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November/December 2023
THE HARMAN HEADLINE
HARMAN LAW
Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Employment Lawyers
THE CHAOS AND EXCITEMENT OF ‘THANKSGIVIBIRTHMAS’
2 MONTHS OF TRAVEL, PARTIES, AND FAMILY SHENANIGANS
That’s right. Thanksgivibirthmas, aka the most hectic yet happiest time of the year for me and my family! From November to December, my wife, Jen, and I navigate Thanksgiving, our triplets’ birthday, Christmas, and all the travel, cooking,
having a family trip this holiday season! We’ve never had a vacation this time of year, and we desperately want to head somewhere warm and filled with sunshine. Florida is at the top of our list as we can get the weather we dream of and maybe even squeeze in a day at Disney World with the kids. Perhaps one of our teams might end up playing there, too!
and gifting in between. Thanksgivibirthmas isn’t for the faint of heart, but it certainly brings an abundance of joy, festivities, and memories. It would be fairly easy if all our family lived here in North Carolina, but that is
I will be honest. I’m a bit apprehensive about heading
not the case because wouldn’t that make the holiday trifecta too easy? Although my family lives just 45 minutes away from our home, Jen’s family is all the way in Iowa! To ensure we see the entire family, we have plenty of planning to do, including where and when we travel, whom to visit, and for which holiday. I’m sure I’m not alone in this holiday travel fiasco!
to Disney World with the kids. Jen and I once went with just the two of us, and we unknowingly visited Epcot around the New Year (the busiest week of the year). The park was jam-packed, and we were shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone in the crowd. Never again! Add the triplets to the scenario,
and that’s just a recipe for disaster. We will just have to see what this year’s turnout looks like first.
As for our kids’ birthday on Dec. 19, Jen and I have to reconvene to get the celebration in order. We love having the whole family here for Emerson, Nolan, and Miles’ birthday party, and we are grateful our Iowan side travels to make it here in time! This year, the kids started kindergarten, and they are beyond excited to invite their new friends to their party. While the details aren’t set in stone, I know this birthday will be the most memorable yet!
“Thanksgivibirthmas isn’t for the faint of heart, but it certainly brings an abundance of joy, festivities, and memories.”
For New Year’s last year, we actually drove from our Christmas celebration in Iowa all the way to Nashville for a football game! The whole family joined, and it was truly unforgettable. Jen and I were even able to explore the city on New Year’s Eve, just the two of us, since our family was kind enough to watch the kids that night. Who knows what this year will have in store?
With their birthday so close to Christmas, we’ve had to hop on a plane the very next day to make it to
I hope you and your loved ones have the happiest holiday season this year, and I genuinely can’t wait to see what 2024 will bring for the Harman Law Firm, my family, and my clients. Happy holidays!
the Iowa Christmas celebration! With all the travel, I’m thankful they will be visiting us for Thanksgiving this time around. We get to host them and have a large turkey feast with the whole family.
–Michael Harman
As for this year’s Christmas, we’re unsure what we’ll be doing. We may just have a small get-together with my family. Jen and I have also considered
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Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – Call Us Today 704-237-6613
A Dog’s Intuition: How Babu Saved Her Human From a Tsunami
The tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011 was unimaginable; the natural disaster killed nearly 20,000 people in minutes. But amid the chaos, there was at least one tiny miracle: an 11-year-old Shih Tzu named Babu. Tami Akanuma, an 83-year-old woman living in the coastal city of Miyako, had her typical morning interrupted by a 9.0 earthquake that shook her house roughly 200 yards from the coast. When it stopped, she breathed a sigh of relief, but Babu became extremely agitated. The small dog began frantically pacing around the living room, moaning, and jumping at the door. Though it was early for Babu’s morning walk, Akanuma decided to appease her. Sources differ on what happened next. Some say officials broadcast a tsunami warning, and Akanuma realized she must evacuate, while others state she knew nothing of the impending disaster. But everyone agrees that Babu jumped into action. She instantly headed for a large hill near Akanuma’s home — the opposite direction of the pair’s usual walk.
