The Medl in News
JULY 2018
traditions largely mirror your own. We get together with relatives and grill chicken and salmon while enjoying the warm evening air. And of course, we cap the night off with fireworks. More importantly, underlying these traditions is a celebration of the ideals set forth by the Declaration of Independence and the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. While watching the fireworks burst overhead, I can’t help but reflect on how lucky we are to live in this great country, with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of our own happiness, great and small. As a defense attorney, I see the Constitution at work defending these rights every day. Being a lawyer truly gives me a sense of how fortunate we are to be in a nation founded on the rule of law. From civil to criminal cases, citizens are given a voice by the rights granted to them in our constitution. Indeed, one of these rights is what my firm is intimately involved in: the presumption of innocence, the right of citizens to a trial by jury, and the government having the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We hold the government to that burden of proof, protecting the innocent from the presumptions and biases of those in power. Of course, none of what I’ve written about here today — from the freedom to enjoy watermelons to the right to a trial by jury—would be here without the sacrifice of generations of brave
ICE CREAM, FIREWORKS, AND FREEDOM
Well, summer has come and, with it, all the sweet tastes and memories of the season. So long as you can stand the Texas heat, there’s a lot to enjoy this time of year. Home to barbecues, road trips, and fireworks shows, July truly feels like America’s month — especially when each family brings their own unique experiences to the table. For me, there’s nothing better than sitting in the shade enjoying a fresh, cold, juicy watermelon and just watching the clouds pass by. Nothing, except maybe breaking out our ice-cream-making supplies and whipping up some homemade desserts with my wife and daughter. It’s a messy ordeal, but one filled with plenty of laughs; and nothing compares to the smooth taste and texture of hand-churned ice cream. Like I said, sweet memories. I can also get pretty nostalgic this time of year, seeing all the kids getting time off of school. When you’re the managing partner of a law firm, you can’t exactly afford a three-month-long summer break. I’d never want to be away from my cases that long, but I must confess a certain wistfulness for my own summer breaks. I remember when I was 9 years old, my family went on a three- week vacation to California. In that single whirlwind trip, we covered a lot of ground in the golden state. But what I remember most is visiting Disneyland and Yosemite National Park. While my younger self was ecstatic to be at the famous theme park, ultimately, the breathtaking sights of the Half Dome and Yosemite Falls are what shine most vividly in my mind. Maybe when my daughter is a little older, we’ll plan a family trip to that beautiful expanse of wilderness. But of course, any discussion of summer would be incomplete without mentioning the event that truly kicks off the season: the Fourth of July. Chances are our family’s Independence Day
Americans who stood up for our ideals. From the rolling fields of Gettysburg to the mountains of Afghanistan, the brave men and women of our nation deserve an immense debt of gratitude. To active and former members of our armed forces, at home or abroad, thank you for your service. – Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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3 Stay Accountable With the Buddy System Get a Little Competitive Whether you make your workouts explicitly competitive or not, working out with someone is a great way to subconsciously push yourself to improve. Even if your partner is stronger, faster, or in better shape than you, the drive to close the gap between your capabilities can be a big motivating factor. Psychologists call this mental push to avoid being the weak link the “Köhler effect.” In small groups, those who begin weaker often push themselves to improve the most. Why not put this psychological phenomenon to work for you? Stay Accountable The most valuable reason to have a workout buddy is accountability. Just having a dedicated person to ask you if you’ve met your fitness goals can have a significant impact on how regularly you exercise. In fact, something as simple as a bimonthly check-in has been shown to help people increase the amount of time they spend working out. A Stanford University study on the impact of social support on physical activity found that an occasional check-in boosted test subjects’ workout times by an average of 78 percent. This is part of a growing body of research that suggests positive social support may be a key factor in motivation. Even if you can’t actually exercise alongside your workout buddy, just checking in on one another’s goals can make a huge difference. REASONS TO WORK OUT WITH A FRIEND
When you work out alone, it can be tempting to cut corners and get comfortable. After all, if you cheat on a pullup or don’t swing that kettlebell as high as you should, who will know? That’s where a workout buddy comes in. Here are three ways hitting the gym with a friend can make your workouts safer and more effective — and a lot more fun! Ensure Proper Form When you don’t perform an exercise correctly, you may not even be working the right muscles, which makes all of your hard work pointless. At best, you’ll cheat yourself out of the full benefits of your workout. At worst, you risk injury. By working out with someone else, you can spot one another and keep an eye out for lapses in form. You and your partner can keep each other honest, ensuring your routine stays safe and effective. Texans understand the value of taking responsibility. More often than not, you’ll find people willing to own up to their mistakes and make amends. This virtue is the reason why we are one of only a handful of states using comparative responsibility laws. What Is Comparative Responsibility? Comparative responsibility means that civil liability is not viewed as black and white. Under this system, personal injury claims are split among all parties involved according to what percentage of the accident is deemed to be their fault. Picture it this way. You’re walking to a lunch date, but you’re running late. You decide to cross a street against the light, only to be hit by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. In this scenario, both your decision to cross the street and the negligence of the driver would factor into your injury claim. How Does This Impact My Claim? Sharing liability means the responsibility for paying damages is divided amongst the at-fault parties. Returning to our lunch date example, let’s say your injuries total $10,000 in damages. However, you are deemed 20 percent liable for the accident. This means that you will receive $8,000 from the driver’s insurance company, leaving you and your insurance company to cover the rest.
