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June 2023
720 Goodlette Rd. N, Suite 304, Naples, FL 34102 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com
YOUR CASE IS WORTH MORE!
How Adjustors Use AI for Legal Cases
Staying connected with others is incredibly important, especially in this day and age. Not only can you nurture your bonds with friends, colleagues, and former employees, but you can also use these relationships to network and obtain information. As I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters, I always work with others, bounce ideas off them, and look at things from someone else’s perspective. By doing this, I can make an informed decision to better help myself, my firm, and my clients. However, I also network with others to learn about new trends within a specific industry, what areas I need to be aware of, and how I can prepare my team as we assist our clients with their cases. Recently, I’ve been researching and networking with others to understand how artificial intelligence (AI) plays a role in determining the worth of legal cases. As we all know, AI is rapidly advancing. Today, when you have a question about a recent order, questions about your account, or anything regarding customer service, you will likely converse with a chatbot or other AI tool. But this is only the tip of the iceberg — I’ve seen recent studies that report on the scientific and medical advances we will have the opportunity to make with the help of AI. But I’m getting ahead of myself. While we are years away from using AI for life-changing circumstances, we use it today in many of our daily operations — and you may not even know that businesses are using them! One day, I went golfing with a former employee who is now an insurance company attorney. They told me that many insurance organizations use AI to determine a case’s overall and maximum value, depending on the circumstances and codes typed into a machine. Before AI, adjustors would sit at a roundtable and review the facts of a case to determine its worth. But now, an adjustor will type specific diagnostic codes into a computer, and AI will take those codes, rank them, and determine the value of a case. While you may think this new process saves the adjustor’s time, it can severely impact your case! If the adjustor types in the wrong code, fails to read additional information that strengthens your case, or puts in the codes a certain way, the worth of your case is affected.
However, since I have some insight, I know how to relay information to an adjustor in a way that helps increase the worth of your case. For example, when I create a narrative demand letter, I outline the diagnosis and facts that “weigh” the most, according to AI, first in my letter. Then, I add the diagnostic codes so the adjustors have all the information they need to accurately determine the worth of your case. The issue with AI, in this instance, is that it doesn’t understand human emotion. Your experiences regarding an incident are not considered with these machines! Because of this, I will go into detail about the items that give you discomfort solely to help AI understand the gravity of your situation. And sometimes, I will argue with the adjustor and encourage them to boost the worth of your case and even provide them the tools and reasonings as to why the amount of the case should increase. I understand that technological advancements can be scary to think about, especially when they can impact your case and settlement. But I promise you don’t have to experience this alone. I’m constantly researching, networking with others, and staying ahead of the curve to prepare you for what’s coming next.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call me! -Marc L. Shapiro
(239) 500-5000 • 1
A PECULIAR ROMAN REQUIREMENT: Walk Your Furry Friend or Get Fined
If you live in Rome and feel too lazy to walk your dog, you better think twice before breaking the law. Wait, the law? Yes! In 2005, the city of Rome passed a law requiring every dog owner to walk their furry friend at least once a day if they wanted to avoid a fine. This was one of the multiple laws protecting the safety and well-being of Roman animals. The city had been dealing with ongoing problems due to dogs being cooped up in small apartments or abandoned in the streets. Monica Cirinna, who created the law, explained, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention.” She also told the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero that “the civilization of a city can also be measured by this.” How authorities in Rome can enforce this law is still unclear, but the city also passed other less-ambiguous animal welfare laws. Aside from the mandatory daily dog walk, docking an animal’s ears or tails and selling animals at fairgrounds are also illegal acts. While Rome may seem dog-biased, cat people will be happy to learn the Italian city didn’t forget felines. They passed another law to make
declawing a cat for aesthetic reasons illegal. Additionally, the city will recognize those feeding and caring for the countless stray cats roaming the stone-paved streets. And last but not least, round fishbowls are also illegal, as the circular shape forces the fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and can affect the fish’s mood and behavior. But Rome isn’t the only city in Italy with animal-friendly laws. In Turin, for example, dog owners are required to walk their pets
at least three times a day or face a fine of $650. Meanwhile, in Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil live lobsters. The city officials considered this cooking method “useless torture.” Even though Italy is known for stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can also take credit for holding pet owners accountable and ensuring they take proper care of their animal companions.
