Take a look at our December newsletter!
816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 dickersonoxton.com DEC 2025
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
The 12th month of the year is never short of memorable milestones and magical moments, and I’m enjoying plenty of both these days. December is always a positive time here at the firm, as we generally have an opportunity to slow things down. Since most of our clients are focused on their holiday plans and taking some well-earned time off, we avoid scheduling trials in January and adding more commitments to anyone’s schedule right now. This pause allows us to review our successes from the past months and consider ways to strengthen our services in the coming year. Looking back at our work in 2025, I’m proud of the great success we achieved for our clients. The growth of our medical malpractice section was a particularly significant highlight for me, as I settled my first case in this arena earlier this year. Cases often take considerable time to reach the finish line, so settling one so early in the development stage of this new area of our expertise was incredibly rewarding. It served as a profoundly personal and positive reminder of the vital work I and the rest of the firm do for our clients. On behalf of everyone on our team, thank you for your continued trust in us to help you receive the justice you deserve. Of course, I’m also gearing up for this year’s round of holiday celebrations. My family and in-laws live here in Kansas City, so we have the luxury of not traveling far for family gatherings. That said, the next few weeks will still be very busy. My parents are divorced, so my husband and I will have three holiday parties to attend this month, between his folks, mine, and our extended families. Somehow, we always make the logistics work, and spending time with our loved ones is always worth any stress in getting there. WINS AND WONDER Heartfelt Highlights of the Year That Was
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
The holidays with our family are also great fun! My husband’s extended family sometimes does a white elephant gift exchange. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s a game where people bring funny, silly, or downright bizarre gifts and anonymously place them in a pile. People then go around and either open a new gift or “steal” one that’s already been opened. Although these exchanges don’t always happen because some family members are too spread out to come over and participate, it’s always entertaining to see who ends up with each odd gift. Most of all, I’m looking forward to being around the little ones in my family. I have nine nieces and nephews, and watching all the kids open their presents is a lot of fun. We always go around in order from youngest to oldest, so everybody can watch as each one opens and discovers their gifts. Seeing the kids so excited and happy around the tree is a joy. Away from all the family fun, my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting Italy for the first time earlier this fall. It was two weeks I’ll never forget, and I can’t wait to see where our travels take us next! Whether your holiday plans include interstate (or even international) travel or enjoying the comforts of home, we wish you peaceful, fun-filled moments that will last a lifetime. May the next few weeks give you peace and perspective to guide you toward a safe, prosperous, and fulfilling new year.
BURN INJURIES
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Happy Holidays!
–Ashley Billam
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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Trailblazing Chihuahua Led Searchers to Lost Owner TINY PUP, BIG HERO
DECEMBER DAN Dodge Impaired Driving Th
The holiday season is one of the happiest times of the year, but it can also bring tragedies that can change lives forever.
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and for good reason. Sadly, more drunk-driving-related fatalities occur in December than at any other time of year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 1,100 people in the U.S. were killed in drunk driving accidents in December 2022 alone, the highest number of fatalities on record since December 2007. These figures are a stark reminder of the dangers of getting behind the wheel while under the influence. Although alcohol-related accidents are on the rise, collisions caused by drivers impaired by other substances are equally concerning. Based on studies conducted by NHTSA between 2019 and 2021, approximately 25% of all drivers being treated in trauma centers had THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in their systems. The National Safety Council (NSC) warns that opioids, various over-the-counter medications, fatigue, and even stress can also impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely and adhere to traffic laws.
When 85-year-old Barbara Crosby went missing in the California wilderness, no one expected her travel companion, her loyal dog Pancho, would become her savior. Spotted by residents in the area, the adventurous pup led rescuers straight to his owner, navigating a steep embankment that could have spelled disaster.
The pair went missing on an early Saturday morning when Barbara, who has dementia, wandered away from her senior living home with the Chihuahua mix. Search and rescue teams immediately began
MALPRAC Common Caus
to look for the at-risk adult but saw no sign of her throughout the day. As they were about to pack up for the night, multiple residents reported that they had spotted Pancho in the area. Thanks to details from these glimpses of the would-be hero, rescue crews could pinpoint Pancho’s travel path, which led down a 70- foot steep embankment off the road. After hiking to the bottom, they found him hiding under some brush and followed him to where Barbara lay sleeping nearby. Due to the rugged terrain, the team had to utilize a litter and rope system to lift Barbara to safety and promptly take her to a nearby hospital. Though she was no longer in harm’s way, the crews couldn’t stop to celebrate too long. Pancho pulled a hound-ini act and ran off before rescuers could lift him out. Residents spotted the runaway dog the next day, just a short distance away. Dehydrated and exhausted from the ordeal, Pancho was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and is back to his old self. The county sheriff’s office recognized Pancho’s life-saving act in a special thank-you online, stating that his “loyalty and presence near Barbara’s location helped lead us to her, truly the unsung hero of this rescue.” They also thanked the search and rescue crews and the community members who shared their Pancho sightings. This Chihuahua’s keen instincts guided rescuers through tricky terrain, proving heroes come in all sizes. Thankfully, this duo’s adventure ended in tail wags and plenty of treats.
Few things are more devastating than the broken bond of trust between a patient and a doctor or other health care provider.
Medical professionals have a legal duty to provide care that meets the accepted standards of their specialty. Unfortunately, medical malpractice can and does occur, leaving patients with serious or fatal injuries and prompting legal remedies for these miscarriages of care. Here are four common errors that often lead our firm to pursue medical malpractice cases. SURGICAL ERRORS Errors made during surgical procedures include damaging or severing nerves, puncturing or otherwise damaging a neighboring organ, leaving a sponge or another object in the body, failing to treat infections, or performing procedures for which consent was not given. NEGLIGENCE IN PRENATAL CARE OR DELIVERY Birth injuries may occur if the medical provider was negligent in identifying critical health dangers for the mother or baby, or was too forceful or used inappropriate methods during the delivery.
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Additionally, impaired driving is a serious risk at any time of day. The NSC cautions that one in every 12
U.S. workers has an untreated substance abuse issue. In addition to contributing to unsafe driving to and from employment, drug overdoses comprise 9% of workplace deaths annually. Please follow these tips from NHTSA.org to do your part to curb impaired driving-related accidents in December and all year long. • Plan for a sober ride home if needed, and designate someone to hold you accountable. • If you choose to drink, don’t drive impaired. Call a sober friend, rideshare, or taxi, or take public transportation to get home safely. • If you’re hosting and see someone about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them get home safely.
TAKE A BREAK
This December, make getting home safely the best gift you’ll give yourself and those you love.
CRISPY PROSCIUTTO AND CHEESE SLIDERS
MISDIAGNOSIS OR POOR DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS Failing to diagnose a patient’s medical condition properly can lead to serious injury and even death. Additionally, neglecting to identify likely conditions during a differential diagnosis, in which a medical provider suggests multiple conditions as the cause of a patient’s health issue, could lead to a malpractice claim. FAILURE TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE PHYSICAL EXAM In some cases, patients who visit a medical provider due to health complaints are not even physically touched or given a full exam by their doctor, leading to misdiagnosed or completely overlooked conditions. Various other factors may lead to a just and successful medical malpractice claim. If you have sustained an injury due to a doctor’s or health care provider’s negligence, please contact our office for a free consultation. You will not pay for our services unless we recover an award on your behalf. CTICE MATTERS ses of Clinical Neglect
INGREDIENTS •
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. On a parchment-lined
3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto 1 package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise 1/4 cup fig preserves 3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese 3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese 1/2 cup melted butter 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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baking sheet, arrange prosciutto and bake for 8–10 minutes. 3. On a separate lined baking sheet, place the bottom halves of the rolls and spread fig preserves over them. 4. Layer with fontina and Swiss cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto. 5. Place the top half of the rolls over the prosciutto and gently press down. 6. In a bowl, mix butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, and black pepper. 7. Pour butter mixture over rolls. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. 8. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, and separate before serving. 3 Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
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1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 2 chopped garlic cloves • Black pepper, to taste
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Thoughts on Growth and Gratitude Pancho Becomes Lifesaver in Wilderness Rescue Help Stop Christmastime Collisions Frequent Failures in Health Care Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders The Great Travelers of the Animal Kingdom
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and gazelles, follow the rains in what’s known as the Great Migration. Their route forms a massive loop across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, filled with dangers, from predators like lions to perilous river crossings guarded by crocodiles. Despite the risks, this spectacle continues each year. ALTITUDINAL MIGRATION While some species traverse continents, others take shorter but equally vital journeys. Many animals, like Red Pandas, spotted owls, and snow leopards, practice altitudinal migration and climb to higher elevations in summer when food is abundant. Then they descend in winter for shelter and warmth. Though smaller in scale, these seasonal shifts are just as critical for survival. Migration is a survival strategy shaped by millions of years of evolution. Nature’s great migrations are living reminders of resilience and interconnectedness. Every journey, whether by bird, butterfly, or wildebeest, shows how far life will go to endure.
THE WORLD’S MOST REMARKABLE ANIMAL MIGRATIONS FROM SKY TO SAVANNAH
Across the globe, animals of all shapes and sizes embark on extraordinary journeys that defy the imagination. Whether by flying, swimming, or running, these migrations are nature’s way of balancing survival with the ever-changing world. Some of these trips cover thousands of miles, while others involve climbing mountains or crossing rivers, but each demonstrates resilience, instinct, and the interconnectedness of life on Earth. A RECORD-BREAKING TRAVELER One of the most remarkable travelers is the Arctic tern, a small seabird from the icy North Pole that flies to the far reaches of Antarctica and back, logging up to 25,000 miles! That’s
the longest migration of any animal on the planet. For a bird weighing less than a smartphone, it’s an incredible feat. JOURNEY ACROSS GENERATIONS The monarch butterfly tells a different kind of migration story: one of teamwork across generations. Starting in Canada and the northern U.S., monarchs head south toward central Mexico. Along the way, they breed and die, passing the torch to their offspring. By the time the journey is complete, 4–5 generations have passed over the span of the trip. THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION On the savannahs of East Africa, over a million wildebeest, accompanied by zebras
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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