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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
APR. 2019
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
Theme Parks and ShoreLines
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
THE DICKERSON FAMILY VACATION After a particularly harsh winter, I’m sure everyone in Kansas City is ready for the spring weather. My kids, Heidi and Ian, are definitely feeling a little stir-crazy from being indoors all the time — and to be honest, Chelsea and I are feeling it, too. Thankfully, we have
My family’s trip was full of firsts for me. At ten years old, I’d never even been on a plane before this trip, making just the experience of getting there an adventure. When we went, the Animal Kingdom had just been built, and my parents and I had a blast on all the rides. What has stuck with me to this day is how good everything smelled. If you’ve ever been to any Disney park, you know what I’m talking about. Just walking down Main Street, USA, you’re treated to so many scents from ice cream to fresh-baked pretzels and everything in between. And while we had an amazing time, my favorite memory of the trip actually happened outside the walls of the Magic Kingdom. "Heidi and Ian are at the perfect age to be cognizant of the world around themwhile still having unbridled imaginations." What you need to understand is that, as a child, I was fascinated by the sea. Of course, being from Kansas, I’d never actually been to the ocean, but that didn’t stop me from reading about it voraciously. For hours, in my grandparents’ house, I’d pore over books about marine life and coastal habitats, dreaming about what it
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
would be like to play in the sand and surf. Thanks to my very loving parents, that dream became a reality. My parents didn’t just take me to a beach during our time in Florida. They drove the width of the peninsula for me. Being an aspiring marine biologist, my biggest wish on this Disney trip was to see both the Gulf and the Atlantic. So, we rented a car and started driving. It was everything I could have wanted — like stepping into the pages of the books I loved. Despite there being a squall when we reached the Atlantic side, my parents and I still waded out into the choppy water and had a blast. Thinking back on that experience now that I have children of my own, I’m floored by my parents’ willingness to go the extra mile for their son’s dreams. I may not have become a marine biologist, but I can certainly carry forward their example and give my own children an amazing experience. Theme parks and shorelines can fill a child’s heart with wonder, but it’s up to their parents to bring the magic to life.
BURN INJURIES
a very magical trip to look forward to. The Dickerson family is going to Disney World! I think it’s every parent’s dream to take their kids to this legendary theme park. Just being able to give them that wondrous once-in-a lifetime experience is exciting — I can’t wait to see their faces light up when they see the rides and get to meet their favorite characters in person. Heidi and Ian are at the perfect age to be cognizant of the world around them while still having unbridled imaginations. To them, the magic is going to be very real. Meanwhile, Chelsea and I will get to relive our own childhood trips to the Magic Kingdom. Well — hopefully Chelsea’s experience isn’t an exact re-creation. As a little girl, she broke her arm right before her family’s trip to Disney World and had to wear a cast the whole time. It speaks to just how incredible the park is that she still says she had a great time. As for me, my parents went above and beyond to give me an experience I’d never forget.
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
1 –Tom Dickerson
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
FDA Issues Warning on Gout Treatment Drug ULORIC FOUND TO CARRY HEIGHTENED RISKS A drug formerly used as first-line treatment for gout has been given the most severe warning the FDA can issue. Uloric (febuxostat) was found to carry a heightened risk for life-threatening cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. At the time of writing, Uloric has not been pulled from pharmacy shelves, but those who have been prescribed the drug need to pay close attention. While all medication used to treat gout carries an increased risk of cardiovascular events, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine last year found that the risk of fatal events was higher with Uloric. This news comes on top of the drug’s vast list of serious side effects. These include: Had a Bad Fall This Winter? YOUR CLAIMMAY DEPEND ON WHERE IT HAPPENED
Yorkie DoodleDandy SMOKY THE WORLDWAR II CANINE HERO Considering the stress of combat, it’s no wonder military dogs tend to be tough breeds known for their size and strength. German shepherds, boxers, and various bully breeds are well-acquainted with the battlefield. But in World War II, the most famous military dog weighed only 4 pounds and stood a mere 7 inches tall. Smoky the Yorkshire Terrier wasn’t exactly what most people associated with Shakespeare’s “let slip the dogs of war,” but her small size is part of what made her such a hero. In 1944, after being discovered beside a foxhole in the jungles of New Guinea, Smoky met Corporal William A. Wynne, an American soldier from Cleveland, Ohio. The two quickly became inseparable, and she stayed by Wynne’s side the entire time he was stationed in the South Pacific. Smoky is credited with going on 12 combat missions, surviving 150 air raids, parachuting 30 feet, and earning eight battle stars. Smoky’s sensitive hearing allowed her to alert Wynne and other soldiers of incoming air raids. Smoky’s most famous act of heroism occurred when she went where no man could go at an air base at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. The engineers needed help, so Wynne tied a strand of telephone wire to her collar and Smoky ran through a 70-foot-long pipe in a matter of minutes. Without Smoky, it would have taken three days to lay the wire. Her work kept over 250 ground crewmen and 40 fighter and reconnaissance planes out of danger from enemy bombings. In addition to saving lives on the battlefield, Smoky is also considered to be the first recorded therapy dog. She learned a number of tricks to cheer up troops and would visit injured soldiers at the hospital in New Guinea. After World War II, Smoky and Wynne visited veteran hospitals across the United States. “Corporal” Smoky lived for another 10 years after the war before dying on Feb. 21, 1957, at approximately 14 years old. Wynne would go on to write a memoir about his time with Smoky titled “Yorkie Doodle Dandy.” Almost 50 years after her death, a life-sized bronze statue of Smoky was erected at her final resting place in Lakewood, Ohio. Her statue is dedicated to the bravery of all war dogs, and it is a reminder that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
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• Severe Stomach Pain • Gout Flare-Ups • Dark Urine • Jaundice • Rashes
the U.S. as a first-line treatment for over 9 years, many suffering from gout may have already been exposed to these risks before these warnings were put into place. Our firm is keeping a close eye on this situation as it develops.
