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HARMONSON HEADLINES YOUR GUIDE TO PERSONAL INJURY IN THE BORDERLAND MAY 2022
Out here in far west Texas, everything is a road trip. Unless you fly, you’re in for a long drive to go just about anywhere. The Friday before Memorial Day is Take a Road Trip Day, but my family doesn’t need an excuse to hit the open road. As I’ve shared before, we especially like to take a long trip we call the Tour of Texas. We start by visiting my mother-in-law in the Hill Country. She lives in a tiny town called Leakey, which at one point had a sign boasting a population of 399 people. Despite its size, it’s a great place to vacation, and we always enjoy spending time tubing on the Frio River. Then, we see my brother in Austin, where we eat all kinds of incredible food. Finally, we visit my sister in Fort Worth before returning to El Paso. Each trip puts about 2,000 miles on the car, but it’s always a great time. Back before Winn was born, the family flew into Los Angeles and then drove up the Pacific Coast Highway. We stopped along the way in Santa Barbara, visited a little place called Pismo Beach, and went kayaking in Morro Bay. Then we went to Santa Cruz to check out the redwood forests and ended our trip in San Francisco. Some day, I’d like to go even further, driving all the way up to Seattle. My nephew did once, and he said it was a great time. For something a little more local, we also love to visit the sites in New Mexico, head up to Santa Fe, or take a day trip out to Truth or Consequences. There are wonderful hot springs there that have ON THE ROAD AGAIN
ROAD TRIPS ARE ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY
been around since the time of Native American leader Geronimo, and in fact, they have a few sites named after him. You can take your pick of spas to enjoy the springs — whether you’d prefer a fancy establishment owned by Ted Turner or a humbler bathhouse. The town also has a vibrant arts community, and it’s a great place to visit. Over the years, my kids have become regular road warriors. The older two get in the car and wait it out like champs. They would get a bit bored when they were younger, but now they download content on their phones and zone out. Clayton, in particular, knows how to clear his mind and go with the flow. I think he could probably ride to New York and back without blinking and have a great time doing it. It’s certainly a change from when I was a kid. We had to be content with staring out the windows and playing the license plate game! Now we can listen to music and podcasts without searching for radio stations along our travels. Technology gives today’s youth a different perspective on these long journeys, and though Winn is still little, he’s learning just like the big kids did.
In the end, I really like driving. It may be slower than taking an airplane, but you get to see a lot more along the way, and I’ve seen many sights I otherwise never would have encountered. One time, Clayton, my dad, and I drove from New Orleans to El Paso. We passed through swamps, rolling plains, the desert, and mountains on our journey. It’s incredible the variety of landscapes our country has, and seeing so many at once was a fantastic experience. On a road trip, you get to spend time with your family in a way you otherwise wouldn’t. You’re trapped together and have to get through the good, bad, and ugly as a unit. That may sound grim, but it’s quality family time you’d never get on a plane ride, and I think it’s a wonderful thing. In the end, it’s worth putting all those miles on your car to bond and create those memories. This summer, I hope your family gets out on the road to see what the nation has to offer — and what you can learn about each other along the way.
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Cravings — they can feel like a comforting friend or a gut-punching enemy, depending on what you’re craving. An estimated 90% of people experience cravings, and, believe it or not, not all cravings are bad. Leaning into our healthy cravings can help establish a healthy diet. Don’t worry, we’re thinking the same thing: “If that’s the case, why do we crave sugary snacks and fatty foods the most?!” It’s complicated, but understanding your brain is a great place to start. What are cravings, really? Decades of research have proven that cravings start in our brain, not our body. This might be shocking for some, since it was commonly believed for a long time that if you were craving a steak, you were probably low in iron. However, the brain connection makes way more sense. Think about it: Does your body love circulating excess sugar that can lead to health complications, or does your brain enjoy sugar more? After all, sugar releases the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, which our brains love. A chocolate milkshake or lemon bar helps us feel good by literally triggering our brain’s pleasure centers. That means when we’re unhappy, stressed, or needing a pick-me-up, we might start craving foods that comfort us, such as ice cream. How do I stop craving unhealthy things? One thing is for sure: Restrictive diets don’t always work. It’s hard to “rewire” the brain by completely rejecting how it currently operates. Instead, you might want to consider accepting your cravings, but make slow and deliberate changes to how you satisfy those cravings. For example, if you’re craving potato chips, why not try kale chips or another crunchy but healthier alternative that you already enjoy? If you’re craving soda, why not crush some fresh fruit into sparkling water instead? Make it a treat, make it special, but make it healthier. Eating more filling, nutrient-dense food and getting more sleep are also great ways to fight cravings. It leaves little time or room for binging on bad foods. However, a 6-month 2018 study in the National Institutes of Health has shown that flexibility in your diet can make a difference for making real, meaningful changes to your lifestyle long term. By overcoming shame and accepting your cravings, you won’t fear making a single mistake as much. It’s all about playing the long game.
When you visit an emergency room, you’re usually afraid, in pain, and vulnerable. It’s a time when you most hope to receive high-quality care. But the crowded and hectic nature of most emergency rooms can result in mistakes, some of which rise to the level of medical malpractice. EMERGENC MALPRACTICE IN HOW THE LAW HA
Emergency room malpractice refers to errors, mistreatments, or additional damage a patient may endure when treated in an ER. Often, these cases are more difficult to prove due to the limited time a doctor can spend with each patient and the lower amounts of paperwork typically involved. But emergency room doctors can still be held liable for scenarios like medical error, misdiagnosis, surgical error, and premature discharge.
