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18 MAY
Road to justice
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The Workers’
Getting injured at work is nobody’s idea of fun.When the worst
the reason for this misunderstanding, you should have an attorney look over your policy to ensure you are receiving
Comp System Isn’t Always Fair
happens, you’d like to think your employer would have a policy in place that’s designed to benefit you. Unfortunately, that is not how our workers’ compensation system is set up. Because your employer has to defer to their insurance provider and that provider will do what’s best for their bottom line, employees often get shortchanged.That’s why legal representation
all the benefits available to you.
Another common problem is employees discussing their claim with an insurance representative without realizing that the representative has a vested interest in denying their claim. It’s important to know that these conversations
can be crucial for your workers’ comp claim.
For smaller claims, like those concerning simple injuries from which you’ll make a full recovery, you probably don’t need to hire an attorney. These cases are usually just a matter of covering a small amount of missed work and rarely run up against denials from the insurance company. You may need to have an informal hearing in front of the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC), but it will be a straightforward affair. Usually, it’s just a matter of making sure you are compensated for whatever period of work you miss. More serious injuries involve more serious claims. These are the claims that incentivize the insurance company to make every effort to win through attrition. Most employers opt for the lowest-premium option for workers’ comp insurance. That may be a decision based on abstract economics, but it can have a real impact on workers. The math is pretty simple. The only way a company can charge lower premiums is by denying claims or paying out as little as possible. If you don’t have an expert looking out for your best interests, it’s easy to get shortchanged. I want to be clear; I don’t think this process is the result of purposefully nefarious actions by evil people. Nobody is out there taking joy in duping injured workers — at least, I hope not. What it comes down to is an interconnected system that puts workers at the bottom of the totem pole. It’s an attorney’s job to make sure your voice is heard. We’ve seen all sorts of underhanded tactics deployed in service of minimizing the value of claims. An employee may be told they aren’t eligible for certain benefits when in fact they are. That might be the result of a manager who doesn’t understand the nuances of a compensation policy or a green insurance rep who doesn’t have the full picture. Whatever
are not with a neutral party. You are under no obligation to speak with an insurance rep in this manner. Instead, you should seek out the advice of an attorney before you accidentally harm your claim by saying the wrong thing. The relationship between doctors and insurance companies can create a conflict of interest in regard to workers’ comp claims. The doctors covered under your insurance policy work directly with your provider. As a result of this relationship, doctors may err on the side of an overly tentative diagnosis. Again, I don’t think doctors are intentionally acting in bad faith. They are just predisposed to deliver a report that matches what the insurance company believes. To help remedy this, we work with a number of doctors who can objectively assess your condition and present their findings to the WCC.
Do I wish the workers’ compensation system were set up to better serve workers? Of course. Am I holding my breath for that day to arrive? Definitely not. Whether I like it or not, it’s on the employees to prove the validity of their workers’ comp claim. Luckily, an attorney can help you do just that. –Jim Snell
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Get More out of
Use Board Games as a Teaching Tool
FIND THE RIGHT GAME FOR THE RIGHT AGE It’s important to find games that fit your children’s abilities. Complex rules, small pieces, or mature content can make some games inappropriate for young kids. The first thing you should do is check the recommended age range on the packaging. This will help you find the best match for your kids. CONSULT THE RULES Whether you’re new to a game or an old pro, it’s worth spending some time going over how the game is played. Not only will this help you teach your kids how to play a new game, but these rules also provide valuable insight into the skills the game teaches. Even games of pure chance, like Chutes and Ladders, can teach young kids motor skills, a sense of fair play, and what good sportsmanship looks like for both winning and losing. Does the game have rules for trading among players, like Monopoly or Settlers of Catan? These sorts of games are a great way to teach social skills. Does it offer multiple paths to victory, like Chess or Tokido? These games teach strategy and critical reasoning. Games like Pandemic require players to work together, teaching valuable teamwork and leadership skills. TEACH BY EXAMPLE While gameplay itself can be a great teacher, being a role model for your children during game night is the most important thing you can bring to the table. No matter their age, showing your kids how to lose gracefully, win magnanimously, and have fun no matter what are skills they will carry with them the rest of their lives.
Game Night
Meet Joe DiGrigoli LoverofWordsandWine
2 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476
3 of History’s Bravest Moms Mothers Shape the World
IRENA SENDLER (1910–2008) When the Nazis invaded Warsaw in September of 1939, Irena Sendler, a 29-year-old social worker and mother of two, hatched a scheme to rescue Jewish children from the brutal ghettos. Along with many friends and colleagues, she smuggled out nearly 2,500 Jewish orphans, hiding infants on trams and garbage wagons and guiding kids through a labyrinth of secret passageways beneath the city.
Moms make the world go round. After running the gauntlet of childbirth, they raise and guide us throughout our lives, shouldering the tremendous burden and responsibility of motherhood. Mothers are in turn formidable, kind, powerful, gentle, wise, fierce, patient, supportive, empathetic, driven, and full of love. In honor of Mother’s Day, here are three historic moms who never stopped fighting for what they believed in.
SOJOURNER TRUTH (1797–1883) Before she escaped from New York slaveholder John Dumont, Sojourner Truth had at least three of her children sold away from her. When Dumont went back on his promise to emancipate Truth and her infant daughter in 1826, she took the girl and fled to an abolitionist Quaker family, but she was forced to leave her other daughter and her 5-year-old son, Peter, behind. Soon after, she learned that Peter had been illegally sold by Dumont to a slaveholder in Alabama, so she went to court and secured his safe return. It
EMMELINE PANKHURST (1858–1928) Despite being a wife and the mother of five
children — two of whom died tragically young — Emmeline Pankhurst became one of the fiercest advocates for women’s suffrage in the late 19th century. After founding the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903, she and her cohorts adopted an aggressive strategy to raise awareness for the issue; they began by buttonholing politicians and staging rallies, then progressed to vandalism, window smashing, and arson. She was instrumental in the movement. Pankhurst lived to see women gain the right to vote in 1928.
was the first successful case brought by a black woman against a white man in American history. Truth went on to become a prominent abolitionist and a speaker for women’s rights, delivering her famous impromptu speech,“Ain’t I a Woman?” in May of 1851.
trivia
Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus
british wigs
Asparagus and steak is a classic pairing. Skirt steak packs a ton of flavor without the high price point of other cuts, and this is the best time of year to buy asparagus. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get grilling!
Supreme Court Justices no longer wear powdered wigs like their British counterparts. Do you know which president decided on this change of wardrobe?
INGREDIENTS
Send your answers to Shannon (shannon@snelllaw.com).
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2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
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1 1/2 pounds skirt steak
1. The first correct answer wins a $25 gift card to Starbucks.
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2 tablespoons canola oil
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Grated pecorino Romano cheese
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1 pound asparagus
2. All other submissions are entered for a drawing to win a second $25 gift card to Starbucks. 3. The funniest wrong answer will be chosen by Shannon and will also win a $25 gift card to Starbucks. All entries must be sent to Shannon by 5/25/18, and the winners will be announced in our next monthly issue.
•
Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
doneness. Skirt steak is thin and will cook quickly. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, grill asparagus for 6 minutes, turning once. Sprinkle cheese and crushed red pepper on asparagus. Serve alongside steak.
1.
Heat grill to high. Season room-temperature steak with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon oil.Any oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, will work. Trim bottom inch of asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and remainder of oil. Cut steak into four portions and grill for 3–5 minutes per side, depending on desired
4.
2.
5.
Congratulations to last month’s winners: Gregory C. and Janice J.
3.
Inspired by Food Network
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The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC 123 Harmon Street Lexington, SC 29072
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Inside this Issue
Workers’ Compensation Concerns PAGE 1
What Board Games Can Teach Your Kids Spotlight on Joe DiGrigoli PAGE 2 3 of the Most Formidable Moms in History Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus PAGE 3
Snell Law Office Happenings PAGE 4
Catch Jim Snell
In Print and on the Airwaves
Up until a few years ago, Jim Snell was reticent about putting himself out there. He’s always been comfortable talking about the quality of our firm and the work we do, but he wasn’t eager to be the “face” of our practice. Somewhere along the line, however, he must’ve grown more comfortable — or perhaps he just got tired of us pressuring him to be more visible. Whatever the reason, Jim is honored to have been featured on local media recently. Mr. Snell and our firm were recently featured in Columbia Metropolitan magazine. A lot of local residents have mentioned the profile to us. Mr. Snell even received a letter from our Congressman, Joe Wilson, congratulating him on the profile.“Your achievements have earned you great respect and admiration in our community, as you have set the standard for excellence in South Carolina,” Congressman Wilson wrote. We have to admit, hearing these words from a true leader in our community made us blush.
In addition to this profile, we will also be on the cover of the May issue of Lexington Life magazine. We always strive to make a contribution to the members of our community, and it means a lot to know that local publications are taking notice. Mr. Snell, for his part, is still more comfortable in the courtroom than at a photo shoot, but we’re very proud to see him taking his deserved place among our more prominent residents. Print isn’t the only place you can find our firm locally. If you listen to Gary David on 560 AM radio, you may have heard some ads featuring Mr. Snell’s voice over the airwaves. Recording the ad was a fun process, and we’re really happy with the results. While you don’t have to worry about Mr. Snell leaving his career in law to become a Hollywood star anytime soon, we are proud to be recognized by community institutions.
4 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476
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