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RUNNING THE MARATHON
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK
Joel Hamilton Shares His Civic Engagement Experience
Maybe it was a small dose of insanity that prompted me to do it, but I like to think it was a lifelong interest in politics that motivated me to run for a seat on York County Council. I majored in political science and worked on local campaigns while obtaining my undergraduate degree at Winthrop University. I also believe that my position as a lawyer provided me with the tools to analyze and make decisions on public policy.
A few weeks later, I ran into a friend of mine who happens to own a local radio station. He asked me if I had considered running for the open county council seat, and I mentioned that I had. Fast forward to a few days later, and a local article mentioning I might run for the seat was published. By March 2018, I announced my campaign for York County Council, but no amount of schooling or experience could have prepared me for the process of actually campaigning. It was incredibly humbling to ask friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and strangers for their confidence and funds for this campaign. But the greatest part of the experience was the support I received. I had volunteers who were knocking on doors in 100-degree heat, people stopping by my office with checks, and others who spent an entire summer campaigning for me. It was absolutely incredible. Ultimately, I was elected to serve York County, and I quickly learned that being elected to an office is a lot like running a marathon after a 5K race. You work tirelessly to win, and when you achieve that feat, you have to step up to the occasion and work for the position you got. But since day one, every council member and county official has been helpful as I adjust to my new position. Since I joined the County Council six months ago, I’ve learned that I am lucky enough to work with compassionate leaders who are there for the right reasons. To this day, I’m thankful for the amazing team that supported me throughout the race and those that continue to support me today. I have a loving wife, who has provided all the support from home that I could have ever needed, and I’m blessed with a law practice that allows me some flexibility. Thank you for a tremendous experience, York County. I can’t wait to see what the upcoming months bring.
Yet, before I understood campaigning or laws, I was
July 2019
raised to believe that you should use your talents to give back to your community. Whether you serve on boards, donate your money or time to an organization, or run for local office, you owe it to your community to be an asset. Even at Schiller & Hamilton
Law Firm, our mindset is to be servants to our clients, so it only makes sense that I abide by this philosophy in my personal life as well. In early 2018, the county councilman in my district announced he wouldn’t seek reelection. I told my wife I was considering running for his vacant seat, and I received her full support. I went to school here, I live here, I’m raising a family here, and I work here — my whole world is York County and this district. But I still wasn’t sure, and I decided to head into my Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm office, positioned on a corner in Rock Hill, South Carolina, to run numbers. Before I left, my wife asked me to help get our two little girls out of the bathtub. This stalled my trip to the office, but ultimately, it may have saved my life. As I was driving, the local police department called to let me know that a car had driven into our office precisely where I would have been sitting. The thought of running for County Council was put on hold as I grasped the shocking turn of events and managed the reconstruction of our firm.
803.366.0333 197 S Herlong Avenue Rock Hill, SC 29732 843.379.5006 78 Sams Point Road Beaufort, SC 29907 803.285.2900 302 N Main St c Lancaster, SC 29720 843.341.9418 16 William Pope Drive Suites 101 & 103 Bluffton, SC 29909
–Joel Hamilton SCHILLERHAMILTON.COM
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Watch Their World Expand With Every Step HIKING WITH YOUR KI
Hiking has many benefits as a family activity, such as mental health improvement, strengthening your relationships, and experiencing new sights and discoveries together. It’s also great exercise, and you get plenty of quality time, fresh air, and sunshine. Here are three guidelines to help you and your kids have fun on your next hike.
they can explore independently and ask about the world around them, they’re gaining the confidence to teach themselves.
Bring Along Some Tools of Discovery
Getting your children to engage in nature while you’re out hiking can be as simple as bringing a magnifying glass along with you. Let your kids look at leaves, rocks, insects, or anything else you might come across on the trail. You can also bring binoculars to help them look at a bird that might be perched a little too high up. Another option is a bug holder to let your kids catch smaller insects, such as grasshoppers or pill bugs, and give them a close-up look.
Encourage Their Curiosity
One of the best ways to have your children learn about the world is letting them explore it. Being there for your children and encouraging them to ask questions about flowers, bugs, or animals you see on the trail will help them expand their vocabulary and learn how things work. When they learn
Burning Negligence Why the McDonald’s Coffee Case Matters for Personal Injury Lawsuits Today
The McDonald’s Coffee Case has been parodied on TV shows for nearly 30 years now, and if you believe this case is a frivolous lawsuit — like the image the fast-food marketing geniuses have painted — you may be surprised to learn the real details. THE FACTS In February of 1992, Stella Liebeck, age 79, was sitting in the passenger seat of her grandson’s car after getting a McDonald’s coffee. Since the car did not have cup holders, she balanced the cup between her legs to add sweetener. The coffee spilled across her thighs, causing third-degree burns. Ultimately, Liebeck was hospitalized for eight days and underwent two years of medical treatment, during which she was partially disabled. Liebeck’s initial $20,000-request for McDonald’s to cover her medical expenses was counteroffered by the multibillion-dollar company for $800. Instead of accepting that offer, Liebeck sought the help of attorney Reed Morgan, who sued McDonald’s for gross negligence. In August of 1994, Liebeck’s attorneys argued that McDonald’s required its restaurants to serve coffee at 180–190 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just a mere 30 degrees from boiling point. A liquid that hot can cause third-degree burns within three seconds of skin contact. McDonald’s counterargued that its coffee would be cool enough to drink when commuters made it to work, hence the high temperatures. However, reports found that McDonald’s knew their coffee was too hot and detailed 700 burn complaints. Ultimately, the jury found McDonald’s to be 80% at fault for Liebeck’s burns, and, after appeals, the case was settled out of court. The money went toward Liebeck’s care prior to her death in August of 2004. THE VERDICT’S EFFECTS Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants proved corporations cannot get away with negligent practices and ignore customers’ complaints. (See our article on mass tort cases on Page 3 for more information on this!) Despite misinterpreted outcries shaming this case as frivolous, legal experts agree that while Liebeck is responsible for spilling coffee, she should not be held responsible for thinking the coffee would not burn her the way it did. If she had known the pain she would endure, she may have exhibited greater care.
