Check out our first newsletter of the new year!
Jan 2018
The Advocates Injury Attorneys • www.UtahAdvocates.com • (801) 783-3555
Why We Battle
“ It really is heartening to see the things we can accomplish for the people who put their trust in us.”
Ever since I first entered my undergraduate studies, I knew I wanted to be a litigator on the front lines of the courtroom. I’ve always been a deeply competitive person, and the idea of battling it out with an opponent as if in some complex chess match appealed strongly to that side of me. I structured my life in such a way that I’d be in law school as quickly as I could, eager to gain the skills that would make me a successful attorney. But it wasn’t until the latter end of my studies, and later, working here at Driggs, Bills & Day, that I realized just how meaningful this work could be. Sure, it’s satisfying to work in an environment as dynamic as personal injury law and to constantly strategize, but I don’t just duke it out for the sake of money or in the interests of some massive corporation. Everything I do in this firm is for regular people, simply trying to secure the compensation they need to get back to their everyday lives.
she’d have to undergo double-level fusion surgery for her neck, an extremely costly procedure, and one that would have lasting implications on the rest of her life.
Before coming to us, she’d been turned down by a couple other firms in the area who’d thrown up their hands after seeing the settlement agreement she’d signed. But, unlike other firms or settlement mills, we’re dedicated to taking cases that aren’t an easy slam dunk, going the extra mile to ensure that injured clients really get what they deserve. I worked tirelessly on the client’s case, searching far and wide to find some way we could negotiate around the previous settlement. Though they initially filed for a summary judgment from the courts, arguing that the case had already been settled on paper, we were able to reopen negotiations. Eventually, they agreed to settle for around $85,000, a far cry from the pittance they’d offered at the beginning. Almost everything went into the client’s pocket, and she left much better off than she had been when we first saw her. It’s these moments, when you get to prevent a regular person from being cheated out of the money they need to survive, that make all the lengthy debates and complicated strategies worth it. Alongside an incredible, supportive team in the office, fighting for the rights of ordinary folks, I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better place to work.
It really is heartening to see the things we can accomplish for the people who put their trust in us. Even though I’ve only been at the firm a little under two years, I’ve seen my share of uplifting, inspiring cases.
About a year ago, a woman in her early twenties came into our office with a few minor injuries after being rear ended in a severe collision. The case seemed pretty straightforward, except for one vital detail — before she hired us, she’d signed a settlement release with the insurance company, accepting a measly amount around $6,000. The settlement might have worked out fine for her had the doctors not later discovered that, due to the whiplash she’d suffered in the accident,
–Alan Tucker
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WANT TO SEE IN2018? BETTER REPORT CARDS
Use Reading Apps Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find
Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018 the year your kids become bookworms. Make It a Family Resolution There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more. You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained. Set Reward Milestones Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a prize. You can even create a big end goal to really cement those reading habits. Better yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasm won’t wane come spring.
recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to-be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, and more. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasium offers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children. Talk to other parents and create a network of
friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“I had a great experience with Ashley Wilson and Steve Day! Their expertise in handling my unique case far exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend them to anyone!” –Colton Smith “My attorney was Steve Linton, and he was great! He was very compassionate and understanding about my situation. He listened to my questions and concerns, and he was very honest. He was great about getting back to me and wasn’t hard to get in contact with. His staff is also very nice! They also kept me updated and answered any questions I may have had. I felt like I was treated
fairly. Steve really listened to what I wanted and fought for it! I’d definitely go back to him in a heartbeat as well as suggest him to any of my friends and family.”
–Ariana Grantham
“Great, fast, and efficient. They’re always available on the phone or through email, and they’re willing to see you in person.” –Letty Rios
If you would refer our services to a friend or family member, please leave a review on our Google or Yelp pages.
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Is My Case Headed to Court?