ARE YOU ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION? 4 FAQs About Slip-And-Fall Cases
Besides car accidents, the second leading cause of injuries in the U.S. is slip-and-fall accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1 million Americans suffer a slip, trip, or fall, and 20%-30% of people will suffer moderate to severe injuries after their accident. Fortunately, in Florida, you can file a personal injury claim and seek compensation if your slip-and-fall accident is because of another party’s negligence. However, we’ve heard quite a few concerns about slip-and-fall cases from you! Because of this, we wanted to shine a light on some of these frequently asked questions and help you as you navigate through your individual case. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY SLIP-AND-FALL INJURIES? In most cases, the property owners are held legally responsible for any injuries that occur on their public or private property. However, other parties can be held liable as well, such as a manufacturing company if you injured yourself at work while using their equipment. Other parties include cleaning/maintenance companies, construction companies, renters, landlords, and more. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A SLIP-AND-FALL CLAIM? Before HB 837 went into effect, you had four years to file a claim. But now, you only have two years to file. However, there are exceptions
to this rule. For instance, if your injuries weren’t immediately apparent after your accident, the two-year period may not start until you discover that you have injuries.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVE IN A SLIP-AND-FALL CASE? You must provide evidence proving that the defendant knew about the hazard that caused your injury and failed to keep their property or equipment safe. CAN I RECOVER COMPENSATION IF I AM PARTIALLY LIABLE FOR MY INJURIES? The law in Florida allows you to recover compensation from other negligent parties as long as you’re not 50% or more responsible for the accident and injury. If you are 50% or more liable for the slip and fall, you will not receive compensation under HB 837. There are a lot of moving parts within slip-and-fall cases. Because of this, it’s vital that you work with an experienced attorney who can provide you with guidance and resources during this time. If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a slip-and-fall accident, please contact us today. Our team is ready to fight and help you get the compensation you deserve.
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‘THEY PROVIDED EXCELLENT SERVICE’ What Our Clients Are Saying “Marc Shapiro and his staff did an amazing job with my case. They provided excellent service and recommended the best chiropractors and doctors to help me improve. I highly recommend The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro for all your legal needs!” –Eliana O. “The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro are very professional and courteous! I would highly recommend them to anyone in need. I had two cases with them, and they were very professional. They worked very diligently to get the work done in a timely manner. I have nothing but good things to say about them!” –Miriam M.
Your reviews offer us valuable feedback, but when you recommend our services to others, that’s the ultimate form of praise! Please share your experiences with the Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., on Google or on Facebook.com/AttorneyShapiroLaw. Your comments empower us, make us better, and allow us to help others.
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HOMEMADE DOLE WHIP
The summer heat is on! And what better way to cool off after a long day in the sun than a refreshing bowl of Dole whip? This frozen treat has everything you need in a summer dessert: the tangy sweetness of pineapple and the creamy taste of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
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3/4 cup pineapple juice
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1 tbsp lime juice
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1 cup vanilla ice cream
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Pinch of sea salt
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2 cups frozen pineapple
Directions
1. In a high-powered blender, combine all the ingredients. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth, stopping to push the pineapple chunks down into the blender as needed. 2. Transfer to a bowl; cover and freeze for 30 minutes. 3. Scoop and serve. Alternatively, transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, then pipe into small serving bowls. (This method will make it look like it came out of a soft serve machine.)
BEACH BURGERS CYCLING FATHER
JUNETEENTH MUSIC PEARL PRIDE
REFUGEE SAILING SOLSTICE WATERSKI
Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com
(239) 500-5000 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
720 Goodlette Rd. N, Suite 304 Naples, FL 34102 www.AttorneyShapiro.com
Inside Are AI Machines Undervaluing Your Legal Case? Page 1
You’re Legally Obligated to Walk Your Dog?
HB 837 Affects Slip-And-Fall Claims! Page 2
What Our Clients Are Saying
Homemade Dole Whip Page 3
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Page 4
MONKEY AROUND THIS SUMMER Check Out Some of America’s Best Zoos
Summer is one of the best times of the year to travel. Kids are out of school and want to do something fun every weekend, which can be difficult to accommodate if you’ve already exhausted your local options. If you’re looking to travel, you can visit a beach, take in the sights and sounds of an amusement park, or spend some time with animals while visiting a zoo. Nearly every state in our country has a handful of zoos or aquariums, but some stand above the rest. Here are three of the best zoos you can visit in the U.S. OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO AND AQUARIUM The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, is consistently ranked as one of the top five zoos in the world. It prides itself on hosting rare, endangered animals you can’t see elsewhere. It has the world’s largest nocturnal
exhibit, and one of the major highlights is the Desert Dome, an 84,000-square-foot indoor desert that maintains an authentic desert ecosystem. This is a must-visit for any animal lover in your family. THE BRONX ZOO You don’t usually think about seeing exotic animals when you visit New York City, but the Bronx Zoo is one of the best places to view animals in America. Opened in 1899, the Bronx Zoo is responsible for many of the advancements relating to animal captivity. This was one of the first zoos to ditch cages for natural environments and create an animal hospital. With over 6,000 species, there’s an animal for everyone at the Bronx Zoo. THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS While the San Diego Zoo is often boasted as California’s largest and best zoo, another zoo is worth checking out. The Living Desert
Zoo and Gardens outside Palm Springs has entertained visitors for decades. There are events at this zoo every day, one of the most popular being the keeper connections and animal encounters, where you get up close and personal with the animals while learning more about their habitats and lifestyles.
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