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April 2018 815-726-9999 | www.blocklaw.com THE BKMS BULLETIN
Billboard Attorneys and April Fools’ Having Your Best Interests at Heart
Every April kicks off with April Fools’ Day, a holiday some people adore, while others might call it a bit childish. I’m always in the mood for a good laugh, but in my field, there’s one joke I don’t find funny at all: the bait and switch of so-called “billboard, radio, and television attorneys.” You know the type. These attorneys put out tons of ads, plastering their smiling faces all over billboards along your morning commute and appearing on late-night TV commercials singing catchy tunes. They promise to be the “right fit” for potential clients, promise huge results, and encourage them to call their number now. Clients who need help end up calling the number, but they don’t get to talk to the person they saw in the ad. Instead, their call is directed to some firm they’ve never even heard of. This is because many attorneys who appear on these kinds of billboards or TV advertisements aren’t local. These attorneys are actually from places like Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, or Austin, and they put out slightly different versions of the same ad to target other areas around the country. But they have no interest in actually helping these communities. Instead, they farm out clients to other law firms, who pay the billboard attorney to send them more business. As a result, clients end up with lawyers who have no personal interest in them or their case. The person in need becomes just another number. We have been told by jurors, who are the conscience community, that they find the advertising distasteful. So, for the
client who goes into court represented by the lawyer who advertises with the catchy jingle or menacing nicknames, there may be one strike against them. Even if the case has merit and significant injuries, the jurors will see the lawyer as greedy and may not want to participate in a large award. This is an April Fools’ joke people fall for year-round, and it’s agonizing to watch. Many clients are desperate to get help fast, and this is something billboard attorneys prey on. People think they will get to work with the person they saw on TV — the person they chose — but billboard attorneys take advantage of them and send them to someone they’re unfamiliar with. The client doesn’t end up with the most experienced and senior partner; they are assigned to a new associate who just graduated and has little to no experience. The client doesn’t have the opportunity to research this attorney’s qualifications, get to know them, or determine if this attorney is even someone they want to work with. Not every lawyer with a billboard or late- night television spot abuses potential clients. However, it’s vital for clients to be able to trust the attorney they work with. Though we can’t read minds and learn what someone is really thinking, there are questions a client can ask themselves to determine if the attorney they’ve been sent to really has their best interests at heart:
notary to make me sign a document before anyone would talk to me?”
“Do they want to make sure I get the medical treatment I need to get better?”
“Are they available to take my phone calls when I need them?”
“Even if they are able to win my case, are they going to make sure most of the money goes to my medical bills? Or will my money go to attorney costs and surprise fees?”
“Has this attorney showed me that they are someone I can genuinely count on?”
It doesn’t matter if an attorney is referred to you by a close friend or by a number on a billboard; you are allowed to ask questions and take your time to determine whether this attorney is someone you feel comfortable working with. No matter what kind of case you have to deal with, you deserve to know the attorney you work with cares about what happens to you. Our law firm’s business plan for many years was to establish our firm’s name and reputation in the community and let our clients know that we prefer to get new clients by word of mouth. Do a good job and care about the client and they will send in family and friends. Because of this, we have only engaged in limited advertising over the years. The advertising we have done has mostly been designed to let clients know that we are still around and how they can find us.
“When I came into the office, did the lawyer come out to meet me? Or did they send a
–Brya n Shell
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Do You Need a Media Detox? The Dangers of Overstimulation
With the current trend of getting TV, social media, and news alerts sent to our phones, we have access to more media than we could ever consume. While constant connectivity is a boon for many aspects of our lives, researchers are discovering that too much stimulation is cause for concern. One study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that too much social comparison, spurred by the likes of Facebook and cable news, can lead to an increased risk of depression. If you find yourself pressured to live up to the public lives of friends and family, or if you feel like you’re being bombarded with too much news and entertainment, consider a media detox. A detox doesn’t require you to unsubscribe from social media services or unplug your TV forever. Instead, think of it as a vacation
from the overstimulation so many of us experience. Ask yourself which aspects of your media diet are causing more stress than they’re worth, and take a break from them for a little while. “In the same way we think about what we eat, we should think about what we read, what we’re seeing, what we’re engaging in, and what we’re interacting with every day,” Emma Watson told CNN in an interview about her selective social media use. If you’re not mindful of your media consumption and participation, it tends to pile up. When you detox, it’s a lot easier to identify which parts of your media diet are essential and which are only a burden. Another benefit of a media detox is that you’ll have more time to pursue new and dormant hobbies. Because most of us consume media in small chunks
throughout the day, it’s easy to overlook how much that time adds up. All those hours you spend on Facebook could be used to start a garden, knit a quilt, or join a soccer league. Unless you have an unlimited supply of leisure time (and who does?), you need to be selective in the way you spend it. Remember, media isn’t the cause of all your ills. Used mindfully, it can actually increase happiness and satisfaction. The problem is that we are so mired in the media muck that we can’t get a perspective on how much is too much. A detox will allow you to reassess the media you’re consuming and build a better plan for the future. You can still keep up with your grandkids on Facebook, but it shouldn’t be the only way you interact with the world.