HOW TO PREDICT WHERE YOUR CASE IS GOING
Whether a case ends up in court or not depends on a multitude of factors. If you’ve worked with any attorney, they’ve probably stated the best outcome for your case is to settle out of court and avoid any litigation. This speeds up the process and provides the client with the most cost-effective way to approach their problem. With this being said, the ability to settle outside of court really comes down to the facts, the liability, and the evidence. Facts The true events in a given situation are a major hinge in whether or not your case will settle outside of court or go before a judge. If you and the other party agree on the facts of what happened, your odds of settling out of court increase drastically. On the other hand, if you disagree on the events, you are much more likely to end up in a courtroom. He Said, She Said Finding out who is liable is another key to whether or not a case is likely to settle. Defining fault greatly increases the likelihood of a settlement, instead of going to court. If fault is both defined and agreed
upon, then a settlement is even more feasible. If both parties don’t agree on liability or they can’t define it, then many cases will require a judge or jury to decide. Follow the Evidence The last factor lies with the evidence. If there is a mountain of evidence pointing one direction, then that party is more than likely going to attempt to settle. If the evidence is more
ambiguous, or if there is a split in how it can be interpreted, then a day in court may be in the cards. A detailed breakdown of these three areas by your attorney will let you know if your case
is headed to trial or if a settlement is the best option for you.
WORK it OUT
Leftover Turkey Ramen
(Recipe inspired by TheWoksOfLife.com.)
Ingredients
Couples who exercise together stay together; it’s a fact. Participating in high-energy activities makes you look more attractive to your partner. Better yet, when you participate in high-energy activities together, you’re happier and more connected, not to mention healthier! Out of all the ways we can get moving—biking, hiking, yoga, dancing, running, you name it—there’s bound to be one you both enjoy. Be each other’s biggest coach, teammate, and fan. Then watch and see how becoming more fit together will help your relationship take incredible strides. Share with each other the types of activities you enjoy most, then schedule a time to do physical activity together three times a week. Set goals and put them on the calendar. 30 Aron, A., Norman, C. C., Aron, E. N., Mckenna, C., & Heyman, R. E. (2000). Couples shared participation in novel and arousing activities and experienced relationship quality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(2), 273-284.
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1 leftover turkey carcass
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4 eggs
6 scallions, divided
4 ounces bacon
8 slices ginger
4 portions fresh, not instant, ramen noodles 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
6 dried shiitake mushrooms
16 cups water
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Instructions
1. Remove most of the meat from the turkey carcass, shred, and set aside. Put carcass in a large stockpot, along with 3 scallions, ginger, mushrooms, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours. 2. Place eggs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove pot from heat and let sit for 4 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath to cool.
3. Cook bacon until crisp. Drain, chop, and set aside. Chop remaining scallions. 4. Once the broth is done
simmering, prepare the fresh noodles according to package directions. Divide noodles among 4 bowls and cover with broth. Add shredded turkey, chopped scallions, chopped bacon, and an egg to each bowl.
www.UtahAdvocates.com • 3
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331 South 600 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
Inside This Issue
1
The Reason We Do What We Do
2
The Resolution That Leads to Better Grades
Testimonials
3
3 Keys to Settling Out of Court
Revive That Leftover Turkey!
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The History of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Four days later, a legislative bill was proposed to establish a federal holiday in his honor. It would be the first of many. MLK DAY The Battle for
The battle for a day of remembrance for Martin Luther King Jr. was long — too long, considering his life and legacy. But we ultimately got better than we bargained for: America’s first Day of Service, rather than a day of remembrance. That first bill didn’t come to a vote until 1979. It lost by five votes. Opponents claimed that a holiday honoring a private citizen would break the long-standing tradition of honoring politicians. which calls for the holiday. Six million signatures were collected, the most signatures in favor of an issue in the history of America. Many politicians continued to resist. Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina led a filibuster against the bill in 1982, claiming Dr. King had ties to communists and wasn’t important enough. Others opposed the bill because it would cost too much for the federal government to implement the holiday. But the campaign continued. The King Center in Atlanta lobbied heavily, and Stevie Wonder released the single “Happy Birthday” a year later,
Finally, on Nov. 3, 1983, President Reagan signed a bill declaring the third Monday of January to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was first observed in 1986. However, several states refused to observe it. Some states preferred to call it Civil Rights Day, while others didn’t observe it at all. The National Football League threatened to move Super Bowl XXVII from Arizona if they voted down a bill to ratify MLK day. It was voted down, and the Super Bowl moved to California. Meanwhile, at the request of Coretta Scott King, President Bill Clinton signed a law in 1994 declaring MLK Day a Day of Service, rather than just remembrance. On May 2, 2000, South Carolina’s governor signed a bill declaring Dr. King’s birthday an official state holiday. Before that, government employees could choose between observing MLK Day or a confederate holiday. Utah became the last state to change Human Rights Day to Martin Luther King Jr. Day that same year.
In the spirit of the holiday, we encourage you to find some way to serve your community this MLK Day, just as Dr. King did years ago.
4 • (801) 783-3555
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