Check out our September newsletter!
September 2025 “Quality Is No Accident” FLATTMANN FILES The Heart of Our Office and the Soul of Our Service The One Who Keeps It All Together
At Flattmann Law, Labor Day is more than a long weekend. It’s a time to pause and celebrate the people who make our firm what it is. Our personal, hands-on approach isn’t just a slogan. It’s how we do business every day. And behind that commitment is a team that genuinely cares, especially one person who keeps everything running smoothly (often behind the scenes): Brittany Crawford .
Our office mini fridge. It might sound silly, but Brittany can’t stand when the drinks are out of order. More than once, I’ve walked in early to find everything lined up perfectly: labels out, rows straight, colors sorted. It’s not just about the drinks. It’s about pride in the little things and setting a tone of care that runs throughout the firm. Outside of work, Brittany wears another important title: mom . She’s a terrific mother to a teenage son and always finds time to be there for him, no matter how busy things get. It’s clear that the same dedication and heart she brings to our clients and our office extends to her family, too. Every law firm has systems and procedures, but it’s people like Brittany who give it soul. She reminds us that the best service starts with genuine compassion. Behind every email, every phone call, every case file is a person who deserves kindness and attention. So, this Labor Day, we want to say thank you to Brittany for all she does, and to the team that works hard every day to make our firm not just successful, but special. If you’re one of our clients and you’ve had the pleasure of working with Brittany, you already know how lucky we are. And if you haven’t met her yet, just know that if you ever call us needing help, there’s a good chance Brittany will be the one picking up the phone, ready to make things a little easier.
Brittany has been with Flattmann Law for over three years, and in that time, she’s become an irreplaceable part of our work family. Her official title might be legal assistant or office manager, but those barely scratch the surface. Need someone to coordinate a client meeting, chase down medical records, run the office like a well-oiled machine, or supervise a bathroom renovation? Brittany’s done it all, sometimes in the same week. If you’ve met Brittany, you know she’s the calm in the chaos, the one who makes things happen. She’s smart, organized, and incredibly compassionate. Clients love her, and they don’t keep it to themselves. More than once, I’ve heard from folks saying how Brittany made them feel seen, cared for, and in good hands. And I couldn’t agree more. What really sets Brittany apart is how she approaches her work with humility, determination, and heart. She doesn’t just “get the job done.” She gets it done the right way. She sweats the small stuff (so you don’t have to) and notices the details no one else would. A perfect example?
MAIL CALL! STILL WANT IN? If you enjoy our newsletters (and birthday
Here’s to Brittany and everyone like her who make the work matter. Happy Labor Day from all of us at Flattmann Law! -Grady Flattmann
cards!) and want to stay on our list, please take just 1 minute to update or confirm your info here: https://forms.gle/ fyyLVh8n9prbRQv3A or scan the QR code. Thanks for helping us keep in touch-we love having you in our circle!
(985) 590-6182 • 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Insurance After Impact
What to Say, Do, and Avoid After an Accident
Nobody leaves their home intending to get into a car accident, but thousands of collisions still happen every day. They happen when people drive to work, pick up the kids from school, travel across the country on vacation, and in almost any other driving situation you can imagine. Statistics show that most Americans experience 3–4 accidents in their lives, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we know what to do immediately after the event. This can be especially daunting and stressful for young or new drivers. The aftermath of an accident can be complicated, partly because of insurance companies. Regardless of whether you’re at fault or another driver is to blame, you must report the accident to your insurance company and maybe even the other party’s insurance to get everything straightened out. If it’s been a while since you last reviewed your policy, set aside time to review it. Familiarize yourself with important terms and understand your policy to the best of your ability. Awareness of your coverage will help when dealing with an adjuster. Let’s walk through what you should do immediately after an accident and how to set yourself up for success when dealing with insurance companies. Document as much as you can. After an accident, you must do everything possible to protect yourself. Even if the other driver was obviously at fault, you never know what they will claim when talking to the police or their insurance carrier. Take pictures or record videos of the accident scene, any vehicles involved, and visible injuries. After speaking with police officers, request a copy of their report, which may include information stating who was at fault. If you need to see a medical professional, then obtain records of any treatment, prescriptions, or doctor’s visits for injuries from the accident. Lastly, gather contact information for any witnesses to the accident
if possible. All of this documentation will serve as evidence should insurance push back.
