A NOSE FOR TROUBLE
Ringo the Tabby Saves His Family
Ray and Carol Steiner found Ringo, a red tabby Manx, living in a shed when he was 10 days old. Despite already having three cats, the couple decided to open their hearts to the friendly feline — a decision that would one day save their lives. Years after adopting Ringo, Ray and Carol began to oversleep and experience high blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches. The couple attributed these troubling symptoms to their recent health problems —Ray had just undergone heart surgery, and Carol was recovering from a car accident with her leg in a cast. But Ringo realized something was amiss. One blistering day in August, the usually mellow cat caused a ruckus. He meowed loudly and banged his body against the front door. Carol let him dart outside, but the moment she closed the door, Ringo began to aggressively meow again. This was unusual behavior, and Carol realized Ringo wanted her to follow him. The red tabby brought Carol around to the side of the house, where large bushes hid the air conditioner and gas After you’ve been injured in a car accident or other catastrophe, you’ll almost certainly want an experienced, compassionate, and skilled attorney in your corner to ensure you get every cent you need to address your injuries and get back to your normal life. But it can be difficult to know just where to turn. How do you pick the right lawyer when so many “experts” are clamoring for your attention? Don’t just look at a billboard and dial the first number you see. All over the country, there are “big box” attorneys banking on you seeing their name on the side of a bus or in a TV ad and hiring them on the spot. The problem is, these firms often operate by grinding through as many cases as possible each day. They’re not actually invested in you as a person, and you’ll likely find yourself frustrated when you can’t get ahold of your lawyer for an update on your case. Sure, you may achieve a settlement, but without the attorney keeping a close eye on the proceedings, it’ll likely be much smaller than if you had gone with a more intimate, attentive firm. Make sure to do your research. With so many online lawyer review sites and even Google, there’s no excuse for skipping this vital step. But don’t just pick a random firm with 4.5 stars and assume they’re perfect for your particular case. Instead, sit down
and water meters. Ringo started to dig in the jagged lava-rock landscaping, cutting his paws on the sharp stones. When Carol leaned over to get a better look, she was nearly overwhelmed by the smell of natural gas. The gas company discovered an old steel coupler had broken open, leaking dangerous levels of gas into the Steiners’ house. A single spark outdoors could have set off an explosion that would have consumed six other houses, potentially killing 22 people. Ray and Carol’s doctor told them that even if they avoided an explosion, they would have died from methane poisoning if they’d been exposed much longer. The gas meter did not register the leak, but Ringo did. Once they aired out their home, the Steiners’ health improved immensely. Because of his dedication to his family, Ringo became the 11th cat in history to be awarded the American Humane Association’s national William O. Stillman Award for bravery.
What You Need to Know Before Hiring Your Lawyer 2 Keys to Choosing the Right Attorney
with your prospective attorney — not a case manager — in person and ask them direct questions about how they’ll approach your case. Ask them how long they’ve been in the field and how many cases they’ve handled similar to your own. One key inquiry that most clients don’t consider is asking your potential attorney if you can speak to a few of their former clients. Many individuals may be cagey about talking to you on the phone, but there are certainly at least a few who will happily vouch for their previous lawyer — assuming they’re a good match. If the attorney refuses to let you speak to former clients or is shady about the question, it’s best to steer clear.
At Winston & Damman, we’re always happy to meet with a potential client and outline our expertise and approach. Give us a call at ( 810) 966-WINS to schedule a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case honestly and determine whether (or not!) we’re a good fit moving forward.
2 • www.WinstonDamman.com
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