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Justice MONTHLY
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
NOVEMBER 2022
Counting Our Blessings MAKING MEMORIES AND NEW TRADITIONS
This Thanksgiving, I’d say we are thankful for many things! I'm grateful that Priscila's second pregnancy has been going well and that we haven't had any issues so far. I’m 41, and Priscila is 36. We both knew we wanted to have kids quickly after we got married. We were fortunate not to experience complications, since there are some risks with pregnancies at older ages, so it’s nice we're on a smooth sailing ship right now! I’m also very thankful that we can finally get an appointment with immigration to allow Priscila to go home and visit her family! Unfortunately, it’s difficult to speak with an actual immigration representative. Even though you need to plan your trip months in advance, it doesn’t make the process any easier. Thankfully, we were able to get ahold of a Brazilian immigration lawyer. She was extremely helpful and gave us a number to speak with a live person to determine
the next steps. We have more hope now since she put in a request for us, and our appointment is coming up pretty soon! I’m excited to finally put this to rest because it’s been hanging over our heads for a while now, and we didn’t want to pause our lives. I’m just so thankful we are headed in the right direction, and now we’ll be able to visit Priscila’s family in Brazil. They don’t have a Thanksgiving celebration there, so it’s a new tradition for her. We plan to stay close to the house this year and maybe have some family from Aiken, South Carolina, come to visit. Priscila will be seven months pregnant by then. Isabella is not much of a traveler — her expiration for car rides ends around the three-hour mark, and she’s ready to get out by then. Isabella wants you to share the pain and feel like you’re strapped in a car seat too. She is good with short trips, but there’s not much we can do with longer trips because if
Priscila has adapted to the idea of Thanksgiving, and certain Brazilian
holidays are similar. Like during Christmas, we have a huge celebration here, but in Brazil, they have fake trees and shoot off fireworks at midnight! It’s a great way to go about it; they even spend their days celebrating at the beach! I’d love to spend the holidays in Brazil, and that’s a tradition I would like to implement in our lives. Once the kids get a little older, I’m looking forward to sharing Priscila and I’s traditions and customs with them so they can experience a little bit of everything.
we stop to pull her out, it’s just insanity trying to get her back in.
So, we must suffer through it until we get to where we’re going, but it’s the sacrifices you make as a parent! So, we’re thankful we will be home this Thanksgiving. I’m hoping my mom and sister visit. Priscila actually has a friend from Brazil who is doing missionary work in California; hopefully, he’ll come to see her and give her a little piece of home.
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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RAISING THANKFUL CHILDREN A DAILY DOSE OF GRATITUDE
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 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.
According to Uber’s 2017-2018 safety report, there were 58 fatalities, 3,045 sexual assaults, and nine fatal physical assaults reported out of the 1.3 billion total rides in the U.S. As a result, Uber stepped up their safety features and initiated new programs like the Industry Sharing Safety Program. This program shares information about offenders with other ride-share companies that may otherwise hire these same drivers. can incorporate gratitude more into your everyday life. Are you as thankful as you should be? Do you repay favors and write thank-you 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. 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.
If you want grateful children, you need to be grateful parents. Consider how you
Ride-sharing services have become extremely popular, and people don’t need to rely on public transportation to get around! But despite the ever-growing popularity of ride-share services, safety has become a central theme that many are concerned with. While utilizing these services is a good alternative, knowing how to do it safely is essential! GUARANTEE A SAFE RIDE HOME How Being Aware Can Eliminate Risks
Ride-share tips may keep you safe.
Luckily, millions of passengers use these services with no significant safety issues. But, there are a few tips to help minimize the risks as you use a ride-share service. • Stay indoors while requesting a ride- share service. • Double-check the vehicle, license plate, and driver’s name to be sure it matches the description on the app. • Ask the driver who they are picking up; if they don’t say your name, don’t get in the vehicle! • Inform someone of your whereabouts; some apps even let you share your tracking location. • Trust your instinct; if you don’t feel safe, end the ride. Knowing the safety risks associated with ride-share services is always a good idea. Remember the golden rule, if a situation makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, don’t accept the ride and call someone you trust to pick you up.
Know these ride-share risks.
There will always be some risk in any form of vehicle transportation. However, there are risks specific to ride-sharing that both riders and drivers should be aware of. These include the following: • Driver impersonation • Accidents • Road safety • Low-rated drivers or passengers • Insurance gaps — your auto insurance
Is ride-sharing safe?
Tens of millions of trips are made by ride- share companies — like Uber and Lyft — each day, most of which are entirely safe. Though there are still those concerned about drivers and passengers, each company is constantly adding and updating new safety features to their apps.
may not cover you if you are in an accident while using your vehicle for commercial purposes.
