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HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND JULY 2025
A Real Look at AI in Law
WHAT’S CHANGED — AND WHAT HASN’T
Earlier this year, I flew to Chicago for the ABA Tech Show. It had been a few years since my last visit — the last one was right before the pandemic hit — and let me tell you, things have changed. The focus this time? AI. That was the conversation throughout the event. Now, five years ago, AI wasn’t even on the radar. And suddenly, it’s everywhere. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to be thinking so much about artificial intelligence that weekend. But the more I listened, the more I realized how much it’s already affected the way I practice law. I know a lot of lawyers are wary of AI. I get it, but I don’t think it’s something to fear unless you’re flat-out refusing to evolve. If you’re stuck in the habits you had 10 or 15 years ago, you might have a problem. For the rest of us, it’s a tool rather than a threat. I use it now. Not for everything, and not without some healthy skepticism, but for a growing list of tasks, it’s become part of the process. It’s especially helpful in medical malpractice work. When we get cases with thousands of pages of records, it used to take someone days to comb through everything. We’d be looking for pressure ulcer notations, turning logs, documentation patterns, and all of that buried in stacks of detail. Now, I can upload the records into a secure program, ask it a few key questions, and get results in under an hour.
other hour. I used Box for cloud storage, Clio for case management, and a small program called TheFormTool to make form letters easier. None of it was revolutionary, but it helped. It still helps. That’s really the point. The tools change, but the goal doesn’t. Serve clients, stay focused, and don’t get bogged down in busywork. AI fits into that philosophy for me, just like going paperless did for me back then. One thing I’ve realized? The tech is moving faster than most of us are comfortable with. That’s okay. But if we ignore it completely, we lose ground. The insurance companies are already on board. They’re using this stuff now. If we’re not, we’re already a step behind. I don’t think AI is ever going to sit across from a grieving family or argue a case in front of a jury. It doesn’t understand people, and it can’t listen the way a real lawyer can. But I’m in if it can help me do my job better. You just have to use it wisely. We’re still doing the work, still showing up, and still putting clients first. The tools might look different, but the job hasn’t changed.
“The tools change, but the goal doesn’t. Serve clients, stay focused, and don’t get bogged down in busywork.”
I still check everything, of course, but I’m not starting from zero anymore. And no, it’s not perfect. I wouldn’t let AI handle anything by itself. That’s not how I work. But when the volume is high and the time is short, having a head start can make a real difference. We also use an AI tool from LexisNexis for legal research and drafting. It doesn’t take over the case — far from it. It just helps me move faster when I’m pulling together arguments or building timelines. And sometimes, that’s all I need. Let me back up for a second. This mindset didn’t start with AI. When I opened my firm in 2012, I had no team — it was just me. I couldn’t afford to waste time digging through filing cabinets or printing out forms every
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TEEN DRIVERS AND
ALLIED POWERS OUTWITTED THE ENEMY, ONE GAME AT A TIME You know Monopoly as the game that ruins friendships and sparks hourlong battles over Park Place. But during World War II, it played a much more significant and far braver role: helping Allied soldiers escape from German POW camps. Yes, really . In one of the most brilliant covert ops of the war, the British Secret Service turned Monopoly into a top-secret escape kit. Before this tactic, smuggling noisy paper maps without tipping off the guards was too risky, and getting caught could be fatal for prisoners. Enter silk — strong, weather-resistant, and, most importantly, silent. The British turned to John Waddington Ltd., the licensed Monopoly manufacturer in the UK, who also happened to be an expert in printing on silk. It was a match made in espionage heaven. Waddington didn’t just tuck maps into game boxes, though. In a locked room most employees didn’t know existed, craftsmen rigged Monopoly sets with tiny metal files, magnetic compasses, and even real currency hidden beneath the play money. Each game was marked with a secret red dot on the Free Parking space — an insider’s clue for captured soldiers to look out for. Thanks to a clever partnership with the Red Cross, these “games” were slipped into POW camps as humanitarian aid packages. The guards thought they were passing along innocent entertainment. Meanwhile, inside the box were the tools to freedom. By the end of the war, over 35,000 POWs had escaped German camps — many with the help of these customized Monopoly sets. Though exact numbers are lost to history, Monopoly’s role in those escapes is one of the war’s clever secrets. The mission was kept quiet for decades to preserve the strategy for future use. Today, the story reminds us that the simplest tools can sometimes carry out extraordinary missions. Next time you pass “Go,” just remember Monopoly once helped people pass barbed wire.
WHAT PARENTS SH
Summer’s here, and if you have a teenager with a set of car keys, chances are your stress level just went up a notch. I know the feeling. My son is home from college and spending more time on the road, and my 17-year-old daughter is working
toward her license. It’s exciting, but also makes you stop and think about what’s out there, especially this time of year. There’s a name for the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day: the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. This period sees a significant spike in fatal crashes involving teens. On average, more than 275 teens are killed in crashes every month during the summer. That’s not a statistic any parent wants to hear, but it’s one we can’t ignore. There are a few reasons the risks go up. Teens are out of school and driving more, often later at night, with more passengers and fewer eyes on what they’re doing. Distraction plays a huge role, too. Studies show that around 60% of teen crashes involve distracted driving.
Speed is another big factor. Teen drivers are more likely to speed and less likely to recognize risky situations when they
SUDOKU
SOLUTION ON PG. 4
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There’s a moment that often catches people off guard after a car accident. It’s not the crash itself or even the recovery — it’s when the bills start arriving. Some come fast, some trickle in later, but they almost always add up quicker than you expect. In Texas, your auto insurance’s personal injury protection (PIP) typically covers the first $2,500 of medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. But things can get tricky when PIP runs out and your health insurance has to cover costs. You may think you’re off the hook for these bills, but health insurers often have what’s called a “subrogation” clause. This means they can seek reimbursement from your settlement for medical bills they’ve paid on your behalf. Hospitals can also file a lien against your injury settlement. If you go to an ER after a wreck, there’s a good chance the hospital is going to attach a lien to your case. That lien gets paid before you do; it doesn’t matter if the bill is inflated or if insurance paid part of it. Hospital liens are often surprising and can significantly reduce any settlement you may be counting on following an accident. Then there are letter of protection (LOP) agreements between you, your attorney, and your medical provider. These are common in cases when someone doesn’t have health insurance or can’t afford to wait. It THE REAL COST OF A WRECK Why Settlements Aren’t Always Simple
SUMMER RISKS HOULD KNOW
arise. Drivers between 16 and 19 have a crash fatality rate about three times higher than those 20 and older. Inexperience can’t be helped, but how we prepare our kids can make a real difference.
If you’re a parent, start by having a conversation with your teen. Talk about what you expect from them behind the wheel. Set rules about when and where they drive, who they drive with, and how phones are handled. Putting those expectations in writing — something like a parent-teen driving agreement — might feel formal, but it can give teens more clarity and accountability.
And don’t forget to lead by example. Kids notice how we drive, and they pay attention to our habits behind the wheel. Modeling the behavior we want to see in them might be the most important piece of all. There’s no way to remove every risk from the road, but we can help our teens make better choices and give them the tools they need to handle the responsibility that comes with driving.
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp This recipe is quick, easy, and promises a restaurant-quality meal from your own kitchen. It’s perfect over pasta or a green salad. Impress guests or indulge yourself on a weeknight!
allows you to get treatment when it’s needed and can be a lifeline in the right situation. But it comes with strings attached. You’re essentially agreeing that those bills come out of your recovery, which means
INGREDIENTS • 3 tbsp olive oil •
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1/2 tsp black pepper
less money in your pocket unless someone negotiates those numbers down.
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp salt
This is where an experienced personal injury attorney can step in and help. We can negotiate with insurers
DIRECTIONS
and medical providers to reduce liens and subrogation claims and ensure you don’t leave money on the table simply because you didn’t know how the billing side works. If medical bills are stacking up after an accident and you’re trying to figure out what’s fair, reach out. We can help you deal with these challenges while you focus on getting better.
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
Inspired by CooktopCove.com
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Tools That Work for My Firm
The Most Dangerous Game of Monopoly Ever Played Keeping Teen Drivers Safe This Summer Sudoku
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Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Injury Recovery and Billing Realities
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The Parks You’ve Never Heard Of (But Need to Visit)
3 National Parks That Are Worth the Detour Ditch the Tourist Traps
Whenever you hear a friend or family member say they’re going to take a road trip to visit some of America’s most beautiful national parks, they usually plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Yosemite. These national parks consistently
center in Ventura by car, but the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats. Make reservations in advance.
CUYAHOGA NATIONAL PARK, OHIO If you want a unique experience, visit Cuyahoga National Park. Like many other national parks, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and photography while
attract millions of visitors every year, but they’re far from the only must-see national parks in the country. There are 429 protected national sites within the U.S., and 63 of those have obtained the official “national park” designation in their names. (The other labels are battlefields, historic sites, monuments, recreation areas, etc.) If you want to experience the beauty of America without the crowds, consider visiting these destinations during your next vacation!
exploring the park’s 33,000 acres. You can admire many of the 1,000 species of plants and animals throughout your exploration, but if you want to get the full experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
Exploring a cave might not be your first thought when considering national parks, but Wind Cave is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and has many unique features, such as frostwork, cave popcorn, and boxwork, creating unique sights with every step. Once you head back outside, a beautiful mixed-grass prairie, home to bison, prairie dogs, and more, will greet you.
CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America, the Channel Islands are a unique area of the coast of Southern California. While visiting, you can expect to see
seals, island foxes, and over 2,000 other plant and animal species, with 145 found nowhere else on Earth . You can reach the mainland visitor
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