Take a look at our September newsletter!
12444 POWERSCOURT DR., SUITE 300 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63131 // FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222 // SEPTEMBER 2024
Case on Appeal Has Taken 2 Years Already HEADED TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT
This business of law is tough sometimes, like most businesses. Nothing comes easy, and when something does go right, it seems too good to be true. A couple of years ago, along with my cousins, we obtained a great verdict on behalf of two parents for their 19-year-old son’s death. It was a grueling case and trial, but we won. The law allows the defense to ask for a new trial. They did. We won that, too. The law allows the defense to appeal. They did. We won that as well. The law allows the defense to ask the Missouri Supreme Court to hear the case. They agreed to hear it. We will see if we win that. If we lose that, the trial must be done again. I struggle to see how the Supreme Court would want to hear this after all levels of the courts have agreed with the verdict. A small civics lesson for everyone — there are seven justices on the Missouri Supreme Court. To hear a case, at least four must agree to do so. Otherwise, the lower court’s ruling will stand. You do not know which four or more decided to hear it. You don’t ever know what piqued their interest in it. It is just a one-page filing that basically says we will hear the case. Now, two years after we won the first trial and have won at every court level in the state so far, we have to prepare again for the Supreme Court. And here is where it is tricky. The Supreme Court doesn’t tell you what part of the case they want to hear or what they might disagree with. We have an idea, but they could do whatever they want. It is a frightening situation, one wrought with many uncertainties. It keeps me up at night. It churns my stomach. How could this be? How can we still be going on with this case two years AFTER the jury verdict and five years after the boy died? How is this justice? Maybe it will be ultimate justice, and we will be part of making a historic case law in this state. It definitely could be.
I don’t know. But I know the system I am in. I went into this with my eyes wide open. I cannot complain too much because I knew this type of stuff was always a possibility, no matter how remote. I remember winning my first big verdict with my cousin, Craig. People thought we were crazy. I am sure they said things about us behind our backs. We beat the offer 50 times over. The Court of Appeals took that verdict away from our client on Christmas Eve one year with the stroke of a pen. I can tell you, at times, the pen definitely feels mightier than the sword. In this case, we beat the offer (when there was one) by almost 90 times over. Does that mean it gets more attention? Certainly. Does that mean we should lower our aim because a bigger number might offend some? Never. I feel strongly about our chances at the Supreme Court. We did almost everything right. You can never be 100% in this business. Can you be 100% in any business? I doubt it, but this is the only one I know. No matter what happens, we will continue doing what we do. We will put our clients first, work on our case selection, and do our best to be committed to the case.
We will probably be working on this one for at least another 5–6 months. When that ruling comes out, I’ll be sure to write about it. Until then, we will keep moving forward regardless of the obstacles we meet.
Published by Newsletter Pro // www.newsletterpro.com
Finney Injury Law Awards $10,000 Scholarships We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you! Finney Injury Law has awarded two $10,000 scholarships to two exceptional students as part of our Finney Injury Law Scholarship program. Out of 42 impressive applicants, these two individuals stood out for their academic excellence, dedication, and commitment to making a positive impact in the legal field. Our scholarship recipients, Thomas Floyd and Stanley Ihejirika, have shown remarkable potential and a passion for justice that aligns with our mission. We are honored to support their educational journey and are confident that they will make significant contributions to the legal profession. We were truly impressed by the quality of all 42 applicants. Every candidate demonstrated outstanding achievements and a strong commitment to their education and community. It was a challenging decision. Every applicant was deserving of recognition and support. This scholarship is a testament to our commitment to fostering the next generation of legal professionals. We believe in the power of education and are dedicated to supporting students who share our passion for justice and advocacy. Join us in congratulating Thomas and Stanley on their well-deserved awards. We also want to extend our gratitude to all the applicants for their impressive achievements. It is inspiring to see such a bright future for the legal field.
PEDESTRIAN CASUALTIES FROM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS ON THE RISE Street Smart
Pedestrian deaths and injuries in motor vehicle crashes soared to a new high last year in St. Louis County according to TrailNet, a nonprofit that publishes annual crash statistics. Some 646 pedestrians and cyclists were killed or injured in 2023 in a total of 533 crashes in St. Louis city and county. The most common injuries to pedestrians are concussions and traumatic brain injury. In recognition of Sept. 20 as Concussion Awareness Day, this is a good time to examine some of the myths about pedestrian casualties and some precautions for reducing harm. Misconceptions about pedestrian accidents are common among motorists. While drivers tend to blame pedestrians, few of these casualties are
actually caused by careless walkers. More often, drivers are speeding or distracted by cellphones or screens. Also, the city was built to house 1 million people but has a population of only 300,000, resulting in overbuilt highways that invite speeding and offer few safe sidewalks for pedestrians. Also, common misconceptions about concussions prevent many victims from seeking treatment — such as the notion that victims always lose consciousness. Some concussions take as long as a week to show up. Symptoms vary among individuals and range from dizziness to headaches and fatigue. Also, concussions aren’t always caused by a direct hit to the head. Any forceful blow to the head, neck, or body can cause a concussion.
