Take a look at our July newsletter!
816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
JULY 2022
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
The Art of Listening How It Makes Good Attorneys Great
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Listening doesn’t seem to come naturally to most people. It’s easy to get tied up in your thoughts instead of absorbing what someone else is saying. While we’re considering how to respond, we can sometimes find ourselves simply waiting for the other person to finish talking. It’s a selfish impulse, but it’s also a human one. Listening is something we need to learn, and that takes practice. July 18 is World Listening Day, and I can honestly say that I’ve become a much better listener the longer I’ve been an attorney. I spend a great deal of time listening to other people as I conduct depositions, interview witnesses, talk to clients, and ask questions of experts in court. If I don’t listen, I can’t do my job, so I need to employ techniques to focus on what people are truly saying. I’m a notetaker at heart, but taking notes can counterintuitively distract from the listening process. You may be recording everything a person is saying, but it’s challenging to process the information when you’re focused on writing it all down. Now, I use a digital transcription service called Otter.ai. It takes notes on my behalf, and I can playback the audio if something in the text doesn’t look right. Other times, I’ll have another attorney or staff member join the meeting and make it their sole job to take notes and ensure I don’t forget anything later. It’s crucial that I put down the notebook and the laptop and be present with my clients — most people just want someone to listen to them. An accident is a traumatic event, and people need the opportunity to share how they’re feeling without judgment. Clients need to feel safe and comfortable with their attorneys, and I can hardly expect them to feel comfortable if I show disinterest by repeatedly asking the same questions. It’s just as essential that I keep an open mind. We deal with countless car wrecks at our firm, and many scenarios are similar. If you’re not careful, they can start to blend together — and you can start making some assumptions or think you
know what happened better than the people who were there. Each case has its unique aspects, and by letting my biases color what I’m hearing, I could do the client a great disservice.
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
The same is true in a courtroom. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as being overly
BURN INJURIES
prepared for a witness exam. It’s easy to plan out everything that will happen and a lot more challenging to be in the moment. Many attorneys approach witnesses thinking: “I’ll ask this question, then they’ll respond with this answer, then I’ll ask this question …” That’s such a big mistake, and I recently went to a legal conference in Montana that touched on why. A very famous trial attorney, Nicholas Rowley, demonstrated his method of interviewing witnesses in a very natural manner. This relaxed approach is why he’s the best at what he does. You might say he’s “winging it,” but having a genuine conversation with a witness is much more valuable than putting on a show. It’s easy for many attorneys to forget that! People in this field often enjoy the spotlight. But the case isn’t about us — it’s about the witnesses, the experts, the client, and the facts. They deserve the jury’s full attention, not the counsel. I’ve also found that when you really listen to what a witness is saying, they don’t always respond with exactly what you’d expect. You gain much more valuable information by focusing on their words than by sticking to your prep notes. I’ll never claim to be perfect, but learning how to listen has made me a better attorney, family member, and friend. I encourage everyone to take the time to cultivate it. It’s a little hard to accept at first, but not everything is always about us. And once we learn to focus on other people, the world becomes much more interesting. –Chelsea Dickerson
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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Summer’s biggest event is almost here, and we couldn’t be more excited for our local Fourth of July celebrations. Kansas City has plenty of ways for your family to gather, eat, and play this year. Here are our top picks for families that want to celebrate their patriotism in style. KC RIVERFEST RiverFest was a little smaller last year, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good time. Our city’s biggest celebration is located at Berkley Riverfront Park on July 4, and the event will feature food, live music, and children’s activities. And it all ends with one of the biggest fireworks shows in the Midwest. As we’re writing this newsletter, details on the 2022 KC RiverFest are limited, but the organizers have indicated they intend for the show to go on! Stay updated on the latest by visiting KCRiverFest.com. STARS AND STRIPES PICNIC The National WWI Museum and Memorial will be holding an event for Independence Day, and there could hardly be a more fitting location. Every year, musicians, local vendors, and restaurants all gather to help the community have fun and remember the true spirit of the 4th. There’s no need to visit a second event because fireworks will be held onsite. This year the event is on July 2; check out the details at TheWorldWar.org/stars-and-stripes-picnic before planning your visit. WAYS TO CELEBRATE TH Stars, Stripes, and S Somebody’s Watching Me Your Car’s Data Can Help or Hurt After an Accident Most people realize we’re being monitored more than ever before. Cellphones, security cameras, smart speakers, and even our doorbells constantly collect information about where we are, what we enjoy doing, and who we’re with. So, it should be no surprise that data is now also recorded by our cars. That’s good news for many of our clients because it can help us prove when the other driver in an accident was distracted or negligent. But it also presents privacy concerns as we go about our daily lives. So, it’s natural to ask what kind of data our cars are collecting and when that information can be accessed by law enforcement or used in a legal case. The most obvious place to start is the infotainment systems installed in most newer cars. Accessed by a touch screen in the vehicle, these platforms connect to personal devices like phones and record when and how we interact with the system. Most people don’t read the fine print, but it usually states that the car manufacturer can collect and share that information. The sharing could be with either marketing partners or law enforcement. And data showing if you were texting, fiddling with your music selection, or interacting with your GPS can help demonstrate whether you were at fault in an accident.
