Check out our January newsletter!
HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND JANUARY 2022
Through Stewart + Harmonson, we’ll focus on catastrophic personal injury cases in southern and eastern New Mexico. As you may know, there are many oil field-related accidents in the Permian Basin. We intend to use our expertise to help people hurt on the job or involved in catastrophic trucking accidents in this region. I encourage you to check out our new website, StewartHarmonson.com. None of this means the end of Harmonson Law Firm. Harmonson Law Firm will continue to help good people who have been seriously injured and the families of those who have been killed as a result of medical error. Our medical malpractice docket has expanded tremendously since Hadley Huchton joined the firm in early 2018. Hadley has been a real asset, and I am grateful for her determination and friendship. Looking ahead, we intend to expand our reach further by helping more victims of medical malpractice in Texas and New Mexico. We will also continue to help people injured in car accidents and other personal injury cases throughout the Borderland. I want to thank everyone who has supported Harmonson Law Firm up until this point. Your loyalty has been crucial to my ability to expand and assist more people who have been injured through someone else’s negligence. Though we can’t give people back what they’ve lost, we can help them secure the compensation they need to move forward with the most fulfilling life possible. I can’t wait to help even more people through Stewart + Harmonson. INTRODUCING STEWART + HARMONSON A New Firm Serving Las Cruces, Southern New Mexico, and the Permian Basin
Many of you who know Harmonson Law Firm well are familiar with attorney Stephen Stewart. Stephen works out of Austin, and we’ve collaborated on many cases over the years. He’s also a good personal friend of mine. I met Stephen around 2013 when I briefly thought about moving to Austin. I had quit my old firm and was free to do what I wanted, so I thought it was time to explore all of our options, including moving to Austin. Some mutual friends introduced me to Stephen. Sheri and I went to Austin to meet him, and though he offered me a job, we decided that we would rather stay in El Paso and run our own firm — and that Austin was a nice place to visit, but we didn’t want to live there. Stephen and I continued talking, though. Soon, we found ourselves working together on a wrongful death case. A truck driver who was killed on the job had five surviving children. While four of them lived in Austin, one of them happened to live in El Paso, and Stephen referred that client to me. It was the start of a business relationship and a friendship. Over the years, he’s been a great mentor to me, and I’ve been grateful to learn from someone who has had such tremendous success, both personally and professionally. Today, I’m excited to announce that Stephen and I are joining forces to open Stewart + Harmonson, a new firm serving clients in Las Cruces, southern New Mexico, and the Permian Basin.
915.584.8777 • 1
January is National Hobby Month, and since it falls at the beginning of the year, it’s the perfect time to try something new! Hobbies add variety to your life and ensure you aren’t just living to work, so to speak. The best way to find a hobby you enjoy is to be open to new things. Whether it’s gardening, reading, drawing, running, fishing, crafting, or even beekeeping, finding an activity you enjoy is important. Here’s why!
WHAT’S CONS WRONGFUL DEATH I
Hobbies are stress relievers.
Losing a loved one is a devastating experience, but it’s especially tragic when someone else’s negligence causes the loss. On top of grief, survivors also must contend with the financial fallout of their loved one’s death, which is the last thing they want to think about while mourning. When a person or entity’s negligence causes death, they can — and should — be held responsible for the harm they’ve caused. A wrongful death lawsuit allows families to recoup the financial burden they’ve suffered.
Hobbies offer a healthy escape from your busy lifestyle by keeping you engaged in something you find pleasure in. Instead of just relaxing on the couch and turning off your mind for a bit (which is totally acceptable sometimes), hobbies allow you to remain mentally productive while winding down at the same time.
In a wrongful death suit, claimants can seek a variety of damages. Tangible losses like medical expenses, burial expenses, or lost household income are relatively simple to prove. Loved ones can also claim intangible losses like pain and suffering or loss of companionship. But because these losses are unquantifiable, it will take an attorney’s expertise to prove them to the court and name an appropriate dollar value. What the Insurance Companies DON’T Want You to Know About YOUR RIGH Winning a wrongful death suit requires proving a person died due to someone else’s negligence. In New Mexico, three specific elements must be present.
Hobbies also provide eustress.
Believe it or not, one type of stress is deemed beneficial: eustress. If you aren’t overly stressed and are feeling a little under-stimulated, a hobby can provide activity for both your mind and body to keep you feeling excited about life and ready to take on new challenges and adventures.
Claims was written to with vital information wheeler, work vehicle s to bear in mind that up premiums for their amount that they are E ONE GOAL— HAREHOLDERS.
Hobbies offer a social outlet.
Some hobbies involve group activities, such as bowling, sports teams, book clubs, and even wine tasting. Connecting with others offers the social support humans depend on to lead a healthy and fruitful life. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some great friends who share the same passions as you!
Injured in a Car Accident? The Insurance Company Is NOT Your Friend.
Hobbies develop patience.
Written by experienced car accident attorney S. Clark Harmonson, this is a valuable resource with the vital facts you need before talking to the insurance company or hiring a lawyer. In this book, you’ll learn everything insurance companies don’t want you to know, such as: • 12 shady auto insurance company tactics • 10 common myths and
When you take on a new hobby, you are tasked with learning something new. Whether you’re practicing a new instrument, learning a different language, or figuring out how to make jewelry, a learning curve is involved. Building new skills takes patience, a very important attribute for success. Finding a hobby that suits you may take some exploration and trial and error, but it is all in good fun! Make it your goal to try something new or learn a new skill each month until you find something that sticks. Once you do, you’re sure to find that hobbies are both enjoyable and enriching!
g e e e e d s y
misconceptions about your car accident claim How we hold negligent drivers accountable
“I wrote this book to help you cut through all the confusion surrounding your accident.”
