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Just Ask Adrianos
December 2024
FacchettiLaw.com
626.793.8607
Delivering Legal Help to Those in Need PRO BONO BENEFITS
Throughout 18 years as founder and head of my own personal injury law firm, I have worked to get people what they deserve. I have long believed everyone should have access to high-quality legal advice, regardless of their circumstances or position in life. That is why our offices teamed up recently with Home Again L.A., a respected nonprofit organization, to offer a free legal clinic for people in need. The event was designed to serve as a bridge between community members and the legal support they deserve. More than 20 households that receive services from Home Again L.A. received free consultations from me and two other attorneys on family, employment, and personal injury law issues. The other participating attorneys were Ani Mazmanyan, a senior associate in employment law at Lagasse Branch Bell and Kinkead, and Siranush Zhamakochyan, a family law attorney.
Attorneys participating in the five-hour event also helped residents access the resources they needed to achieve greater stability and self-reliance. Home Again L.A. and its predecessor organization, Family Promise of the Verdugos, have been providing rapid rehousing and homeless prevention programs since 2010, helping more than 600 unhoused families find permanent places to live in the Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena communities. One young father who consulted me during the free clinic had a question about a possible personal injury claim. After we discussed his legal concerns, he told me he had recently been forced out of his job as a grocer. His manager became hostile toward him and sharply reduced his hours after a disagreement about an injury the young man’s toddler had suffered at the store. The young man asked to work more hours, but his manager refused, and he was eventually forced to leave. He had two small children and was trying to do right by them, and he just needed a little help. “Let me ask you a question,” I said. “Are you good with your hands?” He said he was. “Do you want to work?” Again, the young man said yes. “Let me make a phone call right now,” I said. I reached out to a friend, a contractor similar in age and background to the young man. I told him the young man’s story, then added, “I don’t want to put you on the spot, but this guy wants to work. Do you need someone like him?” My friend’s answer was an enthusiastic yes. I hung up and shared my friend’s contact information with the young man, urging him to call. Our goal that day was to empower individuals with knowledge and support, and that young man left in a hopeful mood. Building that bridge for him felt good, and I hope he made that connection. In this season for giving thanks, I am glad to have this and other opportunities to contribute to others in a community that has done so much for me.
-Adrianos Facchetti
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Bicycle Accidents Auto Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents
CANINE COUNSELORS THE ROLE OF COURTHOUSE DOGS
they also greatly emphasize how schools treat their puppy pupils. To become accredited, a school must also employ humane training methods, have a valid health care regimen, and employ well-trained and evaluated trainers. The accreditation process is essential because courthouse dogs are only assigned to a handler after at least two years of training. If you think in dog years, that’s the equivalent of a Ph.D. in being a fluffy, adorable companion. Handling Business Once a dog has graduated from an accredited dog school, it is ready to be assigned a handler. The handler essentially adopts the dog and is responsible for housing, feeding, and caring for the professional pup. The handler is typically a victim advocate, forensic interviewer, police officer, or attorney, as they most often interact with people needing the dog’s expert care. Handlers also can’t have other dogs in the home who are overly aggressive, and most handlers provide support to the courthouse dog during off-hours. A secondary handler is typically necessary, as they can accompany the dog when the primary handler is required elsewhere. The Drawbacks Issues can arise if court employees or participants are allergic to dogs. Dog dander, a common allergen, can be on handlers’ clothing, making them a hazard to those with strong allergies. Care must be taken to avoid contact between handlers, their dogs, and those allergic to the animals. Similarly, some people have intense phobias of dogs; in this case, similar measures should be taken to avoid contact between the dogs and these individuals. The Benefits Courthouse dogs can seem alien in the stuffy courtroom environment, but their benefits greatly outweigh any breach in tradition or hindrance allergies or phobias may cause. They can help vulnerable witnesses regain the confidence to share their stories, no matter how difficult, and persevere through a challenging situation.
The courtroom can be an intimidating place. The formality, seriousness, and importance of our legal system — paired with potential trauma — can make it a challenging environment for those called to testify. Scared witnesses, victims of crime, and experts who are just having a down day can all have trouble when taking the stand. However, recalling a traumatic event can be easier with the help of a well-trained dog snuggled up against you on the witness stand, providing the mental nourishment to get through it. Courthouse dogs are used throughout the United States, providing an invaluable service often overlooked or unknown despite their noble purpose. They are professionally trained animals chosen from the most friendly and compassionate pool of dogs to provide reassurance in high-stress situations. Here is what you should know about these unsung heroes. Accredited Companions Not just any dog can become a successful courthouse dog. First, it needs to meet the professional standards. Only the friendliest and most adaptable dogs can cut it in an accredited assistance dog school. These hallowed nonprofit institutions are accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the world’s leading authority in the industry. ADI has been an integral part of the process since 1986 and only awards accreditation to organizations that meet its rigorous standards. While the ADI evaluates a dog school’s organizational operations, treatment of clients, safety, cleanliness, and compliance with legal regulations, “Courthouse dogs are used throughout the United States, providing an invaluable service often overlooked or unknown despite their noble purpose.”
2 | TELEPHONE: 626.793.8607 FACSIMILE: 818.860.7951
Premises Liability Dog Bites Wrongful Death Catastrophic Injuries
Picky Eaters HOW TO HELP KIDS ENJOY MORE FOODS
BRAIN GAMES
CARDINAL COCOA FROSTY GARLAND GENEROSITY MENORAH MITTENS PEPPERMINT PINECONES SNUGGLE UNITY YULE
No matter where you go in the world, most kids are picky eaters. According to a study published in Frontier, about 54% of kids are reluctant to try new foods. In the U.S., many kids will scoff at anything but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In France, it’s probably peanut butter and creme fraiche. And good luck getting Scandinavian kids to eat anything that doesn’t taste like black licorice or pickled herring! In all seriousness, parents everywhere have a similar problem. So, what’s the solution? Small Steps Kids go through many different dietary phases as they grow up. While frustrating, it is common for young kids to go through their “picky eater” phase. Some common tactics parents employ to counter this, however, are counterproductive . For instance, making kids eat everything on their plates can be stressful and make them even pickier than before. Instead, serving smaller portions is more helpful, especially when the foods are unfamiliar. Role Models When it comes to food, parents should lead by example. Eating together as a family and demonstrating how you enjoy the foods you are trying to introduce to your kids can go a long way to getting them to try new cuisine. While you’re at it, describing what you’re serving is a good idea so the textures and flavors don’t catch them off-guard. Introducing New Foods Building on the previous tips, introducing new foods, even in very small amounts, can help expand a child’s culinary boundaries over time. Even if the child does not eat the food the first time you put it on their plate, or even the fifth time, they will naturally become more familiar and comfortable with it. Studies show that you may need to feature new foods on their plates up to 15 times before kids are willing to try them!
Creamy Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup almond butter • 3 cups diced carrots • 3 cups peeled, diced sweet potatoes • Salt and pepper to taste • Cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil • 2 cups chopped yellow onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger • 2 tbsp red curry paste • 4 cups vegetable broth, divided
Directions 1. Melt coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté for 5–6 minutes. Stir in curry paste. 2. In a small bowl, whisk 1/3 cup broth with the almond butter until smooth. Add the mixture to the pot, along with the carrots, sweet potatoes, salt and pepper, and remaining vegetable broth. Stir to combine. 3. Bring soup to a low boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. 4. Blend with an immersion blender until the soup is smooth. 5. Season with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more spice if desired.
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Bicycle Accidents Auto Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents
Accomplished in Personal Injury Claims: Bicycle Accidents Auto Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Truck Accidents Premises Liability Dog Bites Wrongful Death Catastrophic Injuries
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
4444 W. Riverside Dr., Suite 308 Burbank, California 91505
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Empower the Needy Through Home Again L.A.
2
How Canines Bring Comfort to the Courtroom
Creamy Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
3
Conquer Picky Eating
Hospital Loses Part of Patient’s Skull
4
ANYONE SEEN A SKULL? Hospital Misplaces Patient’s Body Part
hospital scheduled the procedure to repair Fernando’s skull for November 2022, issues arose that made it impossible for the hospital to fulfill its end of the bargain. The hospital made errors when identifying the bone flaps and had no idea which skull fragments belonged to Fernando. Eventually, hospital staff
All of us have had to search underneath the couch cushions for a missing wallet or TV remote, or we’ve had to scour the mall parking lot in search of our somehow misplaced car keys. I would almost certainly lose my head if it were not attached to my body. Which, as it turns out, is why I definitely should not work
informed the patient they could not find his bone flap and, as a result, they would be unable to put the missing pieces back in his skull.
at one particular Atlanta hospital. In September 2022, the Emory University Hospital Midtown staff allegedly misplaced something more important than the contents of a patient’s pants pocket. Following his brain surgery, Fernando Cluster was horrified to discover that the hospital had misplaced part of his skull . What a Headache Fernando underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering a stroke and subsequent cranial bleeding. As part of the surgery, surgeons removed a portion of Fernando’s skull, known as a bone flap, with plans to reattach that portion of his skull after he healed from his surgery. While the
Suing Over a Skull Consequently, Fernando and Melinda Cluster have filed a civil lawsuit against the hospital. The Clusters claim the hospital’s failure to find his bone flap led to an extended hospital stay, increased medical debt, and undue pain and suffering. Not to mention, of course, the alleged negligence in misplacing a patient’s skull . If nothing else, the Clusters have a remarkable story to tell and, most probably, a large settlement headed their way instead of a fully functional brain cage.
4 | TELEPHONE: 626.793.8607 FACSIMILE: 818.860.7951
Premises Liability Dog Bites Wrongful Death Catastrophic Injuries
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