Take a look at our April newsletter!
For The Ambitious Advocate BRIEF RECESS
APRIL 2023
FROM THE LAW OFFICES OF J. PRICE MCNAMARA
Want More Clients? Write a Book!
Think of how much time you can spend writing a brief for a critical case. You use all of that information just once. And unfortunately, all the knowledge you have learned from that case gets used once too. It’s lamentable because the information you’ve spent so much time writing into a critical case can be the perfect tool to share with your “perfect client.” Your perfect client is comparing websites. Your website has the image of a book cover with a message saying, “Download Your Free Copy of 5 Mistakes to Avoid When You … (File for Social Security Disability, Claim Workers’ Compensation, File Bankruptcy, Get a Divorce, or Deal With an Insurer After a Car Wreck — whatever your practice area may be).” Your website also has a banner that says, “Talk with the attorney who literally ‘wrote the book’ on (Your Practice Area).” The perfect client downloads your book, and it speaks directly to their concerns and gives valuable advice on the issue. You’re now the authority over all the other websites that look alike. Your perfect client wants to talk to YOU. Being an author is a powerful marketing tool. It provides credibility, authority, and stands out among the noise. Consumers naturally recognize authors as experts in their field, and potential clients will distinguish you from almost every other attorney in your field of practice. YOU “wrote the book” about their legal problem.
Additionally, once you get the information you need to send them the book (their physical address for a hard copy or email address for an e-copy), you can follow up with the potential client over time until they are finally ready for a consultation. So, how do you get this done? Writing a book can seem time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. Traditional paper and pencil or keyboard-form writing can work just fine, but consider other writing options as well. You can record your thoughts verbally on a voice-to-text platform, then rearrange them into manuscript form. Your book also doesn’t have to be long to be helpful and effective. You can dictate answers to some of the most frequently asked questions you hear from clients, mistakes to avoid, and how you help your clients through the process. Use interesting examples from past clients you’ve helped. Knowledge that’s second nature for you is truly valuable and much-appreciated information for your perfect client facing a legal issue for the first time. Once you finish, you can have an editor put it into its final form, then have a graphic artist create a cover and add internal graphics. You can choose to have a downloadable PDF or do what I did and get bound copies printed by a professional publisher. It’s nice to be able to hand hard copies to clients or potential referral sources. I used Associated Press and found them high-quality and helpful. No doubt, writing a book will benefit your practice tremendously, and it’s relatively easy to do. If you don’t want to spend the time, remember how many one-and-done briefs you’ve written. Your book or books will provide value for years to come, not just one time. If you’d like an introduction to a good editor and graphic artist to complete your book or otherwise discuss writing your book, call me at (225) 201-8311. I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned to help your firm grow!
Your book also lets you attract potential clients in the early stages of considering hiring an attorney without forcing them to schedule a consultation. Attorneys miss out on tons of good leads every year by not having an easy way for potential clients to get to know them. Your book gives someone who visits your website or calls your office with a simple legal question something tangible that binds them to you. A
free copy of your book can be of GREAT interest to someone not yet interested in a consultation.
(225) 201-8311 1
Boost Your Mood W HARNESS THE INFECTIOUS PO
R
?
Knock, knock! Who’s there? Noah. Noah who? Noah-body — April Fools!
It is no coincidence that April begins with April Fools’ Day and is officially National Humor Month. Humor is one language that everyone can understand, and we use it to communicate and connect with others. If you can laugh with someone, you’ve connected with that person, and their defenses come down. As human beings, we love to laugh because it brings happiness and joy to our lives, and it affects not only us but also those around us. Laughter is contagious, and repeatedly, one person’s laughter provokes another’s laughter. Humans are wired to mirror each other; the brain responds to the sound of laughter by priming facial muscles to join in, laying the groundwork for spreading smiles.
Life isn’t easy — when juggling a career, family, children, social obligations, and housework, finding time for yourself can be difficult. Studies show that roughly 59% of individuals only make time for self- care after they’ve become stressed out. Here are some ways to develop a healthy routine that suits your busy life. Become intentional. When developing a self-care ritual, it’s essential to identify your reasons behind taking better care of yourself and to pinpoint your needs. With a clear vision and motive behind your efforts, developing healthy habits to nurture and incorporate into your everyday routine becomes easier. Create large and small self-care options. You don’t need to do the same self-care ritual all the time, but make it a point to do something for yourself every day. On busier days, you may only have a moment to take a few deep breaths and mentally reset, but on other days, you may have time for a relaxing bath, massage, workout, or pedicure. Make time for hobbies. Most people find themselves constantly juggling countless tasks and obligations. With so much to do, making time for your least favorite activities likely won’t happen; instead, do something you enjoy. After all, self-care is about you! Yoga, reading, journaling, jogging, and meditating are just a few ways to get in some “you time.” If you like it, do it! Plan your self-care time. Without adding self-care to your schedule, your healthy behaviors may get placed on the back burner. Block off time for your favorite activities: Once it’s on your calendar, you’re more likely to work a routine into your day. Keep it simple. Complex rituals may create more stress or anxiety when you should be relaxing. Instead, keep it simple by focusing on relaxing, breathing, and recharging. Go for a walk in the park, take a nap, get a massage, stretch, or take a few moments to do absolutely nothing. Simplicity is the key. Developing a Self-Care Routine Find More ‘You’ Time
Did you know that when you smile, your brain releases tiny stress-fighting molecules called neuropeptides? Then, other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins come into effect. Endorphins act as a mild pain reliever, while serotonin is an antidepressant. It has a positive effect on our bodies; it relaxes our muscles, increases our blood flow, and boosts our
Does your office turn away calls about “long-term disability insurance” claim denials because you don’t handle administrative appeals or “ERISA litigation” in federal court? We want to hear from you! We happily share fees on referred ERISA long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death insurance denial cases. Send us an email at BriefRecess@jpricemcnamara.com or call (225) 201-8311 to start the referral process! WE VALUE YOUR REFERRALS!
ERISA is all we do!
WinMyBenefits.com 2
heart rate. Larry Wilde, the creator of National Humor Month, stated, “Scientific research of laughter and its ability to relieve debilitating stress and burnout may indeed be one of the great medical discoveries of our times.” By laughing, we reduce our stress and pain levels, strengthen our immune systems, and recharge our bodies. With a Belly Laugh! OWER OF HUMAN HAPPINESS A recent study found that “human happiness has large