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Justice MONTHLY
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MAY 2018
THE BEGINNINGS OF AN 11-YEAR CAREER WHAT I’VE LEARNED FROM MORE THAN A DECADE IN LAW
I t’s hard to believe, but May 22 marks my 11th year people I’ve had the privilege of serving every day. Each year is its own little milestone, and it’s an opportunity to thank my peers and clients who’ve helped me get where I am today. It’s also a chance to reflect on why I love my job and where it all started. I took the bar exam in late February of 2007. It was a two-day, six-hour-per-day gauntlet of stress that beats an average of 1 in 4 law school students each year. When I stepped outside into the sunshine after spending all day indoors that February afternoon, I tried to let it go and forget it. I knew from experience that sitting down and discussing answers with peers would only invite paranoia. It would be a little over three months before I discovered whether I’d passed (spoiler alert: I did!), but luckily, I was able to secure a job in the interim, starting a position as an assistant to the Dougherty County district attorney just a couple of weeks after taking the test. It was the ideal starting point, allowing me to gain trial experience right from the outset. By the second week, I was the second chair in a felony shoplifting case, engaging myself fully with the courtroom process. I began to master the steep learning curve that comes with practicing law. Thanks to the Graduate Practice Act, which enabled me to start working under a prosecuting attorney before I received my bar results, I started out in juvenile court. I figured that the lower stakes would allow me to learn the ropes without making any grievous mistakes. I appreciated the opportunity, but frankly, I didn’t love working in juvenile court. Since the worst verdict the judge can hand down is 60 days in juvenile detention, it’s not taken very seriously. But within just a few months, I was promoted to the state court, where I worked on simple battery, assault, and disorderly conduct cases, among others. practicing law. Since the beginning, I’ve been dedicated to achieving great outcomes for my clients and have striven to continuously improve my legal expertise. But honestly, I never could have done it without the fantastic
In the last six months of my two-year tenure with the DA’s office, I moved up to felonies, operating in a Georgia Superior Court. Suddenly, as I second-chaired a murder trial, I began to
experience the night- and-day difference in attitudes when the stakes were raised. When something serious like a murder is in the court, everybody drops what they’re doing to get the conviction. We had police testimony, a chemist who came
in to analyze DNA evidence, and a panel of rapt jurors doing everything they could to hand down the correct verdict.
During those early days, I took my father’s advice to always try something new with every trial term. No matter how stacked the odds were against me — win, lose, or draw — I involved myself in as many trials as possible, seeking only to gain the experience that would prepare me to represent my future clients to the best of my ability. My father’s office was just three blocks from the courthouse, and during breaks in trials, I’d often go and have lunch with him, debriefing him on the intricacies of the case. He was an invaluable resource, giving me all kinds of advice that enabled me to try new strategies in the courtroom. I sometimes baffled the more experienced attorneys with my newfound expertise. After those first two years, I joined my dad and began the work I would continue for the rest of my career. Now, even after 11 years, I know that there are always new things to learn and new ways to stay abreast of the law and do right by my clients. It’s been quite the journey so far, and I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and helping clients achieve the compensation they deserve for years to come. -William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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I magine America in 1923. Yankee Stadium opened its doors for the very first time. Walt and Roy Disney founded The Walt Disney Company. The first issue of Time magazine hit newsstands. President Warren G. Harding died of a heart attack in office, and Vice President Calvin Coolidge became the 30th president. And Bobbie the Wonder Dog trekked 2,550 miles to return home. Of all the stories to come out of 1923, Bobbie’s may be the most incredible. It all started with a road trip. The Brazier family of Silverton, Oregon, decided to take a road trip to visit relatives in Wolcott, Indiana. Mom, Dad, their two daughters, and their Scotch collie piled in the family Overland Red Bird touring car and headed across preinterstate-highway-system America. Several days later, after the Braziers had settled in with their Wolcott relatives, Bobbie the Scotch collie was attacked by a pack of dogs. The dogs scared Bobbie away, and despite a long search around Wolcott, the family was unable to find any trace of the collie. The search continued throughout their stay, but time ran out, and the Braziers had to return home to Oregon without their beloved Bobbie. The Incredible Journey of BOBBIE THE WONDER DOG If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be confused, overwhelmed, and in pain. You likely have mounting medical expenses and lost wages due to time away from work. But following a work-related injury, you are entitled to specific benefits under the law. You don’t have to shoulder the financial burden alone. These benefits fall under three main categories: 1. Medical Benefits These are benefits paid to you by your employer and their insurance company for treatment of your injury, whether physical or mental. Your medical provider should never bill you directly if you’re receiving benefits, and there is no deductible for you to pay. What’s more, these benefits include the cost of getting to and from your provider as well as any prescription payments related to your treatment. 2. Wage Benefits This is compensation paid to you for your loss of income due to your injury. The compensation is two-thirds of your weekly wage. Usually, this is calculated by averaging the 13 weeks of wages prior to
What the Braziers didn’t know was that Bobbie had been searching for his family as well. He may have been scared away, but he was determined to get back home. And so began his incredible journey. He turned his head west and began walking. And walking. With winter setting in, Bobbie had a monumental task ahead. Bobbie swam across numerous rivers. He trekked across the Great Plains and over the Rocky Mountains. While we will never know exactly what Bobbie endured, we know he made it home. Over 2,500 miles later, in February, 1924, a tired and beaten-down pup arrived home in Silverton, Oregon, to a stunned family. Bobbie the Wonder Dog’s story made national headlines. He received a medal and the key to the city, and he became a silent movie star in the film “The Call of the West.” Today, you can visit Bobbie’s memorial near his home in Oregon.
THE 3 COMPENSATION CATEGORIES What Kinds of Benefits Are You Entitled To?
the injury. Of course, you cannot receive these benefits until your treating physician has placed you under “no work” or “limited and light duty” status at your job. Alternatively, you may receive compensation if your employer declines to provide you with “limited and light duty” work. 3. Permanent Partial Disability After you’ve gone through treatment and recovered as much as possible, you may be entitled to a PPD rating that will result in further benefits. Acquiring this rating can be a difficult process, but it’s vital if you have sustained an injury that will affect your ability to work for the rest of your life. Regardless of your situation, you’ll want to make sure you maximize your benefits and get the compensation you need to focus on recovery. A workers’ compensation claim can be a difficult, complex process, but you don’t have to go it alone. Call William F. Underwood, III at 229-888-0888 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll give your claim a fighting chance.
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A HIT MAN AND AN ESCALATOR 2 More Strange Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation law isn’t as dry as many people think. Occasionally, it can get downright weird. As with every one of our monthly newsletters, here are two more of the strangest
another store. This last detail was the linchpin in the case, in which the assistant manager argued that his pre-existing PTSD had been amplified by the insane situation. He received the workers’ compensation he needed to seek appropriate treatment. OFFICE MANAGER FALLS 30 FEET AFTER TRYING TO ‘RIDE’ THE ESCALATOR RAIL Most workers’ compensation claims come down to an understandable, ordinary accident that occurs during the course of employment. But some injuries stem from less, let’s say, advisable activities. At a gathering for dinner and drinks for an employer’s annual sales meeting, the boss provided alcoholic drinks before, during, and after the feast. While one of the employer’s office managers was walking home to her hotel with a group of employees, she decided it might be a good idea to clamber onto an escalator railing and high-tail it to the next floor. Instead, she fell some 25–30 feet onto a hard surface. Later, it was determined that her blood alcohol level — which was elevated because of the drinks the employer had served at the work event — was partly to blame for the incident. Therefore, she received all the workers’ compensation she needed for recovery. Still, we’d advise any office employees to avoid riding escalator rails from now on.
cases from around the country in recent years.
A MURDER-FOR-HIRE SCHEME EXACERBATES AN ASSISTANT MANAGER’S PTSD
When an assistant manager called a co-worker at home to discuss a work-related matter, her husband immediately assumed that the manager and his wife were having an affair behind his back. Armed with this speculative knowledge, he tried to hire a hit man to murder the assistant manager — ostensibly assuming that his relationship might return to normal after his competitor was eliminated. Luckily, the assassination was unsuccessful, forcing the furious husband to contact the assistant manager’s boss to get him transferred to
Have a Laugh!
Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus Asparagus and steak is a classic pairing. Skirt steak packs a ton of flavor without the high price point of other cuts, and this is the best time of year to buy asparagus. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get grilling!
Hello Spring!
Ingredients •
1 1/2 pounds skirt steak 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper Directions 1. Heat grill to high. Season room-temperature steak with salt, pepper, and 1 • • • 1 pound asparagus
• •
Salt and pepper to taste Grated pecorino Romano cheese
side, depending on desired doneness. Skirt steak is thin and will cook quickly. 4. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. While it’s resting, grill asparagus for 6 minutes, turning once. 5. Sprinkle cheese and crushed red pepper on asparagus. Serve alongside steak.
tablespoon oil. Any oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, will work.
2. Trim bottom inch of
asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and remainder of oil. 3. Cut steak into four portions and grill for 3–5 minutes per
Inspired by Food Network
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inside Trey Underwood Looks Back on His 11-Year Career PAGE 1 Bobbie the Wonder Dog’s Incredible Journey PAGE 2 The 3 Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits PAGE 2 A Hit Man and an Escalator: 2 Strange Comp Claims PAGE 3 Grilled Skirt Steak With Asparagus PAGE 3 Gear Up for Grilling Season PAGE 4
G E T Y O U R G R I L L O N 2 MAY HOL I DAY S , 2 R E A S ONS TO GR I L L
Is there anything more American than grilling a burger outside on Memorial Day? This year, there’s another reason to fire up the grill that weekend: In addition to being Memorial Day, May 28 is also National Hamburger Day! Enjoy this delicious coincidence by heating up the grill, gathering the fixings, and making one of these tasty burgers at home. THE CLASSIC BURGER
topped with marinated red peppers and arugula for flavor and texture. If you want to get extra fancy, pour a bit of balsamic reduction over the patty before adding the toppings. THE PORTOBELLO BURGER For a delicious veggie burger even meat eaters will love, use a portobello mushroom as your patty. Remove the stems, then marinate the mushrooms for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and a
Nothing beats the American classic: a seasoned beef patty, a slice of cheddar cheese, a squirt each of mustard and
clove of minced garlic. Season the shrooms with salt and pepper, then place them on the grill just as you would any other burger. Gruyere cheese is the perfect creamy topping, and you can use grilled focaccia bread topped with garlic aioli. As you bask in the late spring weather and the inviting smell of delicious food this Memorial Day, take a moment to remember the Americans who gave their lives so we could enjoy these freedoms, and thank those who served.
ketchup, a layer of crunchy lettuce, some thinly sliced onions, and a couple of zesty pickles. For a homemade touch, make the pickles yourself by soaking cucumbers in a brine of vinegar, dill, and salt. THE MEDITERRANEAN BURGER Take your patty to the next level with a Mediterranean twist. Mix feta cheese and garlic into your ground beef before forming your patties. Serve it on a grilled ciabatta bun
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