•
WITH: 12 Dirty Tricks the Insurance Adjuster Will Use to Wreck Your Claim
• What you need to do immediately after an accident • Top five worst auto insurance companies in Texas
Get your free copy at ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com or by calling our office at 915.584.8777 .
AR ACCIDENT… ET THIS RIGHT!
2 • www.ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com
SIDERED A IN NEW MEXICO?
WHY DO INSURANCE COMPANIES DENY CLAIMS? The Top 5 Reasons
1. Duty: The negligent party must have owed the deceased some “duty of care” at the time of the incident. 2. Breach of Duty: The negligent party must have failed to fulfill this duty. 3. Causation: There is a direct link between the negligent party’s breach of duty and the death. To a bereaved family, these elements may appear obviously present. It stands to reason that an employer is required to provide a safe working environment, and it seems apparent when their failure to do so resulted in death. What seems like common sense, however, can be challenging to prove in a court of law. Unfortunately, insurance companies will often try to blame the accident on the deceased to deny compensation. New Mexico only allows three years to file a wrongful death claim, so it’s vital to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. The state also has special rules about who can file a wrongful death suit, and we can walk clients through this process. While we wish no one lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, it happens far too often. Harmonson Law Firm can help families pick up the financial pieces and get the support they need to heal.
If you’ve ever dealt with an insurance company, you probably know they’ll do anything they can to avoid payouts. And because they have experience, they’re all too often successful — leaving accident victims with high medical bills, lost income, and other financial hardships. These are the top five reasons we see insurance companies deny claims. Lapses in Coverage If the driver responsible for the action is not insured, it can leave their victim in a sticky situation. Luckily, Texas requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist protection, so you have recourse to claim your own insurance company. Paperwork Delays When you’re injured or in the hospital, paperwork isn’t at the top of your mind. Plus, some insurance companies make filing a claim correctly very difficult. Failing to meet deadlines can cause a claim to be closed and make it harder to receive compensation. Liability Disputes If an insurance company can cast doubt over who caused the accident, they will — and they’ll use it to deny a claim. You need an expert who can prove fault and reach a fair settlement.
HTS
Chicken With Lemon Herb Sauce Inspired by FoodNetwork.com Healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland with this citrusy chicken!
Preexisting Medical Conditions Insurance companies will carefully review any accident victim’s medical records for preexisting conditions they can use to deny a claim. Never sign waivers that will allow insurance companies to review your medical records unless you’ve received the guidance of an attorney. Acceptance of an Inadequate Settlement While this isn’t a claim denial, it is a sneaky trick insurance companies use to get out of paying what they owe. The insurance company will often quickly make an offer that sounds generous to the victim — but is far from adequate once all of the bills roll in. Once a low settlement is accepted, the insurance company is off the hook for additional compensation. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney after an accident can help you avoid all of these pitfalls. At Harmonson Law Firm, we know the insurance companies’ dirty tricks and how to fight back. Whether you need help understanding your uninsured driver coverage, filing paperwork, proving fault, determining if a settlement offer is fair, or disproving the insurance company’s claim of a preexisting condition, we can help. After an accident, don’t try to go it alone — get the expert representation you need and the compensation you deserve.
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
1/3 cup and 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• • • •
1/2 cup parsley, chopped 1/3 cup mint, chopped
4 boneless chicken breasts 1 clove of garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 lemon, for juice and zest
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Season chicken with salt and pepper if desired and sear it in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side. Bake chicken until its internal temperature is 165 F. 4. In a blender, add 1/3 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, parsley, mint, pepper, and lemon zest and juice and blend ingredients until coarsely mixed. 5. Top chicken with sauce and serve!
915.584.8777 • 3
5505 North Mesa St., Suite 3 • El Paso, TX 79912 WWW.CLARKHARMONSONATTORNEY.COM 915.584.8777
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1
Introducing Our New Firm!
2
Why Hobbies Are Important
Wrongful Death Lawsuits in New Mexico
3
ChickenWith Lemon Herb Sauce
Top 5 Reasons Insurance Companies Deny Claims
4
Why Do Your Ears Pop on Flights?
THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR EARS POPPING ON FLIGHTS Airplane Ears
When it comes to flying on an airplane, you can avoid cramped legs by upgrading to first class or catch a view by picking the window seat. However, there’s no getting around your ears popping during takeoff and landing. Believe it or not, there is a scientific explanation behind this common annoyance. As you read this, you’re likely not on an airplane, and the air pressure on either side of your eardrums is equal. Air is currently passing right on through your eustachian tube, a narrow passage that leads from your middle ear cavity to your pharynx and allows for pressure to be equalized on each side of your eardrums. When you’re in flight on an airplane, air pressure is not equal. During both ascent and descent, your eardrums stretch to try to adapt to the changes. In order to equalize the pressure, your eustachian tube needs to open and close. When it does, your ears pop! Usually, the ear popping is irritating but nothing more. However, in rare cases, the pressure can lead to ear pain and even loss in hearing, especially if your ears don’t pop. In this case, you may need to make an effort to get your eustachian tube to open by yawning, talking, or swallowing. Sucking on a piece of candy, swallowing some water, or chewing gum may also help! One
of the best things you can do is make sure you are not sleeping as the airplane takes off or lands because your eustachian tube isn’t able to open and close normally. If you commonly struggle with congestion or sore ears on flights, taking a nasal decongestant before you board may ensure that your eustachian tube is not blocked. If your hearing and ears do not return to normal shortly after the flight, be sure to schedule an appointment to see your health care professional as soon as possible.
.
4 • www.ClarkHarmonsonAttorney.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator