Jones & Hill - Summer 2019

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The Must-Read, Change-Your-Life Newsletter helping seriously injured people for over 30 years

SUMMER 2019

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EXPERIENCING INDEPENDENCE DAY EVERY DAY

GRATITUDE FOR OUR GREAT NATION

Summer is reaching its zenith here in the Pelican State. The humid days give way to cool evenings that carry the smell of jasmine and barbecue on the wind. It’s the best time of year to kick your feet up on the porch with the world’s largest, coldest glass of sweet tea. Those evenings are so simple, and yet, there’s nothing quite like the sublime contentment that comes with watching the setting sun.

of July. In every nook and cranny of the state, from New Orleans to Shreveport, we’ll light up the night sky with every color imaginable and put the smell of gunpowder on the breeze. In every city, Louisianans will put aside their differences and come together to remember that, despite all the ways the United States falls short of perfection, we will never stop trying to build on this country’s beauty, and leave it better than we found it for future generations. Whether you spend the Fourth of July in the hubbub of the city surrounded by friends and strangers, or in your backyard with a barbecue and a few close friends, remember that Independence Day is more than just a day off. It’s a day to spend with family and friends for sure, but it’s more than that, too. Independence Day is a day to remember that every barbecue, every get together, every home, and every relationship takes place in a free nation. The Fourth may only be one day, but we get to enjoy the benefits and freedoms of our independence every day. So on those cool summer evenings, when the sun has set, the sweet tea is gone, and the only sounds are the hum of cicadas and the jingle of wind chimes, remember that you can go to sleep knowing your freedom is protected — and that we the people have the power to continue to protect it today.

“THE FOURTH MAY ONLY BE ONE DAY, BUT WE GET TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS AND FREEDOMS OF OUR INDEPENDENCE EVERY DAY.”

It took a harrowing fight for our freedom to afford us those cool Louisiana evenings. 243 years ago, the Founding Fathers of this great nation decided they had had enough of Britain’s tyranny, and fought for their right, and the right of future generations, to live freely and pursue happiness as they saw fit. In Louisiana, we’ll always remember their sacrifice. John Adams vowed that every year, on the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, towns across the country would celebrate with parties, picnics, and fireworks. Even in the midst of so much division in our country today, that prediction has rung true for nearly two and a half centuries.

–Cra ig Jon e s & Cra ig Hill

We in Louisiana have never been one to miss out on an opportunity to celebrate, and that certainly rings true for the Fourth

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Hold On Tight!

PREPARE FOR FAMILY FUN AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK THIS SUMMER

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR YOUR NEXT CAMPING TRIP? Find an over-the-shoulder bag or strap on a fanny pack to carry your cash, keys, snacks, water bottles, sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses. You’re spending the whole day outside, so make sure you’re considering the weather when you head out and always slather on a On June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in the nation opened to eager and brave participants at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. In the years since the first riders climbed aboard the Switchback Railway 135 years ago, roller coasters and the amusement parks that house them have changed dramatically. But the thrill that attracted all those first participants still remains. Celebrate the nation’s love of heart-stopping adventure by visiting an amusement park this summer. Follow these tips to make the most out of your trip. I’m Lost! Before you head out, review park maps and ride descriptions. Create a list of the attractions everyone in your group wants to see and plan out your route ahead of time. While some spontaneity can be fun — it’s a vacation, after all — the sheer size of many parks coupled with high anticipation can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared. Planning ahead will save you a few headaches and disappointed family members. Pack the Essentials

generous amount of sunscreen. Lastly, wear comfortable walking shoes to prevent blisters and aching heels. You’ll have more fun if you know you’ll be prepared for anything. Water Costs How Much!? Amusement parks are expensive, and when you spend a whole day seeking thrills, you’re eventually going to need sustenance. Check the park’s rules before you leave, but most will allow your family to bring in a few snacks, like fruits or granola bars, and a reusable, empty water bottle. Many parks will have a drinking fountain near the entrance where you can fill up before exploring. If you plan to eat or drink at one of the establishments in the park, peruse the food options on the park’s website ahead of time to get an idea of what is available and how much money you should bring.

Adventure awaits this summer! Don’t let a lack of preparedness keep you from enjoying a 135-year-old tradition.

Sun Protection Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and

Fire Flint and steel, matches, lighters — there are many ways to start a fire, and these are just a few. Just remember to put the fire out when you’re turning in for the night. Repair Kit and Tools In the wild, your things will get tossed around, torn, and potentially broken. Keep some tools, duct tape, a knife, and scissors on hand to be prepared. Nutrition Always pack an extra day’s worth of food to account for any changes in plans. Try to pack foods that don’t require cooking, like dried fruit, mixed nuts, or granola bars in case the fire is a no-go. Hydration Bring plenty of water with you, as well as water purification tablets or a water filter. You should drink water often and before you feel thirsty to avoid getting dehydrated. Emergency Shelter Consider the elements that you will be hiking in to and pack a shelter that meets those needs, whether it’s a tent, bivy sack, or emergency blanket.

sunscreen prevent sunburn and guard against skin cancer, so you can enjoy the sun without any harmful side effects. Insulation Even if the days are sunny and warm, weather can change and the nights can definitely get chilly. Pack a base layer of clothing, gloves, and maybe a warm hat. Illumination Chances are there are no streetlights where you’re going, so you’ll need to bring some light with you. Whether it’s a flashlight, a lantern, or a headlamp, be sure to bring extra batteries. First Aid Supplies While “throwing some dirt on it” might sound like the right move when you’re roughing it, it’s a good idea to pack a kit with some bandages, ointment, and other items to address injuries.