Akanuma said Babu seemed to be encouraging her to move faster, and the dog ran ahead every time Akanuma caught up. Akanuma later estimated they walked more than half a mile in a few minutes. Only moments after the duo finally reached the top of the hill, they watched an enormous wave wash over their home. The house was destroyed, but Akanuma and Babu escaped with their lives. How did Babu do it? People have long suspected that animals can predict natural disasters, but the truth is elusive. Scientists agree that animals aren’t psychic but disagree on whether something else might be at play. Some attribute the supposed phenomenon to the “psychological focusing effect,” or a human tendency to emphasize one detail in our memories while discarding others. But others point to dogs’ heightened senses of hearing and smell, suggesting animals may be able to detect small atmospheric changes that humans can’t. No matter the explanation, Akanuma credited her dog with saving her life, and the two gratefully celebrated Babu’s 12th birthday from an evacuation shelter only weeks later.
Akanuma did not dismiss the dog’s instincts. Babu tugged urgently at her leash, running as far as she could before turning to her owner.
Support a Local CharityThis Holiday Season!
WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER, YOU CAN CHANGE LIVES
With the season overflowing with festivities, gift-giving, and shopping sprees, we must remember to give to those who need it most. The Harman Law Firm supports numerous national and local charities year-round. But when the holiday season begins, we like to offer our assistance to our own community. Here are two causes I’d like to highlight.
assistance. In Charlotte alone, 200 new families will face a childhood cancer diagnosis yearly. Many of these families struggle to make ends meet amid this stressful period. Emily and Kevin Ratliff were closely tied to their community through church, school, sports, and more. The “Army” was formed before their daughter Claire was even born, but when she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer in 2011, Claire’s Army united to support the Ratliffs. The organization tirelessly works to uplift countless families affected by childhood cancer. Just recently, Jen and I attended an auction to help raise funds for those families needing extra support. BAGS OF HOPE Our firm not only donates to Bags of Hope, but we also come together to volunteer for this incredible cause. While many kids receive free or low-cost breakfast and lunch meals at their school, they may come home to find little to no food, especially during the weekend.
Bags of Hope combats food insecurity in the Charlotte area by providing free food for children and families. The Harman Law team often volunteers together to package these meals and help out the organization. Meanwhile, I’ll usually bring my kids along to help deliver donations. Bags of Hope also brings paper grocery bags to different neighborhoods and encourages others to fill them with food for donation. My kids love going through our pantry to find whatever we have to make meals for others. Helping our community means so much to our firm, and I aim to ensure our team supports different causes as often as possible. I hope you and your loved ones can donate some of your time or resources to help those in need this holiday season. Let’s come together to make a difference in our community!
CLAIRE’S ARMY My wife and I have long supported this
organization, and we like to give a helping hand whenever we can. Claire’s Army helps families with young children battling cancer, offering everything from meal programs to financial
–Michael Harman
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Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – HarmanLawNC.com
WERE YOU AT FAULT IN AN ACCIDENT? ALWAYS SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY TO PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE A car accident can happen incredibly fast. Amidst the collision and panic, it can be difficult to process what exactly led to the incident and whether or not you had a hand in causing it. Even if you were fumbling with the radio or your attention was diverted, you may not be “at fault,” at least in legal terms. So, before you tell a police officer or insurance adjuster you were responsible, first learn what it means to be at fault and the cost that can have in North Carolina. WHAT IS CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE? North Carolina follows contributory negligence rules, meaning that even if you are just 1% responsible for a car accident, you cannot receive compensation. Because of this, you should never assume liability for an accident. Suppose you tell the police officer handling the accident or an insurance adjuster assessing your claim that you feel even somewhat at fault. In that case, you can lose out on compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, repair costs, and more. HOW IS FAULT DETERMINED FOR A CAR ACCIDENT? When an insurance adjuster is evaluating your claim and investigating the accident, they will turn to multiple reports and evidence to conclude who is at fault. Some of these forms of evidence can include:
SUDOKU
Solution on Page 4
TASTY APPLE PIE
• • • • •
Police report
Witness statements
Just like Grandma made!
Photos or videos of the accident and damage to vehicles
Medical records
INGREDIENTS •
Information from the scene, such as tire marks and other indicators of sudden stops or speeding.
2 9-inch unbaked pie crusts
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6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples
WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL AN ATTORNEY? Ultimately, an insurance company is a business that doesn’t want to lose money. So, they will try their best to find you at least partially responsible for an accident to avoid paying you compensation. If you experience an accident and an insurance company denies your claim because they insist you’re at fault, you can fight back. The Harman Law team isn’t afraid to oppose a rejected claim. If you or someone you know has recently been denied a claim despite being guilt- free in an accident, call (704) 237-6613 to learn more about how we can help you prove your innocence and get the compensation you deserve.
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1 tsp cinnamon
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2 tbsp all-purpose flour
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
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2 tbsp butter
DIRECTIONS 1.
Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Place 1 pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate.
3. In a large bowl, combine apples, cinnamon, sugar, and flour.
4. Spoon mixture into pastry-lined pie plate and dot with butter.
5. Cut remaining crust into 1/2-inch-wide strips, then arrange strips in a lattice design over top of pie.
6.
Trim, seal, and flute edges.
7. Bake for 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
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Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – Call Us Today 704-237-6613
16507 Northcross Drive, Suite B Huntersville, NC, 28078 Offices in Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Hickory 704-237-6613 HarmanLawNC.com
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Inside This Issue
Michael Prepares for “Thanksgivibirthmas” This Year! Page 1 The Heroic Hound Who Saved a Life in Japan’s Tsunami Let’s Make a Difference in Our Community Page 2
Sudoku Solution
Tasty Apple Pie
What to Do When You’re Deemed Responsible for a Crash Page 3 Explore the Instinctual Call of Crisp Autumn Leaf Piles Page 4
THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHY DOGS AND HUMANS CAN’T RESIST LEAF PILES
Whether it’s your boisterous toddler or rowdy pup, a perfect pile of autumn leaves might be too good to resist! You probably remember the days when you also jumped into a crunchy orange leaf pile without a second thought. But why do humans and dogs love jumping into huge piles of leaves? The main (and most obvious answer) is because it’s fun! For kids, dogs, and even some adults, jumping and rolling around in the fall leaves is a satisfying form of play that releases energy. While this may be the simple reason for humans, there are a few more reasons your canine companion can’t resist a tower of leaves. INSTINCT TO DIG Digging is a dog’s favorite pastime that dates back to their wolf ancestors. Just as natural as sniffing and barking, digging is an ingrained behavior for dogs, and they want to follow
their instincts the moment they see a leaf pile. Whether they’re digging in to rest in the cool leaves or demolishing the pile entirely, your dog is just doing what dogs have always done. IRRESISTIBLE SEASONAL SCENTS Our sense of smell doesn’t even come close to dogs’ incredible scent skills. While we have 5 million scent receptors, dogs have anywhere between 125–300 million! This means they can smell countless other scents we can’t, and autumn may bring some exciting aromas your dog hasn’t experienced in a while. The result? They’ll dive right into a leaf pile and get sniffing! MARKING TERRITORY Another scent factor could be your dog wanting to claim a particular leaf pile. We already know dogs use their scents to mark territory, and rolling in a beloved pile of leaves is a way to infuse their scent. After diving head first into
some leaves, they leave their scent behind so other animals can smell them and know that the leaf pile has already been claimed! Whatever the case, jumping into a pile of leaves is completely normal — and fun! — for both humans and dogs.
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Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – HarmanLawNC.com
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