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KRAMER LAWGROUP UTAH PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
THE KRAMER CHRONICLES CELEBRATING NATIONAL EMOTIONAL WELLNESS MONTH HOW TO CLEAR YOUR HEAD AND FIND SOME HOPE 10.19 WWW.KRAMERLAWGROUP.ORG | 801.601.1229
I was getting ready to pull out of my office driveway the other day, and I saw a car headed in my direction, but it was still a long way down the road. I had plenty of time to turn on my blinker, check my surroundings, and ease on the highway. Apparently, the driver behind me read the situation differently. He raced up behind me, honked his horn, yelled some expletives, and drove past me with his middle finger waving out the window. The entire drive home, I kept thinking about this interaction and was more and more bothered by it. After several minutes of replaying the situation over and over again in my mind, I realized I had a choice: I could allow myself to sink further into negativity, or I could choose to think about something else. In the end, I opted for the latter, and my night was much more pleasant because of it. I make the decision sound easier than it was, but, after spending years navigating the stress that accompanies life, I’ve realized how important it is to have command over your own thoughts and accept the work it often requires to maintain an elevated mood. Since October has been dubbed National Emotional Wellness Month, I figured there's no better time to share some of the daily habits I use to get my head in a good place. 1. POWER HOUR During the work week, I’ll get up an hour earlier than usual and take part in what I’ve come to call “power hour,” when I devote 60 minutes to meditation, prayer, and exercise. During the winter, I’ll hop on my indoor bike, but, once the weather is nicer, I’ll go for a quick ride outside. If I’m feeling more tired than normal, I’ll stay home and stretch. I’ve found I start my days feeling much more in control and centered whenever I make time for a power hour. It gives me a designated time to consider anything that might be adding stress to my life and find solutions. 2. DITCH THE CLATTER When I commute to the office or visit an injured client at their home, I no longer allow the radio to play
whatever music is topping the charts. While I’m a classic rock fan, opting for uplifting, educational, and inspiring playlists, books on tape, and sermons helps me focus on the positive progress I’m making in my life. 3. CONSIDER NUTRIENTS Another important mood enhancer stems from the food we put in our bodies. While it pained me to do so, I recently made a big effort to reduce the amount of sugar I eat. Because I grew up gobbling every sweet that my Dutch grandma could give me, I really struggle with this step, but I’ve found that eating light, healthier foods really does impact my mood for the better. 4. GRATITUDE JOURNAL At the start of every year, I buy a small daily planner from Walmart that has approximately four lines per page. Every morning during my power hour, I take time to write down four things that I’m thankful for that day. Sometimes it’s more general like my family, my health, and my staff, and sometimes it’s more specific like being able to get a morning bike ride in before work. After making a gratitude journal part of my daily routine, I’ve noticed my mind naturally looks for things to be thankful for. For example, just the other day, I pulled up to Costco to grab some groceries and found a parking spot right near the door, and I thought, “I’ll put that in my gratitude journal.” It’s amazing how the process can open your eyes to the joys all around you. While life is certainly stressful and it’s easy to get bogged down in the difficulties of everyday living, I genuinely believe every single person has the power to change their own thoughts. Don’t be a slave to your own negativity. Find what works for you to gain fresh perspectives, work through complicated issues, and focus on the hopeful aspects of life. I promise it will help.
