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January 2023
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR The Wrong Side of the Law
We regularly give legal advice to clients so they have the best possible chances of victory in their cases. Unfortunately, not everyone takes our advice to heart, and sometimes they even reach out to us after they’ve already made some critical mistakes. In honor of Opposite Day on Jan. 25, we thought we’d do something a little different by sharing guidance we would never give to our clients — and why they’re such bad ideas. Bad Tip No. 1 Don’t hesitate to post on social media. Share details about the incident, take plenty of pictures and videos of what you’ve been doing, and post all your activities. There’s nothing wrong with expressing yourself! We’ve seen time and time again how social media can destroy a case. Everyone puts their best foot forward online, and we’re much more inclined to post about the good than the bad. The insurance companies spin your posts until they appear to contradict your testimony or minimize your injuries. The best thing you can do is put the phone down and avoid engaging with social media at all. Bad Tip No. 2 Feel free to talk to the insurance company on the record. When they ask if they can record you, go ahead and say “Yes!” They’ve got your best interest at heart and would never use your words against you. Insurance companies will try to trick you into making statements that will undermine your case later. When you give them permission to record, your words become admissible in court. They try to talk to accident victims before they’ve retained counsel, so don’t fall for this trick. Never agree to be recorded unless your attorney specifically tells you to do this. Bad Tip No. 3 When the insurance company sends you a check, you should cash it. It’s free money! What’s the worst that could happen? Never accept money from an insurance company without first consulting an attorney. By cashing a check, you agree to the insurance company’s terms of resolution. We once saw a wrongful death lawsuit where the insurance company claimed only $50,000 in coverage. They gave the money to the deceased’s mom, and it later turned out there was $5 million more available. You can’t uncash the check, so slow down and ensure you’re making the right move. Advice We’d Never Give Our Clients
Bad Tip No. 4 Going to the doctor can be a hassle, so feel free to skip your visits. Just ignore the problem, and it will eventually go away. Insurance companies will use a gap in your treatment as evidence your injuries are resolved or less extensive than claimed. Whenever you’re still experiencing pain or other symptoms, you must regularly document them with your doctor to preserve your case. Bad Tip No. 5 Don’t make a big deal out of your accident. Just exchange your information with the other driver and leave the scene. You can get everything sorted out later! What if the other person in the accident claims it never happened? We’ve seen it happen before. Even when you only have a fender bender, call the police and have them file a report. Also, ensure you take photographs of the accident scene and any damage that may have occurred. Bad Tip No. 6 Everyone tells white lies now and then. Fib a little — it’ll make your story sound better! This point might be the most important of all. Your most valuable asset in any personal injury case is your credibility. You ruin your chances with a jury when you hide information or act dishonestly. Even when you think the truth will work against you, a lie revealed in court is far worse. Be honest and upfront, and let us worry about how to present the information.
NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000 1 –Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
Providing Rides and Saving Lives Meet an Uber Driver- Turned-Hometown Hero We all like to imagine we would do whatever it takes to help others if we witnessed a tragedy, such as a house fire or car accident. We see it all the time when watching our favorite shows and movies, but these random heroic acts rarely happen in real life. When they do, they’re awe-inspiring. One New York City man was faced with one of these harrowing situations and showed tremendous courage when he helped save lives, all while on the clock. Fritz Sam works as an Uber driver in New York City. He had just picked up a passenger and was taking her to LaGuardia Airport when he noticed a hectic scene in a Brooklyn neighborhood. He soon saw flames and dark smoke emerging from a second-story window of an apartment building. He asked his passenger if he could pull over to offer help. He approached a group of bystanders, yelling for people to get out of the residence. As people fled the building, Sam asked if everyone was out. Someone said there were still people inside. Without hesitation, Sam ran through the building and found a woman who was hesitant about leaving. He convinced her to go and brought her to safety, and then he returned to help another man get out of the building. Once he saw firefighters on the scene, Sam returned to his vehicle and proceeded to drop his passenger off at the airport. She still made her flight, even with their impromptu stop. In a statement to “TODAY,” Uber said, “We’re incredibly grateful to have such a heroic and thoughtful member of our community in Fritz. He went above and beyond to keep his neighbors in New York safe — and still managed to get his rider to the airport on time.” When talking to “TODAY,” Sam stated, “You’d be surprised what little things we do that can be impactful. Because, trust me, those little things are going to make a big difference for somebody.”
Celebrity Lawsuit Calls TikTok ‘Breeding Ground for Scams’
ARE THE ADS YOU SEE REAL OR FAKE? Imagine you’re scrolling through your social media feed when an ad pops up starring one of your favorite celebrities. Maybe it’s quarterback Tom Brady talking about his favorite brand of beer or actress Julia Roberts showing off her new shoes. You’re intrigued enough to buy the product. But when it arrives, your jaw drops. This isn’t the hottest new luxury item! It’s just a cheap knockoff of Budweiser or Jimmy Choo. How would you feel about your celebrity “friend?” According to Page Six, this exact situation happened to fans of “Real Housewives of New York City” actress and Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel. A scam artist stole clips of her promoting a designer product and edited them, making it appear as if she were selling knockoff cardigans. Frankel posted her own video decrying the scammer, only to watch TikTok remove it for “abusive content.” In a last-ditch attempt to protect her reputation, she sued the platform for failing to protect her reputation and allowing users to post fake ads, calling it “a breeding ground for scams.” If you use TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, Frankel’s story should serve as a warning: The ads you see sliding by on your smartphone screen may not be legitimate. To protect yourself from scammers, take these three steps. 1. Go to the source for celebrity endorsements. Visit the celebrity’s official social media page and/or website. Any products they’re advertising should be visible there. 2. Avoid in-app purchases. It’s easy to buy products on Instagram with a single click — but should you? To avoid scams, leave the app and visit the company’s official website to ensure you’re purchasing the real thing. 3. Look for signs of photoshopping, editing, and manipulation. Does the celebrity’s face look tacked onto another person’s body, or does their phrasing sound broken and clipped together? Is the celebrity sponsoring the ad, or is the brand just using their name (perhaps misspelled) for cachet? Look for these signs before you buy. Ultimately, when buying online, just remember to think before you click. Skepticism is a TikTok user’s best friend.
It’s safe to say that very few people consider Sam’s actions a “little thing.” He acted
heroically and is an inspiration to many.
2 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
5 Tips for Conquering Dry January Finish the Month Sober and Thriving
In 2021, 1 in 7 Americans participated in “Dry January” — a month without alcohol. The concept of Dry January is new, but since its conception in England in 2012, it has taken hold worldwide. If you’re one of the millions of people pouring out your booze after a holiday of overindulging, use these five tips to stay on track until Jan. 31 and beyond. 1. Download the ‘Try Dry’ app. Yes, there is an app for that! “Try Dry” is the official Dry January app, created by Alcohol Change UK. Users can map their Dry January successes on a calendar, watch their “dry streak” climb, and calculate the money and calories they’ve saved by avoiding alcohol. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. 2. Look for a kava bar near you. These outposts sell nonalcoholic drinks made from the root of kava plants that helps imbibers relax without the negative side effects of booze. If you’re worried about missing out on socializing with friends, a kava bar could be a good alternative to your local watering hole. Kava bars are trending nationwide right now, so check Google to see if one is open in your city. 3. Master the mocktail. Kava isn’t your only nonalcoholic beverage alternative. If you find yourself missing fancy cocktails, check websites like FoodNetwork.com , BonAppetit.com , and
TownandCountryMag.com for delicious mocktail recipes like Bobby Flay’s Chocolate Martini Mocktail, which is a booze-free mudslide. Then, invite your friends over to raise a glass. Throw in board games and food, and they won’t even miss the alcohol. 4. Scare yourself with the data. Plenty of studies out there warn about the negative side effects of drinking alcohol, including a recent study from The Lancet that found drinking reduces your lifespan. When you feel your resolve slipping, turn to the facts for reassurance you’re on the right path. 5. Partner with a friend. If you want to make a batch of mocktails or bemoan skipping your after-dinner gin and tonic, it helps to have a friend by your side! Find someone to join your Dry January crusade so you can keep each other on the right path.
Have a
Air Fryer Roasted Salmon With Sautéed Balsamic Spinach
Laugh
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 3 tsp olive oil • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) • 1 1/2 tsp reduced-sodium seafood seasoning • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 garlic clove, sliced
• Dash of crushed red pepper flakes • 10 cups fresh baby spinach (about 10 oz) • 6 small tomatoes, cut into 1/2- inch pieces • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Directions
1. Preheat air fryer to 450 F. Rub 1 tsp oil over both sides of salmon, then sprinkle with seafood seasoning and pepper. In a greased air fryer basket, place salmon. 2. Cook about 10–12 minutes until fish flakes easily. 3. In a 6-qt stockpot, place remaining oil, garlic, and pepper flakes. Heat over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in tomatoes; heat through. 4. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil. Cook until vinegar is reduced by half, then remove from heat. 5. Arrange spinach on serving dish. Place salmon over spinach mixture and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
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NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
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407-801-3000 NordenLeacox.com 964 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32814
Inside This Edition
2 1 The Advice Zac and Nick Would Never Give How an Uber Driver Became a Hero
The Dirty Truth About TikTok Ads How to Finish Dry January Strong Air Fryer Roasted Salmon With Sautéed Balsamic Spinach A Podcast That Will Inspire You to Make a Change
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Reduce Climate Anxiety With ‘How to Save a Planet’
You might want to try a fashion detox. This challenge asks participants to avoid buying any new clothes for 10 weeks and to use that time to reflect on sustainability. The goal is to take a moment and understand the impact of clothing on the planet. Get in touch with your local meteorologist. If you watch the local news and the meteorologist talks about climate change, send them an email
If you’re stuck in a cycle of worrying about the planet after a rough year of floods, fires, and hurricanes, we don’t blame you. Most of us have seen that 2022 was full of climate craziness, and constantly dealing with these disasters can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Knowing where to start when tackling the issues our planet faces can be challenging, and this uncertainty leaves many people feeling more depressed than determined. But that is all about to change with the help of “How to Save a Planet,” a Spotify original podcast that shares good news on eco-friendly trends. Join Alex Blumberg and “a crew of climate nerds” (their words, not ours) as they strive to bring you the positives of our planet, along with real changes you can make in your life that will help move our climate in the right direction.
or message on social media to let them know you noticed it, appreciate it, and want them to keep it up.
“How to Save a Planet” has many more tips where those came from, and
To show you what we mean, we’ll share some things “How to Save a Planet” says you can do to be a climate warrior.
after listening, you won’t feel helpless — you’ll be motivated to make a change. So head on over to Spotify, press play, and get started.
Make a Venn diagram to find your climate change superpower! On a piece of paper, draw three circles that overlap in the middle. Each circle will have its own title, and they are “What brings you joy?” “What work needs doing?” and “What are you good at?” Find similarities between all three, and write them in the middle. That piece between all three circles is what you can do for the climate.
4 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
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