Watch what you say. You’ll often hear attorneys say you should be very careful when speaking with law enforcement to ensure you don’t admit guilt or say something that lands you in trouble. They’re not the only group you need to be cautious of when expressing your thoughts. You’ll likely have to speak with an insurance adjuster whose sole job is to minimize the amount the insurance company pays on claims. It’s vital that you don’t speculate or admit fault when speaking with an adjuster. Anything you say on this call could affect your potential compensation. Cooperate as much as you can, but avoid giving a recorded statement until you know the full extent of your injuries. Another thing to remember is that the insurance company will likely try to settle this matter quickly. Their initial offer may be tempting, but don’t jump the gun. Wait until you know the full extent of your injuries and the situation before accepting their offer, or else you could receive less compensation than you need. Know when to turn to legal help. Not every car accident will require legal counsel or involvement. Ideally, you won’t suffer a severe injury or deal with an uncooperative insurance company. If you aren’t so lucky, you should hire a lawyer to represent you and fight for your rights. There’s a good chance the insurance company will take your claim more seriously once it realizes you have legal representation. An attorney can provide guidance and advice regarding communication and signing documents. Your lawyer should be able to break down the terms of any document your insurance company sends. Even if things go your way initially, you may need to stay on top of your own or the other party’s insurance carrier to ensure they don’t drag their feet. Follow up regularly to ensure your claim continues to move forward!
2 • FlattmannLaw.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
When You Lose Your Cool, Find Your Courage
TAKE A BREAK
SOLUTION
Strong Parents Say I’m Sorry
Parenting is one of the most challenging responsibilities anyone can undertake. A parent must be a strong role model, providing guidance, structure, and support. However, everyone still makes mistakes even with the best intentions and dedicated effort. Sometimes, you might take it too far and get mad at your kids for something that isn’t their fault or isn’t a big deal. Nobody is perfect, but how you respond to mistakes shows your true character. In today’s society, apologizing is considered a sign of weakness when in reality, it’s one of the most efficient and effective ways to take responsibility for your actions. All parents have experienced a moment when their children did something that upset them and responded in a manner that leads to a guilty conscience a few hours later. You don’t have to let those feelings fester. Instead, apologize for how you reacted. By reaching out and acknowledging your mistakes, you’re building trust with your children, fostering a healthy relationship, and teaching them the importance of accountability. Apologizing to your children isn’t as simple as giving a half- hearted “I’m sorry.” Start by showing empathy and recognizing their hurt feelings. They may feel scared or upset that you were mad at them or believed they did something wrong, and it’s perfectly okay for them to feel that way. Make sure they know that before explaining the situation and accepting responsibility for your actions. After explaining the situation, you must put your child’s mind at ease so they don’t develop a fear of you. Commit to never making that mistake again, and try to be as clear as possible when discussing your actions. They likely have more understanding than you realize. If lingering tension or apprehension remains, find a way to connect with them, such as taking them to their favorite restaurant to discuss the situation further. Possibly the most important part of this process is actually saying the words “I’m sorry.” Through their educational journey and children’s media, they’ve learned the importance of those words, so make sure you use them. Apologizing to your kids will strengthen your relationship and help them grow emotionally. Don’t dismiss the power of a good apology!
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
Ingredients
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/4 tsp ginger powder • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Marinade • 2/3 cup red wine • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup sesame oil • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tsp minced garlic
Meat • 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy!
(985) 590-6182 • 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Flattmann Law (985) 590-6182 FlattmannLaw.com 213 W. 21st Ave. Covington, LA 70433 “Quality Is No Accident”
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Labor Day Spotlight: Brittany Crawford, the Heart of Flattmann Law
1
2
Your Game Plan for Post-Accident Chaos
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
3
A Parent’s Guide to Meaningful Apologies
Chris Brown Sued for Alleged Defamation
4
WHEN FANDOM TURNS TO FURY Chris Brown’s Superfan Sues Over Online Shaming
Since social media became mainstream, fans have had constant access to celebrity idols. These fans can keep up to date on any projects the celebrity is involved in, monitor their private lives, and even attempt to communicate with them. Some fans have taken it to the next level, creating fan pages to share their thoughts and feelings about their celebrity crush or fascination. It’s usually all in good fun, but occasionally, a celebrity will take the attention the wrong way and put the individual in the limelight. Chris Brown recently did this to a superfan, causing her to retaliate with a lawsuit. Angela Reliford frequently posted online about Chris Brown, his music, and his dancers under the name chrisbrownzwife777. Reliford claims to have met Brown at a meet-and-greet in Canada last year. She attended the event’s afterparty, where Brown’s security
team asked her to leave after an incident between Reliford and Brown’s lead dancer. She immediately went live on Instagram to speak of fantasies of killing Brown’s dancers (which probably wasn’t a good idea, either). Brown eventually reposted that video with extra graphics, alluding that Reliford was a stalker making threats against his crew.
Brown has quite the online tribe, with over 144 million followers on Instagram. Many followers saw his response video about Reliford and took it upon themselves to defend their favorite singer. Reliford claims she has been relentlessly attacked online, with many comments misgendering her. She also has stated that someone attacked her at her workplace after viewing the content. Reliford filed a $30 million lawsuit against Brown this past May. She alleges defamation, slander, libel, copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, emotional distress, and negligence over the video. “You threw me to 145 million people, and I was destroyed, ripped apart, and for what? Because I no longer wanted to support you?” stated Reliford. Chris Brown and his team have not publicly responded to the lawsuit at the time of this writing.
Photo: Pelpa Time Production
4 • FlattmannLaw.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator