Law Office of William F. Underwood - April 2019

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APRIL 2019

Little League Memories REMEMBERING MY BEST FRIEND, DAVID JORDAN

When you’re a kid, you don’t think too much about how important your friendships are. It’s only when you’re older that you realize how much someone can affect you. I met my best friend when we were both 6 years old. David Jordan and I were both in a local T-ball league, and we were placed on the same team, the Bluejays. In this league, you started in the outfield before you could move up to the infield, and as you aged up through the program, you had the option to hit without a tee. For David, moving up in this league barely made him break a sweat. was our team’s starting pitcher. We played on the Bluejays together for three years, and if we weren’t playing baseball, we were likely riding our bikes to each other’s houses or battling it out on the football field or basketball court. Every so often — maybe on an off day — I could beat David, but for the most part, he was an athletic beast. He even managed to beat me with an injured foot, which he sustained during one of our competitive tennis matches. He quickly moved on from the outfield, and by the time he was 7 years old, he

he was one of the best little league players in the region. As someone who has never claimed to be athletic, I figured I didn’t stand a chance in that batter’s box. By some miracle — more likely an errant pitch — I managed to hit a home run off of David. It’s a day I’ll never forget, nor did I ever let him forget it. By eighth grade, David’s talent had landed him the starting shortstop position on our high school’s baseball team. (And I hit a home run off that guy!) I was repeatedly impressed with David’s athleticism, but I’ll always value who he was as a person. David was a good-hearted, trustworthy guy who would give anyone the shirt off his back in an instant. David was friends with anyone and everyone, and he made every conversation seem so easy. I could talk to him about anything. On Feb. 9, 2019, David passed away. He was only 37 years old, but in less than four decades on this earth, David left an impression on everyone he met. He battled his own demons, but he never let anyone battle theirs alone. Sure, he had tremendous potential to be a star on the professional baseball diamond, but he exceeded every expectation one could hope for in a friend.

I was repeatedly impressed with David’s athleticism, but I’ll always value who he was as a person.

By the time we were 9 or 10 years old, we were playing on different local baseball teams. Prior to the start of the season, our teams would scrimmage one another, just to get a feel for the real season. I remember one of these warm-up games going against David and his mighty arm. I knew what I was up against;

Thank you for 30 great years of friendship, David. (Oh, and just in case you forgot, I hit a home run off of you when we were 10.)

-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III

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FINDING THE RIGHT TIME TO GET YOUR CHILDREN INTO SPORTS ACTIVE SEARCHING FOR ACTIVE PASTIMES

Whether you were the star player or the kid who picked flowers in the middle of the field all game, almost everyone has memories of being on a sports team when they were young. Some lose interest over time and pursue other activities, while others find they really enjoy their sport, maybe have a real talent for it, and continue playing until they are young adults. Whatever the case, parents should take a couple of factors into consideration when determining if their child is ready for sports. If they begin playing too early, it might turn them off to the sport before they really understand it. It could also result in premature wear on muscles and bones that prevents them from playing their sport later on. Most experts believe that the proper age for introducing your child to sports is somewhere between 6 and 9 years old. When they are younger than 6, it is important for them to be active, but their motor skills are not yet developed enough to play most competitive sports. Trying to get them to understand this fact at that age might only make them frustrated with the sport and make them dislike it before they can even give it a try. Even when children are between the ages of 6 and 9, they might not be ready for sports that require higher forms of coordination, like football or hockey. Instead, try sports like T-ball, soccer, or karate. They won’t be ready for more intensive sports until they are 10–12 years old.

If your child does not seem to enjoy team sports, you might see if they may like more individual sports, like running or swimming. Their personality can be just as significant as their age when it comes to choosing the right sport.

Some children might not show interest in organized sports at all. If your child does not seem interested in any sports, even though they are old enough to understand the rules and are coordinated enough to play, you might want to consider other activities, like art or music classes. Still, it is essential that they are active for at least an hour every day, no matter their interests. Sometimes kids will get frustrated with the sports they play (even if they like playing them), and they might want to quit. If your child doesn’t seem to like the sport you signed them up for, encourage them to at least finish out the season. They might just need a little more time to warm up to it. However, if they still aren’t enjoying it at the end of the season, help them find other activities that they might like better. Ultimately, when a child is ready to play sports, it is important to stay in tune with what brings them joy and what keeps them mentally and physically healthy.

WORK ZONE SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR COMMON CONSTRUCTION INJURIES

A job in construction is hard work, and few employees face as many dangers as construction workers. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 20 percent of worker fatalities in 2017 were caused by negligence and accidents on construction sites. For work that is so significant to society, it’s only right that construction workers get fair treatment after an injury. As a construction worker, your body may face a litany of physical complications due to your career. Workers may face electrocution, broken limbs, spinal injuries, concussions, deep cuts, chemically-induced ailments, and head and neck wounds. These injuries could stem from falls, equipment malfunction, coworker or personal accidents, chemical spills, fires, or explosions. Unfortunately, some companies cut corners and avoid proper safety regulations, making job sites more dangerous for their workers. Employer negligence may result in various equipment-related injuries, falls, and broken limbs.

immediately after the injury to later be able to prove the nature of the accident. However, determining fault in a construction site personal injury case can be tricky. You, your employer, a coworker, or another company could be at fault for your injury. Witness statements, photos, videos, and medical and police reports can all go a long way in determining fault in a construction site injury. It’s not uncommon to sustain minor scrapes when you do physical labor, but all workers deserve a safe working environment, free of dangerous injuries. It’s important to remember that while you are doing physical labor, injuries are not “just a part of the job.” You should not have to live with chronic back pain or nerve issues because of a fall or struggle to regain full arm strength after an accident. At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, P.C., III, we believe every employee has a right to safe working environments and fair compensation. Working through workers’ compensation and personal injury cases can be complicated, so let our experts help. Give us a call at 229-888-0888 or visit PuttingPeopleFirst.law.

