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HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND APRIL 2022
I started my law career at a large international firm in Houston — one of the top law firms in the state. I’d had good grades in law school, and when such a prestigious firm offered me an opportunity with a significant starting salary, I didn’t see any way to turn it down. I worked on the 17th floor of a building with hundreds of other lawyers doing corporate and securities law. I certainly can’t say I enjoyed it. April 3 is National Take a Chance Day, and the first big risk I took in my career was leaving that life behind. When visiting my dad in El Paso, he introduced me to several personal injury attorneys. Their work sounded much more my speed — helping individual people rather than corporations. So, Sheri and I moved to El Paso and started working for an attorney named Tommy Gilstrap in 2004. It was a significant pay cut from corporate law, but I found the work much more fulfilling. On my first day, I started learning about medical malpractice cases, and soon, I was arguing motions. I wouldn’t have had that kind of opportunity for years at a larger firm. I learned a lot from Tommy, but eventually, I felt like I needed to venture out on my own. My family has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. My dad owned a skating rink, car dealership, and pool company throughout his life, and my brother has a finance company. So, starting a business was practically in my DNA. Plus, ever since entering personal injury, my passion has been for helping people. By creating my own firm, I could extend my reach further and increase my impact. Quitting my job at the end of 2012 was a complete leap of faith. I left the firm without a single client or an office space — and remember, and I had two kids to look after. Thankfully, Sheri’s job at a nonprofit helped keep us afloat A LEAP OF FAITH
TO GET AHEAD, YOU NEED TO TAKE CHANCES
while I tried to get off the ground. And I’m proud to say that I never missed a paycheck, so to speak; I always managed to scrounge up enough money to make ends meet. Soon, I started subleasing office space, dipping my toe into advertising, and building out a professional website. Almost 10 years later, I have another attorney working with me, Hadley, and have started a second law firm, Stewart + Harmonson, in New Mexico. Sheri could also quit her old job, which required a lot of travel, to come work here with me. The arrangement allows us to spend much more time with each other than before. None of that would have been possible if I hadn’t taken that chance of going out on my own. It wasn’t easy, but it was the best professional move of my career. It’s hard to make a change, and it’s even harder to bet on yourself. But there’s no time like the present to start. There’s an old Chinese proverb that rings true: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” I think that sentiment is true for anything in life — whether it’s starting a business, getting an education, focusing on your relationship, or improving your health. If you keep putting it off or spending all of your energy regretting missed opportunities, you’ll never get anywhere. So, whatever you want to do, get out there and take that chance. Don’t wait to overcome your fear of failure because it will always be there. It’s still with me now. The trick is to face your fears, look at your disappointments as learning opportunities, and always focus on growth. No one is going to take a chance on your behalf. You’ve got to create the life you want for yourself.
915.584.8777 • 1
BAD MED WHEN MISDIAGNOSIS IS ME
Have you ever noticed that springtime just feels lighter and brighter? That’s because, believe it or not, the seasons affect us. When spring rolls around, the energy shifts, and it’s up to us to maximize those positive vibes. Let’s examine how we can make the most of spring and inject some color and vibrancy into our lives again after a long winter.
RELY ON COLOR.
When experiencing a medical issue, we all rely on our physicians to diagnose us properly and provide the best treatment possible. Too often, however, patients receive a misdiagnosis, resulting in months or even years of additional suffering and harm to their health. When that happens, do they have any recourse to collect monetary damages? Misdiagnoses happen more often than we might like to believe. Heart attacks are commonly misdiagnosed as indigestion or panic attacks, infections as a virus, and blood clots as chest pain. Frighteningly, cancer is the most frequently misdiagnosed condition. The human body is complex, and each one works slightly differently. Some conditions are also rare or difficult to diagnose. Further, doctors are only human and can sometimes make mistakes or overlook a piece of information, just like the rest of us. For these reasons, misdiagnosis cases are tricky. But a doctor can be held liable for malpractice if their misdiagnosis resulted from negligence. A misdiagnosis can happen for many different reasons. In some cases, a doctor doesn’t follow proper protocols or go through the standard process of elimination when making a diagnosis. Other times, physicians may order the wrong tests
Colors have the ability to elicit certain emotions and feelings. Tropical tones and pastels are everywhere in spring — the clear sky, grass, and flowers — so allow them to fill your space and take them with you as constant reminders to smile. If you’re up for it, wear some new colors to brighten up your wardrobe, and don’t forget to take in a sunset when you’re able!
ENJOY MORE HOURS OF DAYLIGHT.
Spring brings more hours of sunlight and warming temperatures that can give you more time to enjoy your morning cup of coffee outside. You can take an early stroll around the block, get in a workout outdoors, or just enjoy the fresh air. Also, many areas observe daylight saving time, which extends sunlight into the evening, so no matter how you choose to spend your extra daylight, make it an adventure.
WELCOME SPRING-CLEANING.
SUDO KU
It isn’t called spring-cleaning for nothing! Decluttering, dusting, reorganizing, and tidying up feels great! It’s empowering and refreshing. There is something special about creating more space in your living space that gets the positivity flowing.
EAT FRESH, COLORFUL FOODS.
During spring, many delicious fruits and vegetables come into season. Berries, oranges, apples, carrots, avocados, cherries, spinach, and kale are all at their peak. Your local farmers market is a great place to get the freshest produce to fuel your body! Spring is a time for new beginnings and positivity. Make the most of this spring season by welcoming a fresh abundance of love and life.
