Smith Wallis & Scott February 2019

FEB. 2019

LEGAL INJURY GUIDE

327 Bankhead Hwy, Carrollton, GA 30117 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION | PERSONAL INJURY | SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

of attorneys and paralegals, and they provide excellent seminars and other opportunities for continuing education. It keeps me updated on the legal issues that impact our clients. I’d still like to go to law school one day — maybe this year! Helping our clients is the best part of my job; letting them know we’re here for them and doing the best we can to get their case resolved is satisfying. Our clients are so appreciative. I’ve heard from clients years after our work on their case has drawn to a close. They call just to thank us. “Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. You’ve made a difference.” Hearing that is the most rewarding part of my job. We have a great staff of attorneys at our firm who are always willing to help. If I need something, they’re there. I always think I’m here to help them, but they help me so much. They are great to work with. I also have an amazing assistant who makes my job possible. We all work closely as a team to make sure everything gets done. When I’m not working, chances are I’m in the garden or kitchen. Growing up in Carrollton, I lived on a small family farm with pigs, cows, and a number of crops. Now, every year, I plant a garden and look forward to seeing the little plants sprout out of the ground and begin to grow. In the summer, I like to use fresh ingredients from the garden. I’ve been around gardens since I was little, so they’ve always been part of my life. I love gardening, and I love to cook, especially using the food I grow. Cooking is how I show love, and I love cooking for my family and friends. This time of year, it’s all about baking cookies, candy, and other sweets, which I share with family members and friends. With our incredible team, I look forward to helping our clients in 2019 and continuing to grow and learn in the legal field. Thank you for being part of my journey! TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN The Gift We Get to Give to Our Clients

As the department head for personal injury at Smith, Wallis & Scott, I serve as an intermediary between clients and adjusters, working to get our clients medical treatment all the way through to settlement. I’ve been in the legal field for 27 years, specializing in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security disability. Honestly, I kind of fell into the legal field. I’d been in the financial realm for 12 years and was working at a bank. My husband knew an attorney whose secretary had just up and left him. That attorney asked me if I could help him, so I jumped in. And wham — that’s what I’ve been doing for the past 27 years. When I started working for that attorney, I knew nothing about the legal field, but it didn’t take long for me to realize I was in the right place. I’ve always liked to help people, and I’ve found helping people with their legal issues speaks to my heart. I feel like this is what I’m meant to do — help people as best as I can.

–Jane Turner

Wanting to learn more, I got degrees in paralegal studies and legal studies. I’m part of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, which is a great network

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SAFE AND SWEET

Allergy-Friendly Valentines for Your Child’s Classmates

THINK LIKE A KID If you’re looking for a creative valentine that will be safe for all your child’s friends to play with, check no further than the toy aisle of your local dollar store. While being mindful of latex allergies, you can purchase little toys that kids will love that won’t break your bank. Think bouncy balls, mini skateboards, Army men, yo-yos, puzzles, rubber ducks, hand-held games, markers, or bubbles. Adorn these little gifts with yarn, ribbons, or personalized tags, and slap on cute sayings to make them fit for the holiday. Finish off the masterpiece by having your kiddo sign their name on each valentine, and you’ve got a kid-approved Valentine’s Day favorite. FANCY UP SOME FRUIT If you’re worried about food allergies but still want to make a yummy treat, ask your child’s teacher for a list of students’ allergies, then just work around them. Fruits are usually a safe bet, but it’s best to double check. You could skewer strawberries and heart-shaped pieces of watermelon onto kabob sticks for a sweet and fun snack, or pass out goody bags with apples, bananas, and clementines. Offering a group snack that is allergy-friendly will keep your children and their friends safe and healthy, and it can also help children with allergies feel included in the festivities. As with all Valentine’s Day gifts, keep in mind that it’s not the item or money spent that means the most. It’s the thought behind each gift that makes receiving valentines the sweetest part.

For a parent of a child with allergies, every day can feel like a battle with food labels and ingredients lists — and Valentine’s Day only exacerbates this fear. Avoid the danger of an allergic reaction on Valentine’s Day by creating alternative, candy-free valentines that the whole class will enjoy! GET CREATIVE This valentine idea taps into your kids’ desire to create by using commonly found household items. Have your children draw pictures, create cards, mold tiny sculptures, or braid together friendship bracelets to create one-of-a-kind gifts that will be safe for their classmates to enjoy. Kids can put their own effort into gift-giving, and their valentines will have a personal touch candy cannot replicate.

OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST

While we could tell you about the great experience our clients have at Smith, Wallis & Scott, we think they say it much better.

“I tried getting my disability for three years and was turned down every time. A good friend referred me to the Smith, Wallis & Scott Firm. Within a few months, I had a hearing — and won — thanks to the hard work of these nice attorneys and the kind staff. Thank you all. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have been homeless.”

–Lavinia

“Smith, Wallis & Scott are hands down the best Social Security attorneys. Chris Scott fought through a long three years for my daughter. We won the battle. He and his team never gave up! They are the most caring, honest, trustworthy group you could ask for. I highly recommend this law firm; there is no other like them!”

