Check out our February newsletter!
On Your Side A Publication of Kevin McManus Law Injury & Disability Attorneys
More than anything, my dad was a really good storyteller. That is in our blood. At the end of the day, the legal world is about people and their stories. We listen to people’s stories, help them with their problems, and tell their stories to skeptical juries and judges. How a Devoted Dad Inspired Us to Serve the Law Although I started college in premed, I remember the exact moment in my sophomore year when I decided to go to law school. I told my advisors I just didn’t want to go to the chem lab. I wasn’t interested in the beakers and test tubes. I didn’t want to dissect any cats or cadavers. I knew I was interested in law, so I signed up for an internship at the county prosecutor’s office. My first job was to answer the complaint line and listen to callers reporting terrible things going on in the community — assault, battery, property damage, you name it. It was crazy! In watching the prosecutors build cases, I realized the office had tremendous power to right wrongs and hold wrongdoers accountable. As imperfect as the system was, it was run by people trying to serve justice. I went all-in for the idea of using the law as a tool for public good. When I told my dad that, he understood, and at a deep level, I think he was proud. Leading With Love
KevinMcManusLaw.com (816) 837-4433
Inside This Issue
How a Dedicated Dad Inspired His Kids to Seek Justice A Cat’s Pilgrimage From Yellowstone to California Case Study: Jogger Wins $500,000 After Motorist Ignores Stop Sign FAQs: Handling Long-Term Disability Claims Under ERISA The ‘Black Sox’ and the 1919 World Series
Page 1
Page 2
Some anniversaries are especially meaningful. This month marks one year since the passing of my dad, who was an attorney and a major inspiration to me. He is the primary reason I am a lawyer today. When I think of my dad, the words that resonate are “kind, generous, and loving.” It was just his personality — he was so affable, authentic, and curious. He was not a strict father. He set boundaries, but he also encouraged us to learn and find our own way. My dad actually told me, “Don’t go to law school.” Whatever our parents say, we do the opposite, right? He told my sister the same thing, and she also became an attorney and works in our firm today. I used to go to work with our dad and watch him. He treated everybody the same. It didn’t matter who you were or how much money you had — he gave you the same level of respect, kindness, and care. He would take on causes that probably didn’t make any business sense because he was trying to help people. Those values ran deep. He originally was planning to be a priest and attended seminary. That’s where he was when he met my mom. After he began practicing law, his work was still grounded in that desire to be a listener and a source of comfort.
Page 3
Page 4
HOW WE CAN HELP Kevin McManus Law assists clients with personal injury and long-term disability claims throughout Missouri and Kansas. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis and offer free consultations. Call (816) 837-4433 today or visit our website for more information: KevinMcManusLaw.com.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS!
We’d like to thank the following clients and referral partners for trusting us with their referrals. Your support gives us the ability to help others.
KELVIN F. MEYERKORD, RUSSELL & HERGOTT GRUNDY LAW
YASIR M. JORGE H. KEVIN S. LISA M. FISHMAN LAW
JOHN O. TARYN R.
CONTINUED ON PG. 3 ...
1
KevinMcManusLaw.com • 816-837-4433
ISSUE 4
Lost but Not Forgotten A Determined Feline Finds His Way Home No Matter the Distance
Cats are known for many things: their independence, impeccable balancing
Susanne never lost hope and recalls a moment during their trek home when she saw a double rainbow in the sky. “That’s a sign for our Rayne Beau that he’s going to be okay,” she said. The Anguianos finally got the call they had been waiting for about two months after their Yellowstone trip. Their microchip enrollment company called and said Rayne Beau had been found and turned in to the Placer SPCA in Roseville, California (over 800 miles from Yellowstone and 200 miles from their home)! The next day, Benny and Susanne drove to Roseville to pick up Rayne Beau. Upon arrival, they discovered he had lost 6 pounds, had minor paw injuries, and was malnourished. While seeing their beloved fur baby in such a condition wasn’t easy, the Anguianos made it a point to fit their cats with AirTags and Rayne Beau with a GPS tracker. Rayne Beau’s ability to find his way back home remains a mystery. However, it proves that love (and feline internal GPS) can overcome any obstacle, no matter the distance.
skills, and endless fascination with shoelaces. However, who would have guessed that our beloved feline friends have an innate GPS built into their brains?
