Herrman & Herrman's online newsletter for October 2017
October 2017
www.herrmanandherrman.com • 844.567.6399 1201 3rd St, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 • 801 E. Fern Ave. #155, McAllen, TX 78501
A Creative Edge
Steven Stratso on Creativity in Law
When I was younger, I watched as my sister went through law school and became an attorney. I was inspired, and in many ways, I followed in her footsteps. It always felt like the right path for me, and after two years at Herrman & Herrman, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, it was. It has been two years this month since I joined the Herrman & Herrman team as an associate attorney, which is exciting to say the least. Looking back, and looking toward my sister for inspiration, I also pursued a career in law because of the creative aspect that comes with being an attorney. Not many people necessarily associate creativity with working in law. Creativity comes in many forms. For some people, it’s an expression of art, and for others, it may involve finding inspiration in places you might not ordinarily find it. I wanted a career that offered something new every day, rather than a repetitive desk job that hindered creativity. I wanted a job where I could find creative solutions to complex problems. I found it. Every day, there is something new to learn or a new a problem to solve. Or both! On top of that, I’m always meeting all sorts of interesting folks who have stories to tell. It’s these folks, our clients, who inspire me to become a better attorney and reach for the next level. Gaining experience is incredibly important for this kind of career. You can only learn so much in the classroom. I’m light-years ahead of where I was two years ago when I joined Herrman & Herrman. I’m sure I could fill volumes with what I’ve learned and experienced these past couple of years. But more
than that, the real importance of experience is the edge it gives my clients. As I grow professionally, I can give our clients more — more insight and more support. As a personal injury attorney, there is nothing more rewarding than settling a case and presenting the results to the client. They are often left with big smiles on their faces and joy they may not have felt in some time. Being able to turn their experience around means everything. While there is no way to replace what they may have lost, I can, at the very least, give them something back and turn a negative into a positive. That way, they can finally move on with their lives. Here’s a little more about me: I’m a huge sports fan, and ice hockey is my No. 1 sport (though, when it comes to college ball, the Longhorns hold a special place in my heart). Whenever I’m in Dallas, I make it a point to take in a Stars game if they’re on the ice when I’m up there. I do have to admit, I miss playing hockey. There’s not too much in the way of ice down here. I do plan on heading up to Vancouver, British Columbia, in the very near future. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the city, but the highlight might be the ice hockey. Of course, I’m not just traveling to catch a game of classic Canadian hockey. I simply love to travel. Back in law school, I spent some time in Europe studying abroad and taking in the many cultures of the continent. I also try to get to Hawaii when I can, if only to see my parents, who live on Oahu.
Steven Stratso
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Keep Your Trick-or-Treaters Safe This Halloween
You may wonder if trick-or-treating is safe, especially when stories of poisoned Halloween candy circulate every year. These terrifying tales have all been hoaxes, but beyond needlessly frightening parents, these urban legends take attention away from the real danger kids face while trick-or-treating. Safe Kids Worldwide reports that children are twice as likely to be struck by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. Here’s what you need to remember before sending your little witches and knights out trick-or-treating. Light Up the Night Brightly colored costumes will make your child more visible in the dark. That said, if your ghouls and goblins have their hearts set on being a real creature
absolutely in love with her high heels, have her wear the pretty, uncomfortable shoes for pictures at the door, then switch into comfy sneakers before hitting the sidewalks. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize Masks can really bring a costume together, but they can also make it hard for young eyes to see where they’re going. Before trick-or-treaters head out to collect that sweet candy, swap out masks with face paint. It might take a few practice runs, but face paint can be just as cool. Make sure to test for allergic reactions first. Know the Rules of the Road It is important for trick-or-treaters of all ages to know how to behave safely as they walk down the sidewalks. They should always look both ways before crossing the street, never run out between parked cars, and make sure oncoming traffic is completely stopped before they step out into the road. Kids under the age of 12 should be accompanied by an adult, and older children should stick with their friends and never trick or treat alone. Trick-or-treating is a wonderful childhood tradition, and it shouldn’t end in tragedy. Talk to your kids about the risks and make sure they know why these rules are necessary. When you keep safety in mind, your trick-or-treaters can focus on the best part of Halloween: getting the most candy!
