Take a look at our May newsletter!
TRIALS & THEIR TALES
- NEWSLETTER -
12444 POWERSCOURT DR., SUITE 300 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63131 // FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222 // MAY 2025
Good People + Good Processes = Peak Performance OUR SUCCESS FORMULA:
“People over process” is what I will take every day of the week. We are constantly tinkering with processes. How to do this or that better and be more efficient and succinct? How to get more info with less human error? We are constantly trying to get better. I am not an expert in running a business. As I have said many times, this is my first experience running one. I may not be the best person to take advice from. But I’ve done this job for almost 10 years. Now, we have a CFO to do most of the running.
Mother’s Day is coming up, but I want to make this point — moms are constant problem solvers. From the moment they wake up to the moment they go to sleep, they are solving problems. They are scheduling events, they are managing households. They are the heads of their own teams. I will take a competent mom over a great process any day. Moms can get things done. Moms execute. We need execution because, like any office, things can get crazy, particularly in our business. Our team members need to prioritize, react, and adapt. Ever seen a mom at a restaurant with food coming and a kid who needs a diaper changed? They prioritize, react, and adapt. They get things done. They execute. There is no process for that. There is common sense. There are street smarts. Those abilities will go further than any process. But the real magic? Great people AND great processes. You develop a system with a team that can execute? You are on fire. You are moving. You are humming along. That is my goal for our office. Great people first. Great processes second. If we can figure this out, we will be truly elite. So, that is the goal when it comes to processes in our office. First, get the best people for us. That is harder than you may think. We do a good job but we need to add with prudence, not haste. Next, we need to examine our office. How and why do we do things? The “why” may be the most important — if
One lesson I have learned above all:
Good people over good processes are what I will take any day of the week. The best process in the world has no utility if you cannot execute it. The best process in the world still has hiccups and needs problem solvers. The best process in the world is just that — a process. It is not a worker, a person, a human being. It is a list of what to do and how to do it. And it doesn’t always work. It cannot solve its own problems. It is worthless unless acted upon.
As I have said, I think we have the best people at this office. It is no surprise that many of them are mothers. I know
you know the reason behind something, you know the importance. This is a constant. And it is one we won’t give up on.
“But the real magic? Great people AND great processes. You develop a system with a team that can execute? You are on fire.”
Published by Newsletter Pro // www.newsletterpro.com
Spring Family Picnics Made Easy DITCH THE STRESS, EMBRACE THE FUN
When was the last time you gathered the family, threw down a blanket, and enjoyed a meal together in the warm sun? A picnic is the perfect springtime activity, but the planning and food prep can make it seem like more hassle than it’s worth. The truth is, however, that picnics don’t have to be complicated. Here are four tips for planning easy family picnics. Pick the perfect picnic spot. When choosing a location for your picnic, think about how your family would like to spend the day. A park with open fields and playground equipment keeps kids entertained between bites, but a park isn’t the only option. The beach, a local lake, or a mountain picnic area are all fantastic for a family picnic. Just remember bug spray and sunscreen and find a shady spot on hot days. Don’t overthink the menu. Picnics are all about the food, but that doesn’t mean you have to fuss over the menu. Keep things simple, and choose items that can withstand time outside the cooler. Easy-to-eat options like sandwiches, fruit, and finger
foods are tasty and quick to prepare. Add variety with veggies and hummus or cheese and crackers.
For an extra treat, grab premade cookies or brownies. Lemonade, juice, and fruit-infused water are refreshing options and keep everyone hydrated without the caffeine. Bring an insulated cooler for drinks and food, and don’t forget wet wipes for easy cleanup. Create a cozy, kid-friendly setup. The picnic blanket is a great start, but you can take things up a notch with a few extras. Plush blankets, throw pillows, and lawn chairs offer comfortable sitting and lounging options. Pack entertainment as well; outdoor games, like Frisbee and ring toss, and a portable speaker to add to the fun. Don’t forget — it’s about family! Family outings shouldn’t be stressful; the best ones are sometimes the simplest. Instead of worrying about perfect details, focus on spending time together outdoors, relaxing, and enjoying good food and even better company.
Smart Strategies for Safe Driving in Rugged Weather STORMY ROADS AHEAD
Spring can be a time of high weather drama in Missouri. When winter refuses to let go while summer is making an entrance, the result can be a clash of air masses that sparks severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, clusters of tornados, and damaging wind. These violent storms often produce highway hazards to match. Driving in severe weather demands not only your undivided attention but awareness of dangers specific to these conditions. To avoid accidents that can cause personal injury to yourself or others, here are a few strategies to keep in mind. Heavy Rain Poor visibility is a major problem in heavy rain. Turn on your headlights and increase your following time by 1–2 seconds. That means adding a second or two onto the customary three-
second rule for determining a safe following distance. The three-second rule holds that a driver should maintain enough distance from a vehicle ahead to count three seconds (“1-1000, 2-1000, 3-1000”) between the time that vehicle passes a landmark or sign ahead and the time your vehicle reaches the same point. During a storm, increase that distance to 4–5 seconds. Drivers also should guard against hydroplaning. This occurs when a vehicle travels too fast during heavy rains, and its tires slide atop a thin layer of water rather than gripping the surface of the road. Steering and braking a vehicle are difficult during hydroplaning, causing drivers to lose control. Also, try to avoid driving immediately after it starts to rain. Rain can cause oils on the road to float to the surface, making it slick and especially hazardous.
