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Justice MONTHLY
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MARCH 2020
Getting Lost and Growing LEARNING MORE ABOUT MYSELF AND HISTORY THROUGH BOOKS
M y sister, a comparative literature major, likes to poke fun at me for the books I read. While she’s getting lost in classic American fiction, I prefer self- help books because they push me to think outside of myself and form fresh perspectives. My sister just scoffs! Of course, it doesn’t help that I am notorious for leaving a bunch of half-read books lying around. I’ll give her that. But when I do finish the books — and really when I’ve only read them halfway — I feel motivated and full of fresh ideas. I’ve learned our minds like to play tricks on us, and we need to look for ways to continuously improve. I don’t want to remain stagnant. I want to become a better person, and the books I choose help me get there. “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill has to be one of the more powerful books I’ve read. The title can be misleading because most people think it’s about growing your monetary wealth. Instead, when you read the book, you come to understand that Hill encourages readers to live a life that makes them rich beyond financial gain. It’s about being confident with what you have, deciding how you want to go forward, and surrounding yourself with those who help you do that. Hill’s book also introduced me to mastermind groups. I used to belong to a few groups, but I soon learned just how much support I could get from our state plaintiff and bar associations. It’s a core group of lawyers who are working to do the best for their clients, and we offer feedback and our experiences to other attorneys facing similar problems. In fact, I just posted about needing some advice with a problem I was having! Having that network of support helps me grow, and I know I’d be lost without it. When I don’t have my nose in a self-help book, I stick more to nonfiction. I enjoy reading about history and its key players. Just recently, I was reading about Genghis Khan, and I enjoy American history stories, too. David McCullough’s “1776” has some great writing, and he also wrote a biography of John Adams.
The best part about history is it can often read like, if not better than, many works of fiction. I most enjoy books that put the reader at the center of the historical conflict and struggle. You can’t get a plotline like that anywhere else. And really, that’s why we read! We need to learn and grow, and sometimes it takes digging into ourselves and exploring history to make progress. If you’re looking for a new book, I recommend “The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8 a.m.” by Hal Elrod. Before you roll your eyes because it’s a self- help book, I encourage you to learn more about Elrod’s story. Elrod overcame extensive injuries he sustained as a result of being hit by a drunk driver, and his lessons and viewpoints will be very relatable to many of you. Let me know what you think, and if you have a book recommendation, I’d love to hear it. Who knows — maybe I’ll try one of my sister’s classics, too.
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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6 EMPOWERING BOOKS ABOUT GIRLS TO READ WITH YOUR KIDS A PARENT’S GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
‘Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell’ by Tanya Lee Stone The title of this book says it all! In it, the author tells the story of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first American woman to don the white doctor’s coat at a time when most girls were expected to stay home. This book is recommended for kids ages 5 and up, as is its sequel, “Who Says Women Can’t Be Computer Programmers?: The Story of Ada Lovelace.” ‘Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World’ by Rachel Ignotofsky This beautifully illustrated book reads almost like a collection of folktales, following the careers of women in STEM “from the ancient to the modern world.” There’s no better way to share the stories of brilliant ladies like Jane Goodall, Katia Krafft, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas with your kids. Check out the companion books about women in art and sports, too! ‘Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers’ by Sarah Warren This short book for 6–8-year-olds tells the story of Dolores Huerta, an often-overlooked American activist who helped lead the charge for the rights of immigrant workers. A teacher by trade, Dolores was inspired to become “a warrior, an organizer, and a peacemaker” by her students. Don’t miss this chance to share her tale with your little ones! visits and provide the doctor with a full and accurate report. This ensures complete transparency. Your visit will likely only be covered if you see a doctor within your employer’s network. How long do I have to be out of work before workers’ compensation starts? This can be confusing, as the statute is a little unclear. Georgia code states an employee needs to be out of work at least one week before the first payment is due, and they will be paid for the second week at that time. Then they will have to be out of work for 21 consecutive days after that before they receive the next three weeks of payment. Afterward, payments will be consistent for up to 400 weeks. Will my salary be properly compensated? Many people believe they will receive much less than what they were earning, but the state of Georgia recently saw the highest increase in workers’ compensation payments since Trey has been practicing law! You can now receive two-thirds of your weekly salary at a maximum of $675 per week. Our team can help workers who make much more with other options. We know you will have many additional questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our team by calling 229-888-0888 and learn more online at PuttingPeopleFirst.law.
This year, men and women around the world will celebrate International Women’s Day with lectures, panels, and marches on
March 8, but have you thought about how you can bring the spirit of celebrating women’s rights into your home? If you haven’t planned a family activity around girl power yet, consider adding some inspiring tales of real-life women to your bedtime story routine. A few years ago for Women’s History Month, HuffPost rounded up 17 such books, and we’ve picked some of our favorites! If you’re on the hunt for reading material, head to the library and check one of these stories out.
‘Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History … and Our Future!’ by Kate Schatz This book explores 26 women of all stripes, one for each letter of the alphabet. Snag a copy to share the stories of Billie Jean King, Rachel Carson, Sonia Sotomayor, and more with your kids ages 8 and up! For a similar read focused on incredible girls rather than women, check out “Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World” by Susan Hood.
INJURED ON THE JOB? Your Common Workers’ Compensation Questions Answered
When you’re injured at work, you can have many questions. How serious is the injury? Will I be able to work again? How will I pay my bills or feed my family? Will I be properly compensated?