This furry tale of two kitties all started when a California couple, Benny and Susanne Anguiano, decided to take their two cats, Rayne Beau and Starr Jasmyn, on their first trip to Yellowstone National Park. The couple says this wasn’t the cats’ first rodeo. In fact, they loved looking out the big windows of the RV at the different wildlife. However, their epic park adventure turned into a nightmare on this particular trip. Shortly after arriving at Yellowstone, something startled Rayne Beau, and he ran into the forest. The couple searched for him for four days, leaving out some of his favorite treats and toys to lure him back to them. Unfortunately, Benny and Susanne’s efforts were short-lived, and they had to return home to Salinas, California. A husband and wife enjoying a morning jog in a suburban neighborhood near Kansas City last fall had no reason to fear serious injury. As they neared an intersection, the woman noticed a car approaching the stop sign there, and assumed it would heed the sign and stop. So, she continued running through the intersection. Jogging behind her, the woman’s husband watched in horror as a catastrophic scene unfolded. The car failed to stop, struck his wife, and threw her body 10 feet onto the asphalt in the middle of the street. He raced to her side, checked her vital signs as she lay unconscious, and called 9-1-1. The woman was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where her diagnoses included concussion and post‑concussion syndrome. Drivers at fault in crashes involving pedestrians often try to blame the victim traveling on foot, and this case was no exception. The driver who ran the stop sign claimed to police that the woman had caused the collision. Often, vulnerable pedestrians are so badly hurt in these accidents that they can’t provide their own account of the incident to police at the scene, giving negligent drivers a chance to rewrite the story. Case Study
Jogger Falsely Blamed for Her Own Injuries Wins $500,000
Fortunately, the couple in this case retained a personal injury attorney at our firm. We immediately conducted a full investigation and brought in experts to support our client’s claims. The woman was suffering from cognitive, visual, vestibular, and psychological impairments, including memory loss, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, neuropsychological testing showed. These disabling symptoms are likely to persist, perhaps for the rest of her life. Of course, drivers of vehicles in these accidents are not always to blame. Sometimes, pedestrians can be held liable in collisions with a moving vehicle — if they walk out into the path of a speeding car, for example, or if they were intoxicated at the time. In the case of this unfortunate jogger, however, the driver was clearly at fault. Our attorney was able to secure a $500,000 settlement for our client, the maximum allowed by the driver’s insurance policy, without going to trial. Our attorneys have experience in handling these cases, and we will mount the strongest possible case on your behalf. If you or someone you love has been involved in a pedestrian accident with a moving vehicle, call us today!
2
KevinMcManusLaw.com • 816-837-4433
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
... CONTINUED FROM COVER
Our firm has substantial experience handling and winning claims denied under policies governed by the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the federal law that controls most group long-term disability plans. For example, we won $322,000 in back benefits, plus potential future payments of as much as $3.7 million, for an attorney who was denied long-term disability pay after contracting multiple sclerosis. We also won $277,000 in back benefits, plus ongoing future payments, for an insurance agent who was forced by severe brain and spine disorders to close her business. Losing the ability to work for a long period because of an illness, accident, or other disability is a harrowing experience. Insurers make matters worse by denying long-term disability claims in an estimated 60% of cases, citing reasons ranging from inadequate medical evidence to failure to comply with specific policy requirements. Handling ERISA cases requires specialized legal knowledge. Even attorneys experienced in representing plaintiffs in workers’ compensation and Social Security disability claims will often refuse to handle ERISA cases. The federal law tilts the playing field in favor of employers by forbidding jury trials or punitive damages. Even federal judges agree that ERISA stacks the deck in favor of employers. If you are considering applying for long-term disability benefits or have recently had your application denied, we will advise you on the best legal strategy to follow. We can help you file the most effective application possible. And if your claim was denied, we will analyze the reasons, collect evidence to support your appeal, and handle all the paperwork and communication with the insurance company. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today at 816-837-4433 for a free consultation. Frequently Asked Questions ARE YOU EXPERIENCED IN HANDLING CLAIMS UNDER ERISA?
