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THE SHUTTLESWORTH SENTINEL
201 Vulcan Road, Suite 210 Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 322-1411 www.shuttlesworthlasseter.com
Personal Injury Product Liability Wrongful Death
Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect Assisted Living Abuse/Neglect
06 .2019
EMBRACING THE CHALLENGE GETTING BACK TO MY ROOTS AND LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED
At Shuttlesworth Law Firm, we are passionate about every area of law that we practice, from nursing home abuse and neglect to personal injury and product liability. The journey of discovering that passion was long, but it ultimately brought me back to my roots and to a practice I am passionate about. I grew up here in Birmingham, Alabama in a working class family. My father was a police officer, and our forefathers before him had worked in the coal mining industry around Alabama. I attended college in Alabama and received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Investments. Afterward, I attended law school at Washington Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. As I began law school, I knew very little of what the practice of law actually involved. Rather, I started on that career path because my teachers thought it would be a good idea, likely because of my fondness for talking and arguing. Trusting that they knew more than I did, I enrolled in law school and focused my studies on corporate and tax law, expecting a career in the world of high finance. After graduation, I was hired to work as a corporate/securities transactional lawyer at a large, prestigious law firm. I spent the next couple years working on corporate mergers and acquisitions, reviewing financial records and filings all over the country, and other similar projects for various corporations, which I found to be wholly unsatisfying. After realizing what it actually meant to be a “corporate lawyer,” I realized I wasn’t passionate about the work I was doing. I simply didn’t have an intense desire to defend corporate America against the public or find new and novel ways to increase corporate profits. Over the next several years, I moved toward trial work, or “litigation,” and began representing individuals who were the victims of corporate greed and abuse. Coming from a working class family, I was very familiar with that sector of the population, and at last, it felt like I was representing my people.
the doors open. While that may sound somewhat precarious, it led me to discover the areas of the law that I really enjoyed, and I
had a lot of success doing this type of work. I found that I particularly enjoyed the challenge of handling cases involving federally regulated industries, such as trucking
companies and nursing homes. I came to understand that the reason our government regulates certain industries is because those industries can create grave dangers for the public and must be regulated to ensure public safety. Understanding and working with these regulations gave me a much deeper understanding of the accidents and incidents I was seeing and made me realize that these tragic cases were more a result of companywide failures than a single act of negligence. For example, I’ve handled numerous cases of tractor trailer negligence, including situations such as a truck failing to properly brake and causing a tragic collision or a trailer crossing over the center line into the path of an oncoming vehicle. While there may be truck driver fault involved, a deeper dive into the inspection, maintenance, and repair records required by safety regulations usually reveal a company failure to ensure safe braking mechanisms, faulty steering components, or a company practice of placing unsafe trucks and drivers on the road. These discoveries in lawsuits serve to hold the company violators accountable and help us obtain verdicts that keep regular folks like you and me safe. This is the work I love because I know it’s the one thing I can do to make the biggest difference for all of us. At Shuttlesworth Law Firm, we strive every day to go above and beyond the bare minimum required to prove a case. We are passionate about leaving no stone unturned and making sure we find every answer in the most difficult of cases, so our clients can get the compensation they deserve and we can have the greatest positive impact on keeping the public safe.
