Shuttlesworth Law Firm, LLC - August 2019

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THE SHUTTLESWORTH SENTINEL

201 Vulcan Road, Suite 210 Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 322-1411 www.shuttlesworthlasseter.com

Personal Injury Product Liability Wrongful Death

Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect Assisted Living Abuse/Neglect

08 .2019

WHAT TO DO WITH THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER SERVING THE COMMUNITY

The dog days of summer are hot as hell in Birmingham. Most of us used our vacation days to go down to the beach, up into the mountains, or somewhere else cool in July. And now here we are, in the dead heat of August, lounging and waiting for the cooler fall weather. It’s often a struggle to come up with ways to spend these last few days of summer, but I figure since we’re spending time in our home cities and neighborhoods, why not try and serve our communities? My family really likes to cook. While it was something more associated with lazy Sundays than the month of August, my daughters and I used to cook a ton of minestrone soup in the mornings and serve it to homeless people around Birmingham. It was always something that kept us grounded and grateful for how blessed we are, while also providing for others less fortunate than ourselves. We live really close to downtown, so it’s just a quick walk up and over the mountain and into town. I also know all the spots where people who need food hang out. “AFTER TAKING THE TIME TO ENJOY THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE IN OUR OWN LIVES, WE CAN FILL THOSE LATTER DAYS OF SUMMER BY GIVING TO PEOPLE WHO AREN’T AS FORTUNATE AS US.”

too. I’m not saying you have to spend this month feeding the homeless, or doing anything for

that matter. You can still use August as a time to unwind before school starts back up or work kicks into high gear for the fall season. All I’m saying is

that if you have the time, why not find some way to give back to the community? Opportunities to serve people are everywhere. There might be a niche for your skills and passions that you don’t know about. We make most of our summer about us, and what we want to do. It’s a very “me, me, me” time of year where we set aside time to load up our boats, trucks, and campers to get away from everyone else. That’s by no means a bad thing. It’s incredibly important to have that time away to relax, recharge, and be with family. But I think it goes without saying that we’re very fortunate to have those vacations and families to spend them with. After taking the time to enjoy the blessings we have in our own lives, we can fill those latter days of summer by giving to people who aren’t as fortunate as us. In turn, we would all feel more thankful for what we have, too.

–Perry Shuttlesworth

Life has gotten busier with two girls in college, and, unfortunately, we haven’t had as many opportunities to do that as we used to. But there will be at least a few down days this month for us, and maybe for you,

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TICK, TICK, BOOM!

THE ART OF STARGAZING HELPING HUMANS SLOW DOWN AND LOOK UP

5 EXPLOSIVE PRODUCT LIABILITY CASES

Product liability cases, which hold companies accountable for serious injuries caused by their products, are often emotionally explosive on the part of the plaintiff and the defendant — usually, one of them is in pain, and the other faces a major dent to their reputation. But such cases can also be literally explosive when a product’s performance goes wildly wrong. Don’t believe us? Here are five examples of liability cases brought on by detonating products. THE BALANCING BALL In 2009, basketball player Francisco Garcia filed a claim against the workout equipment manufacturer Ledraplastic after a balancing ball he was using in the gym exploded beneath him. The explosion left Garcia with a fractured forearm that kept him from playing basketball for four months. He and the Kings filed a product liability claim for $4 million in lost salary and $29.6 million in damages, which was eventually settled.

Modern humans are stuck in a routine of expected and constant industriousness. But with all this rushing, people often drag themselves home at night with no energy left to enjoy the most splendid show nature has to offer: the wondrous night sky. Most people go through life looking straight ahead, but if they would stop and peer skyward, they’d bear witness to a massive, unexplored frontier made up of the moon in all its phases, burning stars sailing through the sky, constellations with epic origin stories, and meteor showers bright enough to warrant sunglasses. If you’re looking for a hobby to help you slow down and appreciate the world around you, stargazing is a great option. Here are some tips to get you started. 1. THE HIGHER, THE BETTER If you’re a city dweller, meander a little way out of town or try to find a tall building to keep the light pollution to a minimum. 2. EXTRA SET OF EYES WHILE novice stargazers often want to immediately throw their money at a new telescope, astronomy experts recommend starting with binoculars instead. You’ll need to identify several anchor planets or constellations to help you navigate the sky before using a telescope. 3. UTILIZE ASSETS Put your phone to good use by downloading apps like Stellarium, Starwalk, and Google Sky Map. Each of these apps offers a unique benefit for aspiring stargazers. For example, Starwalk lets you point your phone at the sky to see stars, constellations, and planets in real time based on your location. 4. MARK YOUR CALENDAR In 1972, beloved singer-songwriter John Denver wrote about a meteor shower he witnessed during a camping trip in Colorado. He describes the scene by singing, “I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky.” The “fire” he recounted was actually the Perseids meteor shower, the most recognized shower on Earth. This astrological wonder takes place every year from July 17 to Aug. 24. During this time, viewers should be able to see shooting stars associated with the Perseids, but the shower reaches its maximum rate of activity on Aug. 12–13 this year. Grab some friends and family, and head outdoors to put your newfound stargazing knowledge to work.