of the night, flashlights, glow-in-the-dark bracelets, and reflective tape attached to candy bags can help trick-or- treaters remain visible to drivers. Dress for Comfort The cold might not bother Elsa, but your trick-or-treater may not be ready to sing after the sun sets and the temperature drops. Have them wear jackets and gloves as needed and insist on shoes they can walk in. If your little princess is
“Great firm! They always answered my calls or returned my messages in a timely manner. I never had to deal with any rude people. Veronica, Sonia, and Teresa were always professional and made sure everything was going smoothly. They sent me to a great chiropractor. Thank you, Mr. Stratso.” –S. Delagarza
testimonials
“The customer service was always friendly, and they directed me promptly to whom I needed to be in contact with. William and Gayle were patient and understanding of my needs. They always clarified and made sense of what I did not understand. Thank you.” –D. Williams “I recommend Maureen! She was great, patient, and a hard worker. This office did not disappoint! They got me my settlement faster than I expected. Thank you, Herrman & Herrman.” –A. Freier
don’t just take our word for it
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Insurance Company Tactics
A Look Into the Insurance Adjuster’s Toolbox — Part 1
It’s no secret that insurance companies are in business to make money. They are not in business to be fair or to protect you. They make money by paying out as little as possible on claims. Adjusters are extensively trained on tactics to save the company money and avoid paying out a “fair” settlement. In doing so, many adjusters are rewarded with bonuses for keeping the company’s best interests in mind. How do insurance companies avoid playing fair? Here are a few tactics in their toolbox: Delays. Adjusters know most people have better things to do than spend hours on the phone arguing with an adjuster over money. They also know many people live paycheck to paycheck and are always in need of a little extra cash. To that end, adjusters may delay the process and payment for as long as possible so the person who filed the claim will give in and take whatever the adjuster offers. Requests for unnecessary or duplicate documentation. Adjusters often request all sorts of information and documentation that has nothing to do with the value of the case. And then when you send the requested information, they have a
habit of saying they never received it. There are even instances where the insurance company will make multiple requests for the same piece of information, only to claim they never received it the first four times. They know some people will get worn down, give up, and accept their initial offer. Disputing your medical treatment. Adjusters are notorious for questioning a claimant’s need
for medical treatment — or the extent of their medical treatment. These adjusters are not doctors, nurses, chiropractors, or physician’s assistants. They have virtually no medical training, and yet they question every
treatment and test, often claiming it’s unnecessary, even when prescribed by your own doctor, who is generally highly reputable.
Orange-Balsamic Lamb Chops
Impress any dinner guest with this surprisingly quick and easy-to- make meal.
INGREDIENTS
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4 teaspoons olive oil, divided 2 teaspoons grated orange rind 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice 8 (4-ounce) lamb rib chops, trimmed
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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Cooking spray
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, rind, and juice in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add lamb to bag; turn to coat well. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Remove lamb from bag and add salt and pepper. 2. Heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add lamb and cook 2 minutes each side. 3. Place vinegar in a small skillet over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes or until vinegar is syrupy. Drizzle vinegar and remaining teaspoon oil over lamb.
(Recipe courtesy of CookingLight.com.)
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1201 3rd St Corpus Christi, TX 78404
Inside This ISSUE
Meet Attorney Steven Stratso Page1
Keep Your Trick-or-Treaters Safe This Halloween October Testimonials Page2 What Insurance Companies Do to Win Recipe of the Month and Memes Page3
5 Fascinating Facts About Fall Page4
5 Fascinating Facts About Fall
The end of summer doesn’t have to signal an end to fun. How about sweater weather, Halloween parties, and football season? The list goes on and on.
3. Weight gain is most common in the fall. It’s not only the Halloween candy or Thanksgiving turkey. Researchers believe it’s primarily caused by lower levels of vitamin D. As the days
shorten and temperatures drop, we tend to get less sun. It’s another reason to be careful about diet and exercise this season. 4. Autumn is good for the economy.
In fact, fall might be the most interesting season of them all. Here are five facts you probably didn’t know about the season. 1. It was originally called “harvest.” In a world that was far more agricultural, the season was defined by the harvesting of crops. It’s also a reference to the harvest moon, which was essential to farmers during the season. 2. Fall babies tend to be impressive. Not only does the world’s most common birthday, October 5, land in fall, but those babies have built an impressive resume. The British Department for Education found that they tend to do better in school, and also tend to live longer.
“Leaf peeping,” which is a slang term for fall foliage tourism, is more than just a funny name. It’s also a $3 billion industry in New England alone.
5. People fall in love more in the fall. Men’s and women’s testosterone levels tend to spike in the autumn, which makes women even more attractive to men. A data study on Facebook also found that more people change their relationship status from “single” to “in a relationship” during the fall than any other season.
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