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DathanLHill.com 225-266-2948
June 2023
A Powerful Tool if You Use It Correctly The Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media
Today, we live in a virtual world. Technology consumes us — in both good and bad ways. For many of us, when we wake up in the morning, an alarm on our cellphone rings in our ears, signaling that it’s time to roll out of bed and start the day. But first, we have to check our email on our phone, answer any missed calls or texts, and maybe even scroll through social media a bit. On the way to work, we may use our devices to place a mobile order for breakfast or coffee, or we use Bluetooth in our cars to make a phone call during the commute. Depending on our careers, many of us may use technology all day long — sometimes to the point where our eyes feel strained from staring at a screen all day — but it’s also very beneficial. It allows us to connect with others around the world, keep in touch with relatives and friends, video conference with coworkers, and make purchases from anywhere in the world at any given time. Technology is an amazing tool if used correctly and reasonably, but it can also wreak havoc on your accident or personal injury cases. On June 21, we celebrate National Selfie Day, and on June 30, it’s World Social Media Day. In honor of these celebrations of social media, I’d like to take a moment to remind you that if you have an active claim or case, be cognizant of what you post on social media platforms!
To ensure your privacy on social media and to better protect you and your case, check your privacy settings on all of your social media accounts and platforms, scrutinize any new friend requests, refrain from posting or messaging anyone details about your case, and remember that other people can see your comments on other social media posts. The best way to protect your case is to avoid talking about it at all and be careful what you share! Privacy is the best policy! Don’t get me wrong, technology and social media platforms are a great way to connect and can be powerful tools — the key is to use it correctly. Always think twice before posting!
Here are some ways that social media can unintentionally sabotage your case:
• Posting about working while claiming lost wages • Checking in or posting photos at the gym, park, or hiking while claiming an injury • Commenting on other posts about activities or plans while claiming to be injured or immobile • Posting confidential details surrounding your case While these are just a few examples of ways that using social media can harm your case, posting about anything that may be in conflict with your claim or can be taken out of context to be used against you is something that I strongly caution against.
–Dathan Hill P.S. If you or a family member has been in an auto accident, we are here to help! Give us a call today at 225-266-2948 for a free initial consultation.
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Struggling to Pay Your Bills? How an Attorney Can Help
Paying your bills on time isn’t always an easy task. If you’re going through financial difficulties, it can sometimes be impossible to pay your bills on time. Yet, there are still some ways to minimize the damage that can occur when you can’t pay your debts. When your bills pile up, you should always contact your creditors to learn if you can receive any extensions on payment deadlines. Being proactive is critical when managing debt. However, if they are unwilling to offer you leniency, you may face a creditor lawsuit; if that occurs, you should contact a debt settlement lawyer. What does a debt settlement attorney do? A debt settlement attorney can reach out to creditors and negotiate a way to reduce your debt or lower your payments. Finances can be confusing, but there are plenty of protocols and strategies out there — most of us just aren’t aware of them. Debt settlement lawyers are experts in consumer rights and know precisely what lenders can and cannot do. While debt settlement attorneys can assist you in various ways concerning your debt, they will often review your financial status, income, and conflicts in order to negotiate effectively with your creditors. However, hiring a debt settlement lawyer does not guarantee your debt will be reduced; it will give you a greater chance of doing so. What types of debt can they settle? You may not know about the multiple kinds of debt and their particular characteristics. These lawyers primarily work on unsecured debt, which is any debt that doesn’t require collateral. Some examples of unsecured debt include:
While debt settlement lawyers often work to reduce these debts, they can also provide legal assistance on other issues such as car repossession, wage garnishment, debt collection lawsuits, debt collector harassment, and more. If you’re struggling because of debt, they’ll most likely be able to help. Is it expensive to hire an attorney? There’s no simple price tag for hiring a debt settlement lawyer. Plenty of factors influence legal costs. For example, how much debt you have affects a lawyer’s total charge. Also, how many creditors require negotiation and how much you save in your settlement affect your cost. Additionally, if you need to file for bankruptcy eventually, it involves another set of charges to engage that process. You should contact a debt settlement attorney if you’re struggling to keep up with your bills and know you can’t pay them on time. Whether mapping out a payment plan or negotiating with creditors, these attorneys will work to ease your financial stress. Many of these lawyers offer free consultations so you can better understand your situation. If they can help you reduce your debts, they will be a great asset.