Over the course of my dad’s career, I saw him transition from defense to the plaintiffs’ side. That sparked my interest in doing the same. Just as prosecutors do in the criminal justice system, plaintiffs’ attorneys seek justice for people who have been wronged but through the civil system. Looking back, I think my dad didn’t want us to go to law school because he knew it was a difficult profession. We are dealing with people’s problems all the time. He was probably frustrated by the heavy time demands. He understood the business of law can be challenging, and it is. But for my dad, and for me as well, the law revolves around people’s stories. By listening, being present, and being authentic, honest, and kind, we try to build relationships so strong that our clients will trust us with the hardest aspects of their lives. When people ask me what I do, I say I tell my clients’ stories to skeptical insurance companies or juries. I love that part of my job. Those are some of the lessons I took from my dad. We listen, help them with their problems, and tell their stories to skeptical juries and judges. On the first anniversary of his passing, I know I will continue to find meaning in all he taught us for years to come.
-Kevin McManus
Take a Break
WHAT IS KEVIN READING? The Five Dysfunctions of a Team By Patrick Lencioni Pageturners
CHOCOLATE DREAM EQUALITY GROUNDHOG
GRAMMY KING LINCOLN PIZZA
ROSES SUPER BOWL VALENTINE WOMEN
3
KevinMcManusLaw.com • 816-837-4433
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
OVERLAND PARK OFFICE 7500 College Blvd., Suite 559 Overland Park, KS 66210
KANSAS CITY OFFICE 1100 Main St., Suite 2620 Kansas City, MO 64105
LEE’S SUMMIT OFFICE 1308 NE Windsor Dr., Suite 6 Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
KevinMcManusLaw.com KMLabogados.com Call (816) 837-4433
A Personal Message From Kevin McManus Welcome to our Newsletter! We’ll introduce you to our office team, share client stories and life lessons, updates about
our work and community, and have some fun along the way. Have feedback? Email us at info@kevinmcmanuslaw.com and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you. We’re On Your Side!
We Would Love to Receive a Review From You! Your review could help someone else in need! Simply scan this QR code to leave your review today.
The Big Fix The Biggest Scandal in MLB History
If you had dedicated your life to a sport, and the team you played for made it to the championship in its premier professional league, how much would it cost for you to throw that opportunity away? This was not a hypothetical question for the 1919 Chicago White Sox but an actual offer.
they took Sullivan’s pitch, and sentiments began to change. Rumors swirled about a possible fix. After horrific performances from those involved, the White Sox lost their first game to the Reds 9–1, the second game 4–2, and after five games, they were down in the series 4–1. But Sullivan’s promised payments failed to meet the amount promised. He delayed the per-defeat payments, and the players were furious at being stiffed. The Sox began to play to their full potential, winning the next two games 5–4 and 4–1. Then, despite playing to win, they lost game eight of the series 10–5. Journalists investigated the rumors that the World Series was fixed, and eventually, the players involved were charged with conspiracy. However, after making their sworn confessions to a grand jury, the transcripts of their testimony mysteriously disappeared. Without crucial evidence against them, the players were acquitted. Despite this, the MLB banned them from the league for life, and the team was given the infamous moniker the “Black Sox.”
The White Sox were about to play in the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, but the players were underpaid and disgruntled, which gave gambler Joseph “Sport” Sullivan an opening. Sullivan offered the White Sox players a payout of $100,000 — the equivalent of over $1.8 million today — to throw the series, and many jumped at the opportunity.
The White Sox were favored to win the World Series 3:1, and sports media pundits at the time were convinced they would win easily. Then
4 KevinMcManusLaw.com • 816-837-4433
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator