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THE LEGAL LEDGER 800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM WILL LAWSUITS GET YOU RICH QUICK? Get the Short Answer MAY 2023
The short answer is no. Lawsuits are a tremendous amount of work for both the client(s) and their attorney. Many people believe that after getting into an accident, insurance companies pay immediately, and the process is short. This could not be further from the truth. The average personal injury case in Florida takes approximately one year. Recently, time frames have been longer due to a back log of cases because of COVID. The timeline is likely to become even more lengthy due to new tort reform laws that have recently been passed in the state. Although most cases are settled prior to trial, many must be set for trial in order to force insurance companies to provide fair settlements to our clients. A personal injury case is generally divided into two parts. The first is pre-suit (prior to officially filing a court case). In this phase, our clients are diagnosed by using X-rays, MRIs and other scans. They then begin treatment for their injuries. Their doctors will render opinions as to how extensive their injuries are and if they are permanent. We, as attorneys generally make a pre-suit demand for settlement of the case. If it is denied, we enter the second phase of the case, which is litigation (post filing a lawsuit). Paper discovery (questions and admissions) will be submitted by both parties, depositions are done, and a mediation occurs. A personal injury case can be resolved in the litigation phase at any point. If a settlement is not reached, a case is set for a jury trial where six individuals will decide compensation for the injured party. When people receive a large sum of money for their personal injury case, they deserve it. They have extensive injuries that are painful and will hinder their ability to live life to its fullest. Think of a man with a black briefcase full of money ... a million dollars. He comes to your door and tells you that you can have it if he can injure your neck, back, limbs, or a combination of these. You will suffer the rest of your life. You will be in severe pain, not be able to sleep, not be active, and be unable to pick up or play with your children or grandkids. You will need to go to the doctor thousands of times during your
lifetime to manage your pain. Physical therapy, chiropractic, injections, and surgery may be required. Most people, wisely so, would choose their health over money. Settlements in a personal injury case attempt to compensate a person for present/future medical expenses, and their pain and suffering, however they will not make a person whole again. For those who think personal injury lawsuits are an easy way to get rich, they should think again. Being the plaintiff in an injury case requires patience and stamina. You will need to endure the process and participate in discovery, depositions, and, sometimes, a trial. Our country has created the best procedure for compensation for those who have been injured in a crash, but this procedure is in no way easy or quick ... but in the end it is fair.
—Nicole Denmon 1
WHY AMERICA NEVER CHANGED TO KILOS AND GRAMS PIRATES STOLE OUR METRIC SYSTEM
Pirates, that’s right, pirates stopped America from changing to the metric system. While they can’t take all the blame, they steal a good chunk of it. There was a specific time in history when America did consider taking up the metric system. But pirates intercepted the standards, and America has refused to change its measuring system ever since. Way back when America was still a new country, there was no regulated measuring system throughout the states. Each territory was using some bizarre system that stayed only within state lines. For example, people were using Roman measurements, Dutch systems, and British systems dating back to King Henry VII. In 1789, Thomas Jefferson decided that some order needed to be in place. A lover of all things French, Jefferson admired the metric system’s logic and principle. He asked the French to help the U.S. transition to the metric system, and they were kind enough to send scientist Joseph Dombey. A SWEETER RIDE
Dombey boarded a ship and set sail for America with two items pivotal to our measuring system change. The first gadget was a copper cylinder 3 inches in height and width, weighing precisely 1 kilogram. The second was another copper object, but this time a rod estimated to be a meter in length. These simple trinkets would have eased us into the metric system. Except, we never received them. In fact, Dombey never set foot in America. Unfortunately, storm winds blew his ship off course and into the pirate-filled Caribbean. The pirates hijacked his boat and held him captive, hoping to use him for ransom. In a tragic turn of events, Dombey died in that pirate prison before any ransom money could be sent. The pirates then auctioned off everything Dombey had on his boat, metric measuring tools included. So, you can thank the pirates for all the painstaking work we have to go through when using metric-based recipes. Why Americans never swapped systems after 1789 is still a mystery!
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and in our personal injury work, we regularly see the toll accidents can take on riders. While all collisions can be devastating, people on motorcycles have far less protection than those in a car. With nothing but best safety practices standing between riders and the unforgiving road, we all have a role in saving lives. Tips for Motorcyclists Before you get on a bike, ensure you have the proper safety gear. A Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet is the most essential item you can wear, but your efforts should go further. Boots and gloves will give you a better grip and control over your bike. Meanwhile, a leather jacket and pants protect you from flying debris that could pose a distraction or road rash if you fall. Goggles or a visor are also a good idea, and you should equip your bike with a first-aid kit. After following traffic laws, the top thing a motorcycle rider can do to protect their safety is to remain visible. Many drivers report “not seeing” the motorcycle after an accident. You can defend yourself by avoiding drivers’ blind spots, wearing reflective clothing, and using headlights even during the day. It also pays to drive defensively. Don’t assume other
drivers will see you or stop when they should. You can even take advanced safety courses to learn avoidance and control maneuvers that make collisions less likely. Tips for Drivers People in cars and trucks often feel like they own the road — but we all must share it safely. You can avoid collisions with motorcycles (and other vehicles) by driving alert and undistracted. Put away devices, pay attention to the road, and remember to check your blind spots carefully. Many accidents happen when a driver makes a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle, so take an extra second to ensure the road is clear before passing through the intersection. When you do see motorcycles on the road, give them extra room. A mild rear end inconvenient to most drivers can be fatal to someone on a bike. If you must pass, be cautious and leave plenty of space on all sides. Further, remember that motorcycles can maneuver more quickly than cars. Do not assume you know how a rider will behave. Let’s follow the rules and watch out for each other. Remember, safe driving benefits us all.
SAFETY TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS AND DRIVERS
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SWEET SPOT
INGREDIENTS
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1 1/2 cups plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
6 sprigs fresh dill, chopped
2 14.75-oz cans salmon packed in water 4 celery stalks, finely chopped 1 large white onion, finely chopped
FIND DREAMY DESSERTS AT LOLITA’S CUPCREATIONS
4 large eggs, beaten
1/2 tbsp salt 1 tbsp pepper 2 tbsp olive oil
When Laura Grimm started Lolita’s Cupcreations in Tarpon Springs, she knew she was carrying on a family legacy. She named the bakery in memory of her mother, who passed away two years before the family immigrated to the U.S. from Lithuania in 1999. “She was always around the kitchen making some sort of pastry,” Laura says. “My whole family has always baked and cooked, so I’m very familiar with the kitchen area,” she adds. Her family members are also the ones who pushed her to start a business. “It all started with my kids being born,” Laura remembers. “I created a couple of cakes for their birthdays, and everyone kept saying, ‘Why don’t you do this for other people?’ I started making a few, and the next thing I knew, I was doing weddings and making very, very creative cakes.” Lolita’s Cupcreations operates out of Urban Grounds, a coffee shop Laura owns with her business partner and friend Annie. Laura bakes all the shop’s pastries, and Nicole Denmon notes you can find “probably the best cream puff you’ll ever have in life” in the display case. But Laura also does highly elaborate and custom cakes, which is her favorite part of the work. “Almost everything can be made edible,” Laura says. “Bringing people’s ideas to reality as a showpiece for their special event is heartwarming and why I love doing this.” Laura is known for her detailed work, saying, “That’s what pleases people the most. They come in with very particular ideas and want me to make them happen.” Laura’s kids are now almost 13 and 14, and she notes, “They’ve had a nice collection of beautiful cakes over the years.” Her husband is the one who came up with the word “cupcreations.” Laura’s family loves Florida and spends much of their time at the beach. “But during my me-time, I’m usually shopping,” she laughs. Though her kids have gotten older, children remain some of Laura’s favorite customers. “I love when kids see the custom cakes their parents ordered,” she says. “Whether they’re buying a celebration cake or pastries, I just love to make people happy and be part of their special occasions.” Lolita’s Cupcreations is located at 150 E. Tarpon Ave. in downtown Tarpon Springs. View Laura’s beautiful creations on her Instagram page @LolitasCupcreations or at Facebook.com/LolitasCupcreations.
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, Dijon mustard, and dill to make the dill sauce. Set aside. 2. Drain the salmon, then remove and discard the bones and skin. In a large bowl, mix the salmon, celery, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 patties. Coat a
medium skillet with olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Cook the patties until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Put a dollop of the dill sauce on top of each patty and serve.
3.
(EASY WAY OUT)
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800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM
INSIDE 1
Personal Injury Is No Way To Make a Fortune
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The Mysteriously Missing Metric System
We Can Keep Motorcyclists Safer Together
Lolita’s Cupcreations Will Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Salmon Croquettes With Dill Sauce
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Healthy Aging Through Yoga
HOW SENIORS ARE FINDING NEW VITALITY THE AGELESS BENEFITS OF YOGA
For many seniors, maintaining an active lifestyle can be a challenge. Your body might not be as flexible as it once was, and new pains or discomforts seem to appear out of nowhere as time passes. This change can be problematic and will require some adjustment on your part, especially if you’ve lived an active lifestyle. Thankfully, there are some activities you can do to help you stay active, like yoga! You might think that yoga is just for young people, but that’s not the case at all! Yoga is a low-impact exercise that can be modified to suit a wide range of abilities, making it accessible to people of all ages. There is no expectation of perfection, as each individual is encouraged to listen to their own body and move at a comfortable pace. So even if you have health limitations or concerns, yoga is a
safe and pleasant activity. Plus, you’ll gain a host of benefits from participating.
In addition to physical benefits, yoga is also mentally stimulating. The practice of yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. By incorporating breathing techniques into their practice, seniors can improve cognitive function and memory. There’s also a social aspect involved. Many yoga studios offer classes specifically for seniors, which can provide a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone to practice together. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun while staying active. There are advantages for people of all ages to practice yoga. If you’ve been interested in trying this activity for a while, now is the time to get out and get involved. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it!
By holding poses and moving through sequences, yoga helps to lengthen and stretch muscles, increasing the range of motion and reducing stiffness. You’ll also build muscle strength, particularly in your core. Your balance and posture will improve, which will help lessen physical discomfort and reduce your risk of falls.
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