Heroes don’t always wear capes or stand on two legs — and in a specific case with a German shepherd, this is exceptionally true! A dog noticed that one of his favorite tiny humans was in some serious danger, so he saved the day, two times! A little boy and girl enjoyed the day, tossing a ball back and forth in their backyard. When the girl overthrew the ball, it unfortunately fell into a small pond behind the boy. The girl rushed inside the house to get help, but the boy stayed outside and even ended up leaning over the edge of the pond as he tried to retrieve the ball on his own. This is when a protective German shepherd, lying nearby in the grass, saw everything and immediately sprung into action. The dog first looked into the pond to locate the ball. Then, knowing the boy was in danger as he teetered on the edge, the dog tugged on the little boy’s vest with his teeth, pulling him backward to safety near the back patio of the home. Once the little boy was in a safe location, the dog located a pole THIS AMAZING PUP SAVES THE DAY — TWICE! A Round of A-Paws
net that had been leaning against the house and brought it over to the pond. While his tail wagged with pride, the dog fished the ball out of the pond. The dog then put the net down on the ground near the pond and brought the ball over to the boy, who petted him with appreciation. This German shepherd saved the day for this little boy and girl — and also saved the boy from injury and needing a dry set of clothes! What an amazing canine. He deserves a treat and a round of a-paws!
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HE 4TH Sparklers!
CELEBRATE AMERICA! AT WORLDS OF FUN If you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush,
your family might prefer to spend the holiday at Worlds of Fun. Families can visit both the Oceans of Fun and Worlds
of Fun theme parks, getting their fix of both waterslides and roller coasters. Enjoy the food and festivities before relaxing as a family to watch a spectacular fireworks show. Get the details and your passes at WorldsOfFun.com/events/fourth-of-july-celebration. PARKVILLE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION Just a hop, skip, and a jump away, Parkville will be putting on festivities perfect for the entire family. The celebration starts with a pancake breakfast at the American Legion Post, continues with a Fourth of July Parade, and lasts well into the evening with a skydiving exhibition. Between the parade and the fireworks, celebrants can mini-golf, eat snacks, enjoy the local park, and even have their faces painted. Plan your short trip by visiting ParkvilleMo.org/event/parkville-4th-of-july- celebration-schedule.
TAKE A BREAK
Mouthwatering Southern BBQ
Summer isn’t complete without some Southern BBQ!
INGREDIENTS
Many people don’t realize that all cars made after 2014 also contain a black box like those used in airplanes. It documents all kinds of information like your steering habits, brake use, speed, and changes in velocity. The black box data constantly records and automatically saves once it detects an impact. Law enforcement does not investigate every car accident thoroughly enough to gather this information, and if they do, they will need a warrant. But when someone files a personal injury claim, the attorneys on both sides of the case will seek this data. Sometimes, it can make or break a case, contradicting one driver’s claims and providing evidence of what really happened. If you want to protect your privacy, your infotainment system may have options to restrict how it records information, and some people choose never to connect their phones. But this step won’t stop collection from your car’s black box. Your best option is to drive safely and undistracted so in the event of an accident, you have nothing to hide.
• 3 lbs boneless pork loin roast, trimmed
• 1/4 cup brown sugar • 18 oz barbecue sauce • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 tbsp hot pepper sauce • 10 hamburger buns, split • Deli coleslaw (optional)
• 1 cup water • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 tbsp pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. In a 4-quart slow cooker, add the roast and 1 cup of water. 2. Cover and cook the roast on high for 7 hours or until tender. 3. Once tender, shred the meat. 4. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker. Stir in salt, pepper, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire, and hot pepper sauce. 5. Cover and cook on the lowest setting for an hour. 6. When finished, serve barbecue on buns with coleslaw (optional).
Inspired by JustAPinch.com
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Giving Back
Advertising Material
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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Good Attorneys and the Art of Listening
PG1
A True Canine Hero
PG2
KC’s Hottest 4th of July Events
PG2
Can Law Enforcement Access My Car’s Data?
PG2
Mouthwatering Southern BBQ
PG3
Oceanside Activities to Try This Summer
PG4
OCEANSIDE ACTIVITIES THE ENTIRE FAMILY CAN ENJOY
The summer season is officially underway and many Americans are planning to take a trip to the beach to celebrate the occasion. If you’re going on a family vacation to the ocean for an extended period of time, you may be worried about keeping everyone entertained. That’s why we put together a list of some of our favorite oceanside activities to try this summer. Your summer vacation will be filled with fun and excitement after trying some of these great activities! GET ACTIVE. There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting on the beach and listening to the calm repetition of the waves, but maybe you want a little more
excitement by the ocean. If that’s the case, there are plenty of sports to try. You can bring a football and throw it around in the water or on the beach. You can buy a net and set up a game of beach volleyball to get everyone involved, or you can try one of the many new beachside sports hitting the market like TidalBall, pickleball, and Spikeball. TidalBall is the beach version of cornhole, so if you haven’t played it yet, you definitely want to check it out. EXPERIENCE NATURE. The wildlife and environment of the beach are most likely drastically different from what you can experience back home, so make an effort to see all you can. At many beaches, you’ll
be able to see dolphins, whales, and sea rays from the shore. You can also look in the sand for crabs and small crustaceans. By simply standing still and taking in all of the sights and sounds of the ocean, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the surroundings. RIDE THE WAVES. You don’t need to be an experienced surfer to venture into the water on a board. Of course, you can take surfing lessons at many beaches, but you can also get in the water on a bodyboard for a thrilling experience. Additionally, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards if you want to be on the water, but not necessarily in it.
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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