Per a law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, New Mexico has increased the total amount a medical malpractice victim can
receive in damages. For individual providers, the legislature raised the cap from $600,000 to $750,000. Even better, outpatient treatment facilities — like emergency rooms — have seen a cap increase from $600,000 to $4 million. The cap will also continue increasing by $500,000 each year until it reaches $6 million.
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CY ROOM
NEW MEXICO AS CHANGED
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Many states have significantly lower caps, which means victims of medical malpractice are more likely to receive inadequate settlements. This new legislation is a huge win for New Mexico malpractice victims and their families, and we are excited to help more people receive the compensation they’re truly owed for their claims.
Why We Work on Contingency Fees
Medical malpractice cases against certain qualified health care providers start in an administrative hearing before the New Mexico Medical Malpractice Commission. Though this hearing isn’t binding, it does help attorneys on both sides better assess their cases and determine the likelihood of success. From there, they generally negotiate a settlement both sides can accept. But if they cannot see eye to eye, a jury will decide the claim’s fate.
“Sure, a lawyer sounds great, but who can afford it?”
That’s what many of our clients think before meeting us. Many more probably never walk through our doors because they’re convinced they don’t have enough money to hire an attorney to take their case. There are probably countless people who could have received compensation for their accidents but never filed. So, you need to know that at Harmonson Law, we don’t take any money upfront. We work on contingency fees, which means we don’t get paid unless you get paid. If we don’t secure a settlement or win your case, we don’t get paid for our work, no matter how many hours it took. It’s that simple. Contingency fees are based on a percentage of the total recovery amount we win in each case. It creates a mutually beneficial relationship because your success is our success. If the insurance agency makes a lowball offer, we have no reason to rush the case and urge you to take it. Doing so would hurt our bank accounts as much as yours. An unscrupulous lawyer who charges upfront may be inclined to take unwinnable cases, wasting your time, money, and hope. After all, they get paid regardless of the outcome. Working on a contingency basis means we believe in the cases we work so much that we’re willing to stake dozens or more unpaid hours on them.
The entire process is very complex and requires expert advice. Due to the specialized knowledge involved, a victim is extremely unlikely to recover full damages from their medical malpractice lawsuit by themselves. At Harmonson Law, we have years of experience with these cases and would be honored to review your case. Emergency room doctors may have strenuous jobs, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t responsible when they cause a patient harm.
One-Pan Baked Salmon and Veggies
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Further, you don’t have to scrape together thousands of dollars when you’re already recovering from an injury and drowning in medical bills. And since we earn a percentage instead of a flat fee, each client only ends up paying what they can afford. We’re also willing to work on pricing by tailoring our services when the situation warrants it. Knowing you can afford your attorney is important, but having the right attorney is just as crucial. Not all contingency fee lawyers are created equal. The right one can add significant value to your case, while the wrong one can cost you a pretty penny. Since the representation you choose can make or break your case, we encourage you to meet with us, review our results, and decide for yourself.
INGREDIENTS
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1 lb spring potatoes, halved 2 tbsp olive oil (divided) 8 asparagus spears, trimmed and halved
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2 handfuls cherry tomatoes 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 5-oz salmon fillets 1 handful fresh basil
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. In an oven-proof dish, combine the potatoes and 1 tbsp olive oil. Roast for 20 minutes. 3. Remove the dish from the oven and add the asparagus. Toss, and bake for 15 more minutes. 4. Remove the dish from the oven and add the cherry tomatoes. Toss. Drizzle with balsamic, then nestle the salmon fillets into the vegetables. Drizzle with the remaining oil, and bake for 10–15 minutes. 5. Remove the dish from the oven, garnish with basil leaves, and serve!
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5505 North Mesa St., Suite 3 • El Paso, TX 79912 WWW.CLARKHARMONSONATTORNEY.COM 915.584.8777
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Clark Celebrates the Great American Road Trip
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Cravings — And How To Stop Them
NewMexico Malpractice Laws Updated
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One-Pan Baked Salmon and Veggies
What Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
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Hate Souvenir Shopping? Let’s Make It Easy
Picking the Perfect Souvenir
Purchase a handicraft. Handicrafts — items created by local artisans — are awesome souvenirs! But make sure you buy where artisans actually sell their own goods, such as an open-air market. Unfortunately, while some popular tourist shops may sell “locally made goods,” many souvenirs intended for tourists are actually made by cheap manufacturers in other countries. Keep something from the adventure. Bringing a glass bottle to take home some sand is a popular way of creating your own souvenir from a beach vacation. But you can do this with almost any item! Whether it’s stones, ticket stubs from favorite shows and activities, or a handmade item from a class, make sure to look out for souvenirs that’ll remind you of great memories and experiences.
A way to preserve or share a piece of your trip is to bring home a souvenir, but choosing a souvenir isn’t always a stress-free experience. How do you pick the perfect souvenir and not just the first thing you see in a tourist shop? Here are some tips for picking a truly meaningful gift for yourself or your loved ones. Who are you buying for? What are your recipient’s interests, or what do they spend the most time doing? If you’re buying for yourself and enjoy coffee, you might buy a local coffee blend to enjoy from home. However, if your recipient doesn’t enjoy coffee or rarely drinks it, that type of gift might not mean much to them. Is it legal to bring home? Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, there are many regulations that affect which souvenirs you can bring home. Even if you find the item in a tourist shop, that doesn’t mean it’ll be allowed into
the country or even onto the plane. And the TSA does take this seriously. In 2012, two tourists were detained at the U.S. border for trying to bring home chocolate Kinder eggs — a specific kind that are illegal in the U.S. due to the potentially hazardous small toys inside.
We hope these tips will help you make the best choice. Bon voyage!
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