19 may
Road to justice
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Ask 10 parents if they’d rather see themselves injured or their child, and they will all tell you they’d rather be the ones hurt. Sadly, we have no say in the matter. Accidents
When a Child Is Injured, Winning a Settlement Is Only Half the Battle
don’t discriminate when it comes time to choose a
victim. Sometimes, you can do everything right and still end up with an injured child.
Personal injury cases involving children proceed a lot differently than those involving adults. From an emotional perspective, guilt is often much more prominent when youngsters are involved. Even when a parent bears zero responsibility for an injury, they are always going to feel like there is something they could’ve done to avoid it. I totally understand this reaction, but the first thing you have to know is that these feelings are beside the point from a legal perspective. The quicker you put away your guilt, the quicker you’ll be able to pursue just compensation for your child. We recently oversaw one such case that ended in a huge success in terms of settlement. Now, I can’t disclose the terms or details of this particular case — child settlements often come with confidentiality agreements — but I can tell you about some of the ways these cases are legally different than others and how we alter our approach accordingly. As with any injury case, dealing with the child’s recovery is always our first concern. But even in this aspect, these cases are special. First off, kids don’t have their own health insurance. Instead, payments are made through their parent’s coverage. That becomes important once a settlement is agreed upon, and we’ll return to that later. From the start, though, it’s crucial that you see an expert doctor for your child’s care. They should be on the lookout for any possible future medical costs the child may incur as a result of their injury. If they don’t need surgery now but may need it later in life, that needs to be noted, because it affects the amount of a potential settlement. Once the settlement is reached, things really become different. In South Carolina, any substantial settlement a child receives needs to be approved by a court. You could agree to terms with an insurance provider on your
“As with any injury case, dealing with the child’s recovery is always our first concern. But even in this aspect, these cases are special.”
own or with our help, but the court will still need to sign off on it. As such, structuring an agreement in a way that makes sense for both parent and child is a significant portion of the work we do on these cases.
We interview financial services providers to ensure you are working with someone you can trust. Odds are, you may not want to give your child a huge, no-strings-attached lump sum of money when they turn
18. These firms can help you set up the disbursement of your settlement in the most financially prudent way, including reimbursing those insurance costs we mentioned earlier. Too many firms go through this process with an eye toward doing the bare minimum. We believe our work isn’t done until your settlement isn’t only fair but also organized in the most beneficial way possible. We wouldn’t feel right about doing it any other way.
Obviously, the last thing anyone wants to experience is seeing their child injured. However, if the worst does happen, you deserve to work with somebody who will address your needs from day one until a settlement is approved by a judge. It’s what we’d want for our kids, and we’d never give you anything less.
–Jim Snell
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Learning to Be Grateful
Some Ways to Help Children Appreciate Their Teachers
Teacher Appreciation Week runs from May 6–10 this year, and there are plenty of ways students of all ages can thank their educators for everything they do. Being a teacher isn’t an easy job, and the people who make it their profession are passionate about helping kids learn. Depending on how old your child is, they may need a parent’s help in showing their appreciation. Here are a few ways parents and children can appreciate teachers together.
THANK-YOU NOTES This gesture is simple and sweet and can be very thoughtful. Telling a teacher what makes them outstanding can often be just as valuable as a gift. Help your child write an appreciative note and then write one yourself. Teachers often have to maintain the happiness of students, administrators, and parents. Your card could relieve some of the stress of that balancing act and let them know that you acknowledge their efforts. A HOMEMADE MEAL Making a homemade meal (or dessert) shows teachers that you went the extra mile to appreciate their hard work. You could make a favorite dish of yours or try to find a new recipe online. Either way, encourage your child to help you with the process so that the meal is truly a gift from both of you. DONATING SCHOOL SUPPLIES Many teachers use their own money to buy school supplies for their classroom. This is just one of the ways teachers go above and beyond on a
daily basis, and buying some extra school supplies can help ease that cost. Take your child shopping with you and help them pick out supplies that you know their teacher will appreciate. Your children spend several hours a day with their teachers, so fostering relationships with them is vital. Use this day to help your children understand the importance of teachers, to teach them the power of gratitude, and to encourage them to show respect for everyone who helps them in life.
The last time we checked in with Tammy Broome, she was a new legal secretary/ receptionist at our practice. She’s now nearing her first anniversary, and we wanted to check in with her to see what her experience has been like.