A worker has 30 days after a workplace injury to file for compensation. In addition, they must seek medical attention

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FINANCIAL FLUCTUATION Budgeting During Your Personal Injury Case

When you’re injured, you may have many fears. You wonder how you’re going to heal, what your next steps should be, and, of course, how you are going to afford all this. The justice system created workers’ compensation and personal injury cases as a way to help those facing injuries bounce back, but until that compensation comes in, you may be strapped for cash. Consider some of these tips to stay afloat during your personal injury case. Combat any financial surprises or mishaps by establishing a plan for your financial future. Assess what you have and what you need, consider the debts you have to pay off, and set realistic goals for how to get there. You deserve compensation, but until you get it, you have to set responsible limits. And remember, this doesn’t have to last forever. This is just a plan to help you gain control of your finances right now. Start Planning

classes. It can be overwhelming to start over from scratch or face a financial hurdle, but you can survive this, even it means asking for help.

Consider Options

When you’re injured in an accident, there are many options to consider. You

may have to undergo physical and mental

treatment, and unfortunately, these healing options are expensive. Talk with your providers about setting up payment plans, so you can continue necessary treatments. Additionally, consider some expenses that you can put on the back burner as you wait for compensation. Consider downgrading your cable package, eating out less, and spending less on shopping trips. Laying low could help your case, too, as you will appear responsible. At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, P.C., III, we want to see you lead a successful life after your personal injury case. Learn more about how we can help by calling 229-888-0888.

Ask Advice

Whether you’re an expert or a novice in the financial game, seeking third party advice is always helpful. Local experts, books, and online courses can help you learn about budgeting and planning after a personal injury. Additionally, local colleges, support groups, and community centers often offer financial literacy and planning

Inspired by Saveur Magazine.

Hear From Our Happy Clients

Opening Day Hamburgers

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“Trey Underwood is one the hardest-working and brightest legal minds of our profession. I have had the pleasure of working with Trey in cases involving catastrophic injury and have seen his compassion in action and the attention to detail his support staff provides. I highly recommend Trey and his team if you need a good lawyer.” –Adam Malone “Trey Underwood is an excellent attorney. What I most admire about him is that he is easy to talk with, communicates legal issues clearly and simply, and puts his clients at ease with his solutions to their legal issues. He takes the stress and worries away. I highly recommend him!” –Mark Petro

1 pound ground chuck, 80 percent lean 4 soft, white hamburger buns, split

• • • • • 4 small leaves iceberg lettuce 4 1/4-inch-thick yellow onion slices 1 teaspoon vegetable oil Salt and pepper, to taste Condiments of your choice cooking until desired doneness, about 1 more minute per side for medium-rare, 2 more per side for medium-well. 4. Let meat rest for a minimum of 3 minutes. 5. To assemble, place patty on bottom bun and top with tomato, pickles, lettuce, and onion (in that order). Spread condiments on top half of bun and place on top of onion. Serve.

• •

4 1/4-inch-thick tomato slices

12–16 pickle rounds

Directions 1. Lightly grease a small nonstick skillet with oil. Heat over medium-high. 2. While heating, gently shape meat into four patties 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Be careful to handle the meat as little as possible to prevent tough burgers. Season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Sear patties on each side, about 1 minute per side. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue

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inside Remembering David Jordan PAGE 1 Letting Your Kids Have Fun With Some Healthy Competition PAGE 2 Compensation for Construction Site Injuries PAGE 2 Budgeting After an Injury PAGE 3 What Our Clients Are Saying PAGE 3 Three Travel Myths Debunked PAGE 4

Three Travel Myths You Should Stop Believing PARIS ON A BUDGET? Traveling has many social and educational benefits, but some people have hesitations that prevent them from jetting off on new adventures. Below are three debunked travel myths to give you some ease as you plan your summer vacation! be safe. Go with your gut and only stay somewhere that is approved by travel guides. Visit places you feel comfortable in, and do your research by reading travel blogs, websites, and books to find places that have been vetted by others. Traveling in groups can also be a great way to lower your risk of danger. As long as you plan ahead, you will have a safe trip.

Myth: Vacations are expensive. Fact: You can travel anywhere on a budget. Tracking flights to score the best deal, setting spending limits, and packing meals are a few ways to save money. Hostels and Airbnbs are great alternatives to spendy hotel stays. Additionally, you don’t have to cross the country to have a great trip. Every state has museums, unique roadside attractions, historical sites, and a booming nightlife.

Myth: Jet lag is caused by a lack of sleep. Fact: While jet lag can make you sleepy, it’s actually caused by a disruption in your circadian rhythm. Our bodies are cyclical, and the circadian rhythm is set by both a natural need for your body to reset and outside forces, such as your job, time zone, and diet. Travel can disrupt this rhythm and routine, which leaves you lethargic during and after your vacation. Sticking to water before and during your flights and staying physically active during and after traveling are great ways to fight jet lag and get back into your normal rhythm. Don’t let these travel myths keep you from seeing the world. Set a budget, go with your gut, and prepare for a shifting rhythm to make your next adventure the best one yet.

When you know your price limits and what you want to do, traveling can be a fun and inexpensive venture. Myth: Traveling is dangerous. Fact: If you’re smart about what you do and where you go, traveling can

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