Check out our Nov/Dec newsletter!
November/December 2022
THE HARMAN HEADLINE
HARMAN LAW
Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Employment Lawyers
2022 WAS OUR BEST YEAR EVER!
REFLECTING ON WINS AND PREPARING FOR 2023
A few months ago, I sat down to review our firm’s finances and discovered a wonderful surprise: We broke a record! 2022 has been our best year to date since I started Harman Law six years ago. I’m really excited about this because if our numbers are up, that means we’re taking home bigger settlements for our clients, and helping more people than ever before. In most of our cases, my team doesn’t get paid until our client takes home their settlement check. So, if this was our best year ever, it was also your best year ever! I have to give my team a lot of credit for this success. As you know, 2021 was a challenging year for our firm from a staffing perspective. However, this year, all of the pieces fell into place. It’s evident that today we have a really good group of people in the office. They’re all working hard and willing to learn, and they genuinely care about the outcomes we get for our clients. Thanks to their efforts, we’ve had some amazing successes for our clients in 2022 that far surpassed their expectations. For example, one woman came to us for help with an employment law case because her employer stubbornly refused to negotiate a reasonable settlement. Our team went to bat for her, and because of the strategies we used, after just six months, she went home with a settlement four times higher than the original offer.
her treatment, and they’d given her a lowball offer of less than $10,000. When we took her case, we realized that not only was the offer too low, but she also needed more medical care! We pointed her in the right direction, then went back to the insurance company with our new data. They agreed to settle her case for the full policy limit of $50,000. Those are just two of a long list of successes we’ve had this year. On top of the work we’ve done for our clients, our firm has also given back to several local charities, including Claire’s Army, Angels and Sparrows, and the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation. (You can read more about them on Page 3.) I’ve never been more pleased with my team, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish in 2023. I’m really looking forward to the new year on a personal level. The firm was so busy in 2021 and 2022 that I had to cut back on time with my wife and kids. We managed to sneak away for the trip to Disney I told you about earlier this year, but apart from that, I pretty much lived at my desk and in the courtroom. The long hours were tough on our family and my health, but in 2023, we hope to make up for lost time. My wife and I are both turning 40 next year, and it’s also our 10-year wedding anniversary. We’ve planned a friends and family trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands to celebrate, and I can’t wait! I’m also looking forward to more quality time at home with the triplets. Thanks to my amazing team, I can finally have the best of both worlds. “In most of our cases, my team doesn’t get paid until our client takes home their settlement check. So, if this was our best year ever, it was also your best year ever!”
We achieved an even better outcome for another client who’d been injured in a car crash. She’d gone to the insurance company after finishing
Wishing you a healthy, happy holiday season,
–Michael Harman
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Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – Call Us Today 704-237-6613
A Daily Dose of Gratitude Raising Thankful Children
Most parents want their kids to view Thanksgiving as a meaningful event — not just an opportunity to indulge in turkey and mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, most kids’ eyes will glaze over when their parents
notes? Do you regularly talk about why you’re so fortunate or what you’re thankful for? Cultivating gratitude in your life sets a good example, and many studies show it benefits your mental health as well. Next, consider how you can encourage your child to reflect on who they’re grateful for. Acts of kindness and returning the favor to those who have been good to us can inspire kids to put their gratitude into action. Doing some yardwork, sharing a toy, or making a painting as a gift can help children understand how powerful it can be to outwardly show our gratitude for the people who are in our lives. Consistency is the most crucial factor, so try to find ways you can incorporate gratitude into your everyday routine. Children of any age can keep a gratitude journal with their parents’ help. Some families also use a gratitude jar where each family member can write what they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and add something different to the jar each week. It’s the perfect way to keep gratitude front and center.
launch into a lecture about thankfulness. You will likely find better success by emphasizing the value of gratitude all year long.
“What do you say?” It’s a question we all ask our young children after someone does something nice for them. This practice instills good manners, but it shouldn’t be confused with teaching gratitude. Imparting the meaning behind the words “thank you” takes something more. If you want grateful children, you need to be grateful parents. Consider how you can incorporate gratitude more into your everyday life. Are you as thankful as you should be? Do you repay favors and write thank-you
These lessons may not sink in immediately, but by cultivating these positive habits in our everyday lives, you will see a big difference in the long run.
Find the Courage to Tell Your Story
3 THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE COMING FORWARD
This summer, the Department of Labor announced it was investigating workplace safety issues at Amazon warehouses in New York, Florida, and Illinois. Federal prosecutors are also involved in the probe, looking into worker safety hazards, and whether Amazon may have covered up worker injuries. This is an amazing investigation, and it probably never would have happened if Amazon workers hadn’t come forward to share their stories with lawyers and journalists. Telling the story of something traumatic that happened to you at work is one of the scariest things in the world. Maybe you were hurt on the job and your boss brushed it under the rug. Maybe you were sexually harassed by a coworker, and they threatened to have you fired if you came forward. Or maybe you have a friend or family member in one of these situations and is too afraid to tell their story to a supervisor or human resources (HR) representative.
If that sounds familiar, take heart in these three things and/or share them with your loved one. 1. WHAT HAPPENED ISN’T YOUR FAULT. People may try to blame you, but don’t let this “victim blaming” shame you into silence. You are not at fault, and you deserve help. 2. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. You aren’t the first person to be injured at work, and you won’t be the last. There is a whole community out there just waiting to support you, including the lawyers on our team! If your matter becomes a legal issue, we’ll protect and guide you every step of the way. 3. BY STANDING UP FOR YOURSELF, YOU COULD SAVE OTHERS. Think about the Amazon workers we mentioned earlier. Because they came forward with their stories, Amazon warehouses all over the country are under investigation. This
could save thousands of people from pain and suffering. When you share your story, you aren’t just fighting for justice for yourself; you’re fighting for other potential victims, too. Coming forward is scary, but it’s the right thing to do — for yourself, your family, and future victims. When you’re ready to share your experience, reach out to your supervisor or HR representative. If they refuse to help you, call our team. We’re ready to jump in.