Approaching Tornado On average, the Show-Me state has 30 tornados a year, and nearly half of them hit during spring. If a tornado is approaching, avoid stopping under a bridge or in a tunnel, which often acts as a channel for high winds. Remember, tornados carry swirling debris that can cause serious harm or injury. If you can safely lie down in an area lower than the roadway, get out of your car and do so, with your hands covering your head. If not, stay in your car with your seat belt on, lower your head beneath your car windows, and cover yourself with your hands or a blanket for protection. Sometimes, the best decision you can make during severe storms is to stay off the road altogether.
Published by Newsletter Pro // www.newsletterpro.com
In a fast-changing world, it’s easy to get bogged down in self-doubt and negativity. Mindset coaching, a new route to self-improvement, applies psychological tools to instill a more upbeat, hopeful attitude toward life. Mindset coaching helps people break away from habitual negative thinking and behaviors that prevent them from seeing and reaching their potential. It is a relatively new field that evolved from two influential bodies of research — cognitive psychology, which helps individuals recognize and change negative thought patterns, and the work of psychologist Carol Dweck on “growth mindset,” a perspective that teaches people they can change and develop through effort and learning. It’s important to understand that mindset coaches are not therapists, nor are they licensed or regulated. Interested individuals should seek a qualified coach trained and certified by a reputable coaching organization. The training equips mindset coaches with tools to help clients cultivate resilience and positivity, including mindfulness, journaling, visualizing achievements, and cognitive restructuring or replacing negative thought patterns with more realistic, balanced views. Mindset coaches also help clients uproot limiting beliefs about themselves and reduce their fear of being evaluated negatively by others. For example, mindset coaching might help a software engineer struggling with self-doubt and fear of failure to reframe their thinking and view criticism as constructive feedback to help improve their skills. Also, a manager striving for a promotion might learn to value their skills and cultivate a belief in their ability to expand and acquire new competencies. Ultimately, clients are taught to reframe life as a journey of self-discovery and learning — a mindset so empowering that it can change lives!
Embrace Your Capacity for Growth ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
SILKY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
YOUR REFERRALS MEAN THE WORLD TO US There is no greater compliment we can receive than a client telling a friend or loved one about us. If you know somebody who has been injured and needs an attorney who will fight on their behalf and give their case the attention it deserves, please pass along this newsletter and have them call us at 314-293-4222. Thank you for spreading the word about Finney Injury Law.
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream, divided • 1 cup milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips (6 oz) • Optional garnish: grated chocolate, crushed nuts, toffee, or brittle
DIRECTIONS 1. In a microwave-safe bowl, put 1/2 cup of cream in the microwave for 1 minute. 2. Stir in chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. 3. In a separate bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup of cream with a hand mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. 4. Set aside 1/2 cup of whipped cream for topping, and continue whipping the remaining cream until stiff peaks form. 5. Gently fold whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture in batches, mixing until combined but still light and fluffy. 6. Spoon into four ramekins or glasses, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. 7. Top with reserved whipped cream and garnish if desired.
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
12444 POWERSCOURT DR., SUITE 300 ST. LOUIS, MO 63131
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Our Goal: The Best People AND the Best Processes
2
Secrets to a Stress-Free Family Picnic
2
Essential Tips for Driving Safely in Spring Storms
3
Mindset Coaching: A New Path to Savoring Life
4 3
Silky Chocolate Mousse
The Legal Foundation of a Winning Personal Injury Claim
THE ISSUES WE FACE: THE THREE I’S
The crucial components of a personal injury claim can be broken down into three categories:
the damages we cannot tally with a calculator but that we learn and feel by meeting with our client and their family members, friends, or coworkers. While injuries are important for establishing damages, we also must prove who or what is liable for causing them. Investigation Next, the investigation component of a case is vital to establishing liability. A determination of liability is generally made early in the case. Ideally, after an incident occurs, we need to freeze and capture as much information as possible as early as possible. We look to area surveillance video, witnesses, police investigations, and public records. Often, we must also actively work to preserve evidence. This requires placing individuals or businesses on notice that we are seeking certain information and that they must preserve it for use later in a potential lawsuit. Lastly, we also work diligently to obtain our client’s
pre-incident medical records. Prior medical records help us understand exactly what harm the incident caused, or contributed to, for our client. Insurance Maximizing potential recovery is the driving force behind our relentless search to find every dollar of available insurance coverage. Identifying and obtaining all applicable insurance policies is key to case strategy and predicting the potential value of a claim. In addition to automobile or premises liability insurance, we also must analyze available health insurance coverage. The plan may have a right to collect the amounts they paid on behalf of the injured person.
• • •
Injuries
Investigation
Insurance
These three components drive our firm’s initial work whenever a client entrusts us with their case. Injury Our client’s overall health is the No. 1 priority. The injury component is how we determine a client’s damages. An accurate and thorough understanding of our client’s injuries will drive the value of a personal injury claim. Injuries to the human body not only can cause pain, but can force an unnatural change in their life. Physical injuries can abruptly impact someone’s future life experiences, relationships, hobbies, and livelihood. These factors are the drivers of a client’s noneconomic damages. These are
While not exhaustive, these three I’s are key aspects of the work we do here. Thoroughness is crucial in helping our fellow human beings in a time of need.
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator