Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. - October 2019
October 2019
720 Goodlette Rd N, Suite 304, Naples, FL 34102 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com
Real People, Real Problems
Meet C. Randall Austin
A
few months ago, we welcomed a new attorney to the practice. C. Randall Austin joined us in early August after running his own practice for 30 years in Parkland, Florida. He’s had a long, successful
“... these are real people who need help getting through one of the hardest times in their lives.”
career with a number of victories that really caught my attention. I’m thrilled to have Randall at the practice working on the personal injury side, and I’m confident he’ll do great things for our clients. -Marc Shapiro
Just one year after graduating from law school, I started my own firm in south Florida with a partner. I’ve been practicing law for over 30 years doing commercial litigation as well as personal injury. My wife, Ana Bolena, who happens to be a famous actress and celebrity from Columbia, known as Ana Bolena Meza Austin, and I are at a point in our lives where we’re ready to downsize and move to the place where we’ll be spending the rest of our lives together. We chose Naples because I really enjoy the people. I’m from the Midwest, up in Wheeling West Virginia, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and on the Ohio border. I really liked being around other Midwestern transplants. Everyone I’ve met, whether I’m having lunch or just out and about, has been incredibly friendly. It’s a great area where I look forward to settling down. After choosing Naples, I met with Marc Shapiro and had the opportunity to come to the firm. From the first time I visited the practice, I knew this was a place where I could fit in. As I made this lateral move in my career, I wanted to be among like- minded people. The team here is encouraging, positive, and supportive, which is so important when you’re at a firm of this size. You don’t want to come to a new place feeling nervous about what the future will hold, and I could tell this practice was a good setting. In addition to the great team, I’ve also met our awesome clients who have new and challenging cases. It’s great to wake up in the morning and be excited to come into work. I look forward to calling Naples home and bringing my skills to the practice.
When I graduated college with a degree in business accounting, my initial thought was to be a tax lawyer. People would always need tax help, and I knew that would provide a steady stream of income. However, during my first year at law school, I was very
successful in oral advocacy, court advocacy, and trial advocacy. Those aren’t areas tax lawyers tend to work in.
I was drawn to cases where there was an emotional, human element. Personal injury was where I could do the most good. I wanted to work with real people who were struggling with real problems. This isn’t to say taxes aren’t real problems, but the cases we see in personal injury are packed with emotion. There’s malpractice, product liability, car accidents, dog bites, and any number of complex cases that fall under personal injury. They aren’t numbers and figures; these are real people who need help getting through one of the hardest times in their lives. It’s a privilege to be there for them.
-C. Ra nda ll Austi n
(239) 649-8050 • 1
Should I Wait to Settle?
Where Should I Get a Dog? 3 Reasons to Adopt From Your Local Shelter
So, you’ve decided to get a dog. Maybe you think your kids could use a new playmate, or maybe you and your spouse want someone to join you on morning walks. Whatever the reason, the next question is where to get them. Instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money to a breeder for a purebred puppy, why not check the local shelter or humane society? October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and, if you’re looking to get a dog, here are a few reasons to check the shelters first. It’s Cheaper to Adopt Adoption prices include the upfront expenses, such as spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, that you wouldn’t get from a breeder or pet store. Some shelters even include the cost of microchipping in their fee. If you adopt from a shelter, you’re ensured a healthy, happy dog. With some shelter dogs, you may also save on housebreaking and training costs.
Don’t Fall for These Personal Injury Myths
I n the United States, there are laws to protect individuals who have been harmed by someone else’s negligence. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation about how these laws work. Here are some common misconceptions about personal injury cases. Myth #1: You have to pay your lawyer upfront. Many people make the mistake of waiting to speak to an attorney because they think they won’t be able to afford a lawyer. The truth is that personal injury lawyers don’t charge in advance for fees or expenses. In Florida, personal injury lawyers are paid through a contingent fee, which is a percentage of the total settlement. This means if the attorney doesn’t win the case or get a settlement, they don’t get paid.
Lots of Choices Is there a specific breed you’re looking for? Chances are you will find it at the shelter. Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some organizations rescue specific breeds, and with a little research, you may find one near you. Even if you don’t find the breed you’re looking for, you may find an indispensable companion in a breed you weren’t looking for — and you never would have found them if you didn’t check the shelters. Great for Your Kids Having a dog can be great for your kids, and getting it from a shelter can be even better for them. Dogs encourage kids to play outside and be more active, and kids gain a friend who loves them unconditionally. Plus, if you adopt, the act of giving an unwanted animal a new home can teach your kids empathy. If you still haven’t checked your local shelter for the newest member of your family, what are you waiting for? Find a furry friend you and your kids will love today!
