WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404.994.6218 | NOVEMBER 2018
IT’S CALLED ‘THANKSGIVING’ FOR A REASON GRATITUDE IN BUSINESS, FAMILY, AND A LITTLE BIT OF FOOTBALL
W hen I look at the past year and how life has changed, I notice the joy I’ve found in accomplishment. Teri and I started the year by making actionable goals. The biggest goal was to expand our practice to include the field of personal injury. We’ve accomplished that and, in turn, served more people in need. We also started working with a mastermind group to learn best practices and bounce ideas off each other. This serves as a layer of accountability as well, because we’re encouraged to show the steps we’re taking to foster growth, which makes a significant difference in not just our practice but also our personal lives. The more I reflect on this group and our growth, the more thankful I am. Teri has been instrumental in the success of our firm. She’s the lightning to my thunder, and I’m so grateful to have someone who balances me out. I know when I show up to work in the morning, she has my back. We may process the world in different ways, but I view this as a strength. Just as the law has systems of checks and balances, thanks to Teri, so does our firm.
For now, it’s all about Thanksgiving. When my kids were younger, the holiday was huge in both stature and numbers. We had immediate family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and everyone together for a large gathering. Over the years, Thanksgiving has gotten a little smaller, but the amount of love hasn’t changed, and that’s the most important part. Just because my house is a little more empty this year doesn’t mean I’ll be alone. My youngest daughter will be coming back from school, and we’ll head out to Louisiana to join tens of thousands of raving football fans. The Saints and Falcons are playing on Thanksgiving, and the Bayou Classic between Grambling State and Southern U will also be going on, so it’s going to be football, family, and food. I’m following a more plant-based diet now, but that won’t stop the tradition of the Obiorah family bake-off. Every Thanksgiving, we throw down on cake, and on Christmas, we try cookies. I’m proud to say I’ve worn the championship belt for Thanksgiving three years running, but my son would like me to tell you he has claimed the Christmas championship for three years. We want to make sure we have impartial judges, so we take our concoctions to the neighbors to be taste-tested and follow that up with family taste testers on the specific holiday. I’ve got my eye on the double this year, cookies and cake. If you want to judge too, just call the office. We might be able to work something out (as long as you vote for me).
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I FEEL SO GRATEFUL FOR OUR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH, BUT FOR ME, GRATITUDE STARTS AND ENDS AT HOME.
I feel so grateful for our business success and growth, but for me, gratitude starts and ends at home. My son turned 13 this year, and seeing him, my youngest, grow into a man certainly creates a sense of pride. My middle child just started her freshman year at Brown, and to witness her high school success pay off by her getting a quality college education is more than fulfilling. My oldest daughter graduated from Columbia and recently used her German degree to get a job as a teacher in Austria. Her being out of the country has me looking forward to Christmas, when we will see each other again.
–Danielle Obiorah
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With the holiday season upon us, more people are hitting the highway. Between preparing and storing the pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes, picking out the best family-photo attire, and wrangling the kids in the car, by the time you get behind the driver’s wheel, you are already stressed. But once you pull out of your driveway, you now must share the road with thousands of other drivers dealing with the same stresses as you. The statistics regarding vehicular accidents show that there are more accidents between the months of November and January than during any other of time of year. While none of us here at Obiorah Fields, LLC, would ever wish an accident on anyone, the sheer number of people on the road during the holidays ensures one is imminent. For this reason, our team wants to offer some helpful information for navigating the emotional minefield associated with accidents. What may appear to be a normal fender bender in a parking lot could be devastating for passengers with pre-existing medical conditions, such as a traumatic brain injury. Physical injuries after a car accident may be easier to identify, but oftentimes the emotional trauma incurred THE HARSH TRUTH ABOUT HOLIDAY TRAVEL THE EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS
SKIP THE SALES AND HAVE SOME PIE 3 REASONS BLACK FRIDAY ISN’T WORTH YOUR TIME The day of chaos will soon be upon us. In a few weeks, Americans will leave their homes with bellies full of turkey to descend upon retail stores in the feeding frenzy that is Black Friday. Sure, it’s a bit stressful, but with all the great sales and gift-giving holidays on the horizon, Black Friday is the best day to knock out that shopping list, right? Not really. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t bother with Black Friday. YOU WANT THE LOWEST PRICES If you’re waiting to get the best deals of the year, Black Friday probably isn’t the day to go out. While stores may offer one special item at an outrageously low price, the rest of the sales can’t compete with other times of the year. Headphones are cheapest in August, vacuums are more affordable in April, and if you’re shopping for the holidays, keep in mind that toys will be priced at their lowest 10 days before Christmas. YOU WANT THE BEST BRANDS Here’s an insider secret: Most stores get new inventory to advertise specifically for doorbusters and Black Friday sales. New TVs at 75 percent off will get lots of people in the door, but those televisions aren’t the best brands. If you need a cheap dorm TV, then Black Friday is your day. But if you want a quality television to show off your 4K Ultra HD copy of “Avengers: Infinity War,” you’re better off waiting until after the New Year. YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY It’s hard for people to say no when they’re afraid they’ll regret not jumping on a deal when they had the chance. So they grab the $750 laptop because it’s $200 off, buy some new winter coats because they’re four for the price of three, and fill their cart with other incredible sales. Do you need 10 HDMI cables? Of course not. But when they’re on sale for $2.99 each, how can you say no to that bargain? If there is a specific item you want that’s on sale during Black Friday, like those cute department store boots or a PlayStation 4, then by all means get out there early and take advantage of the deal. But if you have a long shopping list, want to save money in the long run, or don’t know what you’re after, Black Friday isn’t worth the stress.
is more difficult to diagnose or treat. Nonetheless, emotional trauma can be part of any car accident claim.
According to some national estimates, around 9 percent of those who survive a car accident eventually develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is significant considering that it doesn’t
even account for other medical conditions that can arise after a crash, such as depression, anxiety, or any number of phobias. You can tell whether you’re suffering from emotional trauma by some of the more common symptoms,
including: sleep loss or sleep disturbances, weight fluctuations, moodiness and irritability, compulsive behaviors, or exhaustion. If you have been experiencing these symptoms for longer than three months after your accident, or you know someone else in a similar predicament, our attorneys encourage you to reach out to a counselor for help. If you have further questions or would like us to refer you to a professional we trust, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (404) 531-1591.
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VETERANS SUFFERING FROM TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES HAVE THE RIGHTS TO DISABILITY BENEFITS
The men and women who have fought for our freedoms often suffer from serious injuries. Among the most commonly seen injuries are traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A TBI occurs when the brain’s function is impaired due to a severe blow or impact. While many people might think their wounds need to be visible to receive disability benefits, a head trauma sustained while serving in the military makes you a candidate for disability benefits. The different categories that define TBI help to understand the severity of an injury. There are three categories TBI can fall under, each with varying symptoms. • MILD TBI - This is more commonly called a concussion. The symptoms for mild TBI include trouble concentrating, irritability, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, headaches, and memory problems. These symptoms are usually short- lived, ranging from a few minutes to hours but have been known to persist over months or years.
common symptoms include mental or physical deficits that can last for months or permanently, confusion for days to weeks, and loss of consciousness from an hour to a day.
• SEVERE TBI - This results from a serious head injury received in a traumatic incident, such as a car accident or an open or penetrating wound. Symptoms from this injury include significant changes to sensory abilities, vision, cognitive functions, and speech abilities. Most veterans immediately realize the severity of their injury. However, this can result in a misrepresented injury during the initial application for disability benefits — the result of which could lead to a claim denial. Our attorneys at Obiorah Fields are here to assist veterans who have been denied benefits by Veterans Affairs. We are ready and willing to represent you during the appeals process, file your Notice of Disagreement, and ensure that your case continues to move through the system. Contact our offices today using the number below to learn more.
• MODERATE TBI - Of the three categories, moderate TBI has the widest array of symptoms. Some of the more
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SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES
INGREDIENTS
• 5 pounds sweet potatoes • 1 cup canned coconut milk • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
Black Friday Colonies Feast Football
Gobble Grateful Gravy Potatoes
Thankful Thanksgiving Tradition Turkey
Inspired by The New York Times
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Football, Family, and Food
1 2
What to Know Before Black Friday Shopping
The Harsh Truth About Holiday Travel
The Rights to Disability Benefits
3
Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes
A Historic Veterans Day
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A HISTORIC VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR I
This year, Veterans Day takes on particular historic significance: Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Countries around the world will commemorate the signing of this peace agreement with moments of silence, centennial ceremonies, and historical exhibits.
end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following July. An
Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a celebration of life. It’s a day to honor the power of peace and the living veterans across the globe who have served their countries. This November, take a moment to remember the war that helped shape the international community’s dedication to peace and thank the individuals who served to defend it. THE GREAT WAR By 1914, a world war had been years in the making, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by a Serbian nationalist provided the spark that would eventually burn down
much of Europe. A chain reaction of land disputes, pre-emptive attacks, and strategic alliances brought over 30 countries into World War I. The Great War that ravaged Europe resulted in a devastating loss of life, but from those ashes rose a renewed appreciation for the importance of peace and a global effort to ensure its place in the future. THE RESTORATION OF PEACE In 1918, Germany surrendered unconditionally, and the armistice ended the fighting at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, though the war did not officially
estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians died in just four years, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history. VETERANS DAY Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the one-year anniversary of the armistice, and it became a U.S. holiday in 1938. Today, Veterans Day celebrates veterans who served their country honorably. The U.K., France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate their veterans in November. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service this month.
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