Dickerson Oxton - May 2024

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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com MAY 2024

ANIMAL BITES

CAR ACCIDENTS

Grateful Is an Understatement MOTHER’S DAY AND BEYOND

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

As parents, our words and actions hold immense power in shaping our children’s self-esteem and confidence. Rather than focusing on criticism or negativity, nurturing their self- worth and encouraging them to reach their full potential is crucial. By offering wisdom, praise, and support, we empower our children to believe in themselves and their abilities. I hope to do that for my children because my mom always did that for me.

my kids. I take the lessons learned from my mother and pass them on to my parenting styles.

I tell my children how important it is to cherish their mother and how they will one day realize all the sacrifices she has made for them. Every Mother’s Day, I help my kids create a special day for their mother to help them show her how special she is. Through both words and actions, I instill in them the importance of

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Celebrating my mom on Mother’s Day is an occasion filled with heartfelt gestures, but I am constantly reminded that no matter what I do for her, it will never be enough to show my love. My

expressing appreciation for everything she does for them. Together, we brainstorm thoughtful gestures and creative ways to make her feel valued daily through handmade crafts, cards, heartfelt messages, or acts of service.

BURN INJURIES

mother has been a source of strength, support, and unconditional love my whole life. I am constantly humbled by the depth of her selflessness and the sacrifices she made for our family. Every year, I strive to make her feel cherished and valued, knowing I can never fully repay her for her immeasurable contributions to my life. One of the things I appreciate most about my mom is the inner strength she taught me. I

CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

Raising my children has been challenging and deepened my appreciation

for my mom. Parenthood has presented me with obstacles and complexities I never fully understood until I experienced them firsthand after having my children. I will always strive to emulate her

NURSING HOME ABUSE

“I will always strive to emulate her example in my journey.”

example in my journey. Mother’s Day should not

SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS

be a once-a-year event but a daily acknowledgment of their resilience, strength, and endless love. From the sacrifices they make to the guidance they provide,

BOATING ACCIDENTS

mothers play a pivotal role in shaping the individuals we become. As we honor them on Mother’s Day and beyond, we must reflect on the profound impact of maternal strength, recognizing that their influence extends far past our childhood.

always knew she would be on my side, no matter what. She is my number one

cheerleader and teammate in everything I do. I feel so fortunate that my mom always told me how proud she was of me growing up; she constantly lifted me when I felt down. Not everyone has had this privilege growing up, so I never take it for granted. My mom exceeded my expectations repeatedly, and I hope to be as good of a parent as she is to

TRUCK ACCIDENTS

–Adam Evans

PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES

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THE UNBELIEVABLE SHARK

Medications are crucial in curing illnesses, managing chronic conditions, and alleviating pain. However, they can also lead to harmful reactions if not administered correctly. Medication errors can occur at various stages, including in hospitals, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and at home. Adverse drug events encompass any injuries resulting from medication use, ranging from physical harm to mental distress or loss of function. Since 2006, the FDA has received over 95,000 reports of medication errors. In 2008, researchers estimated that approximately 7,000 Americans die annually from potentially preventable adverse drug events, with medication errors being the primary cause of inpatient fatalities. While the frequency of errors varies across healthcare facilities, experts believe that at least one medication error occurs per hospital every day. Critical care settings pose the highest risks and consequences associated with medication errors, mainly because patients are often more ill and less able to tolerate adverse events. Critically ill patients typically receive a higher number of medications compared to those on general floors, doubling the likelihood of errors. Approximately 20% of critical care medication errors have the potential to be life-threatening, and 42% of these errors require additional life-sustaining interventions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecasts that medication errors will continue to escalate, highlighting the importance of consumers staying vigilant about the prevalence of these errors and taking proactive measures to safeguard The Terror of Truck Accidents HIGHWAY HORRORS Always prioritize your safety when handling heavy machinery or driving near a large vehicle. In the hustle and bustle of modern-day transportation, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Any kind of motor accident poses a great danger to all parties involved, but truck accidents are one of the most significant safety threats on the road. Being involved in a motor vehicle accident with a large truck presents different scenarios compared to a typical car crash. With multiple parties potentially involved and the increased likelihood of severe injuries, the stakes are significantly higher. In standard car accident cases, the responsible party is usually one of the drivers, and the victims typically file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, truck accidents introduce a further layer of complexity. Since truck drivers often don’t own the vehicles they operate, liability for damages could extend beyond the drive to other parties. Potential parties responsible for a truck accident include the company that owns the truck, the driver’s employer, the entity leasing the car, etc. In many truck accident cases, the driver’s employer can be held accountable for damages under vicarious liability if the driver acted within the scope of employment. Unveiling Hidden

ENCOUNTER THAT SAVED A MAN’S LIFE

Sharks are powerful, violent creatures. They can have thousands of razor-sharp teeth. They swim about 12 mph when attacking — twice the speed of a (very fast) human swimmer. The mere presence of a shark is enough to close down a beach and frighten movie audiences.

Apparently, some sharks are different. One shark even saved a man’s life.

