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March 2019 815-726-9999 | www.blocklaw.com THEBKMS BULLETIN
Focusing on What’s Important The Season of Spring-Cleaning
“THERE’S SOMETHING SATISFYING ABOUT HAVING EVERYTHING NEAT AND ORGANIZED.” I’ve never done intense, all-day spring- cleaning before, but this year, I’m thinking about making a family day of it. Imagine how much cleaner the house would be if everyone buckled down and got it done over a weekend. I bet my daughters would jump on board and help me declutter the house. Meanwhile, my wife will probably suggest we do literally anything else. Spring-cleaning is an annual battle of wills between me and my wife. I try to be a minimalist and keep our house nice and tidy. Things that don’t have a purpose get thrown out. My wife, on the other hand, wants to hold onto things. Boxes for kitchen appliances are the biggest offense. She insists we’ll find a use for it eventually. The most frustrating part is, more often than not, she’s right! In the end, we end up needing that blender box for something. Until that time, we There are a lot of things to look forward to in March. With spring comes warmer weather, spring break with the kids, and my personal favorite, spring-cleaning. Thanks to that “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” show on Netflix, a lot of people are jumping on the get-organized train this spring. I haven’t watched the show yet, but I’ve been told it’s right up my alley.
compromise by storing everything neatly away until we need it. Don’t make the mistake of believing I’m the kind of madman who loves cleaning. I don’t like spending all day doing it, but I do like having things clean. For example, at home, I’m always the one who has to get down and scrub the floors. It’s my chore, and one I don’t enjoy doing, but when I’m done, the floors look amazing. I think I got this obsession from my dad. He has this thing about his countertops. They need to be wiped down constantly, but his counters always look great. For me, there’s something satisfying about having everything neat and organized. It looks good, and when you remove all the mess and clutter from your physical environment, it feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You’re
not distracted by a waiting mess anymore. When you don’t have a bunch of cleaning to worry about, you can focus on more important things. I want to live a more minimalist life and keep my house clean because I would much rather focus on my job or spend time with my kids than organize a bunch of clutter all the time. Spring is a good time to simplify things in your life. Between the back-to-back holidays and the long, cold nights, it’s hard to take care of a lot of cleaning in the winter. It’s time to tackle those projects and free yourself from the mess this spring so you’ll have the freedom to really enjoy yourself when summer arrives.
–Brya n Shell
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It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s … 3 Great Family-Friendly Superhero Comics
It’s no secret that superhero movies are dominating the box office. The highest- grossing movies of 2018 (and the third and fourth highest-grossing of all time) were “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” There’s never been a better time to be a fan of superheroes or to become a fan of superhero comics. If your kids are interested in reading more about superheroes, here are a few great titles your whole family can enjoy together.
Marvel” explores what it means to be a teenager, a first-generation American, a friend, and a superhero. The storylines promote an important message: “Good is not a thing you are, it’s a thing you do.” In just a few years, Ms. Marvel has become an established superhero in comics, and it won’t be long before she steps onto the big screen with a live-action movie. ‘SUPER SONS: THE POLARSHIELD PROJECT’ Jon Kent, son of Superman, and Damian Wayne, son of Batman,
hit shelves until April 2, 2019, which means you and your kids have plenty of time to reserve a copy of this graphic novel at your local comic book shop! ‘CHAMPIONS’ “Champions” is a story about teenage superheroes, but don’t expect pizza or relationship drama in these panels. These comics tackle how young people today approach problems with a readiness to rally together and take matters into their own hands. “Champions” doesn’t shy away from hard topics, making it more appropriate for older kids and teens. But that doesn’t mean this story lacks heart or humor. Featuring comic favorites like Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man as well as popular newcomers, “Champions” is about identity, purpose, and what it really means to save the world.
‘MS. MARVEL’ Since her debut in 2013, Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, has been a wildly popular character, and her comic has gained critical acclaim. A 2015 Hugo Award winner, “Ms.
couldn’t be more different. But when a mysterious force threatens the world, these super sons must learn to trust each other — and themselves — to save the day. Based on the hit “Super Sons” comic book series, “Super Sons: The Polarshield Project” doesn’t
Find these titles and other incredible stories at your local comic book shop.
MORE TO THE STORY The Hot Air Balloon Isn’t the Most Dangerous Part of This Case
Hot air balloonists are seen as an odd sort. What kind of person goes up thousands of feet in the air in a wicker basket? With this in mind, it’s easy to see why so many people believe the story about a couple of airheads misusing a commercial dryer. The popular version of this story goes that, after a bad landing put their hot air balloon in a lake, two men sought to dry off the balloon quickly by shoving it into a dryer at the nearest laundromat. Unsurprisingly, the dryer, which wasn’t designed to handle such a massive load, exploded. Rather than being grateful they had survived their own stupidity, the men sued the dryer manufacturer for $885,000 and won. A big part of product liability cases is determining if the product was being misused when it caused the injury. For example, trying to dry 128 pounds of balloon fabric in a dryer clearly labeled as having a max load capacity of 18 pounds would be an incorrect use of the dryer. But that’s not what really happened in this particular lawsuit. In October of 1976, William Stair hired professional hot air balloonist Timothy Horan to advertise for the Shrine Circus. As part of the deal, Stair promised to clean Horan’s balloon if it got
dirty on the job. Stair had connections at Sinai Hospital, where several industrial-sized washers and dryers were located. These giant washers and dryers were capable of spinning 2,000-pound loads of waterproof material — more than enough to clean Horan’s 128-pound nylon balloon. Fred Jessop, an associate of Stair’s, brought Horan to the hospital, where they were able to wash the balloon just fine. However, when they put the balloon in the dryer, the machine began to groan and oscillate. The men stopped the dryer to rebalance the load. When they turned on the dryer again, it started and ran without incident. Then, a few minutes later, the dryer exploded without warning. The men were badly hurt by flying shrapnel, and likely only survived their injuries because they were already at a hospital. They sued the dryer’s manufacturer, American Laundry Machinery Company, for damages. In 1980, after a Maryland court determined “the accident was attributable to defects in the machine itself, and not to any act or omission of the persons operating it,” Horan and Jessop were awarded compensatory damages of $1,260,000.
