Law Offices Of William F Underwood - October 2019
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law Justice MONTHLY Adventures in Authorship WRITING 2 BOOKLETS AND PREPARING FOR A 3RD
OCTOBER 2019
I’m kind of an old-school type of guy. When I took my bar exam in February 2007, I hand-wrote my essays, opting to sort through my thoughts on pen and paper rather than relying on a computer system to catch my mistakes. In law school, you have to become somewhat of a writer, as you’re assigned term papers and mock briefings. That skill comes in handy when you begin practicing and are continually writing and corresponding with clients, even if you do so through the help of a legal assistant. About five years ago, I decided to take both the writing and legal skills I had learned in law school and write two booklets for clients. I wrote “Fatal Mistakes Victims of Accidents Make In Georgia” and “9 Common Mistakes that can Destory your Workers' Compensation Case.” When I finished writing these materials, I remember the sense of relief I felt at actually completing these tasks. It’s a fun personal achievement to tack onto my career. From a practical standing, these 40-page booklets were great pieces of marketing material. But from a personal standpoint, I believe these topics and the information I write about are vital to workers and everyday people. For example, in my experience, many people believe they can handle their workers' comp claims on their own. Because workers’ compensation is so readily available to all workers, it’s not something many people think about hiring a lawyer for, and honestly, I hope you never need my expertise to navigate workers’ compensation. Yet, from my years of experience and continued education, I know the various pitfalls workers can fall into when filing a claim with the insurance company. For example, insurance adjusters work for the company specifically to save the insurance company money; they don’t work for the best interests of the people the company serves.
But I work for you. I offer my legal advice and expertise to help workers get the
money they are owed from insurance companies. I work for everyday workers, and I have so much knowledge to share with those I help. These booklets bring the knowledge I possess to a level that
everyone can relate to, giving my readers the agency to seek the help and the compensation they deserve to move on with their lives after an injury. I’ve been meaning to put on my writer’s cap again and write another booklet for Georgians. I have tremendous experience with workers’ compensation cases, and I’d love to detail additional expertise in a booklet as well as update the one I already wrote. The only problem is finding some time in my busy schedule to actually to write this booklet. Thankfully, one thing has changed since law school: I’ve submitted to writing on the computer. If you’re interested in receiving a copy of Trey Underwood’s books “7 Deadly Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Workers’ Comp Claim” and “9 Fatal Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Claim in Georgia” visit the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C.’s website at PuttingPeopleFirst.law or call 229-888-0888.
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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WATERCOOLER TALK When it comes to explaining the disease and its consequences, younger children may require fewer details and broader concepts, while older kids may need more comprehensive answers to their As pink-clad products line store shelves this October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, children are bound to be curious. Since they rationalize the world around them with what they already know, kids may ask silly questions like, “Is cancer contagious?” Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or you just feel it’s time to educate your children about the disease, answering questions can be difficult. These tips can help you prepare. Always Tell the Truth Telling a child that you or a loved one has cancer can be complicated. To start, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends giving yourself time after hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis to process this new reality. Two-parent households should tell their children together, while single parents are encouraged to ask an adult with a positive influence on the child’s life to join the conversation. Remember, your child will be experiencing the same emotions as you but in a kid’s body, where hormones and developmental changes are already wreaking havoc. Monitor their emotions and offer them space and opportunities to discuss their feelings with a professional. A DIFFICULT DISCUSSION
TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT CANCER
questions. A 5-year-old is going to have different concerns than a 16-year-old, so your approach must be different. However, regardless of your child’s age, always tell the truth. Focus on Prevention Education A loved one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with cancer for you to educate your family about the disease and its prevention. Studies have linked prevention efforts, including anti-smoking campaigns and healthy lifestyle programs, to actually preventing cancer. (In fact, half of all cancers can be prevented!) Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure to foster healthy habits and lifestyles. Organizations that host walks, benefits, and other events for cancer prevention and research can be great sources of education for families, too. injured. Employers can face serious federal legal repercussions if they fire an employee after said employee was injured at work. Trey Underwood’s father used to say he’s never seen an employer take a risk and fire their employee after an injury, and Trey Underwood has only witnessed it happen to a client of his once. (Needless to say, it wasn’t a wise choice for the employer.) However, many employers now understand that if an employee is injured at work, they can anticipate an attorney to be involved in the legal proceedings. And if they don’t realize legal aid is involved, they will once our law firm mails them a legally mandatory letter outlining our involvement in the case. This makes your communication with your boss crucial to this process. At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. we recommend clients give their boss as many or as few details from their workers’ compensation case as they feel comfortable disclosing. Many employees prefer to give their bosses notice of an attorney’s involvement, which often opens up healthy forms of communication. But if you have a great working relationship with your boss, we will never advise against total honesty. Fortunately, it is our experience that many employers are understanding of the legal involvement in a workers’ compensation case and are supportive of the employee. Instead, our biggest points of conflict often come from insurance companies denying treatments or payments. The ACS has resources for families living with cancer or those wanting to learn more. Visit Cancer.org for more information.
HOW DO I TALK TO MY BOSS AFTER I’M INJURED AT WORK?
It can be really uncomfortable to get
injured at work. In addition to the pain and treatments you undergo, it can be difficult to avoid the awkwardness that can stem from getting injured while on the job. You may feel embarrassed about what happened, and you may struggle to know what you can and cannot say to your boss. Some employees also fear their job may be at risk because they were injured.
The good news is that the justice system has
put safety nets in place to prevent an employer from getting spooked and firing an employee after they are
If you have additional questions about your workers’ compensation case, call 229-888-0888.
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FIGHTING FOR VETS Military Members Seek Compensation After 3M Earplugs Are Proven Defective
Georgia has a proud military history. There are more than 61,000 active military members who call Georgia home, and that’s not even counting those who attend trainings and boot camps at one of a dozen bases across the Peach State. So, when a company knowingly causes pain and suffering to military families, Georgians know we can’t let this stand. 3M is one company currently facing the repercussions of their negligence. Learn more about their case below.
for thousands of soldiers. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the most common disabilities reported by veterans is tinnitus, which is ringing in the ear. This condition, along with a variety of other ear-related conditions, can cause balance issues, diminish the quality of a person’s life, and influence their future employment and personal endeavors.
However, as part of the settlement, 3M does not have to have claim responsibility — but they’re not out of the woods yet.
The Case
What You Deserve
The U.S. military awarded 3M a major military contract in the early 2000s to supply the nation’s servicemen and servicewomen with earplugs. These plugs were used to diminish the damage done by loud reverberations given off by the heavy machinery military members use every day. For more than a decade, the $31-billion company provided protection to thousands of active-duty military members.
Numerous lawsuits are being filed across the country on behalf of military members seeking compensation from 3M for causing their painful and debilitating conditions. Members of our nation’s military fight for the freedoms we enjoy every day, and it’s only right they be duly compensated for the injuries they incur during service. If you or a loved one served in the military any time from 2003 to 2015, you may be entitled to compensation. The Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. have joined in the fight for veterans, active-duty military members, and their families. Call 229-888-0888 to find out how we can help you, and learn more about this case from the insert included in this month’s newsletter.
But in July 2018, 3M settled with the U.S. Justice Department and its competitor, Moldex, for more than $9 million after reports surfaced indicating that 3M knowingly sold defective earplugs to the government that caused painful, life-altering hearing conditions AVE A LAUGH!
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 September newsletter:
Mary Houston, Mike Sanders, Derrick Williams, and Philamena Brown
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.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
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inside Did You Know Trey Is an Author? PAGE 1 Educating Your Kids About Cancer PAGE 2 Managing Awkwardness During Your Workers’ Compensation Case PAGE 2 Military Members File Lawsuits Against 3M PAGE 3 Have a Laugh PAGE 3 Tips for Women Climbing the Business Ladder PAGE 4
A WOMAN’S GUIDE TO CORPORATE SUCCESS workplace. That’s why I dare to talk about style, and clothes, and food, and wine, and entertaining, and LIFE in a business book. We don’t work in a vacuum.” Guiliano is true to her word. Between the covers, readers will find advice on topics as far-ranging as developing the perfect handshake, choosing catering for a business dinner, dressing for success, and putting together an effective presentation. Guiliano has plenty of experience to back up her counsel and shares amusing anecdotes about the food and beverage industry, French culture, and her own journey along the way. There are no easy three-step solutions here, only long-term goals and strategies. What really makes “Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire” unique is that it caters specifically to women in pursuit of high-powered CEO or CFO jobs. Guiliano covers circumventing prejudice right alongside choosing a dress and tips on being the perfect lunch date. Still, both men and women will come away from this book with ideas about how to achieve success without sacrificing the pleasures French women hold so dear.
While Mireille Guiliano is best known for “French Women Don’t Get Fat,” her book on healthy eating and balanced living, authorship is actually her second career. Before she took up the pen, Guiliano was president and CEO of the French Champagne brand Veuve Clicquot. She developed Veuve Clicquot’s reputation in America almost single- handedly over a 20-plus year career, and now she has chronicled that success in her 2010 bestseller “Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire: Business Sense & Sensibility” — a guide to climbing the corporate ladder geared specifically toward women. Just as “French Women Don’t Get Fat” upended the typical diet book format, “Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire” leaves the usual business book style behind almost immediately. As Guiliano writes in her introduction, “This isn’t another business book that tells you how to ‘succeed’ or ‘get the corner office.’ Yes, of course, you’ll find advice on getting ahead and getting promoted … but more than that, you’ll find advice on being happy and living a good life, even while you are making the biggest contribution you can to the
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