And in rare cases:
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome • Hepatic Failure • Incontinence • Arthritis
• Hypertension • Kidney Stones • Liver Disorder
TAKE A BREAK
• Hepatitis • And More
Taking into account these serious and potentially life- threatening conditions, the FDA has issued a “black box” warning for the use of Uloric and
limited use to patients who “are not treated effectively or experience severe side effects with allopurinol.” Considering that Uloric has been prescribed in
EasyBaconand SpinachStir-Fry
Inspired by OhSnapLetsEat.com
ingredients
After a particularly snowy winter, we’re sure many of our readers are welcoming the spring weather, rain or shine. But for those recovering from slipping and falling on ice, the pains of last season are still very real. Whether you’re still recovering from your injuries or struggling to cover medical costs from your fall, it’s important to consider who bears the fault for this accident. If your slip occurred on someone else’s property, here are some things you should consider. Being experienced personal injury lawyers in Kansas City, we know there’s a lot of confusion over how liability for falls caused by ice and snow is determined in Kansas and Missouri. While the weather may not be that different across state lines, the laws certainly are. Here’s an overview of how premises liability concerning snow and ice is treated by each state. LIABILITY STATE BY STATE
naturally. Thus, if you fell on a property where nothing has been done to clear the winter buildup, the owners are not considered at fault. However, this changes as soon as any plowing, shoveling, or salting occurs. Under Missouri law, once a home or business owner begins the process to clear ice and snow, they are then responsible for doing a thorough job. If part of a parking lot is left unplowed, or if they fail to salt afterward, the property owner is then liable for injuries caused by snow and ice. While Kansas law does require property owners to keep their walkways and parking lots shoveled, they don’t expect them to do so during a blizzard. The state operates under what’s known as the “winter storm doctrine,” which allows home and business owners some leeway during and after winter storms. Thus, if you’re out walking around on someone else’s property during storm conditions, you do so at your own risk. KANSAS MAKES ROOM FOR STORMS
• 3 slices bacon • 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped • 2 bunches spinach • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Salt and black pepper, to taste
directions
1. Heat a large skillet to medium. 2. While skillet is warming, cut bacon into squares. 3. Cook bacon until fat is rendered and bacon is almost to your desired doneness. If desired, you can remove bacon fat from skillet and replace with 1 tablespoon oil. However, keeping the fat is recommended for flavor. 4. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes. 5. Add spinach and crushed red pepper and stir-fry for 10 minutes. 6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
MISSOURI ALLOWS FOR NATURAL ACCUMULATION
Property owners in Missouri are not required to remove snow and ice that accumulates
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inside
THIS ISSUE
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip Never Judge a Dog by Her Size
PG1 PG2 PG2
FDA Issues Warning on Gout Treatment Drug Laws That May Make Your Slip and Fall Case Slide Take a Break Easy Bacon and Spinach Stir-Fry Read Up on National Library Workers Day
PG3
PG3 PG3 PG4
Shhhhhhh!
IT’S NATIONAL LIBRARYWORKERS DAY!
Whether you have a card or not, libraries are an important part of our community.
equipping them to help anyone from elementary students to doctoral researchers. These professionals can be an invaluable resource for anyone looking to delve into a particular topic, even if they don’t know where to begin. Just tell your local library worker what subject you’re interested in, and they can help you track down books, databases, magazine articles, and more. How should you celebrate National Library Workers Day? Some groups, such as the students at the University of Arizona, go above and beyond by delivering balloons and signs to library branches across Tucson. More commonly, however, library branches ask their community members to vote for a “star” staffer. If a library worker has made a difference in your life, you can submit their name to the American Library Association by visiting Ala-Apa.org and clicking “Submit A Star!” Lastly, you can show your appreciation by visiting your local library and thanking these professionals. These important community centers only work because they do!
They serve as meeting places, research stations, employment centers, and local historical archives. They help kids and adults alike explore vast literary worlds and immense
databases of knowledge — all for free! Behind every library is a dedicated staff of librarians, catalogers, assistants, and administrators who keep the system running smoothly. While it may not be the most well-known holiday, April 9 is National Library Workers Day (NLWD). As part of National Library Week, NLWD recognizes and celebrates the vital work performed by library staff. Librarians and their team do far more than simply place books on the shelf and shush noisy teenagers, after all. Library science is a multidisciplinary field that takes years of study to master. Today’s librarians have the skills of managers, IT specialists, documentarians, archivists, and educators —
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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