Obiorah Fields - July 2018

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WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404.994.6218 | JULY 2018

WHAT FREEDOM MEANS TO ME FAMILY, LIBERTY, AND FIRECRACKERS

I ndependence is of paramount importance at our firm. From the work we do with veterans and the civil liberties of others, we have developed a passion for fighting for personal freedoms. In our country, people are taken advantage of by others whose actions are rooted in prejudice and misinformation. It is our role as a firm to fight those injustices and bring peace to those who have been wronged.

one of them came very close to losing a finger, but fortunately, he managed to come out unscathed. Sparklers were my personal favorite, but I also remember igniting something called a fire bomb when I wanted to shake things up. The Fourth was always a blast spent playing with my cousins and lighting off fireworks together.

Fast-forward to today, and I now do fireworks with my kids. They aren’t out there risking appendages, thankfully, but they enjoy themselves nonetheless. Sometimes we head over to Centennial Park and catch the local show there. I’m not sure what lights up more, the night sky or my children’s faces. In fact, it’s the same joy that I had as a kid. Before the family festivities begin, Teri and I participate in a great Atlanta tradition: the Peachtree Road Race. We’re not out there to set records for the fastest time, but we love to have a chance to serve others.

When we celebrate the Fourth of July, we do it with these ideas at the forefront of our minds. The holiday is not just a time to remember those who have fought for our freedoms but to celebrate the very freedoms themselves. Because we live in a country that embraces liberty, I’m able to look back on my memories of playing with firecrackers with a smile on my face. Not everyone gets that. Growing up, I always spent my Fourth with a lot of family at my grandma’s house. My grandma had seven kids, so when we got the whole family together, there were tons of kids for my two brothers and me to play with. Many

THE HOLIDAY IS NOT JUST A TIME TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOMS BUT TO CELEBRATE THE VERY FREEDOMS THEMSELVES.

For me, this holiday is a chance to appreciate my freedoms and all those who sacrificed for our

of my cousins lived right next door to my grandma, so all they needed to do was casually walk over to see the family. For me, getting to Grandma’s required a little more effort, but it was always worth keeping our Fourth tradition.

country. There are thousands of service members who ensure we have the liberty to choose the life we want. I’m eternally grateful for that and do not take their dedication to the citizens of our country for granted. Happy Fourth of July to everyone, and if you see us at the Peachtree Road Race, say hi!

We’d stockpile firecrackers, and my cousins and I would try not to injure ourselves. I can remember a specific time when

–Danielle Obiorah

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POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

You’re just three ingredients away from the perfect summertime treat: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The s’more is a fan favorite on camping trips and at backyard bonfires alike. Though they say you can’t improve perfection, we’ve found a few creative twists on the classic treat that will make your summer a little sweeter. A campfire snack fit for a king — of rock ’n’ roll, that is. This s’more pays homage to Elvis Presley’s love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Swap out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup candy and add a few slices of fresh banana between the graham cracker and marshmallow. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even add some bacon. CAN I HAVE S’MORE? CREATIVE TWISTS ON THE CAMPFIRE CLASSIC THE ELVIS

HAS YOUR CLAIM BEEN REJECTED?

Our men and women of the U.S. armed forces fight honorably to protect this country. Yet too frequently when they return home and reassimilate

into society, they are left behind. Veterans often struggle with the complications caused by their time in the service. The truth is that the human brain was simply not built to handle the

horrors of war. Over the past few decades, the military has begun to take notice of this, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is now recognized as the debilitating condition that it is.

SYMPTOMS

PTSD can manifest itself in many different ways, but the National Center for PTSD recognizes four main symptoms.

S’MORES IN A JAR

1. Reliving the event — many have flashbacks or nightmares that cause visceral reactions.

Here are s’mores you can enjoy all year long. Layers of crushed graham cracker, melted marshmallow, and creamy chocolate turn a simple jar into a great dessert! Learn how to make the perfect s’mores on the go at family.disney.com/recipe/ smores-in-a-jar .

2. Avoiding situations that remind you of the event — many stay away from crowds, noises, or actions that might trigger a memory.

STRAWBERRY S’MORE-CAKE

3. Negative changes in beliefs and feelings — many experience a lack of trust and have negative feelings toward others.

If you really want to wow your guests at the next bonfire, try your hand at this creative take on the summertime classic. Gooey s’mores meet fresh strawberry shortcake in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is original. Find the whole recipe, including tips on making the perfect shortcake, at aspicyperspective.com/smores-strawberry-shortcake-recipe .

4. Hyperarousal — many are in a constant state of alertness that can lead to trouble sleeping or concentrating.

VETERANS AFFAIRS CLAIMS

S’MOREO

While classification of the condition can be somewhat ambiguous, what the Veterans Affairs (VA) looks for is not. Here are some requirements for a disability claim:

A simple but memorable twist on the campfire classic. Grab a box of Oreo cookies, pull a cookie apart, and use that in place of your graham cracker. The cream filling will pair nicely with the chocolate and toasted marshmallow.

• Cognitive impairment • Trouble performing basic tasks • Lack of ability to control impulses • Disorientation • Memory loss • Inability to interact with others

S’MORES MILKSHAKE

Too hot for a campfire? Cool down with a s’mores milkshake! The trick is to lightly toast the marshmallows in the oven so they mix well with the other ingredients in the blender. Get the recipe at spoonfulofflavor.com/2013/08/30/smores-milkshake to enjoy this sweet treat even in the heat of summer. It’s the simple recipe that opens the door for creative interpretations of the classic s’more. Be adventurous this summer and see what great new s’mores you can create!