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GETTING BACK TO WORK SAFETY BEGINS WITH COMPLIANCE
Life tends to be unpredictable, and we truly never know when an accident can occur. Unfortunately, the inability to work after suffering from an injury can leave you under significant financial pressure. In a workers' compensation case, the authorized treating physician determines the restrictions on the injured worker. There are three different scenarios where an injured worker could return to work, and those include the following: • Immediately following the injury • After they have been placed on light duty restrictions but have received indemnity and temporary total disability benefits • After returning to normal duty work following total work restrictions or light duty work restrictions Be aware of critical time limits when filing a workers' compensation claim. The injured worker has 30 days to report their injury to the employer and a year from the date of the accident to file a claim with the State Board of Workers' Compensation.
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 October newsletter: It is essential to present these restrictions to your employer as it becomes necessary for them to offer an injured worker a job within those restrictions. But, you cannot always assume that the employer doesn’t have to work within those limits. An employer can find light- duty work to assign to you — it may be in a different department, or they may have to create one for you, but it is there! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., we understand the stress and pain that people struggle with after a severe workplace injury. No one should have to face the burdens of financial instability, so contact us at 229-888-0888 to fight for the full benefits you deserve. they can do the exact same job per se, but rather the worker can legally perform physical activities in line with what they were able to do before the injury. The authorized treating physician can limit the time the injured worker is allowed to work, stand, and perform other tasks. But, these restrictions must result from their job-related injury pertaining to a worker’s compensation claim.
The injury should not inhibit the injured worker from performing their duties once they have returned to normalcy. This doesn’t mean that
APPLE CRANBERRY CRISP
If you’re feeling old-fashioned, treat yourself to this warm and bubbly dish. Nothing says Thanksgiving quite like a classic apple recipe.
Carissa Gardner Terry Sims
Ingredients • 3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples • 1 1/2 cups cranberries • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
• 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup butter, cold • Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about 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.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
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There’s Always Something to Be Grateful For PAGE 1
A Daily Dose of Gratitude
Ride-Share Safety Tips PAGE 2
Understanding the Process of Returning to Work After an Injury
Apple Cranberry Crisp PAGE 3
Man Saves 5 From a Burning Home PAGE 4
LATE-NIGHT DRIVER BECOMES A SUDDEN HERO RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME RO
Nicholas Bostic had a heated argument with his girlfriend one night, so he went out driving around to clear his head and relax. Little did he know he would become a hero that same night. During his drive, he witnessed a raging fire that had engulfed a family’s home. Bostic stopped his car and ran inside despite the flames. He immediately began yelling for anyone since no one appeared to be inside the house — not even emergency personnel. His cries woke up 18-year-old Seionna Barrett, the oldest of five children, and she gathered her siblings together to exit the home. Bostic ran to Barrett and her young siblings, and he helped her take the children outside. But
Barrett then told Bostic that her 6-year-old sister wasn’t with them. Without a second thought, Bostic again entered the home, hoping to rescue the little girl. The fire continued to spread quickly, and Bostic described it as a “black lagoon” of smoke on the ground floor. He checked all of the bedrooms but couldn't find the little girl. Then, as he approached a window to exit the home, he heard a child’s cry. Bostic then had an internal conversation with himself: He knew the child needed help, and although he was terrified to go back downstairs through the fire and smoke, he wouldn’t quit. After wrapping his shirt around his mouth, he ran through the home, following the girl’s cries for help. Once he
found her, he picked her up, ran upstairs, and jumped out the window onto the lawn.
All of the children were safe and suffered no injuries. Bostic received first-degree burns and severe cuts on his arm. He was airlifted to the nearest hospital once first responders arrived at the scene. Bostic’s cousin created a GoFundMe to pay for Bostic’s medical bills, and it collected $556,000. Today, Bostic is healthy and healing. He now has a new perspective on life and is looking forward to whatever his future might hold.
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You Fought for Us, Let Us Fight for You!
After decades of being denied justice, new legislation is poised to allow people who were exposed to contaminated water to seek compensation for injuries and other damages. We are accepting clients for the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit and continuously monitoring the legislative process related to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act so that we can quickly pivot to achieve justice for those harmed at the military base. If you or a loved one was harmed by contaminated water at the North Carolina Marine Base, please contact The Law Offices of William F. Underwood III, P.C. attorneys at (229) 888-0888, so we can finally get you the justice you deserve and put you first.
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
WERE YOU AFFECTED BY THE CAMP LEJEUNE WATER CONTAMINATION? Compensation may be available for you! For over 30 years, between 1953 and 1987, drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated and was the direct cause of countless life-altering medical conditions and deaths. Those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 may be eligible to file a claim. Additionally, the descendants of the impacted person may qualify for a claim if the affected person is deceased. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one suffered from any of these conditions, including, but not limited to:
• Kidney cancer • Breast cancer • Adult leukemia • Parkinson’s disease
• Scleroderma • Renal toxicity • Hepatic steatosis • Female infertility or miscarriages
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