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May 2023
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR Want to Get Rich Quick?
A Personal Injury Lawsuit Won’t Help
Who doesn’t want to be rich? Most of us have dreamed of a windfall that will leave us set for life. It’s a common misconception that people file personal injury lawsuits for precisely that reason. The prevalence of scammers in our daily lives and effective propaganda from insurance companies have convinced many people that personal injury claims are often “get-rich-quick schemes” manufactured to win large sums of money.
to create tort reform under the illusory threat of “frivolous lawsuits.” Ultimately, the belief that people are scamming the system creates a much less level playing field for the injured. No one is immune to the pervasive “get-rich-quick” myth, and clients regularly come to us and stress, “I’m not a litigious person.” Sadly, many of them almost feel ashamed to be filing a claim. But they’re far more representative of personal injury claimants than the scammers people imagine. We often have to reassure clients that this isn’t their fault and remind them they shouldn’t be stuck with medical bills due to someone else’s negligence. Further, you can’t always immediately see how an injury has affected someone. A person might look perfectly fine to you sitting in a courtroom. But they may have debilitating back pain, a traumatic brain injury, or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. They may have lost their jobs and had to give up hobbies that gave their lives meaning. In some cases, personal injury litigants have lost loved ones. People who win enormous amounts of money in personal injury cases have had something much more valuable taken from them. For example, brain injuries can create memory issues, change personalities, prevent people from working, and cause people to lose time with family. Money can’t fix that, but financial compensation in the civil legal system is the closest we can come to justice. In truth, very few people want to file a lawsuit. They do it out of necessity. We’ve won millions of dollars for our clients and met countless injured people over the years — but we haven’t met anyone who wouldn’t trade the compensation they received to get their old life back. People may always try to get rich quick, but a personal injury will never be the way. The cost is far too high.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Of course, there are always people lying in wait for a way to make a quick buck. But those aiming to do so through a personal injury claim will be disappointed. To win a large claim, you must convince the insurance company to pay you or persuade a jury to award compensation. Insurance companies and large corporations spend enormous sums of money to defend against claims and surveil injured people. If someone is “faking,” they’ll prove it. But what about those huge awards you hear about on the news? Many people struggle to believe an injury is legitimately worth millions of dollars, and insurance companies like it that way. They regularly lobby legislators
–Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000 1
Cinco de Mayo: More Than a Drinking Holiday
Celebrate Mexican Culture All Year Long
While Cinco de Mayo may have already passed, there’s never a wrong time to celebrate Mexican history. Cinco de Mayo fiestas have certainly taken on a life of their own in the U.S., but we should honor the holiday with appreciation, not just margaritas. Not everyone knows that Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico’s victory in the Battle of Puebla — it’s a reminder to embrace the beauty and power of the Mexican culture. On May 5, 1862, French troops outnumbered Mexican forces, yet the latter persevered. The Battle of Puebla remains an astounding historical victory for Mexico and gives us the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. So, maybe it’s time to discover how you can honor this vibrant culture in your own community.
During your school career, you probably got at least one grade that was less than you deserved. Maybe you painfully accepted the grade or confronted your instructor for an explanation. Most people choose one of those two options — but have you ever heard of a student taking their professor to court? That’s precisely what this Pennsylvanian student did when she discovered her C+ grade wouldn’t let her graduate. Megan Thode, a Lehigh University graduate student, sued her professor and school for the mediocre grade that would ultimately cost her a degree. Thode reported that due to the incorrect grade, she couldn’t graduate and, therefore, couldn’t pursue a career as a licensed therapist. Thode demanded a grade change from this lawsuit as well as monetary damages. How much exactly? She wanted $1.3 million. According to Thode, this represented the money she would lose from not earning her graduate degree and starting her desired career. We should note that since Thode was the daughter of Stephen Thode, a finance professor at Leigh University, she attended the school for free. Her professor, Amanda Eckhardt, gave Thode a zero in class participation, lowering her overall grade to a C. And Eckhardt stood by her evaluation. According to USA Today, when questioned, the professor remarked, “I believed she received the grade she earned.” In fact, Eckhardt testified that Thode had explosive behavior in class, acted unprofessionally, seemed emotionally unstable, and didn’t even heed a warning letter. As expected, a judge quickly rejected this case in court. NPR announced that, after only four days of testimonies in the civil trial, the judge determined the university never breached any contract and did not owe Thode a dime. In the end, Thode changed her master’s degree to human development. She won’t be anyone’s therapist any time soon! Bad Grade? Sue Your Professor!
Supporting Mexican Businesses
Whether it’s a local Mexican artisan or a family-owned Mexican restaurant, you can support plenty of Mexican businesses. You’ll uplift the owner and the Mexican community whose culture we all love. Most of us understand that small businesses have it rough. So, take the time to shop for hand- crafted Mexican jewelry or pottery — and dine at a Mexican restaurant you’ve never been to.
Experiencing Mexican Museums and Art
From Frida Kahlo to Diego Rivera, Mexican art has offered countless masterpieces and colorful works. Take some time to visit a nearby Mexican museum or art gallery to witness some
authentic Mexican art and history. A country’s artwork often reflects its culture, so explore nearby venues that spotlight Mexican artists.
Cooking Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t like Mexican food”? Neither have we! This month, skip Taco Bell and try cooking an authentic Mexican dish. Enchiladas, tortas, flautas, pozole, and more authentic recipes are at your fingertips (on your smartphone). When you taste a nation’s popular meals, you can better grasp its unique culture. If you missed Cinco de Mayo this year, don’t worry; you can embrace Mexican culture all year long. Remember the true story of the Battle of Puebla and uplift the Mexican community in your area.
2 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Keep Your Family Happy After a Divorce With These Co-Parenting Tips
After any divorce, if you have lingering feelings of resentment or anger toward your ex-spouse, co-parenting might seem incredibly daunting. Yet, it doesn’t have to be a bitter relationship between you and your ex. While it does take two to tango, and each parent needs to put in the effort, there are ways to ensure you create the best possible family environment for your children. While co-parenting may be challenging, don’t be discouraged. We’ll share why co-parenting is essential and tips for healthy co-parenting. How Co-Parenting Affects Kids The American Psychological Association found that children who spent time with both parents after a divorce experienced fewer emotional and behavioral issues and were as well-adjusted as children whose parents never divorced. The following co-parenting tips can help prevent conflicts so you can focus on caring for your children.
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Letting Everyone Have a Say While you may always want to be in charge, you should allow your ex-spouse to participate in your children’s daily lives. Maintaining Respect Think of co-parenting as a business relationship where disrespect is never allowed. When you remain respectful, you can avoid heated conflicts.
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Separating Emotions From Behaviors Negative emotions about your ex-spouse should never affect your actions, especially in front of your children. Arguing in front of your kids will harm them emotionally. Avoiding the Temptation of Venting to Your Kids Prevent complaints from reaching your children’s ears. Instead of voicing negative comments about your ex-spouse to your child, you should vent to a friend or counselor.
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While it may be difficult, proper co-parenting can ensure your child feels loved by both parents. When done with your children’s best interest in mind, this will boost their confidence and help them better acclimate to the divorce. Their well-being should always be both parents’ top priority.
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Have a
Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce Inspired by Epicurious.com
Laugh
Ingredients
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1 1/2 cups plain yogurt or fat- free sour cream
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1 large white onion, finely chopped
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1/4 cup Dijon mustard
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4 large eggs, beaten
6 sprigs fresh dill, chopped
1/2 tbsp salt 1 tbsp pepper 2 tbsp olive oil
2 14.75-oz cans salmon packed in water 4 celery stalks, finely chopped
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Directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, Dijon mustard, and dill to make the dill sauce. Set aside. 2. Drain the salmon, then remove and discard the bones and skin. In a large bowl, mix the salmon, celery, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 patties. Coat a medium skillet with olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Cook the patties until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. 3. Put a dollop of the dill sauce on top of each patty and serve.
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NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
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407-801-3000 NordenLeacox.com 964 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32814
Inside This Edition
2 1 The Top Misconception About Personal Injury Claims Rethinking Cinco de Mayo Student Takes C+ to Court
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Tips for Co-Parenting After a Divorce Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce Stargaze This May
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All month long, countless astronomy aficionados will be camping out in the dead of night to catch a glimpse of an annual meteor shower. First discovered in 1870, the meteor shower known as Eta Aquariids can be seen from Earth every May. This stellar space show moves as fast as 44 miles per second and leaves a bright, glowing trail behind it. Eta Aquariids is visible to both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, making it an optimal summer night event. However, this one might be for the night owls since it peaks past midnight. Curious to know more about this mysterious annual meteor shower? Let’s discover the origins of Eta Aquariids and how you can catch a glimpse of this galactic sight. The meteor shower was made from Halley’s Comet. Eta Aquariids is a collection of leftover space debris from the famous Halley’s Comet — mostly ice and dust. As these meteors pass through the Earth’s atmosphere, they heat up and glow bright enough for you to see. Every year, you can watch as these small chunks of Halley’s Comet burn and leave shining streaks in the night sky. Don’t Miss This Astral Event Why You Need to See Eta Aquariids
It takes nearly 76 years for Halley’s Comet to orbit the Sun just once, and the last time we saw this iconic comet was in 1986. It won’t even reenter our solar system again until 2061, but luckily it left us the yearly gift of Eta Aquariids. Here’s how to best view the Eta Aquariids. There’s no specific date to see Eta Aquariids, and we only know the time range of early to mid-May. Your last chance to witness this spectacular sight in 2023 is May 27. Yet, 2023 is said to be an exceptionally bright year for this meteor shower. According to Bill Cooke, the lead for the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA, the meteor rates will be over two times the average speed which will cause an abnormally vibrant glow. For specific stargazing dates, check the American Meteor Society’s official calendar (AMSMeteors.org/meteor-showers/meteor-shower-calendar). To best view this magnificent meteor shower, you’ll need to get cozy in your lawn chair around 2 a.m. It’s crucial that you give your eyes at least a half hour to adapt to the darkness so you can see the shower. There’s no need for binoculars or telescopes since Eta Aquariids is visible to the naked eye. Simply find a dark spot away from city lights and wait for the show!
4 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
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