–Ron Kramer
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Nearly 500 personal injury lawyers work in the state of Utah. While you may not have known the number was that high, if you’ve driven down any major city interstate (especially in Salt Lake City), then you’ve seen all the personal injury billboards and probably aren’t that surprised after all. If you’re in an accident and need legal representation, how do you know which attorney to choose and which ones to avoid? What makes one law office stand out above the rest? While there are plenty of competent firms out there, here at Kramer Law Group, we’ve made it our mission to put our clients’ needs above anything else. We know that following an accident, many clients feel like they’re carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Trying to navigate life when you’re physically and/or emotionally injured can be one of the toughest and most stressful experiences to endure. If you’re starting to feel the weight of your accident and injury, we want you to know you don’t have to face this struggle alone. To make your work with us as convenient as possible, we come to you, no matter where in Utah you might be! Plus, we offer 24/7 case consultations. Call us at any time, day or night, and we can start your free case review. Our dedicated team also helps car accident victims take care of their immediate transportation needs by securing a rental car while working to get a damaged vehicle repaired or replaced. Lastly, we guarantee that if we don’t help you win your case, then you don’t have to pay any fees. With over 10,000 cases won, we work hard to get the results you want and need. From the first time you contact us until the resolution of your claim and beyond, our top goal is to provide you with attentive, personalized service that exceeds your expectations. We know you have a lot of options when it comes to personal injury legal representation, but we want you to know we care about you, and we want to do all we can to make a tough situation better. Call us today to get started! YOU’RE NOT ALONE IF YOU’RE FEELING THE WEIGHT OF YOUR INJURY At Kramer Law Group, we pride ourselves on always aiming to consistently better ourselves and grow in a way that positively serves our clients. Referrals are an excellent way for us to help even more people. To those of you who have recommended our services to your family and friends, thank you so much. If there is anyone else you believe we could help, don't hesitate to send them our way! HOW CAN WE HELP?
HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS OR FIGHTING WORDS?
We’ve all played a harmless trick or two, but sometimes, Halloween shenanigans get out of hand. They can lead to hurt feelings, outraged neighbors, and, in the case of Purtell v. Mason, a lawsuit. In the days leading up to Halloween, all was not quiet in the village of Bloomingdale. Previously parked in a storage unit, Jeff and Vicki Purtell’s 38-foot RV was now parked in front of their house. In protest, neighbors petitioned to town officials, wanting an ordinance put in place to prohibit RV parking on residential property. While the ordinance was under consideration, Jeff Purtell took matters into his own hands. He erected six wooden tombstones in his front yard. They seemed to be innocuous Halloween decorations, but these tombstones displayed a special message for the neighbors. Each headstone was inscribed with a sarcastic message and house number, implying the occupants’ death dates. These messages soon caught the neighbors’ attention. “Bette wasn't ready, but here she lies, ever since that night she died. Twelve feet deep in this trench, still wasn't deep enough for that stench! 1690.” Insulted and a little afraid, Purtell’s neighbors called the police to have the headstones removed. After a couple of visits, Officer Bruce Mason arrived and threatened to arrest Purtell if he didn’t take the tombstones down. Purtell obliged, but the matter wasn’t put to rest. THE VERDICT Purtell sued Officer Mason on the grounds of violating his rights to free speech, and the case made it all the way to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Sykes ruled that the tombstones did not constitute fighting words and were protected under the First Amendment. However, she also ruled that Officer Mason was entitled to qualified immunity, as any reasonable officer would act the same under the circumstances. The bigger question might be how this case made it all the way to the U.S. Court of Appeals. As Judge Sykes wrote in her opinion, “Lawsuits like this one cast the legal profession in a bad light and contribute to the impression that Americans are an overlawyered and excessively litigious people.” A GRAVE LEGAL MATTER
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YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO! IN THE SCARIEST OF MOMENTS
W ith Halloween on the horizon, you might be expecting to see loads of scary costumes, corn mazes, and haunted houses, and, while all the folklore surrounding this holiday might make your heart race, none are as frightening as being in a car accident. According to the Utah Department of Transportation, approximately 50,000 car accidents occur in Utah each year. An accident, regardless of severity, can leave you feeling angry, helpless, and scared, and, in those moments of heightened emotions, you might forget what steps you should take first. It’s for this reason that the team here at Kramer Law Group wanted to provide you with an accident checklist so that even in the scariest of moments, you can stay on the right track. 1. IF POSSIBLE, MOVE THE CAR If you aren’t seriously injured, see if you can safely move your car off to the shoulder of the road. If you don’t think you’ll be able to move your car, be sure to turn on your hazards to give notice to cars around you. Additionally, if you have flares or similar safety items, you can deploy them.
