MISSION IM-PAW-SIBLE
Nobody has “Personal Injury at 2 p.m.” written on their calendar, so experiencing an automobile collision or another accident often hits us out of the blue and leaves our minds scattered, exactly how the at-fault party’s insurers hope you’ll feel. Dangerous Disclosure
When you’re contacted by an adjuster or another representative from the at-fault party’s insurance company, the most important thing to remember is that they have their financial best interests, not your personal safety and security, at heart. That friendly, casual voice you may hear over the phone or the smiling face that greets you at your door masks the reality that refusing your claim or devaluing your settlement amount is the company’s ultimate objective.
No one likes going to the doctor, but for one Florida feline, a routine visit to the vet turned into a daring escape. Just after being neutered at SPCA Florida, George the cat put his kitty GPS to the test when he broke out of his cage, trying to make his way home. As if his daring getaway wasn’t impressive enough, the tabby scampered across 3 miles full of obstacles to return to his owners’ doorstep. On the day of the incident, George managed to pop his cage open and scurry out in a matter of seconds. Still loopy from anesthesia, the housecat evaded clinic staff, scaling up fencing before disappearing. Employees did everything they could to stop the escape artist, lifting each other over fences, but George was too quick and determined to catch. Owner Bob Beasock was heartbroken by the news and searched for his little buddy alongside clinic staff for nearly a week. Just when it looked like they might never find his furry companion, Bob found him at home, curled up in his favorite armchair in the carport. “There was George, stretched out in his chair in our carport, looking like he had just returned from a grand adventure,” Bob told reporters. “He was a bit thinner, clearly hungry, but otherwise no worse for the wear.” Though George was unscathed, his journey home was no walk in the park. He had to trek through multiple subdivisions, maneuver around a couple of lakes, and cross five or six roads to reach his destination. Cats are skilled navigators who use a combination of scent, visual markers, and even geomagnetism to find their way around. But George’s journey wasn’t all prompted by a deep instinct or fear of the vet; he just wanted to get back to his owner. Though they express it more subtly than dogs, research has found that cats love their humans and form a deep attachment with their owners. Bob was relieved to find George safe and sound, but said he would have done it just a little differently if he ever found himself fleeing his doctor’s appointment. FLORIDA CAT’S EPIC GETAWAY FROM THE VET
How do you avoid costly and potentially life-altering mistakes after a personal injury? First and foremost, don’t allow your vulnerability to be used against you . When you experience a personal injury, it’s reasonable to want to resolve the matter and return to your previous quality of life quickly, especially if you’ve been injured. However, be aware that insurers may use your sense of urgency to their advantage and attempt to get you to share information that may reduce your medical payout SMASH STRAT 5 Essential Cues After a Cra Experiencing an auto accident is bad enough, but your actions following the crash can make matters even worse. To help you stay on course when a collision knocks your world off balance, here are five things to always do at the scene to ensure your safety and legal peace of mind. Contact police and medical personnel immediately. If you’re involved in an accident, notify the police ASAP, even if everyone appears physically fine and the damage to any vehicles involved appears minimal. Wait for law enforcement to arrive and ensure a report is written. Most importantly, contact 911 immediately to request an ambulance if anyone is seriously injured. Rely on other eyes. If the accident occurred in view of pedestrians or drivers who stopped to offer assistance, encourage these individuals to provide you with their contact information and give statements to the police. If they’re willing to cooperate, their observations could help you fill in any details you may have missed and build a more substantial claim or case. Use your phone to prove facts. If your cellphone is not damaged in the collision, use it to take as many photos or videos of the scene as possible, including all
“If I had been stuck there, I would’ve called an Uber. But George didn’t have that option.”
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