Check out our March newletter!
March 2026
(314) 961-5678 | becklawmo.com
THE INJURY YOU CAN’T SEE CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING
Justice After a Brain Injury Isn’t Automatic, You Have to Fight for It
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and as an auto accident lawyer, this topic hits close to home for me. I’ve sat across from too many clients and families whose lives were changed in a single moment. One crash, one impact, one injury that nobody saw coming. Brain injuries are especially difficult because they’re often invisible at first, but they can affect every part of a person’s life long after the accident scene is cleared. We see traumatic brain injuries far more often than people realize. Nationwide, 5.3 million people are living with lasting effects from TBIs , and new injuries happen constantly, literally every nine seconds . A brain injury can occur when the head strikes an object, when the brain is jolted inside the skull, or even from violent shaking. What makes these cases so challenging is that symptoms don’t always show up right away. Someone might walk away from a crash feeling “shaken up,” only to experience memory problems, mood changes, headaches, or difficulty concentrating days or weeks later. That’s why awareness and prevention matter so much. Simple choices save lives and protect brains. Buckling your seatbelt every single time is still one of the most effective safety measures we have, yet millions of people skip it. Making sure children are properly secured in car seats or boosters (and that those seats are correctly installed) is another huge step. And of course, driving under the influence or riding with someone who is impaired puts everyone at risk. Outside the car, helmets make a real difference. Whether you’re on REFERRALS WELCOME Thank you for referring clients to us over the years. You will never be
a motorcycle, bike, or scooter, a properly fitted helmet can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a serious head injury. When prevention fails and an injury happens, the road forward can look very different for every person. Recovery depends on where the injury occurred in the brain, how severe it was, how quickly treatment began, and the person’s overall health and support system. Some people recover in months. Others face years of therapy or lifelong challenges that affect work, relationships, and independence. I’ve seen clients who can no longer return to jobs they loved, and families that must adjust to an entirely new way of life. If someone else’s carelessness caused a brain injury, the law allows injured people to pursue compensation. In legal terms, we refer to this as “damages,” and the goal is to help ensure financial stability following a significant loss. Some damages are tangible, including medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and future care needs. Others are deeply personal: chronic pain, emotional distress, loss of independence, and the incapacity to enjoy everyday activities that once brought joy. Both matter, and both deserve full consideration. Every case is unique. The severity of the injury, its impact on daily life, the available evidence, and even Missouri’s comparative fault rules all play a role in what a case may be worth. Insurance coverage can also affect what recovery is possible. And timing matters. In Missouri, most personal injury claims must be filed within five years of the injury , and waiting too long can permanently close the door on justice. This month is about awareness, but it’s also about compassion. Brain injuries don’t just affect one person but entire families. If you or someone you love is dealing with the aftermath of a head injury from a car accident, you don’t have to navigate it alone. My goal has always been to listen first, guide second, and fight for the support my clients need to move forward with dignity and security.
embarrassed by a referral to our office. We’re always available to lend a helping hand to anyone with any legal need. Just give us a call at (314) 961-5678 or visit us at BeckLawMO.com .
-Paul Beck
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WHEN VALUES CLASH Court Declares Parental Rights Can’t Be Left at the Classroom Door
In debates over education, one theme has echoed for generations: Who gets to decide what children learn? Parents wanting to have greater control over what their children learn in the classroom is nothing new. You may even recall reading about the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, in which Tennessee accused a high school teacher of violating the Butler Act by teaching human evolution in a public school. Many parents in our country worry that their children will learn things in school that contradict or conflict with their religious values and beliefs. They believe they should have the right to determine whether their child learns about these controversial topics, and a recent Supreme Court decision shows that the government agrees with them. In 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland decided to integrate books that referenced LGBTQ+ ideals into their curriculum. These topics were always portrayed positively in the books, and teachers were even instructed and encouraged to frame these concepts as unquestionably correct. Any religious objections would be dismissed as hurtful and wrong. Initially, parents could opt their children out of reading these books, but the district revoked that policy in 2023. The parents responded by suing the Montgomery County Board of Education in the court case, Mahmoud v. Taylor . The parents argued that the new policy was a direct infringement on their First Amendment right to exercise
“The Supreme Court sided with the parents, ruling that the school district’s refusal to notify parents or give them the ability to opt their children out interfered with the parents’ religious upbringing of the child.”
their religion. If they wanted to prevent their children from reading or learning about these topics, they should be able to do so. The school board responded that accommodating every religious objection would be impractical and place an unreasonable burden on teachers. They argued that parents who disagreed with the curriculum had the option of enrolling their children in private schools. The Supreme Court sided with the parents, ruling that the school district’s refusal to notify parents or give them the ability to opt their children out interfered with the parents’ religious upbringing of the child. This decision does not solely impact the Montgomery County School District; it applies nationwide. This means that parents who have children in public schools have the right to opt their children out of any content that could undermine their religious upbringing. It requires some proactivity on the part of parents to stay ahead of the curriculum and identify any content that could undermine religious values. School boards will need to notify parents if there is any impending content that could raise concerns, to protect themselves. While some parents may see this as a step in the right direction, it’s worth noting that in America, there are 370 unique religious bodies, according to the 2020 U.S. Religion Census. That’s a wide range of values and beliefs for school boards to navigate, and they must do so carefully to avoid infringing on anyone’s First Amendment rights.
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TAKE A BREAK
WILL YOU BRAVE A NIGHT AT THE CLOWN MOTEL? Sleep With One Eye Open
Basketball Books Daffodil Daylight Guinness Iris Leprechaun Popcorn Rainy Shamrock Suffrage Windy
If you’re looking for your next vacation spot, how about considering somewhere unlike anywhere else in the world? Over 200 miles north of Las Vegas sits a hauntingly unique tourist destination straight out of a coulrophobe’s nightmares, the World Famous Clown Motel in Tonopah. Outside of paranormal researchers and ghost hunters, you won’t find many tourists frequenting Tonopah. The town has faced many hardships over the years and only boasts a population of around 2,000 people. Founded in 1900 as a mining community, the locals faced a plague in 1905 and a serious mine fire in 1911. Mine fires were a persistent problem in early Tonopah, and one would eventually claim the life of Clarence David in 1942. David had an impressive clown collection. Upon his death, his children inherited 150 of them. In 1985, they decided to open a motel next to the cemetery that housed their father’s grave. Inside, they proudly displayed their father’s collection. The Davids sold the motel 10 years later, and things really amped up in 2015, when “Ghost Adventures” premiered its episode at the location. Tourists flocked there, and people worldwide donated clowns to the museum. The Clown Motel was sold again in 2019 under the condition that it would continue operations and the clowns would remain. Over the years, the collection has grown significantly. They claim that it now holds over 6,500 clowns. They’ve even transformed some rooms to feature icons from America’s favorite horror movies, adding to the appeal. If you’re interested in staying at “America’s Scariest Motel,” rooms are available at an affordable price almost every night!
St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Swirl Pie
Ingredients
• 1 cup heavy cream • 8 oz cream cheese, softened • 1 cup powdered sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/2 cup mint chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup green food
coloring, for vibrant color
• 1 premade chocolate pie crust • 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, for drizzling
Directions 1. In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. 2. In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. 3. Add powdered sugar and vanilla to cream cheese, mixing until well combined. Then, gently fold whipped heavy cream into the mixture. 4. Divide mixture into two bowls. In one bowl, add mint chocolate chips and green food coloring. 5. Layer mixtures into chocolate pie crust, alternating between mint mixture and the plain mixture. 6. Drizzle chocolate syrup over top. 7. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set. Slice and serve chilled.
Inspired by MixUpRecipes.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
When a Crash Changes the Brain, Everything Changes
1
Supreme Court Says Parents Get First Say on What Kids Learn
2
St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Swirl Pie
3
America’s Scariest Motel Is No Laughing Matter
4 3 Essential Strategies Straight From Norway to Boost Your Daily Life THE ART OF SLOW LIVING Find Your ‘Velvære’ Through Nature, Community, and Coziness According to the World Happiness Report, Norway consistently ranks in the top 10 happiest countries in the world, whereas the U.S. has been in the high teens for years. We can’t emulate everything Norwegians do to remain happy (nor would most Americans want to). But they do offer a unique strategy Americans can utilize to maintain a positive outlook on life. Velvære is the Norwegian word for the state of well-being, which can be achieved by adopting the Nordic concept of slow living.
Here are three strategies straight from Norway to help you reach velvære .
Friluftsliv While friluftsliv may look like something found in a medical textbook, it refers to the Norwegian concept of open-air living and outdoor recreation. Norwegians spend ample time outside, regardless of the season. They ski, cook, and walk in nature. The outdoors plays a huge role in the Norwegian way of life, which directly impacts their happiness! Dugnad As we already know, community and belonging have a significant role in our happiness. Dugnad is a Norwegian activity all about helping and supporting one’s community. Whether through doing volunteer work, cleaning up public spaces, or raising money to support local causes, finding ways to help others will provide more value to your life and help your heart stay happy.
Koselig How do you describe your everyday sense of being? Do you experience your life as chaotic, calm, or consistent? Koselig is the idea of incorporating coziness into all aspects of your life. When you carry yourself with a sense of warmth and comfort, you feel better and spread happiness everywhere you go.
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