even pedestrians in the area) to ensure that no one is physically hurt. If someone is hurt — even if it seems minor— call 911 to have an ambulance sent your way. 3. CALL THE POLICE While talking to the police after an accident might sound frightening, their report can help immensely when addressing your car insurance company later on. When giving the officer your testimony, avoid admitting fault or placing blame on others. The policemen will judge the scene and determine who was at fault. 4. GATHER INFORMATION While waiting for the police to arrive, try to write down as much information as possible. Start with the names of all parties, all license plate numbers and makes and models of vehicles involved, insurance information, and the names of any witnesses in the area. Once the officers arrive, be sure to write down their names and badge numbers. While all these steps are important, remember that if you have been injured, it’s important you contact an attorney who can analyze the details of the case and get you the compensation you deserve. Call 801.601.1229 for your FREE consultation!
2. CHECK ON OTHER DRIVER(S) Check on anyone involved in the accident (including other drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and
TAKE A BREAK
MISO CARAMEL APPLES
INGREDIENTS
• 4 Granny Smith apples • 1/2 cup raw pistachios • 1 1/2 tsp plus 1 cup sugar • 3 tbsp sesame seeds • 2 tbsp white miso, divided
• 4 Popsicle sticks • 2 tbsp light corn syrup • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a food processor, pulse pistachios and 1 1/2 tsp sugar. Add sesame seeds and 1 tbsp miso, pulsing until miso is fully broken up. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes and let cool. 3. Meanwhile, insert a Popsicle stick into the center of each apple. 4. In a saucepan, bring corn syrup, 1 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp water to a boil. Boil for 5–7 minutes, swirling infrequently, until caramel is a light amber color. 5. Add cream and salt to caramel, whisking to combine. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and quickly whisk in remaining miso. 6. To assemble, first roll apple in caramel, then in pistachio mixture, before resting on greased baking sheet. 7. Let cool 30 minutes and serve.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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KRAMER LAWGROUP UTAH PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
WWW.KRAMERLAWGROUP.ORG | 801.601.1229
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 2 3 3 4
How to Clear Your Head and Find Some Hope
Grave Matters of the Law
We Want You to Know You’re Not Alone
4 Steps to Take if You’re in an Accident
Miso Caramel Apples
Amazing Cat Tales
MYTHICAL CATS OF THE WORLD
TAILS FROM THE PAST
M ost owners will tell you their cats act like long captured our imaginations. Even before cat videos took the internet by storm, humans have been idolizing felines, placing them alongside some of their most important mythological figures. ancient deities. Majestic, scrupulous, and utterly unpredictable, these fascinating creatures have
招き猫 (MANEKI-NEKO) — JAPAN
Legend has it that in the 17th century, a monk living in a small temple in Edo (now Tokyo) was struggling to survive, but he still split his meals with his cat, Tama. One day, Lord Nakaota li got caught in a rainstorm while hunting and took shelter under a tree near the temple. Nakaota spotted Tama near the temple, and the cat raised its leg, beckoning the noble to come toward him. Curious, Nakaota complied, stepping out from beneath the tree just before a bolt of lightning struck it down. The lord’s life was saved, and to this day, the Maneki-Neko (the beckoning cat) is a symbol of wealth and good fortune. In Norse folklore, the goddess Freya had a unique means of travel: a chariot pulled by two cats. These were skogkatts, or Norwegian Forest cats, that were only a little larger than your average house cat. Still, these small felines towed Freya around battlefields as she gathered warriors to send to Valhalla. On top of being the goddess of war, love affairs, and magic, Freya may well have been Midgard’s first cat lady. FREYA’S SKOGKATTS — NORWAY
BASTET — EGYPT
Of course, a list of mythical cats has to start with Egypt. While many people know the pharaohs and their followers thought cats were sacred, you may be surprised by how deep the connection goes. The earliest depiction of Bastet, the feline deity of protection, is a lion-headed woman in battle. But, over the course of 2,000 years, Bastet evolved to resemble the domesticated, pointy-eared cats we know and love today.
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