WHO’S FAULT IS IT, ANYWAY? Understanding Comparative Responsibility
Who Decides These Percentages? The insurance adjusters do, if your claim goes through. If you decide to file a suit, then it becomes a jury’s responsibility to allocate fault. In either case, these assessments are based off of the facts of your case and your account of the accident and its aftermath. This is why it’s important to consider seeking the counsel of an experienced Texas personal injury attorney. How Can a Lawyer Help? As we said at the beginning, Texas is full of honest folk. But insurance is a business, and adjusters and insurance attorneys are ultimately there to maximize their companies’ profits. They may leverage your words against you or ask leading questions to paint you as more culpable than you actually were. Having a trained personal injury attorney on your side evens the odds, ensuring that you aren’t unduly blamed for an accident that was ultimately not your fault. At the Medlin Law Firm, we believe in personal accountability that is fair. If you or a loved one have been injured by a negligent driver, give us a call at 817-900-6000. Our legal experts will listen to the unique facets of your case and help you find the best path for pursuing your claim.
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Window Display Some drivers are very much in love with the aesthetic of their vehicle. So much so they do not want to muddy up the appearance of their prized possession with a license plate on the front. Their way around this is to place their plate
Every state has its unique laws. For example, if you want to own a pig in Arizona, you’ll need to get a permit for it. On the opposite side of the coin, every state has the same federally enforced laws, like business regulations. Somewhere in the middle, there are laws that some states have and some don’t, like requiring a license plate on the front of your car. If you do not have a front license plate, you have basically given up your rights to be free from traffic stops without a valid legal reason. In other words, when you don’t have a front plate, the police have probable cause to pull you over at any time. This is an excuse they frequently use to pull people over at night, especially people leaving a restaurant or bar, and then ask if they have had anything to drink. We have represented many people charged with DWI whose arrests started with no reason to be pulled over other than no front license plate. In the great state of Texas and in 30 others, it’s illegal to drive without a license plate on the front of your car. Even though the law has been established for years, many residents still don’t know it’s a requirement for all vehicles. Some people may understand the law but try to find a loophole. Here are two examples. YES, YOU NEED A LICENSE PLATE ON THE FRONT OF YOUR CAR It’s a Texas Law
in the front window of the car. Well, according to Texas law, that is still illegal. The Court of Criminal Appeals in Spence v. State clearly defined the front of the vehicle as an exterior location at the very front of the vehicle, usually the bumper. Dynamic Plates You might think it sounds like something out of a Bond movie, but companies create license-plate holders that, with a touch of a button, will retract into the car and give your vehicle the appearance of having no plate at all. While this is a neat parlor trick that might help you in a car show, it is illegal to use when driving. Failure to present two plates is a misdemeanor and carries a fine up to $200. If you have been arrested for any crime that began with being stopped for no front license plate, or any other reason, contact us right away. Our team prides itself on passionate representation of the law, and we are here to serve you.
BALSAMIC GLAZED Pork Chops
Brain Buster
Ingredients
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4 boneless pork chops
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1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
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3 tablespoons raw honey
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme
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1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
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1300 South University Drive Suite 318 Fort Worth, TX 76107
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
817-900-6000 www.medlinfirm.com
WE’VE MOVED! As of 6/1/18 find us in Suite 318 of the same building.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
Welcoming the Summer
2. Do You Need aWorkout Buddy?
Texas Law and Responsibility
3. Do You Need a License Plate on the Front of Your Car?
Paleo Balsamic Pork Chops
4. Take Your S’mores to the Next Level
CAN I HAVE S’MORE?
Creative Twists on the Campfire Classic
You’re just three ingredients away from the perfect summertime treat: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The s’more is a fan favorite on camping trips and at backyard bonfires alike. Though they say you can’t improve perfection, we’ve found a few creative twists on the classic treat that will make your summer a little sweeter. The Elvis A campfire snack fit for a king — of rock ’n’ roll, that is. This s’more pays homage to Elvis Presley’s love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Swap out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup candy and add a few slices of fresh banana between the graham cracker and marshmallow. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even add some bacon. S’mores in a Jar Here are s’mores you can enjoy all year long. Layers of crushed graham cracker, melted marshmallow, and creamy chocolate turn a simple jar into a great dessert! Learn
Strawberry S’more-cake If you reallywant to wowyour guests at the next bonfire, try your hand at this creative take on the summertime classic. Gooey s’mores meet fresh strawberry shortcake in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is original. Find the whole recipe, including tips on making the perfect shortcake, at aspicyperspective.com/ smores-strawberry-shortcake-recipe. S’mOreo A simple but memorable twist on the campfire classic. Grab a box of Oreo cookies, pull a cookie apart, and use that in place of your graham cracker. The cream filling will pair nicely with the chocolate and toasted marshmallow. S’mores Milkshake Too hot for a campfire? Cool down with a s’mores milkshake! The trick is to lightly toast the marshmallows in the oven so they mix well with the other ingredients in the blender. Get the recipe at spoonfulofflavor.com/2013/08/30/smores-milkshake to enjoy this sweet treat even in the heat of summer. It’s the simple recipe that opens the door for creative interpretations of the classic s’more. Be adventurous this summer, and see what great new s’mores you can create!
how to make the perfect s’mores on the go at family.disney.com/recipe/smores-in-a-jar.
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