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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
DEC 2019
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
The Difference A Decade Makes
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
SAYING GOODBYE TO THE 2010S
Sometimes I can’t believe how 2010 went for Tom and me. From April to September alone, we got married, graduated from law school, moved to Kansas City, took the bar, passed the bar, and started our law firm — all positive milestones — but looking back, I don’t know how we handled it all at once! Even more unbelievable is the fact that those events were almost a decade ago. but the closing of a decade feels special. As you move from one year to the next, it can be hard to notice much of a difference in your life. But looking back over the entirety of the 2010s, you really get a sense of how far you’ve come. It’s certainly that way for me. The approach of the new year always invites a certain amount of reflection, When Tom and I first came to Kansas City, we were fortunate enough to be offered a place to stay by my husband’s mentor, Nancy Wilson. Longtime readers will recognize Nancy as the attorney who gave Tom his first legal internship; she’s one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met. She opened up her home to us when we were freshly graduated newlyweds, giving us the foundation we needed to find a foothold in this wonderful city.
around studying. The bar exam is as intimidating as it sounds, and Tom and I wanted to be completely prepared. He’d take his books down to a desk in the utility room while I set up at a tiny wooden desk in our bedroom. I’d spend hours poring over logic puzzles while listening to Metric and the other indie rock favorites from my youth — at least my taste in music hasn’t changed. “Gold, Guns, Girls” still gets me fired up. It’s hard to believe that those days spent buried in books got us where we are today, but they did. Tom and I passed the bar and launched our own firm, wanting to do business our way. Had I known as much as I do about the industry today and just how risky a move this was for two lawyers fresh out of law school, I might have hesitated. But ignorance is bliss, so we charged headlong into this new adventure. I’m so glad we did. We set up shop at the old Strip Center in Overland Park and set out to make a name for ourselves. We committed to a client-first approach, and slowly but surely, our caseload grew — along "But ignorance is bliss, so we charged headlong into this newadventure. I'mso gladwe did."
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
with our family. By 2015, we’d moved our offices and had two kids, and it was up and up from there. And, of course, I grew as well. Going from law school to law partner was definitely like being thrown in the deep end, and there were times I felt overwhelmed. But there’s a certain confidence that comes with confronting those sink-or-swim moments; I wouldn’t be the attorney I am today without them. piece of advice, it would just be to not sweat the small stuff. It can be easy to get caught up in the day to day setbacks and challenges but remember the big picture. Keep doing all you can to help people; that’s what will make the difference in the long run. If I could go back to when this journey started and give 2010 Chelsea one
BURN INJURIES
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
Here’s to the next 10 years,
–Chelsea Dickerson
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Most of my memories of the time we spent in Nancy’s house revolve
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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Case Summ RECENT TRIALWIN — WHI We recently obtained a fabulous trial victory in a place that is typically seen as an extremely conservative and tough venue for plaintiffs: Johnson County, Kansas. The case involved a collision with a semi-truck/trailer. Our client was driving on I-35 in Lenexa, Kansas, during a rain storm. For some unknown reason, the semi-truck/trailer started backing up on the highway and collided with our client’s vehicle while it was at a stop. Our client was hit in the front portion of his vehicle, and the semi-truck/trailer pushed our client’s vehicle around 180 degrees so he was facing the opposite direction on the highway. An independent witness stopped and spoke with the highway patrol officer who responded to the scene. The witness confirmed the semi-truck driver was, in fact, backing up on the highway. Unfortunately, the semi-truck driver was dishonest and told everyone he was not backing up and that our client was the one at fault for the wreck. The semi-truck driver — and his employer trucking company — maintained this story for
Horsing Around MEET A DIFFERENT KIND OF THERAPY ANIMAL
Horses have been loyal and useful companions to humans for centuries. But unbeknownst to many who fear these long-legged, 1,000-plus-pound mammals, horses are also naturally intuitive and extremely sensitive to the moods of people around them. These traits make them excellent therapy animals for those with autism, cerebral palsy, chronic illnesses, and PTSD, among many more. In fact, there are dedicated horse-riding camps geared toward chronically ill children and adults all over the world. However, riding horses isn’t the only way to benefit from equine therapy; horses are also fantastic comfort animals that can relieve anxiety and promote a positive environment for bedridden patients — as long as the doorway is big enough. Meet Peyo, the 14-year-old “love stallion” from Dijon, France, who is cheering up chronically ill patients one nuzzle at a time. This accomplished artistic dressage competitor accompanies his owner, Hassen Bouchakour, on visits to hospitals and nursing homes, bringing joy with every clop of his hooves. Patients suffering from all manner of ailments blossom when Peyo comes to visit, laughing and smiling while being nudged by his soft nose. He seems to have a keen sense for patients who are truly suffering, and though his handler is always nearby, Peyo often chooses which rooms to enter of his own volition. Having a horse in a hospital room may not sound very sanitary, but Peyo goes through a strict grooming regimen to be deemed hygienic enough to be around patients. His hooves are greased, his mane and tail are braided, and his entire body is rubbed down with antibacterial lotion before being covered by a blanket. Before Peyo became a therapy horse, he was almost put up for sale by Bouchakour, who had a hard time wrangling Peyo’s fiery personality. But, over time, when they traveled to shows and competitions together, Bouchakour noticed the horse was drawn to the injured and disabled and would instantly calm at their touch. “It is one of the most pure, honest, and sweet things,” Bouchakour says. “They like each other very much without asking for anything else.”
