Photos or videos from a witness Police footage
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Traffic camera photos Personal photos of severe injuries or damage
Test results Hospital and
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•
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And more!
POLICE REPORTS A police report or accident report will help detail the accident from an unbiased source and can prove that your claim is valid. The report will describe what happened, who was involved, and other specifics needed. You can receive this report by contacting the police department or business where the accident occurred. Always obtain this report as soon as possible! PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS Perhaps the most convincing forms of evidence are photos and videos. Pictures and videos can better display the severity of your accident and pain. Any of the following types of photos or videos can be used as evidence:
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WITNESS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY Additional support will always benefit your case. So, if a witness can testify and support your claim, your attorney should ensure this happens! Also, if an expert, such as a doctor or financial expert, can reinforce your claim, you will have a better chance of winning your case. If you or someone you know was recently injured in an accident, our team can help acquire all the evidence needed and guide you through this process. Call (404) 566‑5880 and let us work on your case so you can focus on healing.
You can always reach Kevin directly at 404.566.8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cellphone is 404.409.3160.)
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With Creepy, Law-Inspired Tales Delve Into Classic Courtroom Mysteries and Ghost Stories
Ghosts, killers, and mysterious disappearances are always scary, but throw a lawyer in the mix, and you’ve got an incredible story! October is meant for ghost tales and gripping thrillers that keep you up at night, so why not pick up one of these law-themed stories this season? Classic or modern, these legal stories will make you keep the lights on! ‘THE LAWYER AND THE GHOST’ Charles Dickens certainly had a knack for ghost stories, and this short tale should be just as revered as his other works. “The Lawyer and the Ghost” follows the strange conversation between an impoverished lawyer and the unfortunate ghost who previously lived in his poor quarters. Both miserable, these two characters portray more comedic and cynical undertones than
the usual ghost story. Who’s happier? The lawyer or the ghost? ‘THE TRIAL FOR MURDER’ While likely not frightening to the modern reader, “The Trial for Murder” was undoubtedly unsettling for its time and is still spooky today. Another short story by Dickens, this tale takes place in the courtroom of a murder trial. The scary part? The victim’s ghost is sitting on the jury. He refuses to let his killer get away with taking his life, so he harasses the jury and witnesses to try to attain justice. ‘THE LINCOLN LAWYER’ This 2005 novel by Michael Connelly was an instant hit and led to an entire bestselling series. With all its praise, “The Lincoln Lawyer” is certainly a legal thriller anyone
should try! The book follows Mickey Haller, an attorney in Los Angeles who represents the worst of the worst without a care as to whether or not they’re guilty. It isn’t until he experiences a murder close to him that he comes face to face with evil and his own corrupt moral compass. ‘ANATOMY OF A MURDER’ First published in 1958, “Anatomy of a Murder” by Robert Traver is a certified courtroom classic, and any true-blue thriller-lover has already read this one. If you haven’t, then it’s time to pick it up! The gripping story follows a murder trial that continually unveils lies, violence, and unpredictable revelations. While not a ghost story or examination of pure evil, it’s a thrilling murder mystery that will have you turning pages late into the night.
TAKE A BREAK
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
These ultra-soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies will melt in your mouth! Ingredients • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened • 3/4 cup granulated sugar Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. 3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until creamy. 4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended. 5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. 6. Stir in chocolate chips. 7. Arrange dough in rounded teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets. 8. Bake 8–10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; move to wire racks to cool completely. • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 large eggs • 2 cups (12-oz package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
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Inside This Issue 1 A Special Gift to Remember the Legacy of St. Thomas More 2 Fugitive’s Job Hunt Backfires: Arrested During Interview! What Evidence Do You Need to Support Your Case? 3 Spine-Chilling Legal Stories to Keep You Up at Night
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies 4 Full Brain Activation: The Real Story Unveiled
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Mind Over Myth: The Truth Behind Our Brain Power
You’ve probably watched some action-packed movie where the premise relies entirely on the belief that we only use 10% of our brains. The protagonist somehow “unlocks” their full brain potential and gains superhuman abilities. While movies like “Lucy” and “Limitless” are undoubtedly entertaining, the concept that we only utilize 10% of our brains is entirely false. Despite this widespread belief being entirely inaccurate, many believe it to be a valid scientific finding. In fact, one survey found that 65% of Americans believe in the 10% theory. Even more frightening is the study that revealed nearly 50% of primary and secondary school teachers in many countries believe this myth. So, how much of our brains do we really use? UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR BRAIN POWER. With the help of modern technology such as PET (positron emission tomography) scans and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), we can clearly see that humans use all of their brains at all times. Yes, even when we sleep! Individuals with degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease still use more than 10% of their brains.
Our evolutionary process also would have ensured the useless 90% of our brains would go away through natural selection if this myth were true. When it comes to brain activity, each part of our brain has a function. WHERE DID THE 10% MYTH COME FROM? Despite being a common misbelief, the exact source of this myth is unclear. Many threads lead back to various archaic medical findings that were either misconstrued or outdated and inaccurate. It’s plausible that pseudoscientists, psychics, and self-help gurus falsely perpetuated the 10% myth to sell the desire to “unlock our full potential.”
So, the next time you hear someone mention we only use 10% of our brains, you can dispute that myth with abundant and trustworthy scientific sources to back you up.
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