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(864) 309-0000 | Call00.com
September 2025
MORE THAN JUST A SETTLEMENT
Helping Clients Heal and Rebuild
You can’t rush injury recovery. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and that’s one thing I’ve seen repeatedly. Whether a client got hurt on the job, in a car accident, or by a dog bite, most people underestimate what the recovery process looks like. They think they’ll be back on their feet in a week or two, but it’s rarely that simple. There’s pain. There are missed paychecks. And in some cases, it’s a struggle just to be taken seriously. That’s why we try to support people through every stage of the process. Our job as attorneys goes beyond negotiating settlements or handling paperwork. We’re also here to help people care for themselves, ensure doctors see them, and push back when insurance companies try to avoid responsibility. For example, we stress the importance of reporting an injury immediately in workers’ comp cases. If someone goes home and says nothing, the employer or the insurance company might claim the injury happened elsewhere. And when people don’t get medical treatment right away, we’ve seen that come
back to bite them. It gives the insurance company a reason to argue that something else caused the problem. We also remind clients that workers’ comp only pays about two-thirds of their regular wages. So, yes, we’ll help them get what they’re owed, but we also want them to heal fully and get back to work if they can. It’s not about pushing them to move on. It’s about helping them get back to where they want to be. That’s one thing most people don’t realize. Recovery isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, too. I talk to clients all the time who are frustrated, anxious, or just plain exhausted. Maybe their injury keeps flaring up. Perhaps they’re afraid to drive again. Often, they’re trying to hold everything together at home without their full paycheck coming in. That’s why being a good listener matters just as much as being a good lawyer. I also encourage clients to be consistent with their medical care. In South Carolina, if you miss a doctor’s appointment in a workers’ comp case, your weekly wage checks can be cut off. That rule might seem harsh, but it’s on the books, and we’ve seen it happen. So, we ensure our clients understand what’s at stake and help them stay on track. We don’t handle real estate closings or family law. What we do day in and day out is help people recover from injuries that were not their fault. We’re in this to help people rebuild their lives after everything’s been thrown off course. And that sometimes means reminding someone to go to physical therapy or walking them through what to expect next. At the end of the day, most people would trade money for their health in a heartbeat. That’s why we never lose sight of what really matters — getting people to the other side of recovery and making sure they’re ready for what comes next.
Call00.com | 1 –Samuel Harms
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When a Gift Becomes a Crime
SNYDER V. UNITED STATES EXPLAINED
When does a gift cross the line into a crime? That’s the question the U.S. Supreme Court tackled in Snyder v. United States , a decision that could reshape how we think about corruption in state and local government. The ruling narrows the scope of federal law used to prosecute public officials by making a key distinction between a bribe and a gratuity. The Facts of the Snyder Case The case centered on James Snyder, the former mayor of Portage, Indiana. While in office, Snyder steered city contracts for garbage trucks to a local company. After
public officials to take a bribe that influences an official act. That much is clear. But what about gifts that come after a deal is done? According to the Court, accepting those is not a crime. Writing for the majority, Justice Kavanaugh put it plainly in saying that § 666 is about corrupt deals — quid pro quo — not the small “tokens of appreciation” that sometimes follow an official act. Drawing the line differently, he warned, could have unfair implications for state and local officials nationwide. The Court’s decision also flagged federal overreach. The majority said regulating gifts and gratuities is not the federal government’s business but a job for state and local governments. Impact of the Snyder Decision The Snyder ruling is the latest in a series of decisions going back to 2000 that limit the reach of federal anti-corruption laws. It also leaves questions about who will step in to fill the gap. If federal prosecutors can’t go after public officials for gifts given after the fact, it’s now up to state and local officials to handle those situations. Local and state laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and may not always be as strong or clear.
the deals were done, he accepted a $13,000 payment from that same company. Federal prosecutors argued the payment was an illegal gratuity under 18 U.S.C.
§ 666, a law that bars state and local officials from taking payments in connection with their legal duties. Snyder’s defense was simple: There was no prior agreement. The payment came after the fact, with no strings attached.
But the government saw it differently, and a jury
Does this ruling open the door to more “thank you” payments to government officials? Maybe. But for now, Snyder makes one thing clear: The line is drawn at bribes. Everything else is a matter for the states to figure out.
convicted him. That conviction, though, didn’t stand for long. The Scope of § 666 The Supreme Court’s decision came
down to when a gift becomes a crime. The law at the heart of the case makes it illegal for
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TAKE A BREAK
How Retirees Are Redefining Work
Apples Aster Coffee Constitution Foliage Grandparents Labor Lunchbox Pirate Sapphire Virgo Waffles
What are you planning for your retirement? If you’re like many people, your plans likely look different from those of retirees a few decades ago. Retirement used to mean slowing down, and it still does. However, many retirees now choose to continue working through a side hustle. The flexibility of a side hustle makes it perfect for those in retirement. And it’s a great way to earn extra income for unexpected living expenses. Today, a variety of side gigs offer flexible hours or the chance to work from home. A retired teacher might start remote tutoring, and someone who spent years in a corporate office could find work as a part-time consultant. Others find a way to turn a hobby into something more, like selling homemade crafts or working as a freelance writer. Rideshare and food delivery apps are also great options and don’t require any experience to get started. Money is a big draw, but many retirees find that a side hustle has other benefits. Working part- time can add structure to your day and allow you to meet new people. It can also help you stay mentally sharp and give you a sense of purpose after the structure of a full-time job fades away. Another great thing about working this way is that you can do it on your terms. It can be as simple as helping out a few hours a week or offering services during the busy season. What matters is finding something that feels rewarding. If retirement is a new chapter, a side hustle can be a plot twist that keeps things interesting. Finding Purpose Through a Side Hustle
CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP
Ingredients
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more • 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced • 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, chives, or green onions for garnish
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss cauliflower with 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer, sprinkle with a little salt, and bake 25–35 minutes until tender. 4. In a soup pot, warm remaining olive oil and cook onion and 1/4 tsp salt until soft. 5. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add broth. 6. Add all but 4 cauliflower florets to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. 7. Transfer mixture to a blender, add butter, and blend until smooth. Then blend in lemon juice and nutmeg. 8. Garnish with cauliflower florets and serve. Add parsley, onion, and chives as desired.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
What Real Recovery Looks Like
1
New Lines Drawn in Corruption Law
2
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
3
Why Side Hustles Are a Hit for Retirees
The War Over a Wooden Bucket
4
WHEN A BUCKET SPARKED A WAR
If you’ve spent any time studying history, you know it is full of strange moments. But did you know a war was once fought over a wooden bucket? It might sound like something straight out of a cartoon, but it’s an actual story from history. In the 14th century, two Italian city-states — Modena and Bologna — found themselves in a heated feud. Tensions had been brewing between the two for years, but one act sent them over the edge. That tipping point? A bucket. According to legend, Modenese soldiers snuck into Bologna and swiped an oaken bucket from the town well. Bologna wanted it back, but Modena wouldn’t budge. The outraged Bolognese responded with all-out war. If you think this sounds too absurd to be true, you’re not alone. Of course, the bucket wasn’t really the issue. The groundwork for the War of the Bucket was
laid more than 200 years before the actual battle. Still, the bucket story is true. And yes, they fought a war. The outnumbered Modenese were the victors, and the conflict claimed the lives of around 2,000 men from both sides. What historians still don’t know for sure, though, is whether the bucket was taken before the battle or afterward as a trophy, but Modena still has it to this day. If you ever visit the city, you can see it on display in Modena’s town hall, where it sits as a reminder that even small things can spark big events.
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