IS STRESS HARMING YOUR MEMORY?
How 1 Picture Can Win Your Case And the Importance of Getting Legal Help Right Away
A picture is worth a thousand words — and it can also help win or increase the value of your legal case.
John here again. Recently, I settled a case for over $460,000 for a woman who broke her hip. What’s particularly interesting about her case is that, between the emergency room records, ambulance records, and our client’s own story, there were three or four different versions of how the accident happened. One report mentioned her losing her balance and falling because kids were playing in the area, and another report mentioned falling after going to pick up a ball that some kids threw. Ultimately, what actually caused our client to fall was a difference in elevation between two sidewalk flags. With the defense and insurance company trying to focus on the playing kids nearby in defense of the claim, photographs taken shortly after the accident confirming the exact area where our client fell, and the difference in elevation from one part of the sidewalk to the next, are what the case came down to. The woman’s story of how she tripped, the photos, and the records confirming her injuries ended up winning the day, leading to a settlement after a mediation. Even if the hospital record fails to mention the sidewalk difference and instead mentions an additional factor like a kid throwing a ball, ultimately, it’s just a distraction. If the client hadn’t taken a picture, or had not told us that detail about her case, we may not have succeeded. If you or a loved one find yourself injured out in public, you should always ask: What caused the accident? Do I have photo evidence of it? Whether that is an icy or slippery condition, or a difference in sidewalk elevation, photo evidence is key. In the case of something like ice or a spill, a picture should be taken immediately if possible before the area is cleaned. In the case of a broken or mis-leveled sidewalk, a picture should still be taken as soon as possible — because sidewalks are often repaired. We know it may be hard or impossible to take a picture right after an accident, especially after you’ve just broken your hip. At Friedman & Simon, we’ll do absolutely everything to help your case, including take pictures at the accident site for you if you can’t go back yourself. Call us as soon as possible after your accident so we can help gather evidence that might be the difference between winning and losing your case!
Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress can lead to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness. First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use, including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, and Western Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing. Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors. Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a work- related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health. Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be.
-John G. Papadopoulos
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