This recipe fromMomofuku Milk Bar chef and “Master Chef” judge Christina Tosi makes great use of those extra Halloween goodies. It’s a quick and easy way to both elevate and get rid of unwanted leftovers.
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Integrity & Honesty
Myth #2: My insurance will cover all the costs after an accident.
What Are Our Clients Saying?
This is how insurance should work, but that rarely happens. If you’re injured, it’s not just the medical bills you need to worry about. Depending on the nature of your injury, you could struggle with lost wages after missing work, property damage, and mortgage payments, as well as pain and suffering. In a lot of cases, your insurance might even resist paying the full amount you’re entitled to. This is why it’s important to have a lawyer who knows how to get full compensation for all your damages.
“Integrity, honesty, and always on your side — they really have your best interest at heart, and I would highly recommend them to anyone.” –Taresa Spiroff “Everyone at the office was extremely pleasant and responsive. Gerta did a great job explaining the process every step of the way. She did a wonderful job managing my case.” –Anthony M. How Are We Doing? Feedback from our clients lets us know how we’re doing. Please tell us about your experiences by leaving a review on Google or on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/AttorneyShapiroLaw. Your support empowers us in our mission to help as many people as possible.
Myth #3: You should wait until the end of the year for a higher settlement offer.
You may have heard the end of the year referred to as “settlement season.”The idea is that insurance adjusters start making higher settlement offers in order to meet company quotas. There is no statistical evidence to suggest personal injury settlements are higher in November or December than they are during any other time of the year. Settlement season may actually have something to do with more plaintiffs accepting offers. With the holiday season looming, many people are more willing to settle at the end of the year to get the money and move on with their lives. Most people never think about what would happen if they’re in an accident, so they have no idea what to do when they get hurt. Our team at the Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, PA, is here to help you make smart decisions during your case. Give us a call at (239) 649-8050 to talk about your case today.
Leftover Candy Snack Mix
Word Search
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
Directions
Ingredients
AUTUMN CANDY CARVE COSTUME
1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, fold together pretzels, sugars, milk powder, and butter. 3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes. 4. Let cool for at least 30 minutes and mix in candy bar pieces before serving.
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2 cups mini pretzels, coarsely broken
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1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tbsp granulated sugar 1/3 cup dry milk powder 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 12 oz mini candy bars, such as Snickers, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
SCARECROW HALLOWEEN OCTOBER
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ORANGE PUMPKIN FOOTBALL HARVEST LEAVES
(239) 649-8050 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
720 Goodlette Rd N, Suite 304 Naples, FL 34102 www.AttorneyShapiro.com
Inside Who Is C. Randall Austin? Page 1
Reasons to Adopt Dogs From Shelters
3 Common Personal Injury Myths Page 2
Someone on Your Side
Leftover Candy Snack Mix Page 3
The Real Legend of Sleepy Hollow Page 4
Hayrides and Headless Horsemen Halloween Celebrations in Sleepy Hollow
In 1790, a school teacher named Ichabod Crane was riding home alone from a harvest festival in the village of Sleepy Hollow when he encountered a mysterious rider on horseback. Crane, horrified by the horseman’s missing head, turned and ran in the opposite direction. The Headless Horseman gave chase, hurling his own decapitated head at the terrified teacher. Ichabod Crane was never heard from again ... or so goes“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”byWashington Irving. This story, first published in 1820, has become a Halloween favorite. The legend is so beloved that in 1997, the village of North Tarrytown, NewYork, where many events of the story take place, officially changed its name to Sleepy Hollow. Today, the town becomes one big Halloween party during the month of October. Sleepy Hollow is home to many historic landmarks, including the Headless Horseman Bridge and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Washington Irving himself was laid to rest. Evening lantern tours of the cemetery are a popular attraction, and Irving isn’t the only spooky celebrity buried there. Fans of the Gothic soap opera“Dark
Shadows”will be delighted to enter the crypt of famed vampire Barnabas Collins.
Another highly anticipated stop for many guests is Sleepy Hollow’s premier annual attraction, Horseman’s Hollow, an experience not for the faint of heart. During the event, the 300-year- old Philipsburg Manor is transformed into a living nightmare, where vampires, witches, ghouls, and undead soldiers lurk in the shadows. They all serve the dreaded Headless Horseman and are determined to make sure guests don’t leave alive!
But it’s not all scares in Sleepy Hollow. There’s plenty of Halloween fun for all ages. Sleepy Hollow boasts relaxing hayrides, tours of Irving’s home, live readings of famous Halloween stories, performances of a brand-newmusical based on Irving’s spooky tale, and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, an incredible exhibition of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins.
If you want a real Halloween experience, you can’t go wrong in Sleepy Hollow. Just be careful not to lose your head!
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