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Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – HarmanLawNC.com
3 LOCAL CHARITIES OUR FIRM SUPPORTS HELP US GIVE THIS SEASON! Giving back to the community is an important part of our firm’s mission, and we do it all year long by donating and volunteering. If you plan to help a cause during the holiday season, consider choosing one of the three charities our firm supported this year. CLAIRE’S ARMY This wonderful nonprofit helps the families of children who are fighting cancer by putting together hospital care packages, delivering meals, and paying bills like mortgage and rent payments, utility costs, and travel and funeral expenses. Claire’s Army is near to our hearts because Michael’s wife, Jen, is friends with its founder — a sweet woman who lost her 2-year-old daughter, Claire, to cancer. You can read all about Claire’s Army and contribute at ClairesArmy.org. ANGLES & SPARROWS Angels & Sparrows is a great organization that does all kinds of things for the community: providing free food and helping folks with education, health care, housing, and their finances. They also offer lunch at their center every single weekday. Earlier this year, our team volunteered to organize their food pantry and dish up beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes, and sides for people who came in hungry. This is a wonderful organization that allows other people to help feed our community, too! Learn how at AngelsandSparrows.org. THE MECKLENBURG BAR FOUNDATION This foundation is the giving arm of the Mecklenburg County Bar, and Michael serves on the board! Our firm also donates to the foundation to help it give back to the community through grants. This year, the Bar Foundation donated $10,000 each to Bags of Hope (a service that provides groceries to students facing food insecurity), Bright Blessings (which funds birthday celebrations, books, and other needs for children), and The Havens by Rain (a housing option for people who are disabled and facing homelessness). To learn more about the Bar Foundation, visit MeckBar.org and click the “Bar Foundation” tab. We hope you’ll join us and give back to one of these causes during the holidays. It may sound cliché, but it’s also very true: Every dollar and hour makes a difference.
SUDOKU
Solution on Page 4
LENTIL BOLOGNESE A Meal That’s Both Hearty and Healthy
Rich and robust, this plant-based meal is full of flavor and perfect for those cool autumn days.
INGREDIENTS •
1-lb box pasta, any kind
• • • • • • • •
1/4 tsp chili flakes 1 tbsp Italian herbs 1/3 cup tomato paste
• • • • • • •
2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced
1 1/2 cups diced carrots 1 1/2 cups diced celery 4–6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/4 cups lentils 3 tomatoes, diced
3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup hemp seeds 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp pepper
DIRECTIONS 1.
Cook pasta according to package directions. 2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until fragrant. Lower heat to medium, add carrots, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, chili flakes, and Italian herbs. 3. Add tomato paste and cook down for a few minutes. Now add the lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and hemp seeds. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, and simmer until lentils are tender. 4. Cook until all of the liquid is absorbed, then stir in the balsamic vinegar before adjusting the seasonings to your liking. When that is done, pour over the pasta and enjoy.
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Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – Call Us Today 704-237-6613
16507 Northcross Drive, Suite B Huntersville, NC, 28078 Offices in Lake Norman, Charlotte, and Hickory 704-237-6613 HarmanLawNC.com
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Inside This Issue
2022 Was Our Best Year Ever! Page 1
Sudoku Solution
A Daily Dose of Gratitude
Tips for Gathering Your Courage Page 2
Lentil Bolognese
3 Local Charities We Love to Help Page 3 All This for Cheese? Page 4
ALL THIS FOR A TRUCKLE OF CHEESE? What Is Cheese Rolling?
During the spring, the southwest part of England hosts one of the strangest sports each year — cheese rolling. People worldwide travel to watch and participate as contestants launch themselves down a hill in pursuit of a round of cheese. But how did this sport come to be? It’s kind of a mystery.
almost 90-degree angle. Then, when the master of ceremonies tells you to go, you launch yourself down the mountain. The first person to grab the 8-pound wheel of double cream Gloucester (which has never been done before) or cross the finish line at the bottom (about 200 yards) will win the race and the cheese. You don’t need to meet any criteria or fill out any paperwork to participate. Simply arrive at the top of the hill before the race begins, and you’re all set. But participating is at your own risk: Many people suffer severe injuries because you’re going down the hill at speeds reaching 70 mph.
No one really knows the origins of cheese rolling. For as long as the locals can remember, the sport has always been there. Several theories attempt to explain how the sport came about. One theory states that the competition started in the 15th century, and racing down the hill was a way to establish grazing rights on the commons. Others say the game has a pagan origin, where people would throw bundles of brushwood down the hill to represent the new year once winter ends. Although its roots are unknown, locals have kept score since the 1970s and watched it gain in popularity over the years. WHAT ARE THE RULES? Competitors begin the race at the top of Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucester, which slopes downward at an
The sport has gained many fans over the years — around 15,000 attendees come to view the spectacle annually. The media attention further spreads the interest and popularity of cheese rolling. Many YouTube channels cover the sport, and a Netflix show titled “We Are the Champions” has an episode covering the sport and how competitors train.
Can you believe all of this excitement and fame over a truckle of cheese?
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Unwavering Client Experience. Outstanding Results. – HarmanLawNC.com
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