Today, restaurant coffee is still served near a piping 190 degrees, but better packaging and labels have made for safer morning routines. We have Stella Liebeck to thank for that.
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At Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm, we share the justice system’s widely held belief that consumers deserve proper compensation after corporate neglect leaves them injured and buried in bills. That’s why our legal experts are helping local victims in the following mass tort cases. MONSANTO/ROUNDUP The World Health Organization determined in 2015 that glyphosate was “probably cancerous.” This news garnered attention since the toxic chemical is found in the widely used weed killing concoction, Roundup. Yet, Roundup’s manufacturer, Monsanto, continued to label the product as safe for use. In 2018, a California jury found Monsanto and the product’s current owners, Bayer, were at fault for causing a former gardener’s cancer, and awarded him millions of dollars. HERNIA MESH More than 1 million hernia patients are treated with hernia mesh, which is designed to hold the intestine in place permanently or temporarily. However, the Food and Drug Administration has found that hernia mesh surgeries have failed for nearly 30% of patients, resulting in additional pain, costly medical bills, and lost wages. As mesh products continue to be recalled, juries are awarding millions of dollars to patients. 3M EARPLUGS In July 2018, 3M was ordered to pay the U.S. Justice Department and its rival company, Moldex, $9.1 million after it was discovered that it knowingly sold defective earplugs to the U.S. military for more than a decade. The design of the earplugs did little to muffle the sound of the heavy machinery, which linked the defective plugs to numerous ear conditions. In fact, according to the Veterans Affairs Office, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) is the most claimed disability by veterans. TALCUM POWDER Commonly known as baby powder, talcum powder’s soft make-up has made it the go-to product for chafing and rash prevention. But scientific research going back as far as the 1960s suggests a potential link between the substance and ovarian cancers. Experts claim manufacturer Johnson & Johnson may have neglected to investigate these claims and did not warn customers of a possible danger. If you or a loved one has been injured by any of these products, you deserve to be properly compensated. The legal experts at Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm can evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process. Learn more by calling 1.850.436.6304. We’ve got your back.
Keep Safety in Mind
While you’re out on the trail, it’s essential to make sure that both you and
your family are safe. Wear breathable, noncotton material and sturdy shoes that don’t expose your toes. It’s important to dress according to the weather. For example, if the day is sunny, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and apply plenty of sunscreen on any exposed skin. Bring your kids’ favorite snacks and water bottles for everyone to stay hydrated. It’s crucial that you also bring a fully stocked first-aid kit in case someone is injured on the hike. Starting with one of your local hiking trails can be a rewarding way to spend the day with your kids. You can watch their excitement as they expand their world with new discoveries.
TAKE A BREAK!
SOLUTION ON PAGE 4
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK.
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Joel Hamilton’s Political Career
Hiking With Your Kids
The Lawsuit That Fought for Fair Treatment
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Sudoku
Injured by a Major Company? We’ve Got Your Back! Get Even More Out of Your Grill This Grilling Season!
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GET MORE OUT OF YOUR GRILL THIS SUMMER
3 Foods Made for Grilling
During the summer, the backyard grill becomes the place to be. It’s the best site for sharing grilled meat and memories. But as you grill this summer, why not take a step out of your “meat comfort zone?” Whether you prefer gas or charcoal, just about any backyard grill can be transformed into an all-purpose, high- temperature oven. Get ready to kick some of your favorite foods up a notch! Here are three foods that are great for grilling. PIZZA Making your own pizza at home is incredibly easy. You can make your own dough or buy it at the grocery store. Roll it out, add all your favorite toppings, then toss it on the grill. Just make sure your pizza will fit on the grill first! You may need to make smaller personal pizzas if you have a smaller grill. Pro Tip: The hotter you can get your grill, the better. At 500–600 F, it may only take a few minutes to completely cook the pizza, so don’t leave the grill. This is the best time to
use a pizza stone (if you have one) to ensure a golden-brown crust, but you can place the pizza directly on the grill. BREAD There’s nothing like making your own artisan bread at home, and you can do it right in the grill. You can create your own flatbread, rolls, or full loaves with just about any bread recipe. It all comes down to time and temperature control. 500 F tends to be a safe bet. If it’s too hot, you’ll overbake the outside while the inside remains raw. SALSA You can kick up the flavor of any homemade salsa by first grilling each ingredient you want in your salsa, such as tomatoes, jalapeño, onion, or garlic. This includes salsa with fruit, such as mangoes or peaches. Allow each ingredient to get a light char, but be sure to remove the charred skin of the tomatoes after grilling. Leaving it on can result in a burnt flavor rather than a smoky one.
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