GARDENING: BRINGING FAMILY TOGETHER Why You Should Consider Investing in a Family Garden
After spending a winter cooped up inside with your family, there might be a little tension between everyone. Fortunately, it’s spring, and the warm weather, melting snow, and blooming flowers offer a good way to ease restlessness. This season, why not bring your family closer together by starting a family garden? A LEARNING EXPERIENCE Nearly every step in the gardening process can be a learning experience for kids and parents alike. Begin by discussing where you should start and why, what supplies you’ll need, and the types of plants you want to grow. Gardening also offers opportunities to learn about science, ecology, and nutrition. COLLABORATION Gardening gives your family a chance to collaborate. When you’re stuck inside for long periods, you may be spending time together, but it’s usually not quality time. Working in a group to create and maintain a garden is a hands-on experience for everyone. It’s a
chance to get the whole family involved with a single project, and you can literally share the fruits of your labor. DECIDING ON PLANTS
When it comes to deciding which plants you want in your garden, there are many variables to consider. Do you want to grow edible plants, ones that have magnificent blossoms, or ones that are easy to care for? Flowers are a good start if you want a plant that grows a little faster; plus, they lend a pop of color to your garden. Growing vegetables is also rewarding, as the kids will take great pleasure in eating what they’ve grown. Other possibilities include sunflowers, blackberries, peas, and lettuce. You might be surprised at how willingly children eat their greens when they’ve had a hand in growing them. Family gardens can bring something new and fresh to your home. So, get outside, enjoy the sun, and discover the joys of plants and gardening.
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Don’t Wreck Your Workers’ Compensation Case Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If you’ve been injured on the job, there are numerous precautions you can take to ensure your workers’ compensation claim will hold up in court. However, there are also many things you can do to wreck your case. One of the easiest ways to destroy your own workers’ compensation case is to avoid the doctor. If you don’t seek medical help right away, two things happen. One, it becomes increasingly hard for your attorney to prove that your injury is work-related. And two, the insurance company will argue that if you were not injured badly enough to seek medical attention, you are not injured badly enough to be entitled to workers’ compensation. You should always seek medical care after an injury, because even a minor injury can develop into something major if left untreated. Saying you’re in pain is not the same as having it documented on your medical records. If a doctor does not document your pain, it never happened, as far as the court is concerned. In addition to your doctor’s notes, you should keep a diary of your pain — when it’s worst, what makes it better, and what causes it to flare up. That way, you can share this information with your doctor at your appointments. If you are diligent, your doctor’s notes will be comprehensive.
When you do discuss your injuries with your doctor, it is important that you are completely honest with the doctor about your prior medical history, how your injuries happened, and your personal habits. Be sure to let the doctor know about prior injuries, too. Conflicting information will destroy your credibility, which can be devastating to your case. In addition to seeking medical attention immediately after the accident, you also need to continue medical care as needed. Missed appointments appear on your medical records. If you don’t show up, the insurance company can argue that your appointments are not a priority for you and that you must not be in pain. If it seems like you’re not committed to getting better, your benefits will be cut off. Make sure you keep all of your appointments. When you’re injured on the job, seek medical attention immediately. If you wait, you will hurt your workers’ compensation case. For assistance, call our office at 815-726-9999.
WORD SEARCH
PASTA WITH TURKEY AND BROCCOLI
INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 pound pasta (shells or orecchiette) • 2 cups broccoli florets • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Salt • Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese. (Recipe inspired by realsimple.com)
BASEBALL BEES BLOSSOMS GARDENING GREEN KITES
PUDDLES RAINBOWS RAINDROPS SPRING TULIPS UMBRELLA
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1. Just Another Number 2. Why You Should Consider a Media Detox Gardening: Bringing Family Together 3. Work-Related Injuries Need Immediate Medical Attention Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli 4. The Message Behind Kindness Rocks A Small Token With a Big Message INSIDE
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN KINDNESS ROCKS If you want to spread kindness, start with a few smooth 3- to 5-inch rocks. Part of the adventure is in finding the rocks, so take the time to explore outside to find them. Maybe take the kids for a trek to a nearby park or beach. Once you have your rocks, use nontoxic paint or spray paint to color them. Use bright colors so that others can spot them. After the paint has dried, use paint pens to write your messages on the rocks. These can be as simple as one word or as big as an inspiring quote or verse. After you’ve written your message, use a clear nontoxic sealant to protect your artwork so it will be there when others find it. Find an outdoor space to leave your rock — maybe even in the original spot you found it.
Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go right? You wake up late, you can’t find your keys, the kids aren’t ready, and the day continues to unfold in a negative fog. Those difficult days are the reason Megan Murphy started the Kindness Rocks Project. After her parents passed away, she found comfort in finding heart-shaped rocks and sea glass on the beach. She realized that these small tokens might make other people feel better, too. Megan’s friend, one of the first to pick up a rock Megan had left behind, sent her an encouraging message after finding it: “If you did drop this rock, you made my day.”
Since then, Megan has inspired others with randomly placed messages of kindness. She finds a rock, paints a kind message on it, and leaves it on the beach for others to find. And the idea has spread. As the project has grown, so have people’s stories about finding kindness rocks. When people find a kindness rock, they get a boost to their day, but they also feel inspired to pay the kindness forward.
In a world that often seems dark, your message of kindness will serve as a beacon of hope for others.
“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.” –Gautama Buddha
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