Douglass & Runger - September 2021

classes at the gym. It doesn’t matter what you do; what matters is that you do it. Stay active! While it’s a bummer that you can’t go trail running or biking, any exercise is better than none. And don’t wait to get started: Add that “winter workout” into your weekly routine now. Not only will it help make the transition a little easier when you can’t go for your morning run, but also, if you’re trying a new sport, activity, or exercise, it gives you a buffer in case you decide it’s not for you after all. Don’t let bad weather or fewer daylight hours be an excuse for less exercise. Your brain will thank you, and who knows? You might actually have fun too! GET A JUMP ON WINTER BLUES AND EXERCISE THROUGH THE FALL

Less sunlight can have a negative impact on your mental well-being, and as you head into the darker, chillier months, worsening weather and shorter days can make staying in shape more of a chore than a joy. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With a few tricks, you can thrive through the cold season. Finding ways to stay active while cooped up inside has never been easier. Thanks to the pandemic, online exercise courses, at-home workouts, and remote Zumba classes grew in popularity and are still going strong. If you embraced these for your summer workouts to avoid the heat, you can continue that routine this fall and winter and keep up your exercise, mixing it up if one course gets stale.

Similarly, winter provides a great time to focus on a new type of fitness goal, like building muscle in an indoor facility or taking martial arts

A Civil Law Case Who’s Who

UNDERSTANDING EVERYONE’S ROLES IN A CIVIL LAW CASE

For most people, a courtroom is an intimidating place to enter. Some lawyers even feel this way after years of practicing law or having experienced multiple trials, but someone’s first time in a courtroom can certainly be nerve-wracking. To help calm your nerves and prepare you for your first or 50th trip to the courtroom, it is helpful to understand everyone’s role in a civil law trial. The Parties Every civil lawsuit involves at least two parties. The plaintiff is the party responsible for bringing the case to trial by filing a complaint and a summons. Since the plaintiff is bringing the case to trial, the burden of proof falls to them. On the other side, the defendant is the party that the plaintiff is bringing to court in an effort to achieve civil relief. Defendants are responsible for defending their case by filing an answer to the plaintiff’s complaint. Attorneys In most civil law cases, the defendant and the plaintiff will both be represented by attorneys. The attorneys are responsible for making their cases on behalf of their clients. It’s important to trust your attorney after you’ve hired them. They will advise you through any confusing and frustrating legal situations you may find yourself in. Witnesses Witnesses play an important role in any legal proceeding since they can verify the facts of a case or authenticate evidence. Witness accounts are oftentimes scrutinized by lawyers, as their rendition or perception of the facts of a case might not always be accurate.

Law enforcement and first responders can also be vital to a civil case, depending on the situation. For example, if you got into an accident and the police arrived, they can provide testimonies and an account of what happened. If you’re injured, EMT and medical staff can verify your injuries to help provide proof for the case. Judge and Jury If your case makes it to trial, it will be decided by a judge or a jury. These “finders of fact” take in all of the evidence and accounts to make a definitive decision about a case in the form of a ruling. If it’s a bench trial, the judge, as the ultimate finder of fact, decides who will prevail in a case and, if appropriate, how much money in damages should be awarded to a plaintiff. If it’s a jury trial, the jury acts as the finder of fact and will decide the outcome of a case. Juries rely on instructions on the law by the presiding judge in making their determination.

Please visit DouglassRunger.com if you have further questions about your case or other legal needs.

2 • DouglassRunger.com

Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker