Holland & Usry, P.A. - August 2023

Check out our August newsletter!

THE REAL MORAL OF THE MURDAUGH STORY

If you haven’t heard of Alex Murdaugh yet, just Google his name, and you’ll be carried away by story after story about his biblical tale of woe. He robbed his clients, looted his law firm, used his hometown bank as a personal piggy bank, got accused of obstructing justice in his son’s boating under the influence felony case, and got convicted of slaughtering his wife and son. The reported cause of it all stands in stark contrast to the sweeping chaos and destruction he provoked: He made some bad investments and didn’t have enough money, which is a relatively innocent, everyday predicament.

Instead, he chose to go it alone, and here we are. If only he could have realized one important thing.

Get Out of Your Own Way The hardest thing an adult can do is ask for help. But our resistance is built on a lie we tell ourselves: I’ll be judged harshly. People will think I’m stupid or even a failure. The truth is, people want to help. Their harsh judgment against us is usually nothing more than a figment of our imagination. We’re not God. We can’t know everything. But He does. That’s why He put other people in the world, so we’re not alone, and they can help us. Over the years, I’ve struggled with complex problems in injury and workers’ comp cases, torturing myself to find an answer that won’t come. When I finally realize I don’t know it all and ask for help from other lawyers, I’m relieved to find they weren’t just willing to help — they were eager. My typical regret in asking for help is that I didn’t do it sooner.

None of the anguish he inflicted had to happen. The real moral of the story is, just ask for help.

Of all the astounding things brought to light in this case, the one that struck me was the intense loyalty surrounding Alex Murdaugh. There’s no way he goes broke if he just asks for help. His family, law partners, and bank would have supported and guided him through murky, treacherous financial waters until he got his ship to shore and got back on his feet.

Asking for help liberates us from isolation and paralysis, freeing and empowering us to solve our problems.

So, next time you can’t find an answer, get out of your own way. Reach out. Someone wants to help you.

For us at Holland & Usry, that’s especially true for any injury or family law case. These problems can be overwhelming with far-reaching implications. We’re professionals at helping you solve them. Reach out to us. I promise you that we operate in a judgment-free zone, and we’re not just willing to help — we’re eager.

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There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, so when you become a parent, you’ll likely employ techniques you learned from family or friends and what you learned on your own. Naturally, these techniques and your preferences may differ from what your loved ones did for their children, and sometimes, it can be difficult for them to adjust. Because of this, how do you set boundaries with family members regarding your children? Be direct when communicating boundaries. Don’t assume your loved ones know or understand your parenting style. Instead, clearly state your rules, values, practices, and expectations when others are around your children. When creating physical boundaries, you can say, “Please don’t give my child soda when they visit. That’s something I don’t want them to have.” For emotional boundaries, you can say, “Please don’t force my child to hug you. If they refuse, give them their space without compromising their feelings and comfortability.” Develop a strategy for handling pushback. “I did this with my kids, and they turned out fine!” You may have heard this quote when vocalizing your wishes to loved ones about how to treat your children. If they question your tactics, practice what you will say so you’re not caught off guard. But most importantly, remember why you’re establishing these boundaries and upholding those values. If your loved ones fail to respect your wishes, don’t be afraid to reinforce those boundaries — it’s okay to say no! Give your family time to adjust. Changing and creating new habits is challenging, so give your loved ones time to adjust to your boundaries. However, if you’re continuing to reinforce your wishes and still meeting pushback BUT I DID THIS WITH MY KIDS!’ How to Set Boundaries With Your Family

and disrespect, it’s okay to distance yourself or cut ties. You have to put what’s best for you and your family first. If you have any questions or concerns about establishing boundaries with your loved ones, contact a marriage and family therapist to assist you. They can provide more insight and resources to help you during this time.

TESTIMONIAL

“Mr. Usry handled a personal injury case for us — we were hit by a truck while crossing a street. My wife researched the best attorney for our type of case in our area, and Rob Usry was a clear winner. Rob and his staff were very professional and always eager to answer our questions. They were both cheerleaders and advisors throughout the almost 2-year process to settle our case. The personal loss memos he had us fill out periodically were very helpful in keeping track of the progress of our recoveries and providing documentation of our injuries (physical, emotional, and monetary) to the opposing side. Our options at every step were clearly laid out and the final decisions left to us. “Although I hope to never go through anything like that again, I would not hesitate to use Rob Usry as my attorney.”

-Wayne B.