Pedestrians should adopt defensive behaviors, by never crossing roads outside of crosswalks. Cross quickly and dress in clothing that makes you stand out. Watch out for red-light runners or speeding drivers turning right at intersections across the crosswalk. Our firm helps many clients with concussive and brain injury cases. If you are a pedestrian hurt in a motor vehicle crash, you should pursue your right to damages. Drivers must be held responsible for their actions, and any pedestrian who suffers harm should
consult a personal injury attorney for advice. Contact us for a free
consultation to ensure you receive the support and compensation you deserve.
Published by Newsletter Pro // www.newsletterpro.com
Laws Gone Wild! America’s Most Bizarre Legal Relics
Thanks to our country’s perpetually in flux judicial system, countless laws are still on the books that echo times long gone. They’re outdated and absurd, often leaving citizens wondering, “What necessitated that rule?” Let’s look at some bizarre laws from across the U.S. (even if no one enforces them)!
Wait, what? Don’t tie that long-necked beauty to the wrong anchor point in Atlanta. It’s believed this rule was enacted to prevent animal abuse, but it is unclear why lawmakers got so specific. Get married in Texas by publicly announcing yourselves as husband and wife three times.
to protect feathery friends from their greatest foes. We’re not sure the cats are on board with this rule. If you’re caught flirting in New York, you could pay a $25 fine. In the early 1900s, flirting was such an issue that cities held an annual Anti-Flirt Week. This law aimed to help women feel safer on the streets by diminishing catcalling from passing motorists. Reportedly, a second offense would require the offender to wear horse blinders in public! While these laws may seem silly, no one enforces them anymore — even though they’re still on the books. Instead of holding any weight, they offer a glimpse into the concerns of our forefathers. The next time you encounter a strange law in your town, take a moment to ponder the history; you never know what you might learn about the place you call home.
If you’re in Wyoming, avoid tattooing any horses. This law was made to stop people from making horses
Make it legal with three public announcements, even if only one spouse is present for the
proclamation. The requirement states that both parties must be willing participants, over 18, and unrelated. All cats in New Jersey must wear three bells to alert birds of their whereabouts. Outdoor cats are notoriously dangerous to the local wildlife populations, and Cresskill, New Jersey, decided they needed a law
unrecognizable to their owners. Apparently, that was a big enough issue back in the day that it needed to be codified.
Don’t tie your giraffe to a telephone pole or streetlamp in Georgia. Isn’t it embarrassing when there’s nowhere to tie up the family giraffe on a quick errand?
YOUR REFERRALS MEAN THE WORLD TO US There is no greater compliment we can receive than a client telling a friend or loved one about us. If you know somebody who has been injured and needs an attorney who will fight on their behalf and give their case the attention it deserves, please pass along this newsletter and have them call us at 314-293-4222. Thank you for spreading the word about Finney Injury Law.
QUINOA VEGGIE BOWL Delicious Chickpea Curry
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, diced
• 1 tsp ground turmeric • 1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed • 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes • 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tbsp curry powder • 1 tsp ground cumin
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil. 2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the curry powder, cumin, and turmeric and stir to combine. 4. Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, and vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. 5. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
12444 POWERSCOURT DR., SUITE 300 ST. LOUIS, MO 63131
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Winning the Case … Then the Appeal?
2
Finney Injury Law Awards 2 Scholarships
2
The Truth About Highway Hazards for Pedestrians
3
Bizarre Laws That Are Still on the Books!
3
Delicious Chickpea Curry
4
A Quick Guide to Voting in Missouri and Illinois
to SOS.MO.gov will lead to the state’s how-to-vote landing page. Links there enable citizens to check the status of their voter registration and to register online or by mail. The Missouri legislature enacted several changes in voting rules since the last U.S. presidential race, so reviewing the website may help voters avoid unpleasant surprises. Among the changes, Missourians must present a valid government-issued ID to cast a ballot. The site also has links to polling place locations, acceptable forms of identification, and information about requesting and voting by absentee ballot. For absentee voters, Missouri requires a valid excuse for being absent from the polls on election day. However, the state also allows absentee voting without an excuse during the two weeks before the election, as long as a voter shows up in person at a state election board office with a valid government-issued photo ID.
or by searching the web for “Illinois Board of Elections.” The state’s “voter registration lookup” tab enables users to check the status of their registration and also find out how to register online to vote. A polling place locator guides users based on their ZIP codes. Illinois expanded voting rights in 2021 by increasing access to curbside voting and establishing a permanent vote- by-mail registry. Any registered voter in Illinois can vote by mail without providing an excuse for their absence. Citizens seeking to vote by mail in the Nov. 5 election must apply for a mail ballot by Oct. 31, and ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. Secure drop boxes are available at many polling locations, and voters can also drop mail ballots there before 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters may apply for a mail ballot online at Elections.IL.gov . Check out voting information for your state well in advance of Election Day to ensure that your vote will be counted!
Citizens can complete so many tasks and access so many services online that actually leaving home to cast a paper ballot in a national election seems like an anomaly nowadays. Amid widespread changes in states’ voting rules since the last presidential election, now is a good time to do a little research to ensure your vote is counted. Make Sure Your Vote Is Counted on Nov. 5!
A web search for “How to Vote — Missouri Secretary of State” or a visit
Illinois voters can find a directory of election information at Elections.IL.gov
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
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