THE 10 ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR PACK

Summer is a great time to enjoy some of the great hiking and camping opportunities Louisiana’s wilderness has to offer, and to ensure you’ll enjoy that backpacking trip, you should make sure you have the essentials. In the 1930s, a mountain climbing and outdoors organization called The Mountaineers developed a list of the 10 essentials you should have in your pack. This list has been updated over time, but it still reflects the idea that you should come to the trailhead prepared. Navigation Whether you roll old school with a compass and a map or you like gadgets and have a GPS, knowing where you’re going is a must on your hiking trip.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that distracted driving led to 3,450 deaths in the United States in 2016. In recent years, texting has increasingly been cited as one of the most common forms of distracted driving. Luckily, along with increased phone usage by drivers come multiple strategies to lessen the likelihood of distracted driving — and fatal accidents. Here are a few of the easiest and most common strategies. Silence Your Phone Hearing your ringtone, or even just hearing your phone vibrate, can tempt you to answer it while you’re driving. Eliminate this temptation altogether by putting your phone on silent mode. If you have an iPhone, enable the “do not disturb” feature to block all calls and notifications while you’re driving. Put Your Phone Out of Reach Sometimes putting your phone on silent might not be enough. Just having the phone within reach can be a big enough temptation for some drivers to check their notifications. Putting your phone in your glove box, the back seat, or even in the trunk could put those notifications truly out of sight and out of mind. Safer Roads Start With You 4 STRATEGIES TO PREVENT TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

Pull Over in Case of Emergencies

Maybe you’re expecting an important call, and you absolutely have to be driving while you’re expecting it. Or maybe a family emergency occurs when you’re on the road. Whatever the case, the smart move is to pull over to the side of the road when you have the opportunity. That way you won’t put other drivers at risk by using your phone in your car. Use an App There’s an app for just about everything these days, and that includes safe driving. AT&T DriveMode enables itself automatically when you go above 15 mph and turns off shortly after you stop. DriveSafe.ly will read incoming messages out loud to you. Check out the app store and see if there’s a safe driving app that works best for you. Texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to get in an accident, and 34% of drivers have admitted to texting while driving. You can’t account for every motorist on the road, but you can account for yourself. Please practice safe driving habits.

TAKE A BREAK

Grilled Beef Ribs

Nothing feels more paleo-appropriate than digging into a giant rack of beef ribs. This largely hands-off recipe requires plenty of hands-on eating, making you feel like one of our cave- dwelling ancestors.

Ingredients

1 5-lb. rack of beef ribs

Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat a charcoal, wood-burning, or gas grill to medium-high. Once heated, move heat source to one side or turn off half of the burners to create an indirect heat zone. 2. Season ribs with salt and pepper and char on the hotter side of the grill, turning occasionally, for 12–15 minutes. Once charred, transfer to the other side of grill and cook until the thickest part of the rib reaches 130 F, about 2 1/2–3 hours.

3. Let meat rest for 15 minutes. If desired, serve alongside grilled veggies.

Inspired by SeriousEats.com

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Phone: (888) 481-1333 Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.joneshilllaw.com

Jones & Hill Injury Lawyers 131 U.S.165 South Oakdale, LA 71463

NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON TALCUM POWDER LAWSUITS

Last month, medical device giant Johnson & Johnson had to pay a total of $325 million in damages to a woman in New York after a jury ruled in favor of the plaintiff’s claim that the defendant’s talc products had caused her to develop mesothelioma. J&J told reporters they believed the trial was flawed, and they will fight to appeal the court’s decision. This case is not the first of its kind. Since 2016, thousands of similar cases with plaintiffs claiming that J&J’s talc products contain harmful levels of asbestos, which caused them to contract mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, have occurred. In July of 2018, a group of 22 women won a case against the medical device giant and received $4.69 billion in damages. It was the largest amount ever awarded in a product liability case. While the cases show no signs of slowing down, evidence of the plaintiff’s claims are far from conclusive, and court decisions reflect this. For every case where plaintiffs win some form of damages, another case ends with a win for J&J or with a hung jury. The varied court verdicts and countless lawsuits beg a couple of questions: Do J&J’s talcum powder products contain asbestos, and, if so, are those products the culprit behind so many cases of ovarian

cancer and mesothelioma? While the U.S. banned the use of asbestos in commercial products in the 1970s, the minerals talc and asbestos can be found in similar locations in nature. Various studies have been published on the link between talcum product usage and certain types of cancer, and one meta-analysis found that there is a small but statistically significant link between them. This is hardly conclusive, but it appears to be evidence in favor of various plaintiffs’ claims. Filing a suit against major companies and corporations can feel like an uphill battle. Why not level the playing field? At Jones & Hill, we are experts in getting you the compensation you deserve in a number of different areas, including workers’ compensation and medical malpractice. Give our office a call today.

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