Eugene and his family were enjoying a warm summer day in Huntington Beach, California. As he swam in the ocean, enjoying the cool waters of the Pacific, he was struck by a sudden tremendous force, pushing his neck backward. He later described the sensation as “instant whiplash.” After a difficult and painful swim, he reached the shore. Eugene’s daughter asked why his back was so bloody. He was shocked to find a giant gash across the center of his back, as well as several teeth marks on one side. The family headed home as lifeguards closed the beach, fearing more attacks. That evening, Eugene was in severe pain from the injury and was rushed to the hospital. Not surprisingly, blunt force trauma was causing his pain, befitting a large shark ramming him in the back. However, this wasn’t the only diagnosis he received that day, nor was it the most severe. While examining Eugene, doctors discovered a walnut-sized tumor on his right kidney. They quickly rolled him into the operating room and removed the cancerous tumor before it could progress. Whether the shark intended it or not, it may have saved Eugene’s life. Undetected, the tumor might have metastasized and spread to the rest of his body. Without that attack, he may not have known about the cancer before it was too late. Because of that fact, we are confident the shark is a hero, whether it knows it or not.

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themselves when using medications. It is imperative to maintain clear communication with your doctor and pharmacist. Here are nine valuable tips AHRQ provides to enhance communication with your healthcare providers and ensure your safety. n Dangers THE REALITY OF MEDICATION • Ensure that all your doctors know about every medicine you are taking. • Bring all of your drugs and supplements to your doctor visits. • Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines. • When your doctor prescribes for you, make sure you can read it. • Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can understand. • When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask, “Is this the medicine my doctor prescribed?” • If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. • Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. • Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause. Understanding these tips can ensure your safety when using medications. By staying informed and actively engaging with doctors and pharmacists, consumers can mitigate the risks associated with medication errors.

TAKE A BREAK

OLIVE OIL CAKE WITH HONEY-YOGURT CREAM AND STRAWBERRIES

Inspired by FoodAndWine.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 4 large eggs • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tsp lime zest • 3 1/2 tbsp lime juice • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 qts fresh strawberries, quartered • 1 cup plain whole- milk Greek yogurt • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 1/4 cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease 8-inch springform pan. Line with parchment paper and lightly grease. 2. In medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, and baking soda. 3. In a stand mixer, whisk sugar and eggs on medium-high, about 3 minutes. Add oil, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla. On low, gradually add flour mixture until just incorporated. 4. Pour batter into pan. Bake until golden brown and toothpick comes out with crumbs, 40–45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Invert cake out of pan onto wire rack and let cool completely. 5. Whisk yogurt, cream, and honey. Top

If you ever end up in a truck accident, there are several steps you should immediately take. First, check yourself for injuries, as your health and safety is your top priority. Then, call 911 for immediate medical assistance and move vehicles off the road if possible. After that, seeking legal advice is crucial, as trucking companies quickly dispatch investigators to the accident scene. If you or a family member have been injured in a truck accident in Kansas City, Missouri, our legal team at Dickerson Oxton stands ready to advocate on your behalf. With our extensive experience in personal injury law, we can assist you in pursuing fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident.

each cake slice with spoonfuls of yogurt mixture and strawberries.

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ADVERTISING MATERIAL

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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

A Big Thank You to All Moms

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When a Shark Became a Lifesaver

PG2

Be on the Lookout for Medication Errors

PG2

The Complexities of Trucking Accidents

PG2

Olive Oil Cake With Honey-Yogurt Cream and Strawberries

PG3

3 Tips for Building Healthy Habits

PG4

3 WAYS TO BUILD HEALTHY HABITS The journey to healthier habits is a marathon, not a sprint, and as such, it is a daunting task. Here are three tips to help you begin your journey, whether your goal is to lose weight, improve your diet, work out regularly, or just establish a more balanced lifestyle. NO. 1 — START SMALL for your journey as you can track your progress as time goes on. Consistently achieving these milestones will solidify your commitment to your new healthy habits. NO. 3 — STAY CONSISTENT MASTERING THE MARATHON

Start your journey to better health in small ways, as attempting drastic change can be overwhelming. You should first focus on incremental adjustments to your routine. If your goal is to exercise more, start with short walks in the evenings after dinner or take the stairs in the office instead of elevators. These changes lay the foundation for long- term success. Starting small will make it easier to transition to larger changes, like adding a morning workout or speeding up your evening walk into a jog. NO. 2 — SET SPECIFIC GOALS Setting clear, attainable goals can easily motivate you. Rather than vague aspirations, like “exercise more” or “eat healthy,” define your goals into objectives like “walk 20 minutes every day” or “eat vegetables with every meal.” These goals can be a road map

Consistency is at the core of building a habit — establishing a routine that aligns with your health goals. A structured routine supports habit formation, and consistency reinforces it. If you miss a day of your new habit, a routine helps you bounce back into the structure without being hard on yourself. As you continue building healthy habits, consistency will help ingrain them into your lifestyle. You can lay the groundwork for lasting, healthy habits by embracing these three tips. Small, gradual changes become the foundation for continued success, while clear objectives serve as milestones to celebrate success along the way. So, take joy in the process, celebrate the victories, and know that building these healthy habits is a marathon worth running.

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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