–Velvet

Thank you to Lavinia, Velvet, and Steve for sharing your experiences with our firm. Your words mean a lot to us. It truly makes our day to know we helped and that our work has had positive, lasting effects on you and your families. After all, that’s why we do what we do! If you are looking for professionals who won’t let you down, turn to the team at Smith, Wallis & Scott. Offering our legal knowledge and legacy of successfully representing our clients in personal injury, Social Security disability, and workers’ compensation law, we are here to help. Give us a call and see how we can help.

“Thank you, Smith, Wallis & Scott for your commitment to be courageous, compassionate, strong, patient, and hopeful for a better tomorrow for your clients, the community, and yourselves. I consider it a privilege and an honor to be one of your clients. If I can ever do anything for you that’s within the realm of my capabilities, just let me know. I will be glad to do it. Thank you, Smith, Wallis & Scott, and God bless you.”

–Steve

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SHOULD I TURN DOWN THE INSURANCE COMPANY’S OFFER?

Personal Injury Questions Answered

You were recently in a collision — now the insurance company is reaching out, ready to help. They’ve contacted you a few times, offering what seems like a pretty decent amount of money to cover your medical bills. They just want to help, right? Unfortunately, probably not. The insurance company is hoping you’ll take their offer because that would be a whole lot easier on them than going to court and being instructed to pay you more. Instead of getting what you’re owed, you miss out on that compensation. They seem like the good guys, swooping in to help you out in a hard time. Really, they’re closer to being the bad guys. The compensation an insurance company offers for the effects of a collision is likely much less than what you’re owed for your injuries and the resulting medical costs. Insurance companies will try a variety of tactics to settle your claim. Sometimes they’ll send a check in the mail. Know that if you cash that check, your claim is over. That’s all you will see from the insurance company.

In many cases, the amount an insurance adjuster will offer is only a fraction of what they know someone is owed — in some cases, it’s as little as a tenth of what you should be compensated. And the sad thing is that the insurance company knows it. They take advantage of folks who may not know that they get the help of an attorney to get what they are owed. When you think about all the ways your life is impacted — how much more difficult it is to perform your job or play with your kids — you know you deserve better. This is why we fight for clients who have been affected by an injury. If you’re being pestered by an insurance company set on getting you to settle, reach out to the team at Smith, Wallis & Scott. We are experienced and passionate about personal injury law and can help you get the settlement you deserve. Give us a call at the number on the bottom of the page.

TAKE A BREAK

TIRAMISU

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons dark rum

6 egg yolks

24 packaged ladyfingers

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish

1 pound mascarpone cheese

1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to beat together egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. 2. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. 3. Fold in 1 tablespoon of espresso. 4. In a small, shallow dish, combine remaining espresso with rum. Dip each ladyfinger into mixture for 5 seconds. Place soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of a walled baking dish. 5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture on top of the first layer of ladyfingers. Top with another layer of ladyfingers and another layer of mascarpone. 6. Cover and refrigerate 2–8 hours. 7. Remove from fridge, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and serve. 3 (770) 214-2500 Inspired by foodnetwork.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

(770) 214-2500 swslawfirm.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE

327 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton, GA 30117

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Get to Know Our Stellar Team

Candy-Free Valentines

What Our Clients Are Saying

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Personal Injury FAQ

Tiramisu

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3 Wild Divorce Settlements

for $1.5 million in damages. In the end, his request was thrown out in court because the kidney was a gift — and because removing it would be potentially fatal to his ex-spouse. A LIFE RENT IN TWO When Moeun Sarim and Vat Navy decided to divorce after 18 years of marriage, Moeun apparently decided that, to keep the split equitable, he and his wife should divide their assets in half — literally. Moeun and his relatives cut the home down the middle, dismantled his portion, and hauled it away. Vat’s half was left standing with one wall missing. ‘HERE, MY DEAR’ In the divorce agreement between the late Marvin Gaye and his ex, Anna Gordy, it was decided that Anna would be paid from the royalties of Gaye’s next album since he had gone broke from his lavish spending. At first, Gaye decided he’d phone in the production, but he quickly discovered an opportunity to make a unique artistic statement: “I’ll give her my next album, but it’ll be something she won’t want to play and it’ll be something she won’t want the world to hear because I’m gonna tell the world the truth.” In the end, the album was a commercial flop, though critics continue to praise its raw, emotional core. 3 TIMES THE DIVISION OF ASSETS GOT OUT OF CONTROL Wild Divorce Settlements

When you’re untying the knot, it’s important to be specific about the assets you hope to walk away with. These three over-the-top divorce settlements are good examples of what not to do when dissolving your marriage.

YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDNEY ME Back in 2001, Dr. Richard Batista donated his kidney to his ailing wife, Dawnell, to save her life. Sweet, right? It was — until Dawnell filed for divorce in 2005 and Dr. Batista demanded she give back his kidney or compensate him

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