Take a look at our March newsletter!
816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com MAR 2023
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
A POSITIVE MINDSET DURING A PERSONAL INJURY WHY IT MATTERS AND HOW TO MAKE ONE
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
March is National Optimism Month, in which Americans are encouraged to view things in their lives through a lens of positivity and look forward to the future with hope. And at Dickerson Oxton Law, we have a few things we’re looking forward to. First, we’re excited to announce that our practice is moving to a new location next month! We’ve been in our current space for about six years, and moving somewhere new is exciting and invigorating. Our new location will still be in downtown Kansas City, so clients can reach us easily. We can’t wait to welcome you to our new space once it’s ready! Next, we’re optimistic about getting justice in our upcoming trials, even more so as they move back entirely in person. Moving further away from COVID has allowed for more trials and in-person hearings, and we’re excited to be in the courtroom more often serving our clients. However, it’s completely understandable that when you’re involved in a personal injury case, it may be hard to find things to be optimistic about. You’ve gone through something painful, coupled with expensive medical bills and a potential loss in the quality of your life. But it’s easier to focus on the negative aspects of your case — you’ve suffered physically and financially — because our bodies are wired to have stronger responses to negative emotions. It’s called “negativity bias.” It exists because we often learn more through negative reinforcement than we do positive. It’s the classic “once you touch a stove and get burned, you’ll never touch it again” scenario. So, at a cognitive level, negative stimuli just carry more informational value, and your injury can fall into this negativity bias; you were hurt and wronged, so your brain flags it. But this bias can cause many individuals to spiral into negative thoughts and emotions when thinking of their injury. It’s essential to start your injury case with the mindset that you will win and receive the justice you deserve. Also, it’s vital to remain positive after your injury because if you don’t think you can do something — like, recover — it makes it harder for your body to do so.
So, how can you shift your mindset surrounding your injury?
RECOGNIZE THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. When you feel yourself beginning to spiral, take a step back and think. Often, people don’t even realize negativity has consumed their thoughts. You don’t have to analyze the thoughts or try to argue against them; think to yourself, “I am having negative thoughts,” and try to shift your mind to something more positive. Sometimes, it even helps to say “stop” aloud to yourself to help shift your mental trajectory. Once you’ve identified you’re thinking negatively, you can actively try to overcome it. Reframe those negative thoughts with something like, “While I may face challenges from my injury, I won’t allow them to disrupt my way of life completely.” Try to look forward to the justice you will receive from the party that wronged you. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU’RE GRATEFUL FOR. Studies have shown that by thinking about the things in your life you do have, you transform your brain’s chemistry to reduce depression and toxic emotions. So, when faced with negativity, ask yourself what makes you feel happy, loved, heard, and secure. Maybe your family has been helping you through your injury, and you’re thankful for your relationship with them. Or perhaps your coworkers sent you a kind gift. You can even be grateful for something as small as your favorite snack or pet — anything to shift your mindset to what you have and not what you lost. At Dickerson Oxton Law, we’re here to support you in any way you need, through any hardship. If you or a loved one wants to speak to a team of experienced lawyers regarding
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
BURN INJURIES
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
an injury that has made you feel anything less than optimistic about life, call us at 816-268-1960.
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
–Chelsea Dickerson
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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Knocking Down Myths
Facing a Gas Leak, She Thought Fast Schnautzie Saves the Day
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and at Dickerson Oxton Law, we see clients who suffer brain injuries from accidents or malpractice. However, there are many misconceptions surrounding brain injuries, and these myths can lead people to put off seeking the proper The 3 Most Commo
help they need. So, in observance of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we want to bust the most common brain injury myths we see. MYTH NO. 1: YOU MUST HIT YOUR HEAD TO HAVE A BRAIN INJURY. When people think of a brain injury, they often imagine a dangerous accident where something hard collides with or strikes someone’s head. This common belief is false! You can have a significant concussion any time your brain hits the inside of your skull, even if it’s just by your head moving too rapidly forward or backward. So in the case of a car crash, you don’t need to slam your head against something to have a brain injury. Moving quickly and coming to an abrupt stop can cause your brain to hit the inside of your skull, resulting in damage. Celebrate St. Patric WESTPORT ST. PATRICK’S If you want to get some movement in before chowing down on corned beef and cabbage this month, consider attending the Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run! At 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, bagpipes will sound to start the race, flooding the streets with runners in green! And the best part is the run is an excellent activity for the whole family. At 9:45 a.m., the Little Leprechaun Kids Run begins for children ages 12 and under. Strollers are welcome during all races, too, so even kiddos who can’t yet walk are able to participate.
Besides a fire, a gas leak is one of the worst things that can happen in the middle of the night. Fortunately for one Montana couple in 2007, Schnautzie the cat was on the case. She woke up her owners to alert them to the danger, preventing a deadly — and explosive — tragedy. People magazine reported that Greg and Trudy Guy adopted Schnautzie from a local pet store in April 2007. They’d gone with hopes of adopting a puppy but instead fell in love with a tiny black kitten. The couple only intended to foster Schnautzie, but she proved herself a hero and became a permanent family member. That October, Schnautzie climbed up on Trudy’s chest at 2 a.m. and started pawing at her nose. Since cats sometimes do strange (and annoying) things, Trudy didn’t think too much of it — until Schnautzie kept at it. Now, Schnautzie had her attention, especially when Trudy noticed her persistently sniffing the air around her. Once fully awake, Trudy noticed a hissing sound somewhere in the house. Getting up to investigate, she found a broken pipe outside her bathroom, pumping gas into the basement. “The gas was just fuming,” Trudy remembered. “Our house was saturated in a short time.” The Guys quickly vacated the house with Schnautzie in tow and called the fire department. Only upon the rescue workers’ arrival did the Guys realize the extent of the danger they had faced. While the gas alone could have killed them, it was also an unseasonably frigid night in October. Had the heater or water tank turned on, it would have ignited the fumes and caused an explosion. Schnautzie was a hero to the Guys, but extra treats and a permanent home were thanks enough for her. Still, she received a bit more than that in 2010. The Great Falls Animal Foundation learned how Schnautzie had saved the day and decided to honor her with the Purple Paw Award. While Schnautzie appreciated the thought, Greg said she didn’t enjoy the reception. “She’s shy around strangers,” he explained. But there’s no doubt that Schnautzie deserved her award. Sally Cerny of the animal foundation told Catster.com that the Purple Paw is given to pets who uniquely demonstrate the bond between animals and humans. And, she concluded, “There’s no more special way to show that than to save your family.”
Then, at 10 a.m. on the dot, the “elite” runners, or runners with a 7:30 mile or faster, will start. At 10:01, all other participants will begin!
Costumes and festive attire are encouraged, and the greener, the better! Before the race, participants will come together to sing
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MYTH NO. 2: UNLESS THE INJURY IS SEVERE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO HEAL ON YOUR OWN. Just because your brain injury doesn’t require surgery doesn’t mean your brain will heal. Remember, your brain doesn’t heal like your skin does when damaged. Your skin will simply produce new cells and grow anew. Your brain, however, isn’t developing new cells but instead “rewiring” using undamaged pathways. So, depending on the injury, it may be more difficult for your brain to rewire. on Misconceptions We Hear All this is to say you can still have a permanent condition due to any brain injury. Even “minor” or “mild” brain injuries are still brain injuries. MYTH NO. 3: IF YOU GO TO THE ER WITH A BRAIN INJURY AND THEY DISCHARGE YOU, YOU’RE FINE. The ER is there to ensure you’re breathing and alive and is more of a short-term solution. The staff there are available to help you in a life- threatening situation requiring immediate medical intervention. So, if the ER clears you to go home, that doesn’t mean you’re uninjured; it just means your life isn’t in immediate danger. Any time you go to the ER, you should follow up with your primary care physician. They’ll be better able to investigate and diagnose any non-life-threatening issues you may have and help you receive the needed resources. ck’s Day With a Run S DAY RUN IS MARCH 11! “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” to get in the holiday spirit. And in the spirit of Irish courage, this race will not be canceled due to rain, snow, or extreme temperature, so ensure your costume or outfit is ready for whatever the weather brings. All participants who finish the 4-mile distance will receive a festive finisher medal. The top three male and female finishers overall and in each age bracket will also receive an award. Adult entry is $38 if you register before March 9 and $42 for those who register on the 10th and 11th. Tickets for children 12 and younger are $12 when registered before March 9 and $15 on the 10th and 11th. To register for the run, visit Register.ChronoTrack.com/r/67451 . May the luck, and endurance, of the Irish be with you! s About Brain Injuries
TAKE A BREAK
APPLE TART WITH ROSEMARY AND HONEY SYRUP
Inspired by Delicious.com
Level up your dessert game with this unique apple tart! Covered in rosemary-infused honey, this recipe combines the sweet flavors of pink lady apples and the peppery depth of rosemary, all atop a flaky crust.
INGREDIENTS
• Frozen puff pastry, thawed • 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened • 1 egg yolk • 1/3 cup almond meal • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 3/4 cup runny honey, divided • 2 pink lady apples, very thinly sliced • 1 rosemary sprig, leaves picked
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. Roll pastry to a 12-inch-diameter circle, 1/8 inch thick. Place on a tray lined with baking paper. 3. In a bowl, place butter, egg yolk, almond meal, vanilla, and 1/4 cup honey. Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. 4. Spread over pastry and arrange apple slices on top. Drizzle with 1/4 cup honey. Bake for 20 minutes, until golden and crisp. 5. In a pan over low heat, place rosemary and remaining 1/4 cup honey. Swirl to melt honey. Pour over tart, and enjoy!
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Giving Back
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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
The ‘I Will Win’ Mindset
PG1
How a Cat Saved Her Humans’ Lives
PG2
Busting Brain Injury Myths
PG2
All About the Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run
PG2
Apple Tart With Rosemary and Honey Syrup
PG3
6 St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts
PG4
Year after year, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with green shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, and Lucky Charms, but did you know that St. Patrick was actually British? Even more surprising, St. Patrick isn’t even his real name! Get ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish while impressing others with some fun St. Patrick’s Day trivia. THE MAN’S BRITISH ROOTS RUN DEEP. St. Patrick isn’t Irish — he was born in Britain around the end of the fourth century. Legend has it that at 16 years old, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery by Irish raiders. After six years, he was able to escape back to Britain and returned to Ireland much later as a Christian missionary. Ireland named him the country’s patron saint after he passed away. ‘Irish I Knew That Sooner!’ 6 Fun Facts About St. Patrick’s Day
MARCH 17 ISN’T ST. PATRICK’S BIRTHDAY. Many believe that we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on his birthday, but it’s actually the day he died in 461 A.D. THAT’S NOT HIS NAME. As mentioned earlier, St. Patrick is not his real name! When he became a bishop, Maewyn Succat changed his name to Patrick. HE DIDN’T BANISH SNAKES. Legend has it that St. Patrick banished all of the snakes from Ireland. In fact, even some portraits depict him doing so. However, fossil records show that snakes were never present in Ireland around his lifetime. CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE ORIGINATED IN AMERICA. On March 17, everyone loads up on corned beef and cabbage in celebration, but did you know that in Ireland, they ate ham and cabbage, and the corned beef tradition actually began in America? In the 19th century, Irish Americans bought leftover corned beef from ships returning from China. THE FIRST ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE HAPPENED IN AMERICA. Many believe that St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in Ireland, but in 1737, the first St. Patrick’s Day parades actually took place in Boston and New York City.
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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