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1600 S. BRENTWOOD BLVD., SUITE 220 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63144 // FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222 // APRIL 2020
FIGHTING HARD AND LOSING HARDER
A bout six weeks ago, our office had another jury trial. It was the same story — AAA did not want to pay for the chronic, lifelong damage that their insured caused to a young woman. Despite trying to settle with AAA a long, long time ago, we could never reach an agreement. So we proceeded to a jury trial. We prepared for this case hard, just like we do for any trial. I was confident going in that we were going to obtain a solid, just result for our client. She is a tremendous, honest person who did everything we asked of her. You cannot find a better client to have. I am lucky to represent this great person. Our office worked hard. We spent time away from our families. We were in the office at 6 a.m. on Sundays. We made sure we had all the logistics coordinated and witnesses ready. We had all our filings together. We organized all the files at the courthouse so we could easily find them. So much behind-the- scenes work goes into a trial. Team members never get the full recognition, but this is a full-scale production. And we lost. We got an unjust verdict. As the judge read the decision, I was shocked. I could feel my forehead compile beads of sweat, and my body temperature rise. The powerlessness
and the gut level awfulness is dreadful and disgusting. The feeling of losing a trial is the worst form of losing I can imagine, where the decision-makers basically call you a total liar, and there is nothing you can do about it. It is a total and complete lack of control. In that moment, I questioned who I was and why I was practicing law. I felt like I had failed my client, my employees, and even the profession. I let everyone down. In these situations, you wonder how you will ever win again and how you won before. Were those just flukes? How can I ever replicate that? I am not exaggerating — this is the crazy self-talk and doubt that goes through your head. And you are scared. So, what do you do? How do you respond? Really, there is only one realistic, viable option. You tell yourself that losing is a risk, no matter how unfair it seems or how good your case is. You breathe. You settle down. You decide what type of lawyer you want to be: the one who never quits. Even in the face of injustice, you trust that you are on the right side of the case and you would rather lose every case than switch sides with the insurance defense lawyers. Even in the face of this loss, your life and career are better for having represented this client, this human who needed to fight for their
experiences and their right to their own life. You trust your moral compass.
And you get right back to it. You get right back into the case. In this particular case, that meant spending more money and energy on the motion for a new trial. I told our client we are not giving up, we won’t give up, and we are going to do everything in our power to right this wrong. Will it work? We will keep you posted.
THE AGE OF STRESS HELPING YOUR CHILD OVERCOME ANXIETY
It’s hard to imagine kids as anything but carefree, happy, and eager to explore the world around them. However, children experience stress just like adults do, which can severely impact their typically cheerful dispositions. Since April is National Stress Awareness Month, now is an opportune time to familiarize yourself with tools and information that can help you alleviate your child’s stress. WHAT ARE THEIR STRESSORS? Any number of everyday factors can lead to stress, and stress can plague anyone who feels overwhelmed. Toddlers and young children going to day care or school for the first time may experience separation anxiety due to being apart from their parents. Older kids and teenagers may feel mounting social and academic pressure. Even something as simple as overhearing loved ones arguing or seeing a sad news report can add to a child’s stress levels. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS STRESSED? When a kid is stressed, they will exhibit odd behavior and even undergo physical changes. Depending on your child’s
age, watch for mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, headaches, trouble focusing, or withdrawal from the people around them. According to KidsHealth.org, younger children may also pick up habits like twirling their hair or sucking their thumb, while older kids may start to bully others, lie, or rebel. CAN I HELP REDUCE THEIR STRESS? According to KidsHealth.org, good nutrition, proper rest, and healthy attention are great ways to help kids manage their stress. Set time aside each day to talk and spend time with your children; talking about worries will reduce or relieve anxieties. If you know about an upcoming stressful situation, like a school exam or a health checkup, prepare your child by studying with them or talking to them about what to expect. Don’t stop here. For more tools and information regarding stress reduction in children, visit KidsHealth.org or contact your doctor.
THE 2 MOST COMMON MISTAKES OUR CLIENTS MAKE
We know you come to us here at Finney Injury Law because we’re experts at what we do. But we’ve found that when our attorneys and our clients work together as a team, we yield the absolute best outcomes for our cases. If you follow these two simple guidelines when you work with us, we have a better chance at becoming a dream team. KEEP COMMUNICATING Making the best case possible relies on us knowing all about a client’s particular incident and keeping abreast of how things progress. We certainly have ways and means of reaching out and a list of questions we can ask, but they don’t do us any good if our
clients don’t reciprocate. It all starts by picking up the phone or answering emails. We want you to be an advocate for your case just like we are, so communicating about your experience with us is key. When in doubt about whether or not you should share something you come across with us, always opt on the side of sharing. the most important thing is for our patients to recover from their injuries and get back to life as normal. But if you keep putting off your doctor’s visits, or don’t seek medical attention at all, not only are you failing to take care of yourself but you’re also hurting TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF When it comes to personal injury cases,
your case. If you don’t treat your injuries, then no one is going to believe you need to be compensated for them. So, do everything you can to heal by taking care of your physical well- being in a timely manner and keeping adequate documentation that you’re doing so. in fighting your case. Communicate thoroughly and listen to your doctor and their plan for your recovery, and we’ll do our best to take care of the rest. If you’ve suffered a personal injury and have a case you’d like to team up on, give our office a call. If you’re consistent with these few vital actions, you’ll help us tremendously
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A STORY OF MANY FIRSTS THE OLDEST LIBRARIES IN AMERICA
What’s the oldest library in America? It’s an easy question to ask, but it has an unexpectedly complicated answer. Before the Industrial Revolution generated greater interest in public services, a library’s function and purpose varied widely. Several libraries in the United States claim to be the country’s “first,” but for different reasons. COLLEGES AND THE CLERGY Some believe Harvard University hosted the first library in the United States. Harvard was the first university in the United States, founded in 1636, and clergyman John Harvard seeded the library with a 400-book collection. Soon after, however, Thomas Bray, another clergyman, began establishing the first free lending libraries throughout the colonies to encourage the spread of the Anglican Church. Not surprisingly, most of the libraries’ holdings were theological.
