Take a look at our August newsletter!
816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com AUG 2025
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
BACKPACKS, BEGINNINGS, AND BIG DREAMS AUGUST AWAKENS
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
August may not seem like a critical month in American culture, but it is a reminder of what it means to live in this great nation and the freedom to pursue the best paths for our happiness and success. Firstly, it’s back-to-school season again. As the mother of 4- and 6-year-old boys, I know August will become more significant — and likely more hectic — as the years go on. For now, I’m focusing my energy and attention on ensuring they stay safe once more cars and buses hit the road at the end of the month. This newsletter features an article with vital safety tips for drivers and young children at this time of year; please take a moment to read it. Of course, I know it’s only a matter of time before I blink and the kids are done with high school and ready to take the next step. If your children have already reached that milestone, you’re likely thinking about your own college experiences and how those times helped shape the person you became. On Aug. 29, you can take that nostalgia further by celebrating National College Colors Day. If I were to honor my college experience that day, I’d probably pin a huge question mark on my dark blue, red, and white outfit. I attended DePaul University in Chicago, majoring in political science and minoring in business administration. I didn’t have much idea about where those skills would take me. It wasn’t until I later worked for four years as a legal assistant at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago that I found my true professional calling. Did my time at DePaul help me on my journey to become an attorney? Well … yes and no. Looking back, my business administration minor has benefited me much more than my political science major. If I could advise the undecided soon-
to-be college freshmen out there, it would be to pursue a degree that you could apply to multiple disciplines and industries. That way, you can build a solid foundation with useful skills anywhere. My other advice is to be very careful with your money. It’s common for freshmen to load up on credit cards when they start living on campus and spend years paying them off long after graduation. Practicing responsible personal finance early is just as important as studying for exams. If I could do it all again, I would rely less on cards and more on basic budgeting. Yes, college students will make many hard choices that may not always be the best. No matter what happens during this critical chapter in life, it’s essential for a person never to lose sight of their goals and aspirations, and never forget that we live in a country that provides us with the opportunity to reach our fullest potential. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Aug. 28 — a day when many students unpack boxes in their new dorms or gear up for a year of elementary school or high school — is the 62nd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. His words set the stage for people to feel confident that they can achieve greatness without fear of rejection and despite whatever obstacles stand in their way. Whether they’re about to walk into a local first-grade classroom or a lecture hall thousands of miles from where they grew up, I hope every student’s dreams come true. As you can see, August is a more significant month than you may have realized. No matter how you spend it, the power to live your best life is always in your hands.
BURN INJURIES
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
–Blair Matyszczyk
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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A new school year is right around the corner, and so are the risks to drivers and students alike. Here are a few reminders to help make the back-to-school season safe for all. RULES FOR RESPONSIBLE ROUTINES As an experienced driver, you’re likely fully aware of common traffic rules and signage. However, these things may mean very little to the young ones in your neighborhood. Normal elements of everyday driving you may take for granted — such as assuming everyone knows to cross streets only at the appropriate places — may be completely absent in children’s minds. Also, remember that children may be on streets without sidewalks during this time of year or in too much of a hurry to catch the school bus to pay attention to their surroundings. Speaking of school buses, it’s important to remember what their flashing lights signify. If a bus’s lights are flashing yellow, the driver is preparing to stop to load or unload passengers. When its lights are flashing red and its “stop” sign is extended, cease operating your vehicle until all children have exited the bus and it begins moving again. SAFE STEPS FOR SCHOO LESSONS ON THE Food is fuel we consume to survive, but the companies responsible for producing the items that comprise the majority of the American diet are damaging our health in unimaginable ways. This argument is at the heart of a significant lawsuit against 11 major food companies, alleging these entities knowingly sold ultra- processed food products that contribute to hypertension, fatty liver disease, Type 2 diabetes, and severe medical conditions in children. Filed in December in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, the nearly 150-page suit argues that the Fatal Flavors?
A tiny desert town along Route 66 in Arizona is home to a new hero — a big, shaggy ranch dog who rescued a toddler lost in the desert this past April. Two-year-old Boden Allen was missing from his Seligman, Arizona, home for 16 hours when a 6-year-old Anatolian Pyrenees named Buford appeared in his master’s driveway with the child at his side — 7 miles from Boden’s home. Buford’s owner, Scotty Dunton, had heard about the child’s disappearance. “I noticed my dog was sitting by the entrance (to his ranch),” he said, “and the little kid’s standing there with my dog!” He calmed the child, who was unharmed except for a few scrapes and nicks, and gave him water and food while calling authorities. Dunton was overjoyed. “I was ecstatic that he was okay and that my dog found him,” he said. Dunton asked Boden if he had been walking all night, and the child told him no, he had been lying under a tree. “Did my dog find you?” Dunton asked Boden. He wasn’t surprised when the child said yes. Dunton traced the little boy’s tracks more than a mile from his ranch, with Buford’s paw prints beside them. “That’s what he does,” Dunton said of Buford. “He loves kids. I can imagine he wouldn’t leave him when he found him.” Dunton’s discovery of the little boy ended an anxious 16-hour search by more than 40 search-and-rescue volunteers, sheriff’s deputies, and state public-safety officers. Wearing only a tank top and pajama pants, Boden had wandered away at about 5 p.m. into rugged desert terrain, where two mountain lions were spotted later that night. Boden’s frantic parents had reported his absence to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. DESERT HERO RANCHER’S DOG RESCUES TODDLER LOST IN THE DESERT
Dunton says he wasn’t surprised by Buford’s protective behavior. “He is a guardian dog. He patrols all night and keeps coyotes away,” he says. The Anatolian
plaintiff, Bryce Martinez, was diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and Type 2 diabetes at age 16 as a result of consuming a diet heavy in ultra-processed foods. The suit names companies such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, Mondelēz International (whose brands include Chips Ahoy! and Cadbury), and General Mills. These and other parties are accused of including misleading health information on their packaging (including obscuring sugar content through unclear terminology) and utilizing aggressive marketing tactics to appeal to underage consumers.
Pyrenees is a crossbreed, a combination of a Great Pyrenees and an Anatolian shepherd, known for its intelligence, gentleness, and protective nature.
In appreciation for their neighborhood hero, Buford’s admirers piled
chew toys, bones, and other gifts on Dunton’s doorstep for days after the rescue.
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OL TRAVEL E LANE
A GUIDE TO WALKING WISELY When adult schedules get hectic or the distance between home and school is reasonable,
you may let your young student walk to class. Before they begin that new daily routine, walk to the school yourself. Is there a sidewalk the entire way? Are
there cracks or holes in the pavement that may lead them to trip and injure themselves? Are there traffic lights in any areas they need to cross? Do road conditions make it difficult for drivers to see your child? Walking and driving a route are very different scenarios, as the former allows you to spot details and potential risks you wouldn’t have noticed behind the wheel. If anything on your child’s walking route causes concern, consider an alternate way for them to travel to school safely.
TAKE A BREAK
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE ICE CREAM BARS Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com
According to a report by ConsumerNotice.org, in 2001, 53.5% of calories consumed by Americans were derived from ultra-processed foods. By 2018, this figure had jumped to nearly 60%. In related news, Kraft Heinz announced earlier this summer that it will discontinue using certain artificial food dyes in its products in favor of naturally sourced alternatives by 2027. Food Giants Under Fire
INGREDIENTS •
DIRECTIONS 1. Stir strawberry ice cream in a large bowl until spreadable. Fold in preserves until evenly streaked throughout. 2. Stir vanilla ice cream in a separate large bowl until spreadable. 3. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the strawberry mixture into the bottom of 8 (1/3- cup) popsicle molds. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the vanilla mixture on top of the strawberry mixture into the molds. Repeat, alternating the 2 mixtures, until each mold is full. 4. Place sticks into the popsicles and freeze until solid, 4–6 hours. 5. In a large zip-lock bag, crush sugar cookies with a rolling pin until pieces are rice-size; pour into a shallow dish. 6. Repeat with freeze-dried strawberries and stir the pieces together. 7. Run the ice cream molds under warm water to release popsicles from molds. 8. Coat bars evenly with cookie mixture. 9. Eat immediately or place on a cookie sheet and freeze. 3
1 pt strawberry ice cream 1/4 cup strawberry preserves
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1 pt vanilla ice cream
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1 5.25-oz package crispy sugar cookies 1 0.8-oz package freeze-dried strawberries
Products that will be affected by this change include Crystal Light, Jello-O, and Jet-Puffed. Kraft Heinz also joins Tyson Foods and PepsiCo in announcing plans to transition away from artificial coloring. A 2021 study by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment determined that consuming certain food dyes may contribute to neurobehavioral issues in children. Updates on the Martinez suit will be featured in future editions of this newsletter as the litigation develops.
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Freedom and Fresh Starts
PG1
Against All Odds, a Ranch Dog Brings a Lost Toddler Home
PG2
Tips for Protecting Your Pedestrians
PG2
Processed Peril
PG2
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
PG3
The Natural Way to Fight Off Summer Bugs (No Harsh Sprays Needed!)
PG4
NATURE VS. NATURE
How to Use Plants and Scents to Repel Insects There’s nothing quite like summer. Backyard barbecues, evening hikes, and late-night stargazing. All of it is magical — until bugs crash the party. Mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks don’t need an invite, and before you know it, you’re scratching your ankles and swatting at the air. But you don’t have to douse yourself in strong sprays and chemicals to keep them and pants at dusk and dawn, when bugs are most active. USE NATURAL AROMAS bay. Bugs hate the smoke from these plants, and it’s an easy, low-effort way to keep them off your picnic table. WATCH YOUR SCENTS
Many bugs have super-sensitive noses, and certain scents repel them. Essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass are natural bug repellents. You can make your own spray by mixing a few drops of any of these scents with water and a carrier oil (like witch hazel or coconut oil), then spritzing it on your skin or clothes. Just make sure you’re cautious with essential oils around pets and kids. SMOKE THEM OUT Burning herbs like sage or rosemary in your campfire or fire pit not only smells amazing but also helps keep mosquitoes and gnats at
Surprisingly, it’s not just about what repels bugs — it’s also about avoiding what attracts them. Fragranced lotions, perfumes, and even certain soaps can lure bugs to you. In summer, it’s smart to go unscented when heading outdoors. KEEP YOUR SPACE CLEAN If you have standing water on your property, it’s a mosquito’s favorite breeding ground. Make sure you dump water from flower pots, birdbaths, or kiddie pools regularly. And if you’re entertaining outside, clean up food scraps and trash — flies and ants will sniff those out fast.
away. Here are five natural ways to repel bugs this summer — no chemicals required. CHOOSE LOOSE CLOTHING Believe it or not, your outfit can make a big difference. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes and helps prevent them from biting through fabric. Covering up exposed skin is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself. It’s specifically helpful to wear long sleeves
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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