Champion Firm, P.C. - December 2019
2675 PACES FERRY ROAD SE, SUITE 260 ATLANTA, GA 30339
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorneys hampion Firm, P.C.
WWW.THECHAMPIONFIRM.COM 404-596-8044
DECEMBER 2019
WHAT’S THE BEST AGE TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS? HOW THINGS CHANGE
I can still remember the Christmas morning when there was a TV waiting for me under the tree. This wasn’t some family TV; this was a TV for my bedroom. I was 8 years old at the time, and that TV remains one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. At the time, it seemed like a very grown-up thing to have. Keep in mind that this was a time before cable, so I wasn’t going to be watching cartoons in the middle of the night. I was excited because the TV allowed me to hook up my video game consoles, of which I had many. That Christmas, my parents were easily the coolest people in the world. However, now that I’m a parent myself, I don’t know what they were thinking! My daughter is 7 years old and there’s no way I’d ever give her a TV for her bedroom. I guess that’s the difference between celebrating the holidays as a kid and celebrating them as an adult — you see everything through a new perspective. Before my kids were born, my wife and I would visit my parents for Christmas every year. We’d spend Christmas Day in North Carolina, eating the breakfast casserole my mom prepared the night before and opening gifts. These days, we try to spend Christmas at home. My daughter is 7 and my son just turned 2, and we really want to create our own family traditions, with some tips I picked up from my parents. For example, we still have breakfast casserole on Christmas morning. This isn’t to say we don’t spend any time with the rest of the family during the holidays. It can be tricky to get everyone together on Christmas, so my mom hosts a big family gathering the weekend after Christmas. All of my family members in North Carolina get together at my parents' house, where my mom has made a bunch of hors d'oeuvres and drinks. The kids all open their presents while the adults talk and catch up. It’s always a lot of fun and something I look forward to every year.
No one tells you how much the holidays change when you grow up. To be honest, I think I like celebrating Christmas as a parent even more than I liked celebrating it when I was a kid. That magic of believing in Santa and staying up late imagining what presents I’ll get has been replaced by the joy of seeing my kids get so excited for the season. My daughter is old enough to notice Christmas is coming and has started to get excited. She’s been telling her brother about Santa Claus, and I expect her to wake us up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning. I won’t mind. We’ll get the breakfast casserole in the oven and dive into those gifts bright and early.
On behalf of The Champion Firm, I’d like to wish everyone a very happy holiday. May you have plenty of time to celebrate with the people you love.
We’ll see you in the new year!
–Darl Champion
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IT’S TIME FOR ‘BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES’
TURN ON YOUR BAT-SIGNAL
2019 marks the 27th anniversary of “Batman: The Animated Series.” But just because it was released in the early ‘90s doesn’t mean it fails to relate to kids and adults alike today. Here are just a few reasons why it has stood the test of time and gained such a cult following in the last three decades. AN ALL-STAR CAST Some of pop culture’s favorite actors were the voices behind some of the show’s most iconic characters. Most notably, the frantic voice behind the Joker is Mark Hamill, who is best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars.” Diana Muldaur, a three-time Emmy nominated actor, made regular appearances as Dr. Leslie Thompkins in the show. Paul Williams, known for his composition work on the original "A Star Is Born" film, also made guest appearances as the Penguin. Additionally, the late and great Adam West makes a cameo as the Gray Ghost. Your kids may not know all of these names now, but once they fall in love with “Batman,” they surely will! STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS One of the problems with superhero-themed TV and animated series at the time is that the stars
of the shows were usually men. And if there were any women in those shows, they usually played the role of damsel in distress or trophy wife. In the early ‘90s, “Batman” stood out from the norm by creating women characters who had far more depth. For example, Harley Quinn was created specifically for this show. Throughout the series, Quinn goes from being the Joker’s henchman to adventuring with Poison Ivy and adjusting to civilian life after being a villain. In addition, Catwoman isn’t just a beautiful villain in the show; she’s also an animal rights activist and millionaire. THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF LEVITY While recent adaptations of “Batman” are dark and melancholic, the animated series is far tamer. Every episode grapples with moral conflicts, but there isn't the level of depravity showcased in recent adaptations of “Batman.” It’s also appropriate for kids, making it a great show to introduce them to the “Batman” franchise. From the deco noir backdrop to Superman cameos, there are plenty more reasons why this show has so much acclaim. To find more reasons and hear Mark Hamill provide a classic Joker laugh, watch the show with your little caped crusader on DCuniverse.com or YouTube!
The Difference Between a Mistake and Malpractice When Doctors Break Trust
When patients need medical help, they should be able to trust their doctors, nurses, and other physicians to have good judgment and provide competent care. Unfortunately, this isn’t always what happens. Mistakes in the medical field can have permanent negative repercussions on a person’s life. When this happens, patients have the right to file a medical malpractice claim and seek compensation. It’s important to remember that while bad outcomes are difficult to deal with, not all bad outcomes are the result of malpractice. Medical professionals can make honest mistakes, like any person. However, if the mistake was the result of substandard care or negligence, then medical professionals must be held accountable for their actions. In 2018, Judith and her husband came to The Champion Firm, allowing us to work on her case and help her get the compensation she deserved. If you were seriously injured or lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, be sure to contact an experienced malpractice attorney. Georgia medical malpractice laws are complex and without the right strategy, even seemingly open-and-shut cases can end in despair.
“I have to learn to deal with it, because it’s going to be with me for the rest of my life.”
When Judith began experiencing pain and stiffness in her right hand, her doctor quickly diagnosed her with a ganglion cyst. While unpleasant, such cysts are not considered life-threatening and can be removed with a simple surgery. Unfortunately for Judith, the surgeon who treated her removed what he thought was a cartilage-like cyst but was actually bone. This error caused permanent, painful nerve damage. Judith went in for additional surgery to have the damaged nerve replaced with a donated nerve, but this didn’t solve the problem. Even with extensive physical therapy, Judith is still unable to fully straighten her right hand. She continues to be in pain every day and every night. Judith is one of many victims of medical malpractice in this country. While her injuries are devastating, the terrible truth is that Judith is one of the lucky ones. A 2016 analysis from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States, killing over 250,000 people every year.
Do you believe you have a medical malpractice case? Start your case review by calling 404-596-8044 now!
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Do Christmas Trees Put Your Family in Danger? Up in Smoke
DECORATE WITH CARE Fire should never be anywhere
Christmas trees are a traditional, beautiful part of the holiday season. Unfortunately, they’re also incredibly dangerous. Christmas tree fires are four times deadlier than other house fires and cause $13 million in property damage annually, according to the American Christmas Tree Association. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to keep your family safe and still enjoy your favorite decorations. BE PICKY ABOUT YOUR TREE If you want to put up a real tree, make sure it’s as fresh as possible. Fresh trees won’t catch fire as easily. Ideally, you want to go to a tree farm and cut down a tree yourself. If this isn’t an option, test any pre-cut trees before you buy by bouncing the trunk on the ground. If a lot of pine needles fall off, find a new tree. KEEP YOUR TREE HYDRATED Trees are still plants, so they need to be watered regularly. A dry tree is a fire hazard and a threat to your house. After you get your tree home, cut two inches off the bottom so the trunk is fresh and will soak up water easier. Don’t fall for those “tree hacks” about caffeine or sugar; plain water is best for your tree. Check the water level every day and make sure it stays well above the bottom of the trunk.
near your tree. Put up your tree at least 3 feet from the fireplace, and keep real candles well away from the branches. You should also avoid setting
up your tree near radiators or heat vents. Before decorating, make sure to inspect your lights and throw out any strings that are old, damaged, or have missing bulbs. Consider purchasing LED lights, which don’t get as hot as incandescent lights. SAY GOODBYE Most Christmas tree fires occur between Dec. 26 and New Year’s Day, so be ready to get rid of your tree as soon as the festivities are over. No matter how much you water your tree, it’s dangerous to keep a real tree longer than four weeks. Visit Bit.ly/GoodbyeTree and learn how to safely recycle your tree in Georgia. Keep in mind that artificial trees, even the fire-resistant ones, can be just as dangerous as live trees. It’s important to practice care no matter what type of tree you’re decorating.
THE CHAMPION POP QUIZ
POTATO LATKES
Inspired by The New York Times
Ingredients
• 2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed • 1 large onion, peeled and cut into quarters • 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp black pepper • Safflower or vegetable oil, for frying
Ready to share a beloved holiday tradition with your family? Come see “The Nutcracker” performed live at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta! Here’s your chance to win tickets to this classic ballet by answering this month’s trivia question:
Directions
1. Using either a food processor with a coarse grating disc or the coarse side of a box grater, grate potatoes and onion. (If using a food processor, halve or quarter potatoes.) Once grated, wrap in a clean dish towel or cheesecloth to wring out as much moisture as possible. 2. Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix in eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper. 3. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan containing 1/4-inch of oil over medium-high heat. Use a heaping tablespoon to drop batter into the hot pan, working in batches. Use a spatula or spoon to form them into discs. Fry about 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned. 4. Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack to drain, and serve alongside applesauce and sour cream.
In the song “Frosty the Snowman,” what makes Frosty come to life? Email your answer to tamsie@thechampionfirm.com for a chance to win. Submissions must be received by Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, to qualify. Congratulations to our October pop quiz champion, Kathy G. , who got to see the Broadway musical “Wicked”!
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Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorneys hampion Firm, P.C.
2675 PACES FERRY ROAD SE, SUITE 260 ATLANTA, GA 30339
WWW.THECHAMPIONFIRM.COM 404-596-8044
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
What Makes the Perfect Gift 1
2 2 3 3 4
Batman Goes Retro
How Patients Fight Back Against Malpractice
The Biggest Holiday Safety Hazard
Potato Latkes
Yurts: Glamping at Its Finest
YURT SWEET YURT GLAMPING IN BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS
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The allure of the great outdoors
hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day. SPRUCE HOLE YURT, COLORADO Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow-lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails are plentiful in this backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold. FALLS BROOK YURTS, NEW YORK For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming.
calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t for everyone. If that describes you,
consider the yurt: a small, permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations,
they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent.
TREEBONES RESORT, CALIFORNIA For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an
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