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LEGAL BRIEF
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MARCH 2025 FriedmanSimon.com
SOCIAL MEDIA VS. YOUR CASE
THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU POST
When social media first appeared on the scene, it felt like magic. Suddenly, you could find and connect with childhood friends, share important moments with a wide audience, and explore almost anything with just a few clicks. At first, I was a big fan, but my perspective has changed. As the excitement faded, I began to notice the downsides — like how our online presence often gets in the way of genuine interactions and distorts the reality of our lives. As a personal injury lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand how social media can affect legal cases, and not always for the better. The picture-perfect versions of life we put together on platforms like Instagram and Facebook tell a story, but it may not always be correct. Even seemingly innocent posts — smiling selfies, vacation pics, or quick updates — can complicate a case.
For example, a person recovering from an injury might post a photo from a beach vacation with their family. To the opposing side, that single image could become a tool to downplay an injury’s severity. What isn’t portrayed in the photo, though, is the discomfort they endured during the trip and how limited their activities were. The context is completely lost. That’s the challenge with social media: It presents a curated version of life that rarely reflects the whole picture. For clients navigating a personal injury case, a simple “feeling better today” post can be twisted to raise doubts about their credibility and the true impact of their injuries. This is why I always advise clients to think twice before posting anything online. While social media may feel like a private space, it’s anything but. Posts can be uncovered with a subpoena or found during depositions even with privacy settings. The opposing side is looking for any detail — no matter how small — that can be misconstrued to undermine your case. It’s best to avoid posting anything about your injury or recovery to protect your interests. That means no posts about how you’re feeling, no photos of outings that can be turned against you, and certainly no posts related to your case or the incident itself. If you want to maintain a presence online, keep posts light and neutral. Focus on general updates unrelated to your health and legal situation. And if you’re unsure if a particular
post could be harmful, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
Social media can be a powerful tool for connecting with people from a distance, but it’s also worth considering what it can take away. I’ve often thought about how the endless stream of notifications and updates distracts us from the people and moments right in front of us. In the context of a personal injury case, this distraction can have real consequences — pulling focus from the healing process and complicating an already challenging time. For those recovering from an injury, the priority should be rest and reconnecting with what matters most. Taking a break from social media not only helps protect your case but also creates the space needed to heal physically and emotionally. Being fully present with loved ones as you recover is much more important than any fleeting likes or shares online. As a personal injury lawyer, I guide clients through some of life’s most challenging moments, offering advice on the complexities of their case or how to avoid unnecessary risk. Social media can complicate things, but by stepping back and being mindful of what you share, you can support your recovery,
strengthen your case, and focus on what truly matters.
-Michael J. Mills
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When you think of your customer’s buying journey, do you envision it from start to finish, or do you just focus on the sale? While that end goal is crucial, your marketing strategy needs to get them there. To nurture your customers through the checkout process, you have to put yourself in their shoes and develop your marketing strategy from their perspective from start to finish — an approach called customer-centric marketing. WHAT IS CUSTOMER-CENTRIC MARKETING? Your product/service is impressive, but it’s your job to convince potential buyers. The bottom line of customer- centric marketing is to understand why a customer needs your product/service, how the product/service meets their needs, and if customers see themselves using your product/service. One way to accomplish this is to meet your customers where they are. According to a 2023 Sprout Social Index Report, 53% of consumers increased their social media usage since the pandemic. Those consumers also desire stronger engagement from the brands they follow or support. HOW CAN IT BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS? Your customers respond to techniques that appeal to emotions and invite reactions and interactions. This engagement helps nurture a relationship that gives you more information about what customers want and helps them gain trust in your offer. IMPROVE AND GROW Focusing your marketing strategy on customers makes promoting tailored products that respond to customer needs easier. You need to make your brand stand out in your followers' minds, creating new followers and allowing them to contribute while feeling heard and seen. Social media is the top channel for product discovery. However, before customers commit to a particular purchase, they check existing customers' reviews, comments, and testimonials, making customer interactions paramount. CREATING LOYAL CUSTOMERS Loyal customers are your biggest advocates and will continually choose you over competitors. Once you acquire new customers, it’s time to build those connections to create loyalty by reflecting their needs and values in your marketing campaigns. Customers who love a product or service stand by it and will tell everyone why they love it so much — and will do this without you asking. Adopting the Customer-Centric Mindset Why Putting Customers First Is the Key to Growth
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of an injury, it’s natural to want closure as quickly as possible. You’re in pain, face heavy stress, and likely feel overwhelmed by the process, making the idea of settling your case as soon as possible sound like the fastest path to relief. But there is no way of knowing what you don’t know. As your case progresses, you may require additional treatments or medical services. Once you agree to a settlement, you sign away your rights to further compensation. In one recent case, we represented a client who was injured in a slip-and-fall, causing significant tears to his ankle. Our client began physical therapy and was at the point where he just wanted to settle the case and move on. His treatment wasn’t complete, and we advised that once we had greater clarity on what the future held for his injuries, the outcome might be significantly greater. The client then needed to have surgery. Before his surgery, the other side offered him a settlement of $10,000 to $15,000, increasing slightly after the procedure. The timing still wasn’t right yet, and we continued to monitor his treatment. The client experienced multiple complications and infections from his surgery, leading him to return to the operating table. When we finally settled his case, that recovery changed from a few thousand dollars into a dramatically more significant settlement. Once we settle a case, we can’t get you additional money, regardless of whether you endure complications or other medical costs. Even if your injury or accident happened a year ago, it is generally best to settle only when you know your treatment is complete or we have a clearer idea of where it’s going. Oftentimes, that early settlement falls far short of what you deserve to recover. At Friedman & Simon, we understand that an injury is one of the most challenging situations a person can face. We can help you navigate with patience and care, ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in an accident, don’t sign the first settlement offer you receive. Contact us today for a consultation. HOW TIMING YOUR SETTLEMENT CAN MAKE A BIG POSITIVE DIFFERENCE Don’t Settle for Less