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Was It Malpractice? 3 Signs You May Have a Case
It is normal to feel scared, confused, or frustrated after suffering an injury or illness. There are few things more distressing than finding yourself in poor health. This is why we rely on doctors and other medical professionals to help us in our time of need. Unfortunately, doctors are not always as responsible as they should be. According to the National Academy of Sciences, nearly 98,000 Americans die each year due to medical mistakes. If you fear a doctor’s negligence harmed you or a loved one, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Here are a few malpractice red flags to be aware of. A DOCTOR REFUSED TO GIVE YOU STRAIGHT ANSWERS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS. Yes, doctors have a lot on their plates, but they should never be too busy to help their own patients. If your doctor seemed harried or distracted, didn’t take the time to answer your questions, failed to provide you with information you requested, or disregarded any of your concerns, it could be a sign they didn’t give your treatment the attention you deserved. This can also happen if the health care facility seemed understaffed. YOU SUFFERED SIDE EFFECTS YOU WERE NOT WARNED ABOUT. While it is generally accepted that there may be risks or side effects associated with certain treatments, your doctor has a responsibility to notify you of all such risks so you can make an
informed decision about your treatment. If you suffer a severe negative reaction to treatment or medication that you were not warned of, you may have a case. YOU DO NOT RECOVER OR YOU GET WORSE DURING TREATMENT. If your doctor-prescribed treatment fails to aid your recovery, it may be a sign your doctor improperly diagnosed you or did not provide acceptable care. That said, it’s important to remember that a poor outcome doesn’t automatically indicate malpractice . As long as the medical professional provides quality care and addresses their patient’s needs “based on the accepted community and medical specialty,” then they likely did not commit malpractice. Malpractice cases are a complicated matter, and most medical professionals work very hard to make sure their patients receive the best care they can provide. But if a doctor fails in their sworn obligation to first do no harm, they must take responsibility for their actions before their negligence brings harm to more patients. There is a statute of limitations on malpractice lawsuits, so if you think you may have a case, take action now. Get in touch with a medical malpractice lawyer by calling 815-726-9999. Learn if you have a case and what steps you need to take to seek justice.
SUDOKU
EVERYTHING POPCORN
INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup popcorn kernels • 2 tablespoons flaky sea salt • 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds • 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds • 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
• 2 teaspoons granulated onion • 1/3 cup canola oil • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds. Shake skillet often and cook until white seeds are golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and add garlic, onion, and salt. 2. In a large saucepan, combine popcorn kernels and oil. Cook over medium-high heat, covered, until popcorn kernels start to pop. Once popping, continue cooking and shaking the pan intermittently until popping ceases, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Pour in butter and toss to coat. Finally, add seasoning, toss again, and serve.
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
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INSIDE
1. Who Likes Cleaning? 2. Super Comics for Your Super Family Laundry Day Goes Horribly Wrong 3. Medical Mystery or Medical Malpractice? Everything Popcorn 4. Why Charities Hate Spring-Cleaning
Donate With Care
The Right Way to Donate After Spring-Cleaning
Spring is in the air, and it’s time to celebrate with another round of spring- cleaning. Banish the clutter and make room in your life for something new! Many charities see a sharp increase in donations as spring-cleaning season starts. Donating your used books, kids’ toys, and gently worn clothing allows your old items to have a second life. However, when filling that donation box, make sure you’re donating each item because it can do good and not just because you feel bad about throwing it away. Charities have a big problem with well- meaning citizens dropping off items that are better left in the trash. There are many items charities simply cannot handle. Most charities will have lists of items they can and cannot accept on their websites. Some items that you should not donate include:
• Cribs • Loose remote controls • Personal care items, like soap, shampoo, or makeup • Mattresses • Carpets • Tangled cords or phone chargers • Any broken, damaged, or dirty items These items may be unsafe to sell, costly to ship, or impossible to refurbish effectively. When a charity regularly receives items they cannot use, they have to spend hours of manpower sorting through things that end up in the trash anyway. This process can be expensive for organizations with already-strained resources. Some local charities spend over $1,000 a year on dumpster and trash removal fees for unusable donations. While charities will have no choice but to throw unusable donations in the trash, there are services you can use to make
your spring-cleaning eco-friendly, even for items you can’t donate. For example, if you have torn or stained blue jeans, reach out to Blue Jeans Go Green. This program keeps denim out of landfills by turning it into insulation. And while Goodwill can’t take your batteries or old flip phone, you can check out Call2Recycle.org to learn how to safely recycle your e-waste.
Your donations can be a big help to local charities. Just don’t “donate” your garbage.
• Expired medications • Old TVs
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