When I first began working for people rather than corporations, I took any sort of case I could handle — anything that I thought would help me keep
–Perry Shuttlesworth
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NOT JUST PRESCRIPTION MEDS 3 DANGEROUS OTC MEDICATIONS
UNLIKELY PRO ATHLETES WHO BEAT THE ODDS SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS THE POWER OF WILL
Over 47,000 people overdosed on opioids last year, and while the opioid crisis is nothing short of a tragedy, you should know that opioids are not the only drug that can lead to overdose. In fact, there are many over-the-counter medications that, if defective or if used with incorrect instructions, can lead to a number of negative side effects and in some cases, death. Here are a few of the most dangerous over-the-counter medications. ACETAMINOPHEN This drug is found in a variety of different medications, from Tylenol to Nyquil. Because it is so prevalent in over-the-counter medications, it is not viewed with the same level of caution as medications only available through a prescription. There were 56,000 emergency department visits as a result of acetaminophen in 2018. Some of the symptoms of an overdose on this drug include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and even coma. NSAIDS Short for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs kill 16,500 people a year in the United States and are found in drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. Many times, these cases are caused by wrongful combinations or incorrect usage. Overdosing on NSAIDs can lead to seizures, vomiting, nausea, and coma. ANTIHISTAMINES These drugs are common in allergy medications like Benadryl. Antihistamines lead to drowsiness, which can lead to dangerous situations if part of your job requires you to operate heavy machinery. An overdose can lead to rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, and hallucinations.
The life of a professional athlete can seem like all glitz and glamour, shaking hands, kissing babies, and occasionally performing in the spotlight under a little bit of pressure. But for every athlete you see on your television screen, there are actually hundreds more in the minor leagues fighting against all odds to make it to the big stage. And some of those athletes have disadvantages that mean they have to work twice as hard just to get the same respect as those who’ve had an easier road. These professionals prove that sometimes all it takes to see your dreams come true is an ability to block out the noise, put your head down, and keep your disabilities from holding you back. Here are two athletes who did just that. BILLY MISKE: FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE Boxing is a sport of extreme violence and diligent strategy. To be a winner, you must be smart and physically capable. For a while, Billy Miske was both of those things — until he was diagnosed with the life-threatening Bright’s disease that severely affected his kidneys. Already considered a bit of an underdog, he chose to keep fighting to pay off his increasing medical debts and give his family a shot at a better life. As his disease progressed and he realized his days were numbered, fate pitted him against heavyweight Bill Brennan. Despite his doctor’s orders, and despite facing a much larger opponent while he was literally at death’s door, Miske shocked the world by knocking Brennan out and delivering the dream Christmas that he’d promised his children in the process. He died a few days later, immortalized by his fighting spirit and refusal to quit.
Overdoses on OTC medications and prescription medications are not always the fault of the user. Sometimes, doctors may not make patients properly aware
JIM ABBOTT: NEVER NEEDED A HAND After being born without a right hand, the odds of Jim Abbott playing baseball in any capacity seemed slim, but Jim Abbott didn’t care about the odds. After developing a one-of-a-kind fielding routine where he would switch his glove from his shorter arm to his dominant one, Abbott took his talents all the way to the major leagues. Fans around the world watched as he turned his disability into a 10-year MLB career that included throwing a no-hitter in 1993 against the New York Yankees, which was one of the most remarkable accomplishments in baseball.
of the side effects of the drugs they recommend or prescribe. Other times, users might have taken a defective medication, or pharmaceutical companies might not have properly advertised the risks and side effects of the
medication. Whatever the case, our pharmaceutical injury lawyer can help you understand your options. Give our office a call today for a free consultation.
Sometimes the sky isn’t enough. Ultimately, the only limits that hold you back are the ones you set for yourself.
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BELOW THE SURFACE UNEARTHING THE CAUSES OF TRUCKING ACCIDENTS
Truck accidents are almost always devastating, but the causes of the accident might not always be so straightforward. Many different factors can lead to a truck accident, and while the driver could be primarily at fault, this is not always the case. The trucking industry is federally regulated, and any breach in those regulations by the driver or by the trucking company could result in additional compensation for your injuries if you are involved in a truck accident. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents. CAUSES INVOLVING THE DRIVER Naturally, much of the safety responsibility falls on the drivers themselves. Too many accidents occur because drivers are either impaired or reckless. Sometimes, drivers are merely distracted and not paying attention to their surroundings. In other cases, it is apparent that the driver was speeding or even texting while behind the wheel. Truck drivers have also caused accidents by driving drunk, despite the well-documented dangers of doing so.
