It’s not an overstatement to say that social media has revolutionized the way we live our lives today. But with that massively powerful platform comes a massive responsibility, especially if you’re already in the spotlight. Athletes have taken the opportunity social media affords them to build their personal brands and engage in community outreach with the fans who look to them as role models, but there’s a downside to cataloging years of unfiltered thoughts on the internet. For better or worse, social media is here to stay, and we have full access to all the drama that unfolds for our entertainment. Despite the web’s potential for good, some pros can’t seem to get the message that every post falls under the scrutiny of the public. PR firms representing players have now made it a top priority to keep their clients’ images in line by scrubbing old posts that could be offensive and land them in hot water. Still, though, it seems like there’s a new controversy every week. One of the best examples comes courtesy of former football star “Johnny Football” Manziel. The former Heisman Trophy winner was notorious for posting
embarrassing images of himself partying when he should have been practicing, and he often blasted his private issues in public, seemingly with no filter. He’s out of a job now, most recently having been banned from the Canadian Football League. For every bad apple, though, there is a bushel of athletes who use their platforms for the greater good. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, five-time Pro Bowler and NFL star, has used his social media “juice” to spread the word about his charity, raising over $4.6 million for youth athletic programs and organizations. Philanthropy aside, part of the beauty of celebrity social media is that the people who seem so much larger than life become accessible because of it. In decades past, you might have written a letter that, if you were fortunate, got a response from some unpaid intern. Today, fans can reach out directly to their favorite athletes. It is a personal connection unparalleled in history. What a time to be alive.
Q&A WITH PAT CUMMINGS
Q: I’ve been prescribed additional medical treatment, but I can’t afford it. What options do I have?
Every week, we receive calls from folks who have been in a car accident recently. Below are two questions these folks sometimes ask, along with my answers to their questions. Even if you’ve never been in a car accident before, it’s important for you to know this information in case you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
A: We have clients come into our office all the time expecting the bad driver’s insurance company to pay for their medical bills as they come in. Unfortunately, that’s not how the system works. A defendant’s insurance company won’t pay anything until the end of the case. That can leave injured victims with accumulating medical bills and no means to pay them. If you find yourself in that position, you can pursue a few options. First, if you have health insurance, ask your medical providers to bill your health insurance. You pay premiums every month in case something bad happens to you that requires medical attention. A car crash is that bad thing. Some providers mislead patients by saying that their treatment “has to go through auto insurance,” but it’s not supposed to work that way. Second, most automobile insurance policies have medical payment coverage. Under the medical payment coverage, your own insurance company will help with your medical bills up to your policy limits. Make sure that your insurance company is sending you a check for the amount of the bills. As the insured, it’s your right to decide which of your bills to pay and when.
Q: I’ve been sued as a result of a crash. What do I do?
A: If you’ve been sued as a result of a crash (regardless of whether you think you were at-fault), submit the legal documents to your auto insurance carrier. Under the provisions of your policy, your insurance company is obligated to defend you. That means they will hire an attorney to defend you, pay the legal costs associated with defending a lawsuit, and pay up to your policy limits to the injured party. If you’ve also been injured in a crash in which you’ve been sued, it’s a good idea to discuss the matter with a personal injury lawyer. As part of the claim defense process, you will have to submit to a recorded statement. Having your own attorney there to represent you during your statement will ensure you preserve all of your rights for your own injury claim.
–Pat Cummings
2 www.shannonlawgroup.com
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