Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
March/April 2023
THE HARMAN HEADLINE
HARMAN LAW
Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Employment Lawyers
A BIG WIN FOR A LOCAL MECHANIC HOW WE HELPED A MAN WHO WAS FIRED UNFAIRLY
Before I started Harman Law, I worked for another firm that specializes in employment law with a little bit of personal injury sprinkled in. I really enjoyed the work, but something about it struck me as strange: I’ll call it the “one problem, two lawyers” situation. See, here in North Carolina, if someone is injured at work and fired for that injury, they typically need to hire two lawyers: one to handle the workers’ compensation case and another to handle the wrongful termination claim. Isn’t that a little crazy? I saw it happen over and over while I worked at the employment law firm, and it started to look like an opportunity. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if those people could just hire one lawyer for both cases? I bet it would save them time and money.”
job. After the injury, he filed a workers’ compensation claim, and his boss put him on “light duty” — random jobs around the dealership that he could handle with a hurt shoulder. The “light duty” didn’t last. Within a few weeks, James’ boss fired him for reasons that just didn’t add up.
“After several rounds of negotiation, we managed to secure James a settlement worth four months’ wages — the entire time it took him to find a new job!
James came to us for help with both the workers’ compensation claim (he was having trouble getting authorized treatment for his shoulder) and a wrongful termination case against his old employer. After looking into his case, we suspected his employer fired him because they didn’t feel the “light duty” was worth his salary and they also didn’t want to take the other legal option and pay him for not doing any work at all. We jumped right into both cases! One of our first moves was contacting James’s old employer. We tried to engage them in a discussion about his termination, but they just weren’t having it. So, we filed a claim with the Department of Labor instead. The dealership’s attorney came back to the table pretty quickly after that! After several rounds of negotiation, we managed to secure James a settlement worth four months’ wages — the entire time it took him to find a new job! It was the best possible outcome for his case. James’s workers’ compensation claim is still pending, but we did manage to get treatment authorized for him. That alone is a huge win. Looking back now, I’m glad I spotted the “one problem, two lawyers” situation when I was a young attorney. Solving that problem for James and other people like him feels great. If you know someone on the hunt for two lawyers right now, tell them about our service. We can save them the hassle!
My team and I stepped up to fill the gap. We handle both workers’ compensation and employment law cases at Harman Law, in addition to estate planning and personal injury. We’ve saved hundreds of clients from the “one problem, two lawyers” situation and recently achieved a big win for a guy I’ll call James.
–Michael Harman
Before he came to us, James worked as a mechanic at a local car dealership. He was a steady employee until he hurt his shoulder on the
1
Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – Call Us Today 704-237-6613
Soak Up the Sunshine Vitamin Health Benefits of Vitamin D
With spring on the horizon, we all will be able to get outdoors a little more and soak up some sun — and extra vitamin D! Bring on the picnics, pool days, hiking, sports activities, and leisurely walks through the park!
IT REDUCES THE RISKS OF DEPRESSION. Studies have shown that those who are deficient in vitamin D become more prone to mood disorders and depression. To ensure that you support your mental health, step outside and get some happy, feel-good rays! IT’S POSSIBLY LINKED TO WEIGHT LOSS. While it’s not fully proven that vitamin D helps with weight loss, many studies have found links between vitamin D supplements and shedding a few pounds. In one study, one group of people taking vitamin D and calcium supplements lost more weight than another group taking placebos. IT PREVENTS AND HELPS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. Not only is vitamin D proven to lower a person’s chances of getting this horrible disease, but for those who already have it, it can also reduce symptoms or slow down the disease’s progression. This spring, be sure to get outdoors and soak up some vitamin D; however, don’t forget to protect your skin, too! To avoid overexposure, only about 10–15 minutes a day of unprotected sun is recommended.
Let’s take a look at the many benefits this vitamin provides for our bodies.
IT BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. Vitamin D helps your body fight off sickness. In fact, it’s been proven that deficiencies in vitamin D are connected to an increased possibility of developing infections and autoimmune diseases such as the flu, heart disease, and diabetes.
IT COUNTERS OSTEOPOROSIS. Osteoporosis, a loss in bone mass, is common as we get older. However, vitamin D is one of the key players in helping to slow down bone loss and prevent or treat osteoporosis so we can maintain a healthy skeletal system.
Words to Live By in 2023
OUR FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
A few months ago, I did something strange: I asked my team to write down their favorite quotes on 8 1/2-by- 11-inch sheets of paper and pose with them for photographs. You might have seen the results on Facebook! Yes, the photos are cheesy, but I love looking at them. They remind me of our firm’s values and why we do the work we do. Our attorney, Derek, wrote, “Patience is a virtue.” Our paralegal Lea picked “Believe in yourself, and you will succeed!” And our legal assistant Jessica chose the sentence “A smile is a free way to brighten someone’s day.” For my picture, I wrote eight words I truly try to live by: “Do what is right, not what is easy.” Equality, fairness, honesty, and integrity guide me in every decision I make inside the
courtroom and out, and also I have a lot of respect for whistleblowers who put this idea into action. These people report bad behavior by their bosses to protect their customers or peers, even though it’s easier to stay silent. It’s an honor to represent and protect people like them who are willing to put themselves on the chopping block in the name of doing the right thing. Of course, stepping up as a whistleblower is challenging, just like treating everyone equally can be challenging. But if we all chose the right thing over the easy thing, we’d live in a much better world. I hope one of these quotes resonates with you. If so, try to live by it for the rest of 2023!
Derek with his quote, “Patience is a virtue.”
Lea with her quote, “Believe in yourself and you will succeed.”
Jessica with her quote, “A smile is a free way brighten someone’s day.”
Michael with his quote, “Do what is right, not what is easy.”
–Michael Harman
2
Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – HarmanLawNC.com
SUDOKU
TAKE THAT, PUBLIX! WHY THE CHAIN PAID A FIRED EMPLOYEE $17,000 Last December, the Publix Super Markets chain lost a battle in court and coughed up more than $17,000! The case started when a Publix warehouse employee (we’ll call him Mark) took leave from work because of a medical condition. This type of leave is completely legal thanks to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which grants eligible employees the right to take unpaid and job-protected leave for qualifying medical or family reasons. Mark was simply taking advantage of his rights — but Publix fired him anyway. This didn’t go over well with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). HR Drive reports that when the DOL dug into Mark’s case, they found that not only was he fired unfairly, but Publix also made several other FMLA-related mistakes. Yikes! The department went after the grocery store for Mark’s $12,727 in back wages and $5,127 in medical expenses — and won! Mark scored a victory for FMLA that day. Unfortunately, his situation is the exception to the rule. Many employees fired unfairly don’t realize they’re covered by FMLA, so they don’t take action and fight for their jobs, back wages, and expenses in court. We don’t want you or someone you love to end up in that situation, so here’s a quick rundown on FMLA and how it works.
Solution on Page 4
INGREDIENTS • CLASSIC CABBAGE ROLLS
1 medium head cabbage
• • • • • • •
1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
•
1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided
1 cup cooked rice 1/4 cup ketchup
• •
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 14.5-oz cans Italian stewed tomatoes 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
You qualify for FMLA if …
1 lb lean (90%) ground beef
• •
1/4 lb Italian sausage
• Your employer is a public agency, private or public school (primary or secondary), or has at least 50 employees. • You’ve been at your current job for at least a year. • You’ve worked at least 1,260 hours (about 25 hours per week) in the past year. • Your employer has at least 50 workers within 75 miles of where you work. If you meet all of these requirements, you can take up to 12 weeks off work to take care of yourself or a family member without worrying that your employer will fire you or take away your health insurance. FMLA laws can be confusing, but if you think you or someone you know has an FMLA issue, don’t sweep it under the rug! Call our office for help to get the outcome you deserve.
DIRECTIONS 1.
In a Dutch oven, cook cabbage in boiling water for 10 minutes; drain. Rinse in cold water; drain. Remove 8 large outer leaves; set aside. 2. In a large saucepan, sauté 1 cup onion in butter. Add tomatoes, garlic, brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a large bowl, combine rice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and remaining onion and salt. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture and mix. 4. Remove thick vein from cabbage leaves for easier rolling. Place 1/2 cup meat mixture on each leaf; fold in sides. Starting at an unfolded edge, roll leaf to completely enclose filling. Place rolls seam side down in a skillet. Top with sauce. 5. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cook 20 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted reads 160 F.
3
Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – Call Us Today 704-237-6613
16507 Northcross Drive, Suite B Huntersville, NC, 28078 Offices in Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Hickory 704-237-6613 HarmanLawNC.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
HARMAN LAW
Inside This Issue
We Helped a Man Who Was Fired Unfairly Page 1
Sudoku Solution
Want a Vitamin Boost?
4 Quotes to Live by This Year Page 2
Classic Cabbage Rolls
Publix Loses a Legal Battle Page 3
NBA Awards Now Honor GOATs Page 4
THE NBA CHANGES ITS AWARDS TO REPRESENT THEIR MOST ICONIC PLAYERS
A Game With 60 Years of Progress
the NBA’s MVP Trophy. The trophy also reflects Jordan in other ways, such as being 23.6 inches tall and 23 pounds, an homage to Jordan’s jersey number and number of championships (6). THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR IS NOW THE HAKEEM OLAJUWON TROPHY. Hakeem Olajuwon is known for being an indomitable defensive force, holding the NBA record for blocked shots and coming in eighth for the most steals. This trophy showcases a gold player frozen in the classic defensive stance inside a crystal pillar. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR IS NOW THE WILT CHAMBERLAIN TROPHY. In the 1959-60 season, Wilt Chamberlain made history as a rookie. He averaged 37.6 points and 27 rebounds while playing just over 45 minutes each game for the Philadelphia Warriors, a record that remains unbeaten to this day. This
trophy features a gold player, floating inside its crystal, palming two basketballs.
THE SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR TROPHY IS NOW THE JOHN HAVLICEK TROPHY. The sixth man undoubtedly is a force that carries his team, and being the first to come off the bench and give it his all is what John Havlicek excelled at. With 13 All-Star Selections and eight championships, Havlicek embodied that pivotal role player. This trophy features a player shooting a running jumper, a move symbolic of the boost the sixth man provides his team. THE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD NOW HONORS GEORGE MIKAN. George Mikan knew how to work hard to improve his game — so much so that since his time in the NBA, the “Mikan Drill” has been used by players worldwide to enhance their footwork. This trophy features a gold player jumping for a lay-up.
Over the years, the NBA hasn’t been one to shy away from changing its awards system. They’ve changed the All-Star Game MVP award to be named after Kobe Bryant, redesigned their championship trophy, and even added new awards. But the NBA recently changed five of its most prominent awards to honor some of its most iconic players. MICHAEL JORDAN IS NOW ON THE MVP TROPHY. Widely considered the best NBA player of all time, Michael Jordan is now the man in gold atop
4
Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – HarmanLawNC.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator