Check out the December edition of our monthly newsletter!
Justice MONTHLY
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
DECEMBER 2021
Curing Vacation Guilt HOW I LEARNED TO RELAX WHEN I’M AWAY
Until recently, I thought going on vacation meant extra stress. I was the only attorney at this firm for the longest time, and that often meant legal emergencies had to fall on my shoulders. The days leading up to my trips were always filled with anxiety, wondering if something was going to happen while I was gone, and my workload was always full when I returned. This often led to “vacation guilt.” I would question if taking a vacation or a trip was worth it with the time, expense, and anxiety it came with, and for that reason, I didn’t prioritize vacations enough.
of assistance when I’m not available. Ben has significantly reduced the stress I had been taking on at the firm, and I have no doubt he will continue to be a great asset to our team. Ben, Priscila, and my continued trust in my team have meant vacations have become much more enjoyable for me. I cannot emphasize enough just how valuable this has been for my productivity and health. If you’re someone who is like how I used to be and dreads vacations for the anxiety they come with, I would encourage you to actively change your perspective. For clients in workers’ compensation cases, these lessons can be difficult to learn. Many of our clients want to return to work, dreading the time they spend away from it throughout the course of their injury and claim. A culture of hard work has been ingrained in many of us, and focusing on our well-being instead can be difficult to achieve. But vacations and time away from work make us better people. They allow us to return to our jobs and families feeling refreshed. This holiday season, I hope you find time to escape the daily grind and make time for yourself. Vacation guilt can be overcome; all it takes is remembering just how valuable this time is for you.
Ben Haggerty
Priscila has changed all that.
Within her culture, vacation time is more sacred. Taking breaks and not feeling bound by deadlines are much more common, and since I’ve been with her and we’ve started our family, I’ve begun to place more value in stepping away from work and taking a vacation. With that comes trusting that I have a good staff in place — I do — to manage any emergencies that may come up and understanding that taking a vacation will make me a better boss, husband, father, and lawyer. Currently, I’m working toward taking one week off each quarter, as Priscila suggested, and with her and Isabella in my life, I don’t feel as guilty. However, there is another piece to this that helps assuage my vacation guilt: We have another attorney at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C.!
Ben Haggerty joined our firm in June 2021, and he comes to us with a background in real estate law, insurance defense, and plaintiff’s work. Ben’s experience in insurance defense is a powerful asset to our team, as he can often provide perspective on how insurance companies may try to manipulate or undercut our clients’ claims. We’re very lucky to have Ben on our team, and I would encourage you to introduce yourself the next time you’re in the office! Adding Ben to the team is a welcome relief for me. It provides my paralegals and other team members with another attorney, should they have a client in need
Happy holidays!
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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WHY SEEING AN ATTORNEY MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU! THE NEXT BIG HEALTH SECRET
Consulting with an attorney when you are facing legal trouble allows you to have an advocate and expert in your corner who is fighting for you and your rights. And according to recent studies, it may be good for your health too! According to NPR, a 2017 study of Veterans Affairs offices in Connecticut and New York found that veterans who saw clinic attorneys reported improved mental health within three months after their initial meetings. Additionally, in Colorado, a five-year survey of 69 patients from 2015 to 2020 found that patients in Medicaid programs who saw attorneys at their clinics had a decrease in the amount of physical health problems they were facing. YOUR NEXT STEPS AFTER AN ACCIDENT With a Driver Without Insurance The aftermath of an accident can be a tricky path to navigate, but when the at-fault party is not insured or doesn’t have enough insurance coverage, your path to compensation may become more convoluted. However, you have options if you are in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist.
While further studies are needed to corroborate this evidence, the message is clear: Finding solutions to your legal concerns through an attorney is healthy! This idea has led to several states permitting Medicaid patients to use some of their health care dollars toward legal clinical programs. For example, in Colorado, some chronically ill patients are struggling with immigration issues or problems as a result of losing their jobs in the COVID-19 pandemic. By consulting with lawyers — in addition to psychiatrists, social workers, and medical doctors — patients are lowering their stress levels, improving their physical well-being, and staying closer to their families.
stress takes on our bodies. Constant stress, like concerns about visitations or deportation, can cause our bodies to fail. This often leads to headaches, heartburn, a weakened immune system, insomnia, stomach problems, and more. These problems then compound into other issues, causing the body to spiral when intervention isn’t possible. However, when the source of stress is relieved, the side effects are eliminated as well. This can powerfully help people who are facing potentially life-altering legal situations. So, while your attorney may not be able to perform heart surgery or help alleviate your knee pain, their expertise may be just what you need to feel better in the long run. your first priority is your safety. Then, always call the police and call emergency medical services, if needed. Police can provide detailed third-party reports of the accident. If you’re safe and not in urgent need of medical attention, swap contact information with the other driver(s). (Be sure to verify the number!) Snapping photos and writing down your account can also be valuable. Finally, find an attorney. Contact information, police reports, photos, and other pertinent data you collect can bolster an attorney’s expertise, and they can leverage this information to provide you the support you need to fight for compensation in a case that can be very complicated. If you are in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, our team at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood
But how does this work? To answer that question, we have to examine the toll
Furthermore, their policy must cover at least $25,000 worth of property damage per incident. Failure to do so is illegal. Here’s how you can protect yourself. Insurance companies offer protection from motorists who are not insured or who have not purchased enough protection through uninsured motorist coverage. Many companies automatically include this coverage in their auto policies, but you should review your plan to verify this is the case for you. If it isn’t something you already have, consider purchasing it. This can protect you in the event of an accident with someone who does not have insurance or enough to cover you. (In many cases, the legal threshold people have to carry may not be enough to cover your costs.)
Here’s a breakdown of your rights!
can help. You can learn more by calling our office today.
First, this is what every Georgia driver needs. Georgia law dictates that all motorists must carry insurance that covers $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident.
Now, this is what you do when it does happen to you. Regardless of the kind of accident you get into,
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HAVE YOU OR A LOVED ONE BEEN A REGULAR USER OF THE WEED-KILLING PRODUCT ROUNDUP?
Do you or your loved ones now suffer from non-Hodgkin lymphoma or another type of cancer?
If so, the chemicals used in Roundup may be to blame — and you may be entitled to substantial compensation.
In the 1970s, agricultural giant Monsanto developed glyphosate and quickly noticed its effectiveness as a pesticide. In 1974, the corporation brought Roundup to commercial markets, using glyphosate in the concoction to selectively kill weeds that threatened crops and home gardens. By 2001, Roundup’s popularity exploded across the country, making glyphosate the most prevalent active ingredient used in U.S. agriculture. By 2007, over 185 million pounds of glyphosate were being used each year. But that effective pesticide has also proven dangerous to humans. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found glyphosate to be “probably carcinogenic.” Additional research found a link between the compound and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
After this shocking data went public, many regular users of Roundup — now suffering from lymphoma and other types of cancer — banded together to file a class-action lawsuit against Monsanto. Plaintiffs argue that the corporation failed to adequately warn Roundup users of the risk, leading to leukemia, multiple myeloma, B-cell lymphoma, bone cancer, kidney cancer, and numerous other afflictions. In fact, a 2018 California grand jury recently found the company guilty of negligence and ordered out hundreds of millions of dollars to Dewayne Johnson, a father of three and former groundskeeper. A judge later reduced this to $78 million.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after years of Roundup usage, you deserve compensation, too.
The Law Offices of William F. Underwood is your South Georgia mass tort case expert, so call 229-888-0888 today. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure you get the justice you deserve.
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
1918 DAWSON RD. ALBANY, GA 31707
HAVE YOU OR A LOVED ONE UNDERGONE HERNIA MESH SURGERY SINCE 2006?
Since the surgery, have you suffered from chronic pain, infections, bowel obstructions, adhesions, mesh failure or shifting, and/or additional hernias, or had to undergo hernia revision surgery? IF SO, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO SUBSTANTIAL COMPENSATION.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than 1 million hernia repair surgeries are performed each year on patients with painful protruding organs. These patients typically sustain these hernias when their intestines poke through a thin part of the abdominal wall, causing pain, swelling, and infections. Often surgeons use a hernia mesh to patch the opening and secure the organs back in place to prevent further damage. Unfortunately, this process has shown failure in more than 30% of patients, causing more pain, health complications, and the need for more expensive surgeries and hospital stays.
Companies have recalled hernia mesh to avoid further problems, but the pain and additional costs of these surgeries have left many patients suffering. Recalled products include Ethicon Physiomesh and Proceed, Atrium C-QUR, PreFix, 3DS Max, Sepremesh, and C.R. Bard Kugel. If you were treated with one of these meshes, you may be owed compensation. Patients who were treated with hernia mesh that was not recalled and still faced complications can also be compensated for their injuries. Previous lawsuits against these companies have shown mass negligence in these manufacturers’ care and maintenance, and victims have been awarded multimillion-dollar settlements as a result.
If you or someone you know has sustained complications following hernia mesh surgery, call the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. today at 229-888-0888. Our legal experts will guide you through your legal options and determine what you may be entitled to.
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
1918 DAWSON ROAD ALBANY, GA 31707
CELEBRATINGSAFELYDURINGTHEHOLIDAYS
HOW TO LOWER DRUNK DRIVING FATALITY RISKS
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate in December, and for many, that means enjoying classic holiday cocktails and drinks. Unfortunately, drunk driving and accident fatalities increase as the festivities do.
enjoy extra time with your family, and no one will have to worry about driving.
Other options include downloading and using ride-sharing apps, opting for public transportation, or enjoying mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks instead. (Please visit SAMHSA.gov for resources on substance abuse prevention during the holidays.) Avoid Drunk Drivers As a personal injury law firm, our team knows that no matter how prepared you are to prevent an accident, other drivers can be negligent. To limit the number of drunk drivers you pass on the road, consider the time you drive. The NHTSA reports that most drunk driving fatalities occur between 12–3 a.m., so plan your travel accordingly. Moreover, if you notice someone driving erratically, stay a safe distance away from them. If it’s safe to do so, pull over and report their license plate number and location to the police non-emergency line. This could prevent the driver from injuring someone. We hope your holiday season is merry and bright, but if a drunk driver causes reckless damage to your family this holiday season, our team is here to help. Please call our office to learn more.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drunk driving fatalities increase during holidays, but you don’t have to become part of the statistics. Here are a few ways you can prevent drunk driving and avoid careless drivers who choose to drink and operate a vehicle. Don’t Drink and Drive There are many methods to prevent drunk driving; you just have to find the option that works best for you. If you’re married, consider setting up a drinking and sober driving rotation. On certain days, one of you can drink at an event, while the other has to remain sober. And then swap next time! For the holidays, choose one person to drink at a holiday event and another to drink for New Year’s Eve.
Another fun and safe option is to opt for an overnight stay rather than driving home. When your family gathers for the holidays, consider making it a weekend event! Everyone can dress in their PJs, you’ll
CELTIC YULE CUPCAKES
We Value You!
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our November newsletter: Damien Handy, Otha Hopkins, Pete Smith, Patsy Gore, Sonny Benson, Louis Johnson, Austin Craven, Martha Craft Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments on our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
Want to add a traditional twist to your holiday season? Try these Celtic Yule cupcakes — a modern dessert for an ancient celebration.
Ingredients • 2 eggs • 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 tsp baking powder • 1 tbsp milk • 1 1/3 cups raisins • 2 tbsp hot water • 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • Orange zest, to taste
• 2/3 cup sugar • 1 1/4 cups flour
Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, butter, vanilla, orange zest, and sugar. 3. Add the flour and baking powder, then fold in the milk and raisins. 4. Grease a cupcake tin before pouring the batter into it. 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool. 6. In a small bowl, blend the hot water and powdered sugar to create the icing.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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1918 DAWSON RD. ALBANY, GA 31707
You Can Cure Vacation Guilt — Here’s How PAGE 1
Your Attorney Is Good for Your Health! PAGE 2
What if the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance? PAGE 2
Lower Drunk Driving Fatalities Risks This Holiday Season PAGE 3
Celtic Yule Cupcakes PAGE 3
Why Basketball Is a Christmas Day Tradition PAGE 4
MERRY HOOPSMAS! Why Basketball Is a Christmas Staple
games of any other NBA team. They
have 22 wins and 31 losses, giving them the
Nothing says Christmas quite like basketball — at least, that’s been the case since 1947. In addition to stockings, eggnog, and general yuletide cheer, each Christmas Day brings about an annual lineup of basketball games featuring the National Basketball Association’s best of the best, and it’s become a time-honored tradition.
That looks different today. In contrast to the National Football League’s
most losses on Christmas Day. (Until recently, they had the
Thanksgiving Day games, where the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys always play, Christmas Day is now reserved for the NBA’s top teams. In many ways, this is a marketing ploy designed to heighten NBA viewership on a day when few other sports host games, and by using their best teams, the NBA can ensure viewers are treated to great games. However, for loyal fans and viewers, the tradition has sparked a few great moments, including the following greatest games, statistics, and achievements — plus a potential record to watch for this year. • Kings of Christmas Day: Since their initial 1947 debut, the New York Knicks have gone on to play the most holiday
most wins, too, but the Los Angeles Lakers now hold that title.)
• Point Pros: This year could be a historic one for the NBA. LeBron James is slated to surpass the late Kobe Bryant for the most points scored on Christmas Day. James just needs 13 points to outpace Bryant when the Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets this year. However, the title for most points scored on a single Christmas Day game goes to Bernard King of the Knicks, who scored 60 points in a 1984 loss to the then-New Jersey Nets.
But where in the North Pole did this idea come from?
While it’s hard to pinpoint an exact reason, the NBA has hosted Christmas Day games since 1947, when the New York Knicks beat the Providence Steamrollers 89–75. For decades, teams across the league would play their regional rivals on Dec. 25, ensuring the basketball season moved forward and players didn’t have to travel too far from their families.
You can catch all five Christmas Day games on ESPN and ABC this Christmas Day!
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