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The Must-Read, Change-Your-Life Newsletter helping seriously injured people for over 30 years
DEcember 2017
(888) 481-1333 | www.joneshilllaw.com
CHRISTMAS ALL OUR OWN THIS TIME OF YEAR, I DON’T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE ELSE
Growing up in Oakdale, I experienced a traditional Louisiana Christmas. We sang songs like “Winter Wonderland,” “Let It Snow,” and “Frosty the Snowman” in our living room, despite having lush green grass just a glance away on our front lawn. The weather doesn’t reflect the traditional Christmas card scenes, but there was something about the images of frosted lanes and sleigh rides that illuminated my soul as a young child. As I grew older, though, my perspective changed. Sure, we don’t experience white Christmases in this part of the country. But, while I’ve never had the privilege of building a snowman, I’ve experienced the wonder of a true Louisiana Christmas. “I’VE VISITED PLACES WITH TALL MOUNTAINS, FRESH SNOW, AND DENSE PINE-TREE FORESTS. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL, BUT COME CHRISTMAS TIME, THERE’S NO PLACE I’D RATHER BE THAN RIGHT HERE IN LOUISIANA. ” Next to Christmas hams and turkeys, we have signature dishes. I’m sure many of you have had seafood gumbo and oyster dressing as part of your feast. Perhaps even Louisiana turducken, which is the best of all three worlds! My mouth waters when I think of the bread pudding, pralines, pound cake, and divinity that frequently grace our dining table during the holidays. You’d find very little of that in Christmas-card towns like Vienna or Berlin, but that’s one of the reasons it’s so special. On top of that, we have an ever-present Cajun influence that truly comes alive at Christmastime. Cajun sausage is a staple for many, as well as trips to the Cajun Christmas Festival in Lake Charles.
If you’ve never experienced the festival, I truly recommend it. It’s rich with tradition and atmosphere.
Have you ever read the Cajun “Night Before Christmas” to your
children? I know some who find it a little dense, but I’ve always found it charming. You can watch an animated version of the classic reading by Tee Jules — just run a Google
search. Other artists have celebrated the unique Christmas culture of the Pelican State, including the late Fats Domino with his song “Gumbo Christmas,” and John Lee Sanders with “Christmas Without the Creole.” In our town, we host a parade and decorate our homes. In the big city, riverboat-shaped light fixtures glow on certain streets, while the French Quarter is adorned with wreaths and Christmas lights. Visiting the city for a Christmas-themed night out is a rite of passage, as well as other wonderful events. (See our events article inside this issue for more places to take your family.) How a culture celebrates holidays and special occasions is one of its most defining characteristics, whether you’re from Berlin, Beijing, or Baton Rouge. I’ve visited places with tall mountains, fresh snow, and dense pine forests. They are beautiful, but come Christmastime, there’s no place I’d rather be than right here in Louisiana.
To you and those you love, may you find peace and joy this Christmas season and prosperity in the new year!
–Cra ig Jon e s
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If you still have an old map, why not use that for wrapping? The unusual designs guarantee your gifts will be one of a kind. And don’t worry if there are notes scrawled across the paper. Old events or directions will add some unique flair to the presents. FUROSHIKI Fabric is an excellent substitute for wrapping paper. You can use a scarf to create two gifts in one or pull out scraps of fabric from old projects. The traditional Japanese practice of furoshiki is all about wrapping goods in fabric. Described as “functional fabric origami,” you’d be amazed at how a few well-placed folds can turn your gift into a work of art. Learn how to wrap anything, from boxes to bottles, at ceas.ku.edu/furoshiki- instructional-videos. You don’t have to follow the same gift wrap habits year after year. After the effort you put into finding just the right present, you should be able to make your gift wrap just as special. Find a method that’s uniquely you and get started! 3 CREATIVE GIFT WRAP ALTERNATIVES
There’s something magical about seeing a stack of presents wrapped in bright, multicolored paper. However, that enchanting scene quickly evaporates a few hours later when all those wads of wrapping paper and plastic bows are chucked unceremoniously into the garbage. What if we told you there are countless ways you can still enjoy wrapping and unwrapping presents, without all the waste? Here are a few creative gift wrap alternatives to consider this holiday season. BROWN PAPER BAGS With the holiday season comes holiday shopping, and if you opt out of plastic grocery bags, you’re sure to have a surplus of brown paper bags in the pantry. Drop a present into the bag, tape it shut, and you’re good to go. Add some simple lace or a ribbon for an old-timey feel or get creative with stamps and hand-drawn artwork. This wrap job lets your imagination run wild. OLD MAPS AND CALENDARS These days, pretty much every phone has a built-in GPS, so you probably won’t need the map from your 1999 road trip anytime soon. Testimonials “Mr. Hill, Ms. Shawana, and everyone who works in his office has been so wonderful to me in the time that they have been helping me. They are professional, friendly, and awesome people to work with. And they care about their clients. As hard as this experience has been for me, they have made it a pleasant one — as much as they could for my situation. I will recommend them to my family and friends! And if you’re looking for a good lawyer who cares and gets results, I highly, highly recommend Mr. Hill!” –Jenn M. “I had the pleasure of being a client of Mr. Hill. He was super informative about what was going on with my case. He also made it easy to contact him. His paralegal was super sweet and so was his office staff. I wouldn’t recommend anyone else to handle any kind of personal injury case. Although those types of things are super stressful, it was nice knowing someone like Mr. Craig had my back and I didn’t have anything to worry about. I definitely would recommend him to anyone. Amazing team!” –Erin F.