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THE POWER OF PERSONALIZATION AND CREATIVITY IN EVERY CASE

Our team recently achieved a significant victory for a client involved in a serious car accident near Cowpens, which is near Gaffney, South Carolina. Most importantly, despite their broken right foot, we obtained the settlement our client hoped for. The case’s success came down to two crucial factors: personalizing their unique situation and the creative use of visuals to depict the accident’s impact. On April 22, 2022, at about 1:42 in the afternoon, another driver pulled out in front of our client at an intersection. To protect himself, he took evasive action and swerved off the road into a steep ditch, where he collided with a tree. This crash may have seemed minimal to the casual observer, but looking at the photos our client provided of the incident, they tell a different story. The ditch he crashed into

was treacherous. I took it one step further and provided a Google Earth picture of the crash scene for the insurance adjuster to visually convey the ditch’s steepness. With this, the adjuster acknowledged the severity of the collision. I then dedicated myself to making the case about our client as an individual by digging deeper to reveal how his injuries significantly impacted his life. Before the accident, my client was active and athletic, and physical appearance was important to him. As a former football and basketball player and track athlete, he measured his self-worth by his physical prowess. In a demand letter to the insurance company, I illustrated how the resulting injuries impacted both his personal and professional lives as, for about a month, he was largely disabled and unable to attend networking events or to travel to meet clients. For months after, as my client tried to ease back into working out, he was in pain. Through tenacious negotiations, we secured a settlement of $50,000. I was thrilled when our client exclaimed, “That’s exactly what I wanted!”

*Past outcomes don’t guarantee future results. Every case is different, and all cases depend on unique facts and laws.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever- present help in trouble.” –Psalm 46:1 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Matthew 28:20 Good News

Hoisin-Glazed Pork Chops

Inspired by TheModernProper.com

Ingredients

• 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tsp minced ginger • 1/3 cup hoisin sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 2 tbsp water

4 boneless pork chops (about 2 lbs)

• • •

3/4 tsp salt

2 tbsp sesame oil Cilantro (optional)

Directions 1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and water. Whisk occasionally until mixture is fully incorporated (about 4 minutes). Set aside. 2. Lightly salt pork chops. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add sesame oil and wait until smoking. Place pork in skillet and cook until browned (3-4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness of pork chops). 3. Remove pork chops from skillet and transfer to a cutting board. Let rest for 5 minutes. 4. Drizzle hoisin mixture over pork chops and top with cilantro if desired.

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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

101 W. St. John St. Suite 206 Spartanburg, SC 29306

INSIDE this issue

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1.

Get Out of Your Own Way

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Boundaries Can Be Met With Pushback — Are You Ready?

2.

Testimonial

3

3.

The Power of Personalization and Creativity in Every Case

3.

Hoisin-Glazed Pork Chops

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4.

A Guardian Angel Covered in Fur

If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, call Pam at 864.582.0416 or email Rob@bhollandlawfirm.com .

How Willow Saved Her Owner’s Life A CAT’S NOSE KNOWS

We all wish our pets would be there for us in an emergency. Dogs, cats, and other animals can accomplish amazing feats when provided with enough love and care, and a cat from Liverpool named

jump on him until he woke up around 4 a.m. He could tell something was wrong, as this was abnormal behavior for Willow, so he followed her to the bedroom, where he spotted his wife. She was slumped over and unresponsive, and he immediately called her an ambulance. Doctors informed

Willow recently proved that many times over. A cat’s sense of smell is incredibly effective at detecting when something is abnormal, and Willow used her nose to save her owner in the nick of time. For many with diabetes, falling into a diabetic coma is a constant concern, and they regularly check their blood sugar levels and take insulin shots to avoid that scenario. Amanda Jameson, a 51-year-old woman from Liverpool, received a diabetes diagnosis years ago but had always stayed on top of it. In April 2023, she fell asleep while her blood sugar was dangerously low. Thankfully, her cat, Willow, noticed something was wrong and sprang into action.

Amanda’s husband that she was moments away from slipping into a diabetic coma, but Willow had smelled something off and gotten help before it was too late. Most pets would get a few extra treats for their heroism, but Willow’s feats earned her a more prestigious award. The National

Cat Awards named Willow as a finalist for their “Moggy Marvels” category. If

Willow wins, she’ll receive a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher, and a year subscription to Cats Protection’s “The Cat” magazine. Although Willow likely doesn’t care about the trophy or the subscription, she’ll be happy enough with £200 worth of

Willow went to the living room, where Amanda’s husband had fallen asleep watching television. Willow proceeded to bite his leg and

goodies and her owner safely by her side.

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