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Justice MONTHLY
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
OCTOBER 2022
No Tricks, Just All Treats! CARVING OUT GOOD TIMES WITH THE FAMILY
I always enjoyed Halloween and trick-or- treating when I was growing up. In the ‘80s, my friends and I rode our bikes to other neighborhoods and went trick-or- treating through each one. We rode to these neighborhoods to check out their decorations. We always saw houses that went all out and displayed giant, crazy Halloween decorations. My parents weren't really the type to do that, but they did hand out candy. In a sense, it saved them a lot of time instead of putting up elaborate decorations for one night and then having to take them down the next day. Part of me wishes we could live in a bigger neighborhood now, but they seem hard to find these days. There are only a few nice neighborhoods left in town for trick-or-treating. I don’t even think our area would be considered a neighborhood because the houses
are lined up in a row on the street. We moved here last August, and I remember there wasn’t much trick-or-treating going on last Halloween — I just don’t think there were enough people to do it. I have some friends who love to go all out and try to scare the trick-or-treaters. There’s one guy who takes the blades off of his chainsaw and waits for the kids to get up to the door, then he’ll jump out of the bushes to scare them! The parents always get a good laugh out of it — I mean, who wouldn’t? Halloween isn’t just about the treats; it’s about the tricks, too! Our daughter, Isabella, is only 20 months old, so she’s not quite yet at the age to trick-or-treat. But Priscilla and I plan to dress her up and try to do something this year since we didn’t do much last year. We also try to get the dogs in the Halloween spirit. One year, we wanted to dress the dog up like a raptor, but unfortunately, they didn't have a costume to fit our lab. I can’t wait to see the idea we come up with for the dogs this year. We were also thinking about getting costumes of Isabella’s favorite characters that she'll recognize, just to see what kind of reaction she’d have! I’m sure she’ll get a kick out of that. Priscilla is already making jokes about dressing me up as Bluey — the blue puppy from the kid’s show — or Cocomelon and showing up at Isabella’s school. But she said the teachers would probably get mad if I did because half the kids would love it and the other half would
be scared! We’ve ruled out that idea, but it was funny to think about.
My wife is from Brazil, so they don’t really do Halloween there, but our Halloween partying days are definitely different. And that is especially true now because Priscilla is pregnant with our second child! Her name is Rebecca, and she will be born around late January. So, we have a lot of new and exciting things happening with our family, and I’m excited to start creating fun traditions and memories with the girls. Once they’re old enough, we’re looking forward to getting them all dressed in the best costumes and taking them over to the bigger neighborhoods to stock up on all the good candy.
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
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3 WAYS TO OVERCOME SAVINGS INTERRUPTIONS CATCH UP ON YOUR RETIREMENT FUND
Take advantage of catch-up contributions. In 2022, you can contribute as much as $20,500 to your 401(k) or 403(b) retirement fund — but starting at age 50, you can put in an additional $6,500. This is the best time to start saving extra money! You can also add more money to your individual Roth IRA and Traditional IRA account. The contribution limit is $6,000 per year, with an extra $1,000 allowed for those age 50 and over. Diversify your retirement plan. Sometimes, investing into non-retirement accounts can be a powerful tool to save for retirement. If you’ve maxed out your contributions and have money left over, consider investing in a taxable brokerage account. Although you’ll get fewer tax benefits, you have no contribution limit and can invest and make withdrawals without penalty.
Feel like your retirement savings have been falling behind? Now that the market is down, this is actually the best time to start building your retirement savings to "catch up." The market will help build greater gains as it grows again (which it always does!). Here are three ways to take advantage.
Either way, never putting “all your eggs in one basket” is a good guiding principle. This is why tax diversification, or owning a combination of funds with various tax statuses, is so useful for retirement planning. Depending on the tax implications, you’ll have flexibility and freedom in retirement — whenever you’re ready to begin withdrawing. If you’re still worried, you can always change your retirement timeline. Whether it means keeping your job longer or finding different work, you’re still in control of your future. We hope these tips help you feel even more confident preparing for the exciting journey ahead!
Reduce discretionary expenses or expand income.
Halloween is slowly creeping around the corner, and it’s the type of night where we all collectively invite guests onto our property to gather treats and pull a few tricks to celebrate the spooky night. Though children are more excited about the candy, some find delight in displaying elaborate Halloween decorations! Some go all out, and some stick with just a few decorations, but as a property owner, there are specific responsibilities when inviting people onto your property. What is premises liability? It refers to the type of personal injury case that involves injuries caused by unsafe, defective, or hazardous conditions on someone’s property. In Georgia, property owners are legally obligated to keep their When restarting your savings, unless your income expands, something’s gotta give. Take a close look at where you’re spending your money — if it sounds like an overwhelming task, trustworthy budgeting sites like Mint can help organize your finances and make sense of your purchases. If your budget is too tight to cut, then consider side hustles. Even a few extra hours a week can add up fast. MAINTAINING SAFETY ON YOUR PROPERTY Beware and Prepare
premises to the highest safety standard for those who lawfully enter or visit.
In most premises liability claims, the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to maintain the property, repair any defects, or warn visitors about hazardous conditions. Suppose a dangerous or unsafe condition injures a visitor on a property due to a property owner's negligence. In that case, the person has the right to seek compensation for their injuries and related expenses. Some examples include the following but aren’t limited to: • Uneven walkways • Unsecure stair railings • Wet surfaces • Overgrown bushes, trees, and roots • Unconcealed ponds, streams, and other bodies of water • Unsecured electrical cords How can you prepare your property? One of the best ways to prepare your property for guests is to do an inspection. It can be easy to overlook hazardous
conditions — especially on a property you’re already familiar with — and doing so allows you to be more aware of potential dangers. You should also post warning signs for conditions that cannot be repaired immediately. That way, your guests are prepared and can pay close attention to their surroundings. Make them visible and clear enough — especially if you plan to have visitors on Halloween night — so there are no misunderstandings. If you do find potential hazards, be sure to repair them immediately. You cannot assume every guest who comes onto your property will be aware of these conditions, so it’s best to be safe rather than sorry! If you become injured on someone else’s property, an Albany premises liability lawyer from the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., can help! Contact us at 229-888-0888 so we can put you first.
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TAKING THE RIGHT STEPS
GETTING THE JUSTICE YOU DESERVE
It can be tempting to settle with the other driver instead of contacting the authorities. But you’re only preventing yourself and your attorney from accessing your case's valuable evidence and facts. Seek medical treatment. Even if your injuries seem minor, you should still seek medical attention. Some injuries take time to reveal themselves, so it’s better to ensure you aren’t seriously injured more than you realize. The adrenaline pumping through your veins can distract you from noticing injuries, so seeking a medical professional’s opinion allows them to catch something you may not see. Not only is this a safety precaution, but it also allows you to document any physical trauma you have suffered and preserve important information. Document evidence. Information you provide is just as important as law enforcement and health care professionals’ documentation! Memory isn't
reliable, so gather as much evidence as possible.
As soon as you’re able, you can do the following to gather vital evidence:
No one expects to be seriously injured in a car accident, but life tends to be unpredictable. Along with the high emotions from an injury, specific steps are essential to building your case, and it can become an overwhelming task. Luckily, you’re not alone! The following suggestions are not intended to serve as legal advice; instead, they are general steps you can take to preserve evidence and ensure you are treated fairly when you have been injured. Report the accident. If you have been in a car accident, always call the police first. The police will document the accident scene and create a report that preserves essential details for your case.
• Gather contact information from the persons involved in the accident — their driver’s license numbers, insurance provider, etc. — and time the accident occurred. • If you’re able, take photos of the accident scene and injuries you have suffered. • Keep all bills and documents related to your medical care. You can even note what you were doing before the accident, what actions you took first, and the names of nearby witnesses. To obtain all the facts and evidence accurately, contact us at 229-888-0888 as soon as possible so we can help you receive the justice you deserve.
