Brooks & Crowley LLP - April 2024

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Review Brooks & Crowley

April 2024

781-251-0555

www.brooksandcrowley.com

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026

*Services Throughout Massachusetts

FROM SETBACK TO SUCCESS Pyrrhic Victories and Ultimate Legal Triumphs

As a history buff, I learned that harkening back to our collective past yields great lessons for the present. One of those is the plight of King Pyrrhus of Epirus, whose military successes ultimately led to unceremonious defeat. In 281 BC, King Pyrrhus led an invasion against Rome with 25,000 men. While he would win a series of battles, the casualties his army suffered eventually forced him to abandon his campaign in Italy and return home empty-handed. Thus, the phrase “pyrrhic victory” — meaning a victory that is not worth what it cost to attain it — was born.

another case with the same adjuster and asked what could have been the difference. The adjuster told me that she knew I would take the case to court and the other lawyer would not. She also let me know that insurance companies keep track of these metrics. The Duke of Wellington famously said that Napoleon’s “We believe fair compensation should be available to everyone.”

One prolific example, important both in terms of local history, and to our country as a whole, is the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War. The battle took place

presence on the battlefield was worth 40,000 men. You may never realize the effect your past efforts have on the present.

during the Siege of Boston, when the British were attempting to occupy the high ground surrounding the

I have been a personal injury attorney for decades now and have longstanding relationships with the insurance defense attorneys.. We believe fair compensation should be available to everyone. Through consistency, professionalism, and

city. However, the American revolutionaries had fortified the hills and were able to inflict heavy losses on the British before eventually being overrun. That pyrrhic victory for the British served as a rallying cry and point of pride for Americans during the Revolution. I once represented a client who had been in a car crash. He and

determination, we are able to give our clients the best result. If you are looking for

representation, know that we are experienced and will actively use it to our advantage. –Neil Crowley

his neighbor were passengers in the accident. His neighbor had a different attorney. When the cases were resolved, my client revealed that he received double his friend’s settlement. I found that strange. They seemed like the same cases to me. Later, I had

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Unusual Sleep Practices in the Middle Ages:

The 2 Acts of Medieval Slumber

In the Middle Ages, most people didn’t sleep for eight uninterrupted hours like we do today. Instead, they had a “biphasic” sleep schedule, which means they had two sleep phases, with a brief period of activity in the middle. For first sleep, the household typically slept from 9–11 p.m. They slept on one single straw mattress. Everyone — including children, parents, and visitors — huddled on one bed. Despite the lack of space, they tried to make it as comfortable as possible with complex sleeping arrangements. Touching, kicking, or any other restless activity was considered rude. Meanwhile, girls slept closest to the wall, followed by boys, guests, and parents.

families cut down on chatting time. After they went to bed for a second sleep, they’d wake up at dawn.

Not everyone kept to the schedule. Young children slept all night unless they woke up to the commotion. Benedictine monks dozed at 7 p.m. and woke at 2 a.m. for prayer, staying awake until an afternoon nap. Still, most people followed the two-part sleep schedule, and medieval medicine even discussed how to do it properly. For example, medical texts recommended that they lie on their right side during the first sleep and switch to the left on the second sleep. It’s really not that weird — research suggests that biphasic sleep is quite natural and influenced more by lifestyle compatibility, which means the eight- hour schedule likely evolved as cultures industrialized.

While they didn’t have alarm clocks back then, they had an internal clock that woke them up around midnight. Once they woke, they had plenty to do. They refueled the fire, did farmwork, and prayed. Often, people socialized with each other, but the busy schedules of farming

Our emphasis on uninterrupted slumber also coalesces with our invention of modern mattresses, and this may not be a coincidence. Sleeping is much more enjoyable if you lie down on a soft mattress than a bed of prickly straw.

Free Expert Advice from Neil Crowley’s Book Sweep Away Insurance Worries

Through the winter months, it’s sometimes a little grueling to keep up with household chores. That’s why April is the time for spring-cleaning: when we deal with the clutter, disorganization, and untidiness that have been bugging us. It can be cathartic to clean out the garage, sort through the boxes of books in the office, or organize the pantry so spices and canned foods aren’t mixed together like two unruly fanbases at a European soccer game. While handling the clutter that is weighing you down and making sure you are keeping only what you need, here is something you should seriously consider getting rid of: an inadequate car insurance policy. If someone’s negligence caused a car accident, they may be negligent in other areas of their lives as well. This is doubly important where we live, because in Massachusetts, when an underinsured person causes an accident, your insurance company will make up the remainder and pay what your claim is worth. This means that, for example, if you have a $100,000 policy on your car, and the person who caused the accident has the legal minimum $20,000 policy on theirs, you could collect $20,000 from their insurance and $80,000 from your insurance company. However, this is only true if you have the correct insurance policy. If you are underinsured, it can pay dividends to get an upgrade. If you would like to learn more about costly mistakes you need to avoid when it comes to dealing with insurance companies, you should read Neil Crowley’s book, “8 Costly Errors That Insurance Companies Want You to Make.” You can get a free copy of his book on our website or by requesting one over the phone. Call 781-251-0555 and secure your copy today!

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EATING WITH INTENT A DIET SHOULD BE BALANCED

Nutrition trends come and go, but a holistic diet is a timeless approach to nourishing the body, mind, and spirit. Holistic nutrition is rooted in the belief that well-being encompasses more than physical health. Let’s explore what a holistic diet is and how it can affect you. At the core of a holistic diet is the idea that food is not merely fuel but a source of energy that influences every aspect of our being. This diet focuses on whole, unprocessed foods, with an emphasis on organic and locally sourced ingredients. The idea is that you can improve and optimize your overall health and well-being by choosing foods in their most natural states, devoid of additives and preservatives. Incorporating this mode of mindfulness and intentionality into your eating habits is a key aspect of holistic diets. By paying attention to where your food comes from and what is in it, individuals can cultivate a deeper connection with their meals. Learning about who grows your food will also promote a human

connection to food, often forgotten in this age of industrialization. Bringing that mindfulness and attention to texture, taste, and how food impacts your body will encourage better digestion and nutrient absorption. Furthermore, holistic diets often spotlight hydration. Adequate water intake is crucial for maintaining bodily functions, but it encourages detoxification, skin health, and mental health. Holistic diets recommend pure, filtered water over juice, soda, and mineral or sparkling water as a primary beverage choice. Water will further help digestive processes and complement the cleaner food you’ve added to your diet. A holistic diet can be part of a lifestyle that nourishes a whole person. By focusing on unprocessed foods, intentionality toward foods, and the interconnectedness of bodily systems, you begin a journey toward well-being within your body. It’s a reminder that true wellness involves every aspect of ourselves.

Have a Laugh!

Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce

Savor the flavor with our mouthwatering grilled steak, paired perfectly with vibrant chimichurri sauce.

• 2 lbs steak (flank, sirloin, or skirt steak) • 2 tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste Ingredients directions

For the chimichurri sauce: • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp red pepper flakes • Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. 2. Rub the steak with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. 3. Grill the steak for 4–5 minutes per side or until it reaches desired doneness. 4. Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. 5. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 6. Serve the steak with the chimichurri sauce and enjoy!

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026

Inside THIS ISSUE

1 How Perseverance Leads to Legal Advantage 2 A Deep Dive Into Medieval Slumber Claim a Free Book on Avoiding Insurance Errors 3 Exploring the Holistic Diet Lifestyle

Grilled Steak With Chimichurri Sauce

4 Top Local Events to Look Out for This Spring

What’s Going On, Boston? Fill Your Calendar With Spring Activities

Winter is behind us, and as the temperatures soar, so do our spirits! Why not get out of your winter funk by enjoying the gifts of spring? It is time to break the habits we built up last season! Let’s get out of the house and enjoy what our city has to offer. BOSTON MARATHON Get your running shoes ready, because the famous Boston Marathon returns this April 15th! A storied tradition that has been going strong since the 1800s, our marathon is an electric event you do not want to miss. Whether watching, volunteering to help, or running alongside, the marathon promises fun for all ages. OUTDOOR BASEBALL Now that the weather permits, why not catch a baseball game at historic Fenway Park? Pair America’s pastime with a beverage of

choice and a hot dog, and you have the ideal springtime afternoon! Have a ball, and maybe even catch a ball; with 14 home games in April and 14 more in May, there are plenty of opportunities to cheer on our local team while enjoying the fresh air. COMEDY SHOWS Ready to laugh? There are plenty of comedians making their way to Boston this spring.

Laugh Boston, located in the Westin Waterfront in the Seaport District has nonstop laughs. They do it all and do it all right. There are early shows, late shows, matinees, open mic nights, and comedy brunches. Out of ideas for a date night? Let them provide the entertainment. Need to loosen up a work group? No problem.

A full food menu makes it a no brainer.

There are more comedians than we could possibly list here, but this sampling alone provides enough to smile about until summer comes! Whether catching a comedy show at Laugh Boston or a baseball game at Fenway Park, watching runners, or running yourself, there is plenty of fun to be had this season!

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