CAUSES INVOLVING THE TRUCKING COMPANY
There have even been cases where an overloaded truck played a key role in the catastrophe. Weight limits exist to prevent serious accidents from happening. Whatever the cause, if you find yourself injured in a truck accident, call the police and then call our office. Shuttlesworth Law Firm’s attorneys will get to the bottom of who is at fault and make sure that you are fairly compensated.
Sometimes trucking companies are to blame for accidents. If a fatigued driver causes an accident, it may be because the company pushed them to break hours-of-service regulations and stay on the road longer than they should have. Other times, a company might hire an inexperienced driver who makes a mistake as a result of their inexperience.
TAKE A BREAK
FACTOID STRANGE
Did you know that hunting unicorns is legal in the state of Michigan? It’s true! Lake Superior State University offers a “unicorn hunting license” to students and residents who live near their campus. In 1971, the late W.T. (Bill) Rabe established the Unicorn Hunters. Bill, with the assistance of LSSU
Professors Peter Thomas, John McCabe, and John Stevens, came up with the Hunters as a way of generating more publicity for LSSU. While the Hunters do not physically exist on the LSSU campus anymore, the school still receives requests for “Unicorn Questing Licenses” to this day.
(205) 322-1411 • 3
201 Vulcan Road, Suite 210 Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 322-1411 www.shuttlesworthlasseter.com
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THIS ISSUE INSIDE
1 2 2 3 3 4
HOW I GOT INTO LAW AND WHAT WE DO NOW
ATHLETES WHO FOUGHT THEIR WAY TO THE TOP
NOT JUST PRESCRIPTION MEDS!
WHAT CAUSES TRUCKING ACCIDENTS?
STRANGE FACTOID
HEROIC DADS WHO DIDN’T BACK DOWN
HEROIC DADS WHO DIDN’T BACK DOWN BEING A PARENT ISN’T ALWAYS A WALK IN THE PARK
Kids often look up to their father as one of their greatest heroes. There are the long drives to sports tournaments, the late-night movies, and the sweets when Mom isn’t looking. We probably all have some reason to look up to our dad as one of our biggest influences. It’s Father’s Day this month, a special time of year when we take a moment to think about the sacrifices the father figures in our lives have made for us. Most dads are pretty great, but some go above and beyond the fatherly call of duty. Let’s take a look at some heroic dads who risked everything to keep their families safe.
Just as he’d intended, Brad absorbed most of the blow. While Oscar sustained serious wounds, his father’s injuries were more severe. Brad was left fighting for his life in the ICU, with severe fractures to his skull and vertebrae. Thankfully, Brad is expected to make a full recovery and has made serious strides since the accident. He and his son will live to play another day. GREG ALEXANDER: COULDN’T BEAR TO SEE HIS SON HURT While camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in June 2015, Greg Alexander awoke to the sound of a nightmare. The screams of his son intermingled with the roars of an unknown assailant, beckoning Greg to his son’s tent. There, he found his son Gabriel being attacked by a bear. The bear had his son by the head and was dragging him away. Greg jumped on the bear’s back, desperately trying to take attention away from Gabriel. Amazingly, it worked, and in the end, the bear ran away. Gabriel was left with serious cuts to his head, but thanks to his dad’s heroism, the two were able to walk away from that campsite and back to their lives together. The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to take a leap of faith or fight a bear to be a hero in your family’s eyes. Just be yourself, show some support, and do the best you can. Happy Father’s Day, everybody.
BRAD LEWIS: OVER THE LEDGE Life can change in a split second, and how you choose to react in a moment of peril can define your legacy forever. Few people know this as well as Brad Lewis. When Brad and his young son, Oscar, were deeply entrenched in an intense Nerf battle, he surely didn’t think the situation would turn as dangerous as it did. When a few darts missed his father and landed on the balcony, Oscar ran after them but soon found himself teetering on the balcony’s ledge, 12 feet above the ground. Thinking fast, Brad grabbed his son just before he fell over, both taking the plunge while Brad protected his son with his own body.
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