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our April newsletter:
CREAMY BAKED PUMPKIN RISOTTO
Nothing highlights fall quite like pumpkin-inspired dishes. Grab your blankets, turn on your favorite movie, and enjoy a delicious meal.
Sandy Meadows Quincy James Gladys Curry
Donnell McCoy Leasia King
Ingredients • 5 cups of low-sodium
• Salt, to taste • Pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 2 tbsp mascarpone cheese • 2 tbsp olive oil
chicken or vegetable broth • 2 cups Arborio rice • 2 cups of pumpkin, diced • 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin purée • 1/2 yellow onion, minced
Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
Directions 1. Heat the oven to 400 F and arrange a rack in the middle. 2. In a 3-quart baking dish, combine broth, rice, diced and puréed pumpkin, and onion. 3. Season with salt and pepper, then stir until evenly combined. 4. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake until water has been absorbed and rice granules are puffed. 5. Remove from the oven and stir in basil, grated Parmesan cheese, mascarpone cheese, and olive oil.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
1918 DAWSON RD. ALBANY, GA 31707
Why Trey Is Looking Forward to Future Halloween Nights PAGE 1
Were Your Retirement Savings Interrupted?
Understanding Premises Liability PAGE 2
Navigating the Process After a Car Accident
Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto PAGE 3
Become an Expert on Remote Work PAGE 4
IS REMOTE WORK THE FUTURE? ‘THE NOWHERE OFFICE’ EXPLORES THIS IDEA
If your business has switched over to a remote or hybrid environment and you’re still trying to figure out how to successfully manage your team, “The Nowhere Office” will help you develop a plan.
Think about your current work environment for a second. Is it the same as it was three years ago? Likely not, as the traditional workplace was overhauled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, many employees across various industries are working remotely. But can work return to the offices full time? Should it? Julia Hobsbawm answers these questions and more in her book “The Nowhere Office: Reinventing Work and the Workplace of the Future.” Now that pandemic lockdowns have been lifted, many business owners have attempted to push employees to return to the office full time. Hobsbawm believes that’s the wrong approach, as forcing employees back into an office could kill productivity, and writes that remote or hybrid workplaces can be more flexible for employers and employees alike while still allowing work to be completed on time.
But if remote work is the future, what will happen to the workplaces owned by businesses? Are they unnecessary? Not exactly, explains Hobsbawm. She believes that businesses still need physical workspaces, but how they are used will change. They will no longer be a place where employees spend their entire days. Instead, they will be designated for networking, training, and development. Hobsbawm also tackles the idea of how much employees should be working. She informs business owners that it’s okay to have employees work less, as it can lead to more productivity. She states that “work can and should be not only a source of raw income but also a purposeful life itself.” While your employees need to earn a livable wage, they should also find passion in their work, or they will quickly burn out and feel resentment toward their job.
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
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WERE YOU AFFECTED BY THE CAMP LEJEUNE WATER CONTAMINATION? Compensation may be available for you! For over 30 years, between 1953 and 1987, drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated and was the direct cause of countless life-altering medical conditions and deaths. Those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 may be eligible to file a claim. Additionally, the descendants of the impacted person may qualify for a claim if the affected person is deceased. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one suffered from any of these conditions, including, but not limited to:
• Kidney cancer • Breast cancer • Adult leukemia • Parkinson’s disease
• Scleroderma • Renal toxicity • Hepatic steatosis • Female infertility or miscarriages
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You Fought for Us, Let Us Fight for You!
After decades of being denied justice, new legislation is poised to allow people who were exposed to contaminated water to seek compensation for injuries and other damages. We are accepting clients for the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit and continuously monitoring the legislative process related to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act so that we can quickly pivot to achieve justice for those harmed at the military base. If you or a loved one was harmed by contaminated water at the North Carolina Marine Base, please contact The Law Offices of William F. Underwood III, P.C. attorneys at (229) 888-0888, so we can finally get you the justice you deserve and put you first.
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