charter from King George II to operate the business in 1758. The library still operates under that charter today. The Library of Burlington was the first library to operate out of its own building after a prominent resident donated the land in 1789. BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE In 1833, just as the Industrial Revolution was picking up steam, the Peterborough Town Library was founded in Peterborough, New Hampshire, at a town meeting. It was the first tax-supported free public library in the United States and in the world. Not long after that, the Boston Public Library, known as the “palace for the people,” became the first municipal public library in the country. The Boston Public Library was also the first library to have a space specifically for children. Out of all the “first” libraries in the country, these are the most probable progenitors of most libraries today — even if they weren’t exactly “first.”
A FEW MORE FIRSTS During the 1700s, a few more “first” libraries were
established. In 1731, Ben Franklin and a few others started the first subscription library in the United States. Members of subscription libraries could pay to buy books or borrow them for free. In 1757, 60 men founded the Library Company of Burlington in New Jersey, and Thomas Rodman received a
YOUR REFERRALS MEAN THE WORLD TO US There is no greater compliment we can receive than a client telling a friend or loved one about us. If you know somebody who has been injured and needs an attorney who will fight on their behalf and give their case the attention it deserves, please pass along this newsletter and have them give us a call at 314-293-4222. Thank you for spreading the word about Finney Injury Law.
GLUTEN-FREE HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING
Recipe from Sandra Horrell, MeLinda Horrell's mother-in-law.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup of chili powder • 1/4 cup of onion powder • 2 tbsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp garlic powder • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp kosher salt or sea salt • 1 tbsp black pepper • 2 tbsp red pepper flakes (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. In lidded jar, combine all ingredients. 2. Shake until ingredients are combined. 3. Store in refrigerator to preserve freshness.
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OUR OFFICE IS NOW PRACTICING IN BOTH MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS!
1600 S. BRENTWOOD BLVD. SUITE 220 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63144
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Fighting Hard and Losing Harder
2 2 3 3 4
Helping Your Child Manage Stress
2 Common Mistakes to Avoid
The History of Libraries in America
Gluten-Free Homemade Taco Seasoning
Great Places to Volunteer Your Time
GIVE BACK TO ST. LOUIS
VOLUNTEER WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
A pril 20 is Volunteer Recognition Day, and while appreciating the volunteers in our community is great, actually participating in volunteer opportunities right here in St. Louis seems like an even better way to celebrate. Here are a few organizations that are especially meaningful and stand out to us. THE MICA PROJECT The Migrant & Immigrant Community Action Project is an organization that works with immigrants who have low-incomes to overcome barriers that may be in the way of leading fulfilling lives here in the United States. They provide education, advocacy, organization, and legal services to those in need. Finney Injury Law loves to support the MICA project and you can too through several of their
volunteer opportunities. They’re always seeking translators, office assistance, fundraiser volunteers, and pro bono collaborations with businesses. Check them out at MICA-Project.org to see what you can do locally. FOREST PARK If you’re looking for volunteer work that can also help you celebrate the arrival of spring and holidays like Earth Day and Arbor day, then Forest Park Forever is a great choice. Forest Park is one of the largest and most popular urban parks in the country, attracting over 13 million visitors every year. Not only do volunteers help clean up and maintain the public park, civic centers, and attractions, but there are opportunities to help raise funds for restoration projects, participate in educational events, and
help with administrative tasks. Go to ForestParkForever.org to sign up. MISSION: ST. LOUIS This organization strives to transform the lives of those who suffer from poverty and its deep-rooted issues. They provide education in schools and help identify students who may need additional resources in order to have a better chance to succeed. Volunteers can contribute by spending time in classrooms and after-school programs to focus on a variety of subjects or lead enrichment activities like yoga or speech. They even look for job coach volunteers for kids of a certain age bracket. Mission: St. Louis presents a great way to give back by teaching kids a skill set you’re an expert in. Visit MissionStL.org for more information.
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OUR OFFICE IS NOW PRACTICING IN BOTH MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS!
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