SOLUTION ON PG. 4
2 • www.ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com
DICINE EDICAL MALPRACTICE
TRUCKING ACCIDENT LAWSUITS ARE RARELY RESOLVED QUICKLY
or misinterpret the results. A misdiagnosis can also happen when a doctor disregards symptoms reported by the patient.
If you’ve been involved in a collision with a large commercial truck, you’re likely to suffer more severe injuries and exorbitant expenses than in your average car accident. Unfortunately, you’ll likely also wait longer to recover damages you sustained in the aftermath. Claims that resolve quickly can take several months; more complicated cases can take years. Truck accidents take longer to resolve because an additional investigation needs to be conducted. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial trucks, and they will need to probe any accidents to determine fault. This process can sometimes take months. That’s on top of the insurance investigation. Before paying out, any insurance company will thoroughly review the facts and accident conditions. Insurance investigations eat up time after any collision, but the wait can be even longer when a commercial truck is involved. Additionally, since the injuries sustained in a trucking accident are often more severe, medical treatment can take much longer. Cases are frequently not resolved until the victim has mostly recuperated to ensure they receive the full recovery they deserve. Often, injured people will consider an early settlement offer just to put the issue behind them. It’s understandable behavior because the process can be stressful, but it’s also a big mistake. More often than not, these settlement offers are far lower than what the victim deserves — and can win if they keep negotiating or take the case to court. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. You can keep a case from lasting longer than necessary by thoroughly documenting the scene of the accident and witness contact information, contacting police and your insurance immediately, and regularly checking in with your doctor. Perhaps most importantly, you also need a communicative accident attorney to guide you through the process, keep you in the loop, and eliminate unnecessary delays.
To be successful in a medical malpractice lawsuit, you must prove four different factors. Firstly, you will need to establish that the doctor owed you a duty of care (meaning they were your actual doctor). Secondly, you must prove that the doctor breached this duty of care with negligence — the most crucial and challenging part of any case to prove. If your case can overcome this hurdle, you will also need to demonstrate that the misdiagnosis caused direct harm as well as any associated damages. If you’ve suffered a misdiagnosis, consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to learn your rights and determine whether to proceed with your case. The statute of limitations, the amount of time to file a lawsuit for misdiagnosis, is generally two years from the date of misdiagnosis in Texas and three years in New Mexico, so don’t wait to seek legal advice. Harmonson Law Firm has more than a decade of experience litigating medical malpractice cases, and we would be honored to discuss your situation and provide guidance on your next steps.
One-Pan Chicken Tacos Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
INGREDIENTS
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1 lb chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch pieces
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Canola oil (for frying)
Corn tortillas
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2 tbsp garlic powder
Grated cheddar cheese
2 tbsp cumin
Pico de gallo and guacamole salsa (to taste)
2 tbsp chipotle powder
Though it’s incredibly stressful to watch the bills pile up, patience is your friend when it comes to resolving any personal injury claim. In trucking accidents, the slow and steady plaintiff wins the race — and the full recovery amount they’re owed.
DIRECTIONS
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, garlic powder, cumin, and chipotle powder. Mix until the chicken is coated. 2. In a frying pan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken mixture. Cook on medium heat for 5–8 minutes. 3. Remove the chicken from the pan, and add the corn tortillas (avoid overlapping) so they soak up the juices. Flip the tortillas and repeat. Then, add chicken and grated cheddar to each tortilla and fold it over the filling — in the pan. 4. Cook the tacos for 3 minutes per side until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. 5. Top with pico and guacamole salsa, and serve!
915.584.8777 • 3
5505 North Mesa St., Suite 3 • El Paso, TX 79912 WWW.CLARKHARMONSONATTORNEY.COM 915.584.8777
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Creating the Life YouWant Requires a Leap of Faith
2
Welcome Spring With Open Arms
Can I Sue My Doctor for a Misdiagnosis?
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One-Pan Chicken Tacos
How Long Does a Truck Accident Lawsuit Take?
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Get Outdoors With the Family Through Cycling
Just Like Riding a Bike
CYCLING IS THE PERFECT ACTIVITY FOR ALL AGES
You likely learned how to ride a bike as a kid — according to a 2013 survey, about 94% of American adults did. Even if it has been a while since your last ride, most people agree you never forget how, and you don’t have to be in great shape to get started. Outside of walking, biking might be the most accessible exercise for all ages and ability levels. The beauty of biking is that it can be as relaxing or challenging as you want. The average kid learns to ride at around 5 years old, so the basics aren’t complicated. Biking helps young children get outside and gives them a taste of being a “big kid.” As a result, it’s excellent for their self-esteem as well as their fitness.
Older adults and people with knee problems also use biking as an alternative to other forms of exercise because it’s easier on their joints.
Meanwhile, those looking for a challenge can easily find one. If you want a strenuous workout, it’s easy to ride farther, increase the resistance on your bike, or pick a steeper bike trail to explore. Biking is only a cakewalk if you choose to make it one. Since it’s perfect for all ages, cycling is the ideal outdoor activity to do with your family, allowing everyone to be involved in quality time together while promoting their health. To get started, make sure everyone has a bike they can use comfortably and a helmet that fits, plus understands bike safety.
Cycling is also perfect for adults who are new to exercise or need a low-impact activity. A short ride on a flat surface will get the heart rate up without feeling too strenuous, making it optimal for beginners.
Once the basics are taken care of, you’re ready to hit the trails or explore the neighborhood.
Even if you never learned how to ride, there’s no time like the present. You might feel a little silly at first, but the benefits of cycling will serve you — and your family — well for the rest of your life.
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4 • www.ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com
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