them warmly makes all the difference in the world. Tammy understands that the way we treat people is just as important as the results we deliver. While Tammy’s fully settled in at this point, she’s far from complacent.“I learn new things every day,” she notes.“It’s one of the best parts about working here. I feel like I’m just beginning to scratch the surface of my full potential.” Tammy is also approaching another super important milestone, one that has nothing to do with work. She and her husband, Derrill, are about to commemorate one year since tying the knot. Derrill is also a fan of Tammy’s new job.“I have a regular schedule now, so we get to spend our weekends together,” she says.“We love going on picnics and scenic drives together, which never would’ve been possible at my old job.” We’re so glad to hear you are enjoying your job, Tammy. We certainly enjoy having you. Here’s to many more great years for all of us, Derrill included.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m exaggerating,” Tammy says,“but the
experience here has been nothing short of wonderful. Jim and the team have set a great example from day one, made me feel welcome, and empowered me to do my job in the best way possible. Who could ask for more than that?” Tammy immediately excelled in her role, but as she’s gotten more comfortable, we’ve only grown more impressed with her skills and demeanor. What’s Tammy’s secret to success? “I would say my main duty is to make our clients feel like they are being treated like actual human beings,” she says.“We are often treated like little more than numbers at so many places we go. I don’t want anyone to feel that way when they come into our office.” Sometimes, simply taking the time to learn somebody’s name so you can greet
An Update With Tammy Broome See How Our Legal Secretary Is Settling In
2 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476
This Is What Happens When You Steal a Protected Animal Animal Theft and Trespassing Don’t Go Unnoticed You wake up slowly, still groggy from a raucous night out with your friends. As you look around, taking stock of your surroundings, you see the other inhabitants: a desk, your shoes, a penguin … a penguin?! While footage confirms that two young Welshmen stole Dirk the penguin from his SeaWorld Australia home, the men had little memory of the night’s misadventures the next morning — until they saw Dirk waddling around their rented apartment. The night before, after imbibing a hefty amount during their vacation in Australia, the men got the harebrained idea to break into SeaWorld and swim with the dolphins. After getting inside, video footage captured them stripping down to their skivvies and running around the facility— until they spotted the penguin enclosure.“Look at them!” one said. Distracted from their original plan, they made their way to the penguins, grabbed one, and left. Dirk, the 7-year-old fairy penguin (the smallest species of penguin), was bred in captivity and had never left his enclosure.
in by a surprised dog. Fortunately, concerned passers-by called authorities, and SeaWorld workers came to rescue Dirk and bring him back to his family.
Dirk returned unharmed to his partner, Peaches, but his kidnappers weren’t so lucky. Once a Facebook post recounting their misdeeds made its rounds, police traced the crime back to the two Welshmen. They were charged with trespassing, stealing, and keeping a protected animal, and there was no shortage of public shaming as their crime circulated the internet. Taking note of their letter of apology and admissions of guilt and regret, the judge enforced a heavy fine for the crime in lieu of jail time. Charges for kidnapping a protected animal vary from state to state, but the Endangered Species Act ensures perpetrators face harsh penalties, including fines and maximum sentences. The Animal Legal Defense Fund also provides free legal assistance and training to help protect animals from harm.
The next morning, realizing what they’d done, the three young men panicked and released Dirk into a nearby canal. But Dirk’s misfortunes
Be careful on your next night out, and please, enjoy wildlife without stealing it!
weren’t quite over. He was chased out of the canal by what onlookers believe was a shark, only to be chased back
trivia
Shrimp Sausage Skewers
Which feared and controversial American attorney, who was later disbarred by the State of New York, represented both Donald Trump and the owners of Studio 54 before his death in 1986?
INGREDIENTS
Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika •
•
1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
•
1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder 1/2 tablespoon onion powder 1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder 1/4 tablespoon dried oregano 1/4 tablespoon dried thyme
• •
•
2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
•
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• •
•
Send your answers to Caitlyn (caitlyn@snelllaw.com).
INSTRUCTIONS
1. The first correct answer wins a $15 gift card to Starbucks.
1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).
2. All other submissions are entered in a drawing to win a second $15 gift card to Starbucks.
3. The funniest wrong answer will be chosen by Caitlyn and will also win a $15 gift card to Starbucks.
All entries must be sent to Caitlyn by Friday, April 19, and the winners will be announced in our next edition.
Last month’s winner: Cynthia Reeves
Inspired by PaleoLeap.com
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Inside this Issue
Nobody Wants to See Their Child Hurt PAGE 1
Teacher Appreciation Week Is Here! Tammy Broome Becomes a Snell Law Fixture PAGE 2 The Price You Pay for Stealing a Penguin Shrimp Sausage Skewers PAGE 3
A Look Inside America’s Worst Hotel Rooms PAGE 4
When you book a hotel room, you probably take a moment to check out the reviews before finalizing your reservation. If you happen to see a few one-star horror stories, you probably run for the digital hills in search of greener pastures. Dan Bell, a YouTuber with a channel called This Is Dan Bell., does just the opposite. You’ll find all sorts of strange hilarity on Bell’s channel, but we want to shine a particular black light on his “Another Dirty Room” series, which explores some of America’s lowest- rated and most-disgusting hotel and motel accommodations. Bell, along with his buddies Brennen Evangelista and Rick Serra, turn these rooms over in search of their hidden or, in some cases, not-so-hidden secrets. If you’ve only stayed in well-appointed Holiday Inns or the like, you will be shocked at what they find. A normal episode begins with a thorough once-over of the room, checking for poor maintenance and your garden-variety dirt and grime. The hosts often have a few beers
or shots during their exploration, and who could blame them? When you see these rooms, you may be driven to drink yourself! They’ve found drugs, bugs, broken toilets, and basically any other nightmare you can think of. Aside from these truly gross discoveries, they also make jokes about ill-fitting pillowcases and rock-hard mattresses. And that’s before they take out the literal black light to see which bodily fluids and other liquids are hiding in plain sight. We’ve probably all stayed in a hotel we’d like to forget about, but very few of us have spent a night in a pigsty worthy of “Another Dirty Room.” That’s something to be thankful for. When you watch these videos, you’ll be happy your only experience with these lodgings is vicarious. Unless, of course, pee-stained walls and bed bugs are your idea of a good time. To watch “Another Dirty Room” as well as Dan Bell’s other hilarious content, head to YouTube.com/ThisIsDanBell.
YouTube Channel of the Month This IsDanBell.
4 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476
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