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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
JUNE 2019
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
My Father MEET TOM’S DAD With Father’s Day right around the corner, I want to spend some time reflecting on the man who, in a very real way, helped me get where I am today. My father has always been an inspiring example to live up to, even when I was too young to see it. Like many things in life, it can take some time and maturity to recognize just how much someone has given you.
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
get frustrated with me or pull the “because I said so” card, my father took a very different approach. If I was going to argue, I was going to learn how to do it right. He got me to join the debate team, and the rest, as they say, is history. Thanks to him seeing the talent I didn’t even see in myself, I’ve found a career I love. In fact, my legal career was jump- started thanks to my father. During my undergraduate years at the University of Kansas, I was offered a file clerk position at a firm in Kansas City. This is the kind of opportunity prelaw students dream of, but there was one problem: I was living in the dorms in Laurence, nearly an hour’s drive from the law firm. And I didn’t have a car. That’s where my father came in. The moment he heard about the opportunity and my transportation dilemma, he began taking his lunch break to pick me up and drive me all the way to my job. He did this for a couple of months. It was a sacrifice of time and energy I still struggle to fathom. At the end of it, my parents gave me one of their cars. If that’s not going the extra mile for your kid, I don’t know what is. And I don’t want to give the impression that my father only benefited me. He’s a very spiritual man who’s always looking for ways to give back to the community. When I was in college, he volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, mentoring a young man named Kimani.
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
My father and stepmother opened their hearts and home to him, giving him the stable life he needed. Today, Kimani is a member of the family! I’ll even admit that my father shows his compassion through his work. This is a strange thing for me to acknowledge as a personal injury lawyer because, ironically enough, my father’s an insurance adjuster. Our professions rarely see eye to eye, but my father really is one of the good ones. He views it as a job that has to be done well, not just a means of minimizing losses for his company. He doesn’t lose sight of the people behind the claims he evaluates, and for that, I respect him deeply. After a 40-year career as an adjuster, my father is retiring at the end of this month — and on his birthday no less! The insurance industry is going to be losing one of its best, but I’m beyond happy for him. He’ll have more time to enjoy the great outdoors, and he even plans on doing some writing. As he moves into this new chapter of his life, I can’t help but look back on all the ways he’s helped shape mine. Being a father is tough, but if I may say so, he did a fine job. Happy Father’s Day,
BURN INJURIES
My father is, and always has been, really big on doing the right thing. From the time I was little, he always emphasized the value of treating people right and seeing things through. For example, there were times in my adolescence when I wanted to quit a sport half-way through a season, and he’d explain to me that I needed to stick it out to the end. I’d made a commitment, and my team was counting on me to be there — that was that. These early lessons in morality no doubt shaped the founding philosophy of our firm. Insurance companies have an obligation to help their clients when they’re injured. We fight to hold them to that agreement. Winning these battles against such large companies takes quite a lot of experience in strenuous debate. Thankfully, my father also provided me with plenty of opportunities to practice. Like most teenagers, I thought I knew everything. So I usually found myself arguing with people who knew better — namely, my parents. Rather than
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
–Tom Dickerson
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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Safety Rider TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY With the warm weather here, we’re sure many motorcyclists are eager to take to the open road. While this can be an amazingly freeing and exhilarating activity, we’d like riders to exercise caution. As a firm that represents victims of motorcycle crashes, and even has a team member whose family was involved in one, we’ve seen the kind of injuries these accidents can cause. A few precautions are well worth the hassle — trust us. Drivers definitely need to do a better job watching for motorcycles, but a rider should still take every precaution to make themselves noticeable. At a bare minimum, always check to make sure your lights work. Additionally, wear reflective clothing — black leather jackets are very cool, but at night in rural areas, they make you even harder to see. There are some great reflective biker patches out there that can keep you safe and stylish. Float On POOL SAFETYTIPS BE VISIBLE
Good Boys ofAntiquity DOGS IN ANCIENT LEGEND Far before humans had written histories, we had dogs. From hunting and shepherding to playing and relaxing, our early ancestors had canine companions by their side, and their appreciation shows. As storytelling developed around the world, our four-legged friends became important characters. Here are a few ancient legends for the historical dog lover. TARASCAN SPIRIT DOGS Many Mesoamerican cultures featured dogs prominently in their myths and legends, especially in regard to the afterlife. One of the most notable of these comes from the Tarascan state, an empire that rivaled the Aztecs. The Tarascans believed canine spirits would search out the souls of lost humans and guide them safely out of the mortal world. Leave it to dogs to create ghost stories with happy endings. TUIREN THE WOLFHOUND In Irish folklore, Tuiren was a beautiful woman to be wed to Iollan Eachtach, but this love made Iollan’s faery sweetheart jealous. In an attempt to ruin the young woman’s wedding, the faery turns Tuiren into a hound and gives her to Fergus Fionnliath, a renowned dog- hater. This cruel act backfires when the Irish wolfhound wins over Fergus, teaching him to love not just her but all dogs too. In fact, the man is crestfallen when his hound is revealed to be a human. Tuiren’s nephew, the hero Fionn, cheers Fergus up with a new puppy! YUDHISHTHIRA’S STRAY The Indian epic “Mahabharata” is thought to date back to the eighth or ninth century B.C. and tells the story of two warring families. Toward the end of the tale, prince Yudhishthira and his family begin to ascend the Himalayas to reach heaven, and a stray dog joins them on their journey. One by one, Yudhishthira’s companions fall, until only the prince and his furry friend remain. When the god Indra finally appears to offer Yudhishthira passage into heaven, he brings bad news: The dog cannot come with him. But Yudhishthira refuses to abandon his dog, explaining that he could never leave such a loyal, steadfast companion. Anyone who’s turned down a great apartment offer because they don’t allow pets can relate.
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WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR
accidents can cause — both to bikers and their families. While we will always do our part to represent bikers who’ve been hurt, we’d prefer it if these life-altering accidents were much, much rarer.
We know helmets and stifling safety gear can get in the way of that sense of freedom bikers are after. While this is ultimately your call to make, we want to urge you to consider the risks. We’ve seen 4-mph accidents that have led to traumatic brain injuries. Tom’s uncle, who normally doesn’t wear a helmet, was fortunate enough to have one on when he got into a bad accident and landed on his face. When he finally slid to a stop, the face guard was worn all the way through.
Ride safe.
TAKE A BREAK
There’s no way to prevent all the bumps, bruises, and rashes that come with motorcycle accidents, but having the proper pants, boots, gloves, helmet, and jacket just might save you from truly horrific, long- lasting injuries. As a personal injury firm, we’ve seen firsthand the kind of trauma and suffering these sorts of unprotected
Zucchini Salad With Toasted Hazelnuts
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
ingredients
NO RUNNING
Many families will be jumping into swimming pools this summer to have some fun and beat the heat. But even small bodies of water can pose a serious threat to young children and weak swimmers alike. To make sure your summer is all fun and games, here’s a refresher on some important pool safety tips. While kids love making a splash, you should never leave them unsupervised, even when there’s a lifeguard on duty. Little ones struggling to keep their head above water can easily be missed by those in charge of watching an entire pool. An extra set of eyes keeping your children safe never hurts. Brightly colored flotation devices are a great option for young kids and weak swimmers. They help them stay afloat and make them more noticeable to others in the pool. Water wings and life jackets are great choices, since they are more securely fastened. A child might slide out of an inner tube or off of a kickboard. USE THOSE FLOATIES ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON THE KIDS
directions • 3 small zucchini (3/4 lb.) • 1/2 tsp lemon zest, grated • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped • Mint leaves, for garnish • Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano, for garnish 1. Using a mandolin or very sharp knife, slice zucchini lengthwise into extremely thin, wide ribbons. 2. Arrange zucchini ribbons on a plate, sprinkle with lemon zest, and drizzle with juice. 3. Drizzle oil over zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and toss. 4. Scatter hazelnuts over the top, garnish with mint and cheese, and serve.
Those of us who go to public pools are more than used to hearing a lifeguard shout this every 15 seconds, but there’s a reason professionals take this rule so seriously. There is a huge potential for anyone, kids and adults alike, to have a serious fall around the pool. Factor in the hard surfaces and the corners of the pool’s edge, and there’s risk for some life-threatening injuries. This is another well-worn maxim of lifeguards and pool signs, but it bears repeating. Diving should only be done in pools designed for it. This means avoiding dives in all residential and above-ground pools, even if they have a diving board. They simply don’t have the depth to guarantee your safety. Even when diving in a proper setting, always put your hands out in front of you. Additionally, never go headfirst down a water slide. With a little caution and common sense, you and your family will have a great time this summer! DON’T DIVE
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Advertising Material
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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
inside
THIS ISSUE
Meet Tom’s Dad Dogs in Ancient Legend
PG1 PG2 PG2 PG3 PG3 PG3 PG4
The Problem With Biker Jackets Make a Safe Splash This Summer Take a Break
Zucchini Salad With Toasted Hazelnuts Tips for Capturing the Best Outdoor Photo!
Celebrate Nature Photography Day TIPS FOR CAPTURING THE BEST OUTDOOR PHOTO!
HARNESS THE LIGHT Nature photos often look great in the morning or evening light, but the type of lighting you use is often dictated by the scene you are trying to capture. It’s generally accepted that side-lighting, where the sun is coming from either side of the camera, is the most desirable for landscapes because the contrasts between light and shadow can add depth to your photos. However, front- and back-lighting — where you shoot away from or into the sun — can also produce nice photos. Similar to angles, try experimenting until you find something that looks good to you. CROP FOR TEXTURE Sometimes the difference between an amazing shot and a mediocre one is distance. When photographing nature, try zooming in or moving geographically closer and cropping close on your subject. This could be tree bark, a leaf, the forest floor, or a lizard’s skin. The fine details of your subject can often create stunning images. In your quest to snap the most Instagram-worthy shots, the most important thing to remember is to respect the animals and the environment. Be sure to bring bags with you to take any garbage or other waste with you, and stay on designated trails while exploring. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be taking incredible nature photos in no time.
Nature Photography Day is June 15, and it continues to garner enthusiasm with each passing year. It’s been designated by the North America Nature Photography Association as a day to promote the enjoyment of outdoor photography and to explain how
nature photography can advance conservation efforts locally and worldwide. Almost everyone has access to a sufficient camera with smartphones, but not everyone knows how to best capture a beautiful nature scene. Here are some tips to help! FIND THE ANGLES Landscape photography isn’t about appealing to someone else’s sense of style; it’s about shooting what makes you happy. Take some time to study the work of other nature photographers you enjoy. What angles do they use? What colors do they coordinate within the frame? How close do they get to their subject? Try something different. Go against the grain, use a different angle, shoot a close-up where others would shoot wide angle. Find a good starting place and experiment a little.
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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