Take a look at our November newsletter!
1600 S. BRENTWOOD BLVD., SUITE 220 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63144 // FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222 // NOVEMBER 2022
I usually write about work in this column. I provide updates on cases and thoughts behind why we do what we do. Usually, that is what is on my mind because this is a column for work. But lately, I’ve been realizing there is more to who people are than work. Not the greatest insight you’ve ever heard, I know. We were jumping from trial to trial the last month or so, and luckily, some things settled down for a few weeks. For a bit, I felt a little lost. I still do. The end of summer and into fall had a plan to it, and it meant trying cases. Fortunately, we got some solid recoveries for clients and didn’t need the trials. So, the plan went away, and our ship is just drifting. Maybe it is just my ship. Candidly, as I write this, I am still kind of meandering. I need to get grounded back into the practice, but I also need to clear the deck as well. The importance of downtime is becoming apparent. Work smart, not hard is as true as ever. So, what does that mean, and why am I saying this? Because we are at a time when we must make tough choices on cases, our office cannot keep up the pace. We are not a big firm and pride ourselves on client communication and access. We’ve gotten to a place where that is not happening as it should. We cannot move cases as we should. We have to be more selective about where we spend our time. That means making cuts on cases and letting clients go. That also means making decisions based on what is good for people and not business. The reason this is hard is because we know we can help the clients, and we know we can make money for the office. That is good for everyone. But it doesn’t help when a case drags STAYING ON COURSE Through Engagement and Genuine Care
on because we cannot get to it. That helps no one. It upsets clients and upsets us. So, where do we draw the line? I don’t really know. And that means I will make some mistakes. Nothing is ever 100%. Nothing is ever for certain. I know for us to continue, we need to be selective and sharp. We must do whatever we can to stay sharp, committed, and engaged. No one wants to work or be involved in something that isn’t motivating. So, back to what I said — people are more than work. What does that mean? I think it means we need to engage our clients and coworkers in a manner that is more than just the office or a case: Genuine interest. Genuine empathy. Genuine connection. What do they do to make them who they are? Is who they are who they want to be? How can we support who they want to be? Fully engaged people are powerful and attractive. Experiencing that environment is invigorating. That is what we want to do at our office. That is what we want to create. That is what we will aim to do. Every couple of months, a good reminder like this is needed. That is probably why I am writing this.
We do have a trial coming up in a few weeks. It is a righteous one, and I hope to write about it in the next column. I hope to tell you about a great victory for our client.
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A Daily Dose of Gratitude RAISING THANKFUL CHILDREN
Most parents want their kids to view Thanksgiving as a meaningful event — not just an opportunity to indulge in turkey and mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, most kids’ eyes will glaze over when their parents launch into a lecture about thankfulness. You will likely find better success by emphasizing the value of gratitude all year long. “What do you say?” It’s a question we all ask our young children after someone does something nice for them. This practice instills good manners, but it shouldn’t be confused with teaching gratitude. Imparting the meaning behind the words “thank you” takes something more. If you want grateful children, you need to be grateful parents. Consider how you can incorporate
gratitude more into your everyday life. Are you as thankful as you should be? Do you repay favors and write thank-you notes? Do you regularly talk about why you’re so fortunate or what you’re thankful for? Cultivating gratitude in your life sets a good example, and many studies show it benefits your mental health as well. Next, consider how you can encourage your child to reflect on who they’re grateful for. Acts of kindness and returning the favor to those who have been good to us can inspire kids to put their gratitude into action. Doing some yardwork, sharing a toy, or making a painting as a gift can help children understand how powerful it can be to outwardly show our gratitude for the people who are in our lives. The objectives of World Day of Remembrance are to create a platform for road traffic victims and their families to: Remember all those killed and seriously injured on the roads. • Acknowledge the crucial work of emergency services. • • Draw attention to the trivial legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries. Promote evidence-based actions to prevent and hopefully stop future road traffic deaths and injuries. Road traffic accidents cause up to 50 million deaths and millions of injuries and are a continual daily disaster in every corner of the world. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), nearly 1.25 million people worldwide die in road crashes every year — over 3,287 deaths a day. • Advocate for better support for road traffic victims and their families. •
Consistency is the most crucial factor, so try to find ways you can incorporate gratitude into your everyday routine. Children of any age can keep a gratitude journal with their parents’ help. Some families also use a gratitude jar where each family member can write what they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and add something different to the jar each week. It’s the perfect way to keep gratitude front and center.
These lessons may not sink in immediately, but by cultivating
these positive habits in our everyday lives, you will see a big difference in the long run.
In the state of Missouri alone, there were 157,038 car accidents in 2019 and 131,390 accidents in 2020. The decrease most likely came from the decreased traffic on the roads due to the COVID-19 pandemic! But the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reported a total of 47,894 serious injuries and 47,794 deaths in car accidents in 2020, 221 of those fatalities caused by alcohol alone. This day has become an essential tool for governments and all those whose work involves crash prevention or response to the aftermath of an accident. It allows us to demonstrate the enormous scale and impact of road traffic deaths and injuries and advocate for urgent action to end it.
Every third Sunday in November is dedicated to those who lost their lives or were severely injured due to road accidents. Also known as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, it also pays tribute to the emergency responders and medical professionals who deal with the trauma of road death and injury on a daily basis. Give Thanks to Those Who Serve Others Paying Tribute to Victims of Road Traffic Accidents
Here at Finney Injury Law, we wanted to say thank you to the
emergency crews, police, and medical professionals who dedicate their time to serving others and pay tribute to those who lost their lives or were injured due to traffic accidents.
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I WANT MY MONEY BACK! Recent Graduate Sues Her College
College graduates are eager to get into the workforce and start using their newly acquired knowledge in the “real world.” However, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, only 20% of U.S. college students in 2009 had a job after they graduated. In 2009, Trina Thompson found herself in that 80% of unemployed graduates, and she wanted to do something about it. After graduating from Monroe College in New York, Thompson couldn’t find a suitable job. So she filed a $70,000 case against her school (the amount of her tuition for her bachelor’s degree) and $2,000 to compensate her for what she endured while searching for a job. In her lawsuit, she claimed that the college’s career counselors promised career advice and job leads but didn’t work hard
enough to find her a job. In addition, she suggested that Monroe’s Office of Career Advancement shows preferential treatment to students with high GPAs — not students like herself who had a low GPA. In response to the case, Monroe College spokesman Gary Axelbank said, “The lawsuit is completely without merit. While it’s clear that no college, especially in this economy, can guarantee employment, Monroe College remains committed to working with all its students … to prepare them for careers and to support them during their job search.” But Thompson or the college didn’t have to worry about attending trial because the case didn’t make it that far. Her case might have stood up in court if she hadn’t received a job offer. Her
media attention and IT degree caught the eye of Steve Bellamy, CEO of The Ski Channel. He loved her hunger and willingness to put herself out there, and he offered her a position at his company. Thompson got the job, so her case was eventually dissolved.
YOUR REFERRALS MEAN THE WORLD TO US There is no greater compliment we can receive than a client telling a friend or loved one about us. If you know somebody who has been injured and needs an attorney who will fight on their behalf and give their case the attention it deserves, please pass along this newsletter and have them give us a call at 314-293-4222. Thank you for spreading the word about Finney Injury Law.
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Inspired by Kenarry.com
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples • 1 1/2 cups cranberries • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided • 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup butter, cold • Vanilla ice cream (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
1600 S. BRENTWOOD BLVD. SUITE 220 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63144
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Staying on Course
2
A Daily Dose of Gratitude
2
Celebrating World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
3
Recent Graduate Sues Her College
3
Apple Cranberry Crisp
4
Donate to a Local Cancer Organization Today!
strengthened by action, and sustained by the community. They have over 150 workshops to help cancer patients and their families deal with cancer’s physical, psychological, and emotional challenges. Their website makes donating easy, and you can do so at CancerSupportStL.org . American Cancer Society This organization is on a mission to free the world from cancer! They continue to fund and conduct research, share expert information, support patients, and spread the word about prevention. They promote healthy lifestyles, fight for lifesaving policy changes, and provide the latest cancer information for those affected. To help build a cancer-free future, consider donating to the World Wide Technology American Cancer Society — Hope Lodge, St. Louis, Missouri. With community support and donations, we are one step closer to finding a solution and attacking cancer from every angle!
HOW NO-SHAVE NOVEMBER HAS INSPIRED MILLIONS
No-Shave November was created in 2009, two years after Matthew Hill passed away; he had struggled with colorectal cancer during November. He and his family had also adopted a practice of not shaving during the month and donated their shaving product expenses to charities and organizations that support cancer research. The idea has inspired millions of people across the country, and it is a fun and creative way to bring awareness to cancer. To support the practice, we have compiled a list of organizations supporting a broad range of cancer research you can donate to! Friends of Kids With Cancer Inc. This organization is devoted to enriching the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for, and survivors of, cancer and blood-related diseases. Their mission
is to advocate for these special kids and provide them and their families with the educational, emotional, and recreational support needed after long hours of chemotherapy, illness, and isolation. Your donations can help supply the children with entertainment such as toys, gift cards, books, board games, craft supplies, and so much more! Check out their website at FriendsOfKids.com .
Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis
As the largest professional-led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, this program provides social and emotional support and education to enhance the minds, bodies, and spirits of those affected by cancer.
Its mission is to ensure all cancer patients are empowered with knowledge,
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
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