Premi er Law
captain’s log
Nov 2020
The Tapestry of 2020
What Were Your Bright Spots of the Year?
While this year was challenging, it gave us a new perspective on things. We know what really matters and what doesn’t. If things had gone differently, it might not have been for the better. Take, for example, “Tapestry,” a season six episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” I’ve mentioned this episode in the past, but it tells an important story that’s relevant as the year comes to an end. In the episode, Captain Jean Luc Picard’s “nemesis,” the almighty Q, pays the captain a visit.
This year has come with all kinds of challenges, but despite those challenges, there have been many bright spots, as well. There are many things I’m grateful for, including our clients. They come to us in their times of need when they are looking for answers, and we’ve continued to provide them with those answers. I say this because a lot of businesses haven’t been as fortunate as ours. At Premier Law Group, we weathered the coronavirus storm and continued to provide service to our clients without missing a beat. Plus, we were able to keep our entire staff employed. More importantly, no one on our team has gotten sick. We’ve remained safe and healthy and have taken precautions to make sure it stays that way! On a more personal note, I’m thankful for the health of my family. We’ve spent the last several months navigating whatever life decides to throw at us next. My 16-year-old son recently got his driver’s license! I’m already looking forward to having him help run errands and do whatever driving needs to be done. Our family has also been talking about Thanksgiving and what that will look like. Like many families, we have to make a few changes. We know we won’t be able to get together like we normally do and decided it wasn’t wise to bring everyone together in one place. My dad is in his late 70s and in the at-risk group. Instead, we’ll have a smaller gathering. It won’t be the same, but it’s not all bad. I’m thankful for what we do have. And technology helps keep us connected. As long as everyone is safe and healthy, that’s what really counts. So, Thanksgiving will be bittersweet. All in all, I’m thankful this year is coming to an end. I’m looking forward to 2021, and I’m sure many people are ready to start fresh with a new outlook and goals. Looking back, it’s easy to wish things had gone differently, and many people got caught in the middle of it all. We might think, “Why couldn’t have things gone this way instead?”
In the opening of the episode, we learn that Picard has been attacked and is experiencing heart failure. He’s rushed into surgery, but while in surgery, he dies on the table. In death, Q appears.
He asks Picard about his heart, which is artificial. It turns out when he was a fresh-faced ensign in Starfleet, young Picard got into a bar fight with a particularly nasty alien who stabbed Picard through his real heart. In telling the story to Q, Picard says he has regrets from those days. So, Q sends him back to those days to start over. Picard gets to do things differently — and, if he wants, he can avoid the bar fight that would give him his artificial heart. But things don’t go as expected. Picard avoids the fight, but in the process, he loses friends, and he loses who he is. He discovers his life takes a very different course. Picard needed to go through the bar fight in order to grow as a person and become the captain of the Enterprise . While we don’t necessarily need to go through our own “bar fight” to grow as individuals, we do need things in our lives that give us perspective. These are things that test us, help us find new opportunities, and help us grow. That said, I hope you’ve had your bright spots this year. I wish you the best and hope you have a good Thanksgiving.
-Jason Epste in
3 Memorable Thanksgiving Day Football Plays Thanksgiving is all about good food, family, and football. Each year, football fans look forward to sitting down and watching the game with their family, regardless of whether or not their team is playing. While many games have been played over the years, some stand out more than others because its strange weather: Snow covered the field in Dallas, and temperatures reached only 26 degrees F. But that wasn’t what made the game memorable. In the last 15 seconds of the game, the Cowboys blocked the Dolphins’ last 40-yard field goal attempt. As the ball was rolling on the ground,
Cowboys defensive tackle Leon Lett dove for it but slipped and missed. The Dolphins recovered the ball and were given the chance to kick another field goal at the 1-yard line. The attempt was successful, and they won the game. Phil Luckett One of the most memorable moments during a Thanksgiving game took place in 1998, when the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions entered overtime in a 16-16 tie. Referee Phil Luckett oversaw the coin toss, and that’s when things became tense. Steelers running back Jerome Bettis appeared to call tails, but Luckett said, “Heads is the call.” Upon review later, officials discovered that Bettis changed his mind mid-toss and had indeed called heads first. The Lions got first possession and scored a field goal to win the game.
of some major players and their quick actions. Here are three individuals who made their Thanksgiving Day games ones to remember. Lawrence Taylor New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor was said to have “single-handedly” beat the Detroit Lions in this memorable 1982 Thanksgiving Day matchup. The game was only the fourth of the season for Taylor, who had just recovered from a sprained knee injury suffered in a
previous game. With the score tied at 6-6 in the fourth quarter, Taylor intercepted the ball from the Lions quarterback, Gary Danielson, and ran it 97 yards for a touchdown. Leon Lett The Miami Dolphins were up against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in 1993. This game was marked by
What’s in the Cost? 6 Factors That Influence Auto Insurance Premiums
No one loves to pay their auto insurance premiums. We do it because it offers us a level of protection when we venture out on the open road — it’s peace of mind. There is no way to predict what will happen when we commute, run errands, or travel. But what determines the amount we pay when the insurance bill arrives? There are several factors that inform the insurance company about what to charge each customer. Driving Record In most cases, if you’re involved in a crash (and you’re the at-fault driver) you can expect to pay more. Over time, however, you can lower your premiums by keeping your record clean. Those who have never been involved in a crash won’t pay as much. Vehicle of Choice The make and model of your vehicle can impact what you pay. Sportier, higher horsepower vehicles tend to come with hefty premiums, while cars that emphasize safety and security are paired with lower premiums. Additionally, vehicles with lower safety ratings (or that are more susceptible to theft) are costlier to insure. Location Insurers look at areas where crashes are more frequent and theft rates are higher. Typically, this is the case for 2 www.premierlawgroup.com | 206-208-8355
just about every city in the country. That means people who live in more densely populated areas will get a bigger insurance bill. Those who live in more rural areas usually spend less. Mileage How much and how far you drive is another factor in what you pay. Basically, if you drive more, you can expect to pay more. It comes down to the fact that the more time you spend on the road commuting, the more likely it is that you’ll experience a crash. Credit History Insurers can reference your credit history when determining your premium. They cite studies that suggest your credit history can determine your likelihood of submitting an insurance claim. That is to say, people with lower credit scores are a greater liability in the insurance company’s eyes. Age Data shows drivers under the age of 24 are more likely to get into a crash than any other group (males under 24, in particular). As a result, their premiums are higher. In almost every case, the younger you are, the more you can expect to pay — with the cost going down as you age. Those who are past retirement age traditionally pay the least.
Ice, Ice, Lawsuit Woman Sues Starbucks Over ‘Too Much Ice’
Sometimes, there is such a thing as “too much ice.” You’re sipping your cold beverage when suddenly, it’s gone far quicker than you expected. All you’re left with is a cup full of ice. It’s disappointing, for sure, but is it so disappointing that you would want to file a lawsuit against the company that supplied the beverage? That’s exactly what Stacy Pincus did in 2016. She ordered an iced coffee from Starbucks, only to find “too much ice” in her drink. The lawsuit, filed in Chicago, alleged that the drink was advertised as a 24-ounce beverage, but once the ice was factored in, Pincus and her lawyers claimed the drink was really only “14 fluid ounces.” “Starbucks’ advertising practices are clearly meant to mislead consumers when combined with the standard practice of filling a cold drink cup with far less liquid than the cup can hold,” the suit claimed. NBC News reported that Pincus sought damages to the tune of $5 million against the coffee chain. “The plaintiff would not have paid as much,” her lawyers stated in a court document, “if anything, for the cold drinks had she known that they contained less, and in many cases, nearly half as many, fluid ounces than claimed by Starbucks. As a result, the plaintiff suffered injury in fact and lost money or property.” Starbucks’ response: “Our customers understand and expect that ice is an essential component of any ‘iced’ beverage. If a customer is not satisfied with their beverage preparation, we will gladly remake it.” The company also reaffirmed that you can order any iced beverage with “light ice” and receive half the ice normally included. Interestingly, a second lawsuit against Starbucks popped up in Los Angeles a few months later, but both cases were thrown out. Pincus never saw a cent of that $5 million, nor did she recoup her attorneys’ fees. The case went on to be called “one of the most frivolous lawsuits of 2016.”
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Finding the Bright Spots of the Year 3 Memorable Thanksgiving Day Football Plays How Insurers Figure Out What to Charge Woman Sues Starbucks Over ‘Too Much Ice’ Black Friday: COVID-19 Edition
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This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury, insurance claims, and small-business issues. It is not intended as legal advice. Every case is different. Our newsletter may be freely copied and distributed as long as the newsletter is copied in its entirety.
Black Friday: COVID-19 Edition How to Turn the Shopping Holiday Into a Stay-at-Home Family Event
and Groupon, money-saving browser extensions like Honey, and price-comparison apps like Flipp to score the best deals. Refuel with caffeine. No all-night shopping spree is complete without a coffee run. To keep your family fueled, make sure to stock up on your favorite coffee in advance and set a time for a coffee break. It’s not quite the same as taking a break at the mall’s Starbucks, but it will help you power through the night. For an extra bit of fun, you can even try to recreate your favorite Starbucks drinks at home. ChowHound. com is a great resource for DIY recipes and has hacks for the caramel frappuccino, pumpkin spice latte, and more. Celebrate with a big breakfast. When you’ve finally dropped the last item into your virtual cart, it’s time to celebrate! Depending on how long your spree took, it might be 3 a.m., or you might be able to see the sunlight peeking through your blinds. Either way, you deserve to reward yourself with breakfast. Try cooking your favorite breakfast foods as a family or, if it’s late enough, order home-delivered pancakes and hashbrowns from your favorite local restaurant. Once you’re stuffed, you can crawl into bed knowing that you had a fantastic family night.
A string of retail stores, including JCPenney, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, have declared they won’t be open for the traditional Thanksgiving and/
or Black Friday shopping this year. But that doesn’t mean the annual shopping holiday is canceled! If you’re an avid Black Friday shopper, you can keep the tradition going and involve the whole family by using the day to shop online. Here are a few tips to get everyone involved in the fun and turn the holiday into an overnight party. Divide and conquer. Does your whole family love shopping? If they do, it’s time to break out the laptops, cellphones, and tablets. Take the list of items you’re hoping to snag and divide them up so that each person has things to browse for. Then choose a start time — midnight is always good — and let everyone loose to bargain hunt. While you’re shopping, remember to use store apps, websites like RetailMeNot
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