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood III, P.C., we’ve heard them all. We understand what it’s like to be worried about your future, and when you add filing a workers' compensation claim to the mix, that stress is compounded. Our team can help you navigate the confusing waters, and we’re going to start by answering a few of your most common questions. Do I need to go to the doctor, and will workers’ compensation cover it? A physician can be your biggest defender and your biggest weakness in a workers’ compensation case. You
should visit the doctor after an injury, and this visit can be covered by workers’ compensation. However, you must maintain consistent
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DEBUNKED! BUSTING 2 PERSONAL INJURY MYTHS
Myth: I don’t need a lawyer or medical attention for minor injuries. Reality: That bump on your head and shoulder pain may be all you have after an accident, but you could have sustained a serious concussion and face lifelong shoulder issues and medical bills as a result. Consider the case of Harris v. McGraw. Skincare specialist Janet Harris was visiting the home of TV celebrity Dr. Phil McGraw when she was bitten by the family dog. The McGraws asked her not to seek medical attention for fear of bad press and Harris complied. But she soon developed a bacterial infection that would lead to
Today’s internet age has made access to information easier than ever. Those who are facing legal trouble can find answers and attorneys quickly without having to wait an agonizingly long time. But this digital age has also perpetuated lies, and we want to dispel a few of the biggest personal injury law myths. Myth: Lawsuits are frivolous. Reality: Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants paved the way for mass corporations to sell the idea that lawsuits are frivolous. Songs, "Saturday Night Live" sketches, and references in popular sitcoms fueled the belief that anyone will sue a big corporation for a quick buck. The reality of the case is much more somber. Stella Liebeck sustained third-degree burns and was partially disabled as a result of spilling McDonald’s coffee on her thighs. Liebeck asked the billion-dollar burger joint to compensate her medical bills, and when they returned with a counteroffer of $800, Liebeck took McDonald’s to court. Records show the restaurant was serving coffee just 30 degrees below the boiling point and had more than 700 burn complaints. McDonald’s was forced to compensate Liebeck $600,000, which went toward medical care until her death in August 2004.
permanent damage. Harris sued the McGraws and was awarded her dues in 2013, but the loss was significant. She was forced to stop working as a result of medical complications. If you’ve been injured, you deserve proper compensation and support. Give the Law Offices of William F. Underwood III, P.C. a call today to learn more about your rights and how we can help.
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 the following clients who have referred others to us since our February newsletter: Your recommendation is greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments on our services through Google reviews ! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients 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. Eusebio Mitchell, Michael Isler and Cassandra Lamar
Orange Glazed Salmon
Keep dinner light, simple, and easy with this paleo-friendly recipe.
Ingredients ●
Zest from 1 orange
2 salmon fillets (10 oz total)
● ●
1/3 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
1 tsp salt
● ● ● ●
2 tbsp ghee
1 tsp tapioca starch
●
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F, and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 2. Salt each fillet with 1/2 tsp salt. Bake for 6–8 minutes. 3. In a saucepan, combine ghee and garlic and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. 4. Add rosemary, zest, and juice. Cook for another 3 minutes. 5. Stir in tapioca starch until lumps disappear and mixture thickens. 6. Plate salmon and top with orange sauce.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by RealFoodWithJessica.com
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inside Learning More About Myself and History Through Books PAGE 1 6 Empowering Books to Read With Your Kids for International Women’s Day PAGE 2
FAQs About Workers’ Compensation PAGE 2
Do You Believe These Personal Injury Myths? PAGE 3
Orange Glazed Salmon PAGE 3
Influential Freedom of Information Act Lawsuits PAGE 4
The Freedom of Information Act, commonly referred to as the FOIA, has been a crucial part of the democratic system for decades. It was designed to improve public access to governmental records, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work as intended. In most cases, requests are only answered if a lawsuit is filed. Nevertheless, FOIA has had a crucial role in many high-profile legal cases. Here are a couple of the most significant ones in American history. A Journalist’s 16 Years in Court California-based journalist Seth Rosenfeld has had some serious contention with the FBI. In 1985, he filed his first lawsuit against the FBI for ignoring his requests for information about the Berkeley protests of the 1960s. The case was eventually settled in 1996, and Rosenfeld was awarded $560,000 in fees. In their settlement agreement, the FBI agreed to be more thorough with FOIA requests. Rosenfeld filed a second lawsuit in 2007 accusing the FBI of withholding information during former President Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Five years later, he was awarded $479,459 in attorney fees. Rosenfeld is known for having some of the longest-pending FOIA Lawsuits That Changed How Americans Participate in Democracy DIGGING FOR THE TRUTH
FOIA requests and has received over 300,000 pages of FBI documents since the 1980s.
The SCOMM Scandal In a landmark FOIA settlement concluded in 2013, the federal government paid $1.2 million to settle a suit brought by several civil rights groups over the Secure Communities (SCOMM) Immigration and Customs Enforcement program. The litigation exposed a plan to create a multi-agency database focused on collecting DNA, a person’s gait, and iris scans. When evidence was uncovered during the litigation, governors of New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts tried to opt their states out of the program, but the Department of Homeland Security determined SCOMM mandatory, according to the Center for Constitutional Rights. The case also changed how the government is required to identify, collect, and produce data for all FOIA requests. Thanks to FOIA and these important cases, the people’s right to government information (and honesty) will continue to progress in America’s democracy.
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