Don'tNog and Drive DRUNK DRIVING SPIKES DURING THE HOLIDAYS
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T, ET AL. V. GDS EXPRESS, INC., ET AL.
four years while the case was pending and during the entire time the case was in court. It wasn’t until the day of the semi- truck driver’s testimony at trial that he finally changed his story and admitted that our client did nothing wrong. Amazingly, though, he never did admit to backing up on the highway — only that he had slammed on his brakes and that must have caused something to go wrong. Fortunately for our client, the jury did not buy the semi-truck driver’s story. They awarded our client over $2 million for his injuries. Our client required extensive future care for a neck injury involving a disc bulge that was compressing a nerve in his neck. He was a social worker and had to wind down his counseling business extensively because of his chronic neck pain. Our client was 62 at the time of the injury. The holidays are a time to come together and celebrate love and joy. But tragically, they’ve also become a very dangerous time of year to be on the road. The Department of Transportation has reported that over the past five years, an average of 300 people have died in drunk driving-related accidents in the week between Christmas and New Year’s. As a personal injury firm that’s all too familiar with the tragic cost of car crashes, we urge you and your loved ones to use caution this season. MAKE MERRY RESPONSIBLY Of course you should still have fun this holiday season — but, if you want to have a few rounds of eggnog, you need a plan to get home safely. Come to your holiday party with a designated driver, or use a rideshare app to get to and from the location. If none of these options are viable and you’ve been drinking, ask your hosts if you can spend the night. Anything is better than getting behind the wheel. KEEP YOUR GUESTS SAFE If you are putting on the holiday festivities this year, there’s a lot you can do to keep
The defense fought us throughout the case — both on the facts of the wreck and by arguing our client was not as injured as he said he was and didn’t need the future treatment he said he did. Truth won out though, and we were able to secure a huge victory. The jury verdict was unanimous for our client in the amount of $2,044,769.96 . This included the future medical treatment we requested, past medical bills, past and future pain and suffering, and all other damage categories we requested. Managing Attorney Tom Dickerson tried the case, along with associate attorney Kahlie Hoffman. Special thanks to our other staff who contributed on the case: associate attorney Alexander Melin and paralegal Nicole Figura. your guests from making a costly mistake at the end of the night. Provide nonalcoholic eggnog and soft drinks even if there are only adults at your party. This subtly encourages people to pace themselves rather than continually refill their glasses. Collecting car keys at the door can also be a great way of making sure no one attempts to drive home drunk. And finally, having a couch or guest room available for stranded guests is a great fallback for those who refuse to take a rideshare home. BE PREPARED FOR AN ACCIDENT Defensive driving is a must this time of year. Between winter-weather hazards and the potential for drunk drivers to be out on the roads, a little extra caution goes a long way. But you can’t always prevent an accident. If you are hit by a negligent driver this holiday season, remember to get their insurance and contact info, take pictures of the site, and call the police. Then seek medical treatment.
TAKE A BREAK
Cranberry Gingerbread Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
ingredients
directions • 1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for greasing • 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp ground cloves • 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Grease a loaf pan with canola oil. 3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1/2 cup canola oil, molasses, brown sugar, eggs, ginger, and cranberries. In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour with baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until blended. 4. Scrape batter into loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes. 5. Transfer to a rack, let cool for 20 minutes, slice, and serve.
From all of us here at the firm, have a happy and safe holiday season.
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Advertising Material
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inside Our Firm a Decade Ago Peyo the Therapy Horse Case Summary Don’t Nog and Drive Take a Break Cranberry Gingerbread 4 Eco-Friendly Ways to Decorate for the Holidays
THIS ISSUE
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I'm Dreaming ofa Green Christmas 4 ECO-FRIENDLYWAYS TO DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
GO WILD WITH PLANTS If you like to decorate your stair rail or mantlepiece, try replacing the shiny plastic and fake-foliage garlands with real holly and pine boughs or bringing festive potted plants indoors. Small evergreen trees, holly bushes, and poinsettias are all attractive choices that can, with proper care, last the whole year. DARE TO DIY If you have the time, scrap paper can be cut into beautiful ornaments, and old Christmas cards can be punched into leaf shapes and used to create lovely wreaths. Don’t forget to save your wrapping paper and ribbon scraps for next year! THRIFT SHOP TILL YOU DROP If you have your heart set on glitzy glass ornaments or an elaborate candle centerpiece, check nearby thrift stores before you head to Walmart. They’re often stocked to the brim with Christmas decor during the holidays, and you can probably get something you’ll love for pennies on the dollar! Plus, by recycling these previously used decorations, you’ll be keeping them out of the landfill.
Considering all the wrapping paper, decorations, and cards that fill our homes during the holiday season, it’s no surprise that the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is not only the most cheerful but also the most wasteful time of year.
According to Stanford University, Americans generate 25% more trash during the holidays than any other period — that’s the equivalent of one million extra tons per week, which is enough to convince anyone worried about the health of the planet to cut back on the tinsel and fake snow. Luckily for the eco-conscious, celebrating the season without adding too much to the landfill is totally possible. To start your own green Christmas traditions, try these tricks: OPT FOR EDIBLE Remember the cranberry and popcorn garlands of Christmases past? It’s time to bring them back! Pair handmade garlands with iced salt dough and gingerbread ornaments for a fully edible, compostable tree decorating scheme. A bowl of patterned pomanders (oranges studded with cloves) and pinecones makes for a beautiful centerpiece that smells festive, too.
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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