THE GAS CAN In 2012, more than 30 cases were filed

against the portable gas can maker Blitz because its cans were exploding when people used them to pour gas. Each claim cost Blitz roughly $4 million and eventually forced the company to declare bankruptcy.

THE E-CIGARETTE E-cigarettes or, more specifically, the batteries that keep them going, have been exploding in the faces of smokers across America, resulting in more than 100 product liability lawsuits and at least one wrongful death lawsuit. In fact, these detonations have become so frequent that some lawyers have made e-cigarette suits a key part of their practices. THE COKE BOTTLE In a landmark 1944 case, California waitress Gladys Escola successfully won damages from Coca-Cola after one of its glass bottles exploded during restocking, severely injuring her hand. This case was the first to suggest that manufacturers, not negligent consumers, should be held responsible for injuries caused by defective products. THE TESLA In 2014, a Tesla being driven in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, allegedly went up in flames on the way home from the dealership. The explosion of the car’s lithium-ion battery was blamed in the product liability case that followed, which Tesla settled for an undisclosed amount.

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WHAT TO DO AFTER A HIT-AND-RUN 5 STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE

Since 2006, an average of 682,000 hit-and-run crashes have occurred per year. That’s a little over one hit-and-run accident per minute, and those figures are only going up. Since 2009, the number of hit-and-run deaths have increased by 7.2%. Since these troublesome accidents are incredibly common and becoming increasingly more so, it’s worth it to know what to do if you ever find yourself as a victim of a hit-and-run. CALL 911 If you’re not too injured to do so, calling the police should be your first action after a hit- and-run. Once they get to the scene, you’ll want to discuss the events and the facts of the case with them in detail. RECALL DETAILS Depending on the specific circumstances of the accident, remembering what the person who hit you looked like, or what kind of car they drove off in, might not have been your first priority. But, if you want to make sure

justice is served, you’ll need to try your best to remember those types of details. Without getting a license plate number, car make, model, or even a description of the driver, the chances of police catching them are very slim. FIND ANY WITNESSES If you were too shocked at the moment to notice any details, other witnesses of the accident might be able to help. Talk to them about what they saw. They might have information that would be useful to the police or your insurance provider. Make sure to get their full names and contact information in case you need to get in touch with them later. CALL YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER Even though the other driver isn’t there to take responsibility for the accident, you should still contact your insurance provider and let

them know you’ve been in an accident. Your insurance may cover the cost of the damages.

CONTACT A LAWYER Getting fair compensation can be a long and strenuous process, and an expert voice in the case can make a world of difference. Call Shuttlesworth Law Firm, and get your fair compensation today!

TAKE A BREAK

FACTOID INTERESTING

eight planets in a straight line between them — and still have room to spare. While the moon may seem close to the earth, it’s anything but. At the same time, the vast expanse between us and our moon may make you think twice about just how big the universe really is.

The solar system is big, with big planets and even bigger spaces between them. But just how big are those spaces? Well, as an example, look at the space between the earth and the moon. When the moon is furthest away from the earth in its orbit, you can fit all

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201 Vulcan Road, Suite 210 Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 322-1411 www.shuttlesworthlasseter.com

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THIS ISSUE INSIDE

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How to Spend Your August Days

The Art of Stargazing

5 Explosive Product Liability Cases

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run

Interesting Factoid

The Best Movies About Dogs

DOG MOVIES FOR DOG DAYS BEAT THE HEAT WITH A CANINE MOVIE MARATHON

‘LADY AND THE TRAMP’ “Lady and the Tramp” is the classic story of two dogs who come from different worlds: the refined, loyal Lady and the rogue with a heart of gold, Tramp. This movie has music, laughs, and a spaghetti scene that rivals the balcony monologues from “Romeo and Juliet.” One of the few animated Disney classics about animals that won’t have you in tears, this is a movie the whole family can enjoy together. ‘HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY’ Looking for a bit more action in your animal movies? “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” delivers! After three beloved pets are left behind when their family goes on vacation, they trek across the Sierra Nevada wilderness to be reunited with the humans they love. Their adventure has thrills, close calls, and a heartwarming ending that will make you want to hug your pets close.

We’re well into the dog days of summer, the hottest, most humid days of the year. These weeks have nothing to do with real dogs; they were nicknamed after the “dog star” Sirius by the Greeks to reflect the hottest time of the year following the star’s heliacal rise. Still, it’s a pretty good excuse to escape the heat with a dog movie marathon. Here are the films we recommend.

‘AIR BUD’ Most people remember “Air Bud” for the wild loophole, “Ain’t no rule says a dog can’t play basketball,” but this movie is about much more than a dog playing ball. After the death of his father, 12-year-old Josh Framm feels depressed and distant from his family. Enter a stray golden retriever named Buddy, who teaches Josh how to open his heart again. The two bond and learn lessons in overcoming loss, fighting for what you love, and, yes, playing basketball. “Air Bud” spawned a number of sequels and spin-off movies, but this first film is a true classic.

When it’s too hot to go outside, make some popcorn and enjoy these great movies with your family. Don’t worry, none of the dogs die at the end.

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