If you’ve been rejected for a VA claim for PTSD, reach out to us today. Our team of lawyers specializes in solving this issue and getting you the help you need and deserve.

2 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight

IT’S TIME TO FIGHT BACK HAVE YOU BEEN A VICTIM OF WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION?

SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION

Being let go from a job can be one of the most stressful moments in someone’s life. Overcoming the pain of the initial blow is a challenge in itself, but the most difficult part can be finding your way back on your feet once the pain subsides. The emotional gauntlet that being fired puts you through is only amplified when you’ve been wrongfully terminated. That’s why we want to highlight two of the most common wrongful termination complaints and how we fight them. You have certain unalienable rights as citizen of this country and, most importantly, as a human being. One of those rights includes living a life free from being discriminated against based on who you are. Yet every year, there are people in our town who are fired merely because their employers lack respect for their personal beliefs. None of these cases are easy — you have to prove that ignorance was the fundamental driving force behind the termination. But our team specializes in this field, and we pride ourselves on building strong cases. CASE STUDY ETHNICITY, ORIENTATION, AND RELIGION

Unfortunately, we live in a world where employees are terminated because they won’t accept a supervisor’s sexual advances. Women unquestionably experience the brunt of workplace misconduct, but that doesn’t mean men are never similarly victimized. We’ve seen these cases go

both ways, and that’s why it’s important to have an experienced lawyer fighting right alongside you.

If you’ve been subjected to the whims of an employer and it cost you your career, you need representation. Too often, managers discriminate against their employees, and it costs

hardworking people their jobs. The people of our country and our city deserve better. At Obiorah and Fields, we aim to hold employers accountable for their actions.

THANK YOU FOR THE REFERRALS

JOHN K. FACED THE UNIMAGINABLE

Sometimes your life can change in an instant. On October 14, 2014, John K.’s life changed in the least-expected way. John had been a resident at an apartment complex in Atlanta for more than 10 years. Over the years, he had seen the security at the complex decline. The owners had hired a security company, but there was still crime occurring at the apartment complex. On October 14, the security gate was broken again. As John returned home from work that evening, he stopped to talk with two people he knew from the community. Shortly after he began his conversation, the unimaginable happened. A man walked up to John and the men he was speaking to and began shooting at them. John was hit in his leg, but he was the lucky one that night. The other two men were not so lucky, and they were sadly both killed in the shooting. John contacted our office within days to ask if he had any legal options to recover his medical expenses. Attorneys Fields and Obiorah went to

John’s apartment that same day to talk with him, and he became a client immediately.

Jamie Bennett D. Miller Leslie Finch Cindy M. John C. Harvey Orr Jane D. Jimmy F. Marion Williams

John recently reflected on the experience of being shot and going through the legal process and said he was grateful Obiorah Fields handled his case with honesty and dedication. He has recovered now, but he will never forget what happened that night. John was able to use the settlement to move to a safer community, resolve his medical bills, and recover from his physical and emotional injuries. Obiorah Fields law firm also represented family members of the two men shot and killed. We are happy to report that we were able to assist John and our other clients in receiving a combined confidential settlement totaling nearly seven figures. We represent clients in negligent security, premises liability, and personal injury cases. Call us if you or a family member ever needs assistance. If we can’t represent you, we can refer you to attorneys we trust.

Chad Murphy Rufus Fields

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Independence and Firecrackers

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Take Your S’mores to the Next Level PTSD Symptoms and Claims

Fight Against Workplace Discrimination Client Case: John K.

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6 Dog Mayors From Around the US

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WHEN POLITICS GOES TO THE DOGS

6 DOG MAYORS FROM AROUND THE US

BRYNNETH PAWLTRO, LUCY LOU, JUNIOR COCHRAN, AND GOOFY BORNEMAN. These four dogs all hail from Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. Back in 1998, the people of Rabbit Hash decided to elect a dog mayor. That year, Goofy Borneman, a mixed breed, became

Most towns and cities around the country play it safe: They elect humans to hold political office. But a few towns decided to do something a little different. They threw political formality to the wind and elected dogs to office. Here are a few popular pups from around the country. DUKE. This Great Pyrenees became one of the most popular pups to hold elected office. He first ran for mayor in 2014 in Cormorant Township, Minnesota, and won by a landslide. He’s been in the mayoral race every year since then — and he’s won every time! Today, Duke is still in office, where he never misses a photo-op or a pat on the head. MAXIMUS MIGHTY-DOG MUELLER. This golden retriever was first elected to office in 2012 in Idyllwild, California. His election was part of an initiative put together by an organization called Animal Rescue Friends, or ARF. As part of the election, area residents could nominate their cat or dog for mayor. During the inaugural event, 14 dogs and two cats ran for mayor, with Max leading the pack. Max was elected to a second term in 2013, but soon passed away after a battle with cancer. Thankfully, his successor was quickly appointed: Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II.

the first in what would become a continuing tradition. He held the office until 2001, when he passed away at age 16.

In 2004, Junior Cochran, a black Labrador, took on the role of mayor, but his term was plagued by scandal after he spent too much time hanging around the town’s general store — and Health and Safety was called. Then, he too died in office in 2008. Later that year, Lucy Lou, a border collie, was elected into office and became the town’s first female mayor. The good news is she saw her term through to the end, but she didn’t run for a second term. Instead, pitbull Brynneth Pawltro, or Brynn as his friends call him, ran and won. Today, you’ll find Brynn roaming Rabbit Hash, staying carefully out of Health and Safety’s way.

4 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight

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