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The Sentinel
575-300-4000
www.idlawcenter.com
June 2020
Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, and Workers’ Compensation
Tips for Maximizing Your Personal Injury Claim in a Coronavirus World How Small Changes Can Pay Off Big For You
When this pandemic passes, I think we’ll be able to look back at it and separate its impact into “before,”“during,” and “after.”The “before” was the old way of doing things —what we still think of as “normal”— and right now we’re solidly in the “during” zone, figuring out new ways to cope with the limitations, shutdowns, and complications brought on by the virus. It’s a whole new world out there, and we’re all learning how to navigate it together! Thankfully, one thing that hasn’t changed too much is the personal injury claims process. Even now, claims continue to go forward. Our team is continuing to work with insurance companies and adjusters to process, negotiate, and resolve claims for clients. At this point, we’ve fully adjusted to “during”and found numerous ways to ensure our clients’ claims stay top of mind for adjusters. That said, we knowmaking those shifts is a lot more difficult if you’re not a lawyer. If you were in the middle of filing a personal injury claimwhen all of this started or if you started the process during the pandemic, here are a few of the tips I’ve picked up that might help you keep your claim at the top of your adjuster’s priority list. ANTICIPATE YOUR ADJUSTER’S NEEDS. Odds are good that your adjuster feels like a fish out of water right now, just like you. They’re probably working from home, communicating differently, and trying to adjust to new processes and procedures. With that in mind, try to anticipate their needs and act accordingly. Stay organized and gather all of the information about your claim, including your medical records, police report, bills, photos, videos, and other documents, together in one place. Then, send it over to them all at once. They’re probably inundated with emails, so sending everything together will make it easier for them to find your information and work on your claim. If you’re stumped on next steps, just ask, “Is there anything else I can do to help you evaluate my claim?”
PUT HIGH-TECH TOOLS TOWORK. Speaking of sending over documents, videos, and photographs, this is a great time to put technology to work for you. Thanks to free online tools like Dropbox (Dropbox.com), you can store large files in a single digital location for your adjuster to access. Communication platforms like Zoom (Zoom.us) and FaceTime (an app in the Apple App Store) will let you have a face-to-face conversation, and you can even scan documents with your iPhone or iPad (check Support.Apple.com to learn how) and sign them electronically with DocuSign (DocuSign.com). All of these high-tech steps can help streamline your claims process, making it easier, faster, and safer for you and your adjuster. STAY IN CONSTANT CONTACT. The best way to keep your adjuster from putting your claim on the back burner is to stay in touch with them. When you send something to your adjuster, always follow up with them to make sure they received it, then follow up again later on if you don’t get a response. You don’t want to flood their inbox or voicemail, but you
do want to make sure you’re in regular touch so your claim stays top of mind. Be patient and persistent. EXTEND GRACE AND PATIENCE. Remember that while we can’t control this virus, there are things we can control, including our communication, our mindset, and howwe treat others. We’re all stressed and stretched thin right now, so it’s vital that you extend grace and patience to your adjuster. Recognizing the way they’re processing and receiving information is different right now, and they’re likely doing the best they can. Getting frustrated and leveling accusations won’t do anything to help your claim. Here at the Injury and Disability Law Center, we’re already putting these strategies to work for our clients. If you have any questions about how to best handle your claim or need help with the process, we’re here for you. Together, we can all get through “during” and reach the brand-new world of “after.”
-Jeremy Worley
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ABOUT TO RETIRE? CONSIDER THESE LOW-RISK, HIGH-RETURN INVESTMENTS
As you age, it’s wise to make some changes in order to stay healthy, like your diet or your workout routine. Likewise, your portfolio should be adjusted to reduce risk and protect your financial health. After a bad turn in the market, it can take up to a decade to make your money back. If you want to retire in the next five years, then can you really afford that risk? Reducing your risk doesn’t necessarily mean missing out on high-return investments, though. Here are some low-risk, high-return investments to consider adding to your portfolio as you approach retirement. PEER-TO-PEER LENDING Otherwise known as P2P lending, this investment takes place online. Borrowers are matched with investors for loans that benefit both parties — lending without the bank. Your risk and potential returns depend entirely on which loans you choose to invest in. The two most popular P2P lending platforms are Lending Club and Prosper, and you can start investing in either platform with as little as $25. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS When you invest in real estate investment trusts (REIT), you’re investing in mortgages or direct equity positions in various properties. When the stock market is in decline, REITs are a good investment because they’re not corrected with stock exchanges. Plus, their yield is usually higher than the dividends investors get from stocks.
FIXED INDEXED ANNUITIES When it comes to low-risk, high-return investments, fixed indexed annuities (FIA) are the most attractive option for retirees. In 2018, renowned economist professor Roger Ibbotson conducted research into the return history of inflation, U.S. Treasury bills, government bonds, FIAs, and stocks. Unsurprisingly, stocks offered the highest returns historically, but Ibbotson was surprised to find FIAs came in second, beating out bonds and conventional wisdom.
Historically, these investments have produced great returns for individuals who are in retirement or who are about to retire. However, remember that everyone’s circumstances are different. Before making any changes to your portfolio, talk to your financial planner about your options. TIMES THE OLYMPICSWERE CANCELED And the Postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games
WorldWar II caused the next two cancellations. The 1940 Olympics were initially scheduled to be held in Tokyo. It would have been the first time the games were hosted by a non-Western country, but Japan forfeited the right to host when they invaded China in 1937. The games were then rebooked for Helsinki, Finland, but after Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and startedWWII, those games were scrapped as well. Since the fighting hadn’t ceased by the time the games were supposed to happen in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 1944, the Olympics were canceled again. Though the Olympics have happened on schedule since the end of WWII, the United States has not always participated. In 1980, when the U.S. boycotted the Olympics that were held in Moscow, Russia, in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, 64 other nations followed suit. However, those games still went on as planned and 80 countries participated. The fact that major global conflicts are the only other events that have been catastrophic enough to affect the Olympics might be distressing and elevate anxiety about our current global health crisis. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Olympics have only been postponed this time, not canceled. We’ll still get to cheer on our favorite Olympians next year.
In late March, amid the global spread of COVID-19, the International Olympic Committee announced the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games. They were slated to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this summer, but they will now happen in the summer of 2021. While this is an unprecedented decision, it’s not the first time that major global events have affected the Olympic Games or which countries participated. Since the inception of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, they have been outright canceled three times — 1916, 1940, and 1944. The first cancellation of the Olympic Games happened duringWorldWar I. The German Empire was supposed to host the games in Berlin, but by the time 1916 rolled around, Europe was deep in the trenches of WWI. Many nations had sent their athletes to fight in the war, so the games were canceled.
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TAKE A BREAK
TURN YOUR VACATION INTO A STAYCATION
3 Ways to Replace a Canceled Vacation
Vacations provide opportunities for families to spend time together in a relaxed environment, get away from the routines of everyday life, and create meaningful memories. If you’ve recently had to cancel a trip but still want to create the experience of a vacation for your family, then a staycation is just what you need. TRANSFORM YOUR BACKYARD When you’re trying to recreate a vacation, the outdoor areas of your home present a variety of possibilities. You can turn a sandbox into a relaxing beach, complete with a kiddie pool “ocean.” If you have trees, then set up a zip line or obstacle course. You can even stimulate summer brains with a scavenger hunt around the backyard with hidden clues in the dirt or bushes. The ultimate prize can be something you would have purchased on your original vacation, like a souvenir you can find online. CREATE A ‘FAMILY MUSEUM’ Many vacations include an educational aspect in order to enrich our understanding of the place we’re visiting, and museums are a great way to accomplish that. If you’re confined to the house, then teach your kids about your own knowledge and interests and encourage them to get creative and make their own contributions, too. Have everyone create art, take photos, or write about their prized possessions. Display these masterpieces around your home and let their creators take you on a tour. Learning more about one another builds meaningful bonds. BRING YOUR TRIP HOME You probably chose your original vacation destination in order to experience new and different cultures and activities. But just because you’re no longer traveling to that location doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of what it has to offer! Research popular local cuisine, activities, and history of the area, then create ways to experience them with your family. Cook a traditional meal, recreate a scenic location through photographs, or share a story about local lore and history. Your changed plans will no longer feel like a missed opportunity. Staying at home doesn’t mean your family can’t have the fun of a vacation. All it takes is a little creativity and innovation to build an experience that will bring your family closer together.
GRILLED BASIL CHICKEN AND TOMATOES
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
You can’t go wrong with grilled chicken and tomatoes on a warm summer’s evening. It’s a simple recipe that packs a flavor punch.
Ingredients
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1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 clove garlic
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8 Roma tomatoes
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1/2 tsp salt
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4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz each)
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3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Directions
1. For marinade: In blender, combine olive oil, garlic, salt, vinegar, and basil. Cut 2 tomatoes into quarters and add to mixture. Cover and process until blended. Halve remaining tomatoes for grilling. 2. In bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Reserve remaining marinade. 3. Heat grill to about 350–400 F. Lightly oil grates. Grill chicken until internal temperature reads 165 F, about 4–6 minutes per side. Grill tomatoes until lightly browned, about 2–4 minutes per side. Discard remaining marinade.
4. Serve chicken and tomatoes with reserved marinade.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How to Maximize Your Personal Injury Claim in a Coronavirus World
1
Best Investments for Retirees Have the Olympics Ever Been Postponed Before?
2
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes 3 Enriching Staycation Ideas
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4
Help Local Nonprofits in Challenging Times
THE BEST WAYS TO HELP LOCAL NONPROFITS IN CHALLENGING TIMES
VOLUNTEER
Over the past several months, families, businesses, and nonprofits have had to navigate life in this challenging “new normal,” and it can be hard to support your favorite nonprofits when times are tough. Here are a few ways you can help these important entities, even when you don’t have resources to spare right now.
In a time of social distancing, volunteering may be discouraged, but nonprofits still need volunteers to operate. The good news is that many nonprofits need volunteers for positions that maintain social distance, such as driving. Food banks and kitchens need drivers to pick up donations or ingredients from donors and to deliver food to people in need, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.
DONATE
While many people donate generously during the holiday season, remember that nonprofits need donations throughout the year, and different nonprofits need different things. A monetary donation can often go a long way, but never feel obligated to give money, especially when your budget may be tight. Instead, consider cleaning out your closet. What clothes, shoes, or other accessories can you part with? What about dishware or small appliances? When you clean out your home and donate unused items, you benefit those in the community who need them most.
ADVOCATE
Even if you don’t have time or resources to give, you can become an advocate for important causes around your community. While it might not seem like much, sharing information about local nonprofits on social media can make a genuine difference. Nonprofits need exposure, which is greatly boosted through community support. Sharing useful information about nonprofits — or sharing their posts — increases their visibility so more people will take action.
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