• Car loans • Student loans • Medical bills
• Credit card bills • Personal loans
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TAKE A BREAK
PUPPY POWER IS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN How Do Cute Images Affect Your Mind?
“Kawaii” is the Japanese word for “cute,” which apparently alters our brains more than we thought! During The Power of Kawaii study, Hiroshima University researched the effects of viewing images of cute animals, and what they discovered was shocking. Researchers found that these adorable animals can help us improve our concentration, especially on detail-oriented tasks. Participants who viewed images of puppies and kittens could accomplish tasks with greater care and attention than those shown other pictures. How did they measure concentration, and why cute animals? What method was used in the initial experiment? In the first experiment, researchers split a group of 48 participants and had each person play a surgery game similar to “Operation.” Using tiny tweezers, the participants had to grasp small objects without touching the edges. Afterward, one group observed images of puppies and kittens, and the other viewed photos of adult dogs and cats. After viewing the pictures, both groups played the game again. The result? The first group had a significant improvement when playing the game. They approached the game more deliberately and at a slower pace to carefully remove the objects without touching the edges. Meanwhile, the second group showed no difference in their performance. Why do these cute images affect us? After more experiments with increased difficulty, the researchers concluded that the sweet animals made a noticeable impact on our brains. Participants showed higher levels of focus, concentration, and carefulness both mentally and behaviorally. The reasoning may be that seeing baby animals triggers our nurturing side and, in turn, makes us more careful and alert. We sense something needing protection, care, and focus. At a subconscious level, you likely will become more cautious in how you think and behave after looking at pictures of baby animals. So, the next time you need to do something tedious or detail-oriented, prep yourself with a cute puppies and kittens slideshow to ensure you get the job done right!
GOAT CHEESE AND THYME STUFFED CHICKEN
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Ingredients
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts • 3.5 oz firm goat cheese • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, plus 2–3 sprigs
• 4 pieces of thin-sliced bacon • Olive oil • 2 zucchinis, thinly sliced • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Split the chicken breasts almost in half along the long side, open them like a book, then flatten the sides out. 3. Put the goat cheese on the “open book” side of the chicken and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Fold the chicken over to enclose the cheese, then wrap each breast in 2 slices of bacon. 4. Lightly oil a shallow gratin or casserole dish, then arrange overlapping rows of zucchini and tomatoes on the bottom. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then set chicken on top. Place thyme sprigs on chicken. 5. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the bacon is crisp and golden and the zucchini is tender.
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225-266-2948 www.DathanLHill.com 637 Saint Ferdinand Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Don’t Let Social Media Sabotage Your Case
Do You Need a Debt Settlement Lawyer?
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Goat Cheese and Thyme Stuffed Chicken Cute Puppies = Concentration
You’re Legally Obligated to Walk Your Dog?
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Walk Your Furry Friend or Get Fined A PECULIAR ROMAN REQUIREMENT:
If you live in Rome and feel too lazy to walk your dog, you better think twice before breaking the law. Wait, the law? Yes! In 2005, the city of Rome passed a law requiring every dog owner to walk their furry friend at least once a day if they wanted to avoid a fine. This was one of the multiple laws protecting the safety and well-being of Roman animals. The city had been dealing
with ongoing problems due to dogs being cooped up in small apartments or abandoned in the streets. Monica Cirinna, who created the law, explained, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention.” She also told the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero that “the civilization of a city can also be measured by this.” How authorities in Rome can enforce this law is still unclear, but the city also passed other less-ambiguous animal welfare laws. Aside from the mandatory daily dog walk, docking an animal’s ears or tails and selling animals at fairgrounds are also illegal acts. While Rome may seem dog-biased, cat people will be happy to learn the Italian city didn’t forget felines. They passed another law to make declawing a cat for aesthetic
reasons illegal. Additionally, the city will recognize those feeding and caring for the countless stray cats roaming the stone- paved streets. And last but not least, round fishbowls are also illegal, as the circular shape forces the fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and can affect the fish’s mood and behavior. But Rome isn’t the only city in Italy with animal-friendly laws. In Turin, for example, dog owners are required to walk their pets at least three times a day or face a fine of $650. Meanwhile, in Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil live lobsters. The city officials considered this cooking method “useless torture.” Even though Italy is known for stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can also take credit for holding pet owners accountable and ensuring they take proper care of their animal companions.
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