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Cook surveyed a large number of families to confirm this suspicion, and they were right. Parents also lacked useful resources to guide them in teaching financial literacy. These revelations pointed to a market gap, which Sheehan and Cook closed with Greenlight. LOOKING AT THE SCHOOLS Creating Greenlight led to the next big question: Are parents qualified to teach financial literacy to their children? Many parents assume their kids are learning about money in school. However, a 2010 national study on a teacher’s capacity to teach personal finance revealed that although 80% of states had guidelines for financial education, less than 20% of teachers felt competent to teach it. As of 2022, 47 states require K-12 students to take a course in personal finance to graduate, but parents still need to help their kids with financial literacy. UNDERSTANDING THE PRODUCT Greenlight is a debit card that allows parents to control and monitor how their children spend money. It comes with three plans: Greenlight Core ($4.99/month), Greenlight Max ($9.98/month), and Greenlight Infinity
($14.98/month). All have the basic features of providing debit cards for up to five kids, financial literacy games, and an allowance and chores feature. The Max and Infinity plans offer investing for kids, driving reports and crash detection, identity theft protection services, and much more. CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION Even though many startup fintech companies offer debit cards to children and teenagers specifically, Greenlight’s product includes features that other companies don’t. Other payment apps like CashApp and Venmo offer peer-to-peer fund transfers — but without financial literacy training, young users are still vulnerable to making financial mistakes. Greenlight’s unique features clearly have an edge over its competitors. GREENLIGHT GETS THE GREENLIGHT The future of Greenlight looks exceptionally bright. It has grown to 3 million users and $100 million in revenue, and there are plans for expansion. Because the founders recognized a financial literacy need in family dynamics and acted to fill the gap, Greenlight is bringing financial literacy to the masses.
It may seem like today's kids have it all: cellphones, video games, and now debit cards. But do they understand how money really works in the real world? Founders Tim Sheehan (CEO) and Johnson Cook (president and CEO) started Greenlight in 2014 to empower children, teenagers, and their parents with strong financial literacy. Sheehan understands how valuable it is because his father taught him the good financial habits that shaped the trajectory of his own career. THE FOUNDATIONAL JOURNEY: TAPPING INTO AN UNTAPPED MARKET Sheehan was lucky his father took the time to teach him about money but realized most parents don’t have the time or an adequate knowledge base. So, Sheehan and FOUNDING STORY OF TIM SHEEHAN AND JOHNSON COOK Greenlight: Spreading Financial Literacy Worldwide
SUDOKU
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots • 1 cup chopped yellow onion • 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic • 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth • 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • 1/2 tsp ground pepper • 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt • 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini • 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach • 1 cup heavy cream
Directions
1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
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516-800-8000 FriedmanSimon.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2
The Hidden Dangers of Social Media Posts Get to Know Your Customers Why the First Offer Is Rarely the Best One How the Fintech Industry Made History With Greenlight Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup Mastering Management and Mentorship
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perspectives and way of working offer a fresh perspective on reaching and maintaining in- house goals. Of course, welcoming employee feedback on the effectiveness of your productivity tracking is also critical, as it allows you to identify frustrations within your team before they lead to high turnover. STEP BACK TO STEP UP. You may carry multiple responsibilities as a small-business owner. While you still have the ultimate say in how your business operates, successful owners and managers understand and embrace the importance of identifying their weaknesses and allowing others to carry those weights. Be open to ideas that may challenge your direction and welcome suggestions from qualified individuals on strengthening and streamlining your in-house processes. No one wants to work for a tyrant, and true leaders hold themselves and others accountable if their decisions are not in the best interest of the business’s long-term goals and survival. As the year progresses, solicit feedback from your team members on market movements and practices that may impact your industry in the coming months. An employee may be aware of a new technology that can help your operation thrive or have insight into an
impending trend that could negatively impact your bottom line in a subsequent quarter. No one has a crystal ball, but your employees may offer a realistic glimpse into the future. KEEP COMMUNICATION CLEAR. With more businesses utilizing more remote or freelance workers than ever before, maintaining clear communications is paramount to effective leadership. While it’s essential to put instructions and other critical information in writing to ensure employees understand their roles, discussing these matters with them is equally important — not just relying on their reading a manual or viewing a prerecorded instructional Zoom video. One effective way to assess an employee’s grasp of certain processes is to have them walk you or a more experienced team member through the steps they take to complete the tasks. If they struggle to communicate the steps clearly, it’s a sign they need additional training. Additionally, it’s essential to recognize that not every employee learns the same way. Some may succeed easily through visual instruction, while others prefer learning by doing. The key is developing varied instructional options to help team members thrive in their respective environments.
LEADERSHIP FOR LASTING GROWTH SUCCESS SECRETS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Running a successful small business requires a wide range of skills that would typically be spread across multiple roles at a larger company. When you’re at the helm, it can sometimes feel like you’re doing everything by yourself, all at once, which can have a devastating long-term effect on the business’s profitability and productivity — and your abilities to grow as a leader. Here are three proven strategies for effective management to help you address everything from employee turnover to feelings of burnout. AVOID THE MICROMANAGEMENT MAZE. Tracking employees’ productivity is essential to your business’s health, but micromanaging can stifle your team’s ability to think creatively and work independently. Loosening the reigns now and then may help you discover a hidden talent within your organization whose
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