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Justice MONTHLY
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JULY 2021
Recalling the ‘BigMoments’ WHAT I’VE HAD TO LEARN THROUGH LIFE’S DIFFERENT CHAPTERS
We all have pivotal moments in our lives that usher in a new chapter or shape who we become. As we reach the middle of summer, a big milestone is approaching for many young people — whether they start their first days of college or venture out into the “real world” for the first time. These are the moments we all look back on as we get older, regardless of whether they were mistakes, blessings, or a little bit of both. For me, it’s hard to choose one moment that stands out. Graduating from college and law school, passing the bar exam, and my first day as an attorney stand out, but so does the day I lost my dad, became a dad, and married my wife. Some of those points are traditional and common; others are more unique. I’ll never forget my first job as an attorney working for the district attorney’s office. I was very excited and motivated, but I was also really lost. The DA wasn’t even there on my
first day, so I was pawned off to someone else who was just scrambling for tasks for me to do!
Eventually, I settled in and started earning
my way. I was placed on the juvenile court circuit because — as crass as it sounds — any mistakes made in juvenile court by a young attorney are not as severe as mistakes made during adult cases. Family
Afterward, I went to work with my dad. I’ll forever be
grateful for that decision. I learned a lot by watching him, and when he passed away when I was just 29 years old, I came to value that time. I don’t have profound viewpoints on loss from that critical point in my life, but I do have an appreciation for the time I was given. Gratitude is a valuable lesson, too. As a bonus, because I work in the same field as my father, I know his colleagues or competitors well. They’re not shy about sharing stories about my dad, and in many ways, it’s like we’re keeping his memory alive — especially when I learn something new about him! Just the other day, I saw a photo of my dad and his friend together when they were 19 years old. I had never seen a photo of my dad at that age. It was so funny to see what he looked like and what he was doing before I was even born.
and juvenile court systems have a lot of protections in place for children, whereas a mistake in the criminal court system could have a severe impact on the lives of the perpetrator, victim, or their families. Still, I learned a lot. I learned how to not be intimidated by tough attorneys and judges and what a true work ethic looks like. I had to develop patience to do that job, too. Court matters are not solved overnight, and it takes a lot of research, hearings, and evaluations before a matter is settled. Furthermore, I
learned from my mistakes. If I lost a case or failed to do my job, I learned to understand that failure wasn’t permanent but valuable.
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ARE THE CARTOONS YOUR KIDS WATCH ACTUALLY MADE FOR KIDS?
from mathematics to social skills. The best cartoons can be bright, colorful, funny stories that help children learn and grow. That said, though, not all cartoons are for kids, nor do they teach good lessons. Many cartoon characters encourage violence and speaking rudely to teachers and other authority figures. Additionally, with adult animation becoming more popular in recent years, many of the cartoons available on TV, streaming services, and YouTube are explicitly not for children. So, how can parents make sure the cartoons their kids are watching are safe, wholesome, and educational? In recent years, as YouTube has continued to amass countless hours of video content — much of it geared
toward children — they’ve developed YouTube Kids, their streaming site for children under the age of 13. This site isn’t airtight, however, and disturbing content can sometimes slip through the cracks. Parents might also find value in sticking to certain channels or streaming services, such as PBS Kids, Nick Jr., or Disney+. There are also organizations like the Parents and Television Media Council, whose website, ParentsTV.org, can help parents determine which cartoons are okay for their kids to watch. Ultimately, the best way to ensure cartoons are safe is to watch with your kids. After all, this turns a solitary activity into one where parents can learn, laugh, and bond with their children.
With the many streaming platforms out there, kids have access to a more diverse array of content than ever before. That being said, parents need to be extra vigilant about which shows and videos are captivating their children’s attention, particularly when it comes to cartoons. Cartoons on their own aren’t bad for kids. In fact, enjoying them in moderation can have myriad benefits for a child’s development. They can bring laughter and relieve stress, engage a child’s imagination, help them develop their language skills, and teach them about topics ranging
MEET THE PLAYERS THE 5 GROUPS THAT IMPACT YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CASE When you experience an injury as the result of an accident or negligence, the American civil legal system gives you the right to seek proper compensation through insurance and restitution payouts by the other party. But this process can appear complicated, as many experts and witnesses can be involved. These are the people who matter most — besides you — in the process and can directly impact your right to compensation.
Insurance Companies and Adjusters You will file a first-party claim with your insurance company and may file another claim against a person's or business’s insurance company. The adjusters of these companies are the experts who determine the validity and cost of your claim. It’s vital that you do not speak to them without an attorney’s advice. Attorneys Either party involved in a personal injury case may have an attorney, including insurance companies. You should only speak and listen to your attorney. Be wary of unsolicited friend requests on social media from those you don’t know — who could be unethical attorneys digging into your past — and heed your attorney’s advice during depositions. Judges, Juries, and Mediators If your case does go to court or mediation, it will appear before figureheads of the court. These include judges and juries, who are the decision-makers if your case does go to court, and mediators, who are often retired personal injury law professionals with the skills needed to develop compromise.
But who are they?
First Responders, Police, and Medical Personnel First responder and police reports can provide vital, accurate accounts of what happened, while keeping you safe on the scene. Your doctor, nurses, and physical therapists can then provide adequate medical treatment, while also creating a paper trail outlining your medical needs and background. (Just be sure to share what happened with your medical personnel, too!) Witnesses Witness accounts are not always accurate, but they can provide a context. Police officers will usually record witness names, and if it’s safe for you to do so, you should try to get contact information. If not, we can use police reports, loved ones who were with you, and nearby businesses to find witnesses.
If you have additional questions about your personal injury case, please call the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. today.
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STAY COOL, STAY SAFE
4 WAYS TO SAFELY ENJOY THE WATER
It’s summertime in Georgia, which means it’s hot — and that means it’s time to jump in the water! Whether you opt for the community pool, local lakes, or find a blue hole to dip into, make sure summer fun in water doesn’t turn into disaster with these four important reminders. Make Sure Everyone Can Swim One of the best ways to prevent water accidents is to equip your loved ones with the ability to swim. Swimming lessons can teach children the basics of swimming, how to operate in deep water, and how to hold their breath underwater. (Adults can take lessons, too!) When children learn that pools, lakes, rivers, and oceans must be respected but can be fun, they are more likely to operate safely around water. Don’t Leave Kids Unattended Even if your children are strong swimmers, they may run the risk of becoming overpowered by water currents and crowds. Always watch children when they are swimming, even if there is a lifeguard nearby. Remember, timing is imperative in water emergencies. Keep Boating Passengers Safe Before you speed off in the boat, do a quick safety check. Do you have enough life vests and extra flotation devices? According to the National Safety Council, drowning accounts for 76% of boating deaths, and 84% of those deaths occurred when a person was not wearing their life
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our June newsletter: Doris Sears, Elaine Jackson, Tony White, Eleanor Gray, Tosha Evans, Cheryl Roberts, and Sammy Green Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments on our services through Google reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888. jacket. Does your boat have, at the very least, an emergency and first aid kit equipped with bandages, flashlights, maps, and food? Each kit is essential. And finally, do you understand boating operations, like how to pass others? Protect Others From Your Pool Having your own pool is a fun escape right in your backyard, but it can also be hazardous. Protect your children, neighbors, and pets by installing a fence that is at least 4 feet high and lock it with a gate. Cover the pool with a pool cover to prevent drownings, and an alarm system can alert you to break-ins. No matter how well you prepare, accidents can happen. If you or a loved one are injured in a water-based accident this summer, please contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. to learn more about your options for compensation.
... CONTINUED FROM COVER
When I think about my dad, I’m often reminded that I’m now a dad. It’s surreal. I never paid much attention to babies until I had my own, and I understand that parental instinct now. Like my friend says, it’s like having a dog but times 1,000. Throughout the course of becoming a dad, losing my own dad, and becoming an attorney, I knew I was experiencing some of those “big life moments,” but I didn’t know just how big or meaningful they would be until that moment arrived and
I made my way through it. I hope those of you experiencing some major changes take
solace in the lessons you can learn from these moments. They may not all be easy, but they could be valuable to the person you become. Good luck.
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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Trey Reflects on His ‘Big Moments’ PAGE 1
Are the Cartoons Your Kids Watch Actually Made for Kids? PAGE 2 Meet the 5 Key Players of Your Personal Injury Case PAGE 2
4 Water Safety Tips PAGE 3
5 Wacky Pizza Trends From Around the World PAGE 4
THEY EAT WHAT ON PIZZA?! 5 Wacky Pizza Trends From Around the World
H ere in the U.S., pineapple is considered a wild and controversial pizza topping. Even celebrities take a stand. Justin Bieber is pro-pineapple, but Jimmy Kimmel is against it. According to a 2019 YouGov Omnibus study, only anchovies and eggplant are more hated. But in other parts of the world, the tangy yellow fruit is far from the strangest topping you’ll see! Here are five wacky pizza trends from around the globe that will either make you hungry or inspire you to sprint the other way. You may want to order a comforting cheese pie from your favorite local pizzeria before reading this, just in case. 1. Banana-Curry Pizza (Sweden) — The Swedes first accessed bananas in 1944, and since then, they’ve put them on everything , including pizza which they top with tomato sauce, smoked cheese, banana slices, and curry powder.
2. Ketchup and Corn Pizza (Brazil) — According to several sources, Brazilians swap pizza sauce for ketchup or tomato slices and top their pies with strange combinations of local ingredients like corn, beets, hearts of palm, and potato sticks. 3. Haggis Pizza (Scotland) — Pizza may be the only semi-enjoyable way to eat haggis: a mix of sheep or calf offal, oatmeal, suet, and seasonings that are boiled in an animal’s stomach. Last year, Papa John’s got in on the action when it released a
limited-edition haggis pizza in honor of a Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
4. Mockba Pizza (Russia) — This local pie comes topped with four kinds of fish (sardines, tuna, mackerel, and salmon), onions, herbs, and occasionally fish eggs. Most troubling of all, it’s served cold! 5. Chickpea Pancake Pizza (Argentina) — In Buenos Aires, locals top their super- cheesy pizza slices with fainá — chickpea pancakes cooked separately from the pies and balanced on top of each slice. Keep these pizzas in mind when planning your next international vacation! They might be tastier than they sound, and if not, they’ll still make great Instagram fodder. As actor Cole Sprouse once tweeted, “You're losing followers because you're not relatable enough. Try mentioning that you eat pizza. If that doesn't work, play the ukulele.”
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