We’re lucky enough to live and work around folks we’ve known all our lives. Because of that, we feel like our clients are practically family! Like our parents and kids, we want to hear from you! If you have a story to share, a rating to give, or just want to get in touch, head over to our Facebook page and let us know about your experience with our firm! Find us at Facebook. com/jonesandhilloberlin and help us share this feeling with our community!
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The Rise of Medical Malpractice What Qualifies in the Eyes of the Courts?
Health care professionals in our society have a sacred trust. In many cases, our very lives are in their hands. But mistakes on their part may be more common than you think. In 2016, medical errors rose in the rankings to become the third most common cause of death in the United States. Just how common are fatal medical errors? According to the National Center for Health Statistics, over 250,000 deaths per year can be attributed to medical errors. That’s as many as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and the flu/pneumonia combined. Only heart disease and cancer are higher on the list. We’ve written about wrongful death before, but today, we’re focusing specifically on medical malpractice. After all, malpractice can lead to extended illness, disability, and even death. In Louisiana state law, medical malpractice is a legal term that refers to a health care provider’s negligence or misconduct that results in personal injury. A health care provider can be a doctor, nurse, hospital staff, or anyone the court deems qualified.
Malpractice can refer to many things, including the following:
● Misdiagnosis ● Failure to diagnose ● Surgical errors
● Premature hospital discharge ● Improper prescription orders … and many more.
Louisiana’s Medical Malpractice Act prevents health care providers from having liability beyond certain limitations. It takes a lawyer with a combination of medical knowledge, legal experience, litigation skills, and financial resources to adequately pursue a malpractice claim.
TAKE A BREAK
Scrambling to find something for the holiday potluck? This fondue is sure to impress! Easy Holiday Party Cheese Fondue
Ingredients
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Salt to taste
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¾ cup dry white wine
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Foods to dip (apple slices, bread cubes, roasted vegetables, etc.)
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
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1 (8-ounce) package sliced Swiss cheese
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1 clove garlic
Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together wine and cornstarch. 2. Chop cheese slices into small, uniform pieces. 3. Rub clove of garlic all over the sides and bottom of a heavy-bottomed pot, then discard. 4. Heat wine mixture over medium-low heat in the pot until thick and bubbling. Add some cheese and slowly whisk. When nearly smooth, add more cheese and whisk gently. Repeat until all cheese is melted. If mixture seems too tight, add 1 tablespoon wine. 5. Season with salt and serve immediately. Keep pot on low heat to keep the fondue dippable.
CANDY ELF FAMILY HOLLY JOY
LIGHTS MISTLETOE NOEL ORNAMENTS PRESENTS
REINDEER SANTA STAR STOCKINGS TREE
Recipe inspired by PinchofYum.com
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Phone: (888) 481-1333 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. www.joneshilllaw.com
Jones & Hill Injury Lawyers 131 Highway 165 South Oakdale, LA 71463
Here in Oakdale, what we lack in numbers we make up for in gusto. Christmas is no different. We look forward to the Christmas parade every single year, and we hope to see you there! If you want more Christmas events, here are a few in the general area that we think would be fun for the whole family. Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights Fancy a small road trip? In 1992, five communities along the I-20 and I-49 freeways banded together to create the Trail of Lights. Each community decks out their downtown area with a dazzling holiday light display. The trail starts in Alexandria, passes through Natchitoches, continues in Shreveport, turns east through Minden, and concludes in Monroe. Try one or two cities in one evening, or see them all in one trip if you’re up for a drive. When: Mid-November through New Year’s Day Where: Communities along I-20 and I-49 Cost: Free More info: holidaytrailoflights.com Alex Winter Fete This family-friendly festival was named Festival of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association in 2016. Snow, Santa, ice skating, and shopping — this festival has it all. Decorate cookies 3 CAN’T-MISS EVENTS
CHRISTMAS IN LOUISIANA
with your kids, listen to live music performances, and enjoy a beautiful fireworks show over Red River on Friday night. When: Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 Where: Downtown Alexandria Cost: Free entry (some activities will carry a fee) More info: cityofalexandria.com/ alexwinterfete
Holiday Light Safari at the Alexandria Zoo
What’s the best time of the year to visit the zoo? We say it’s Christmas, no question. Bundle up and stroll by the reptile display, aviary, and lions’ habitat with themed lights hanging all around the zoo. Train rides, photo ops, and a visit from Santa are sure to delight the family. When: Dec. 8–23 Where: Alexandria Zoo Cost: $7.50 for adults (13+), $5.50 for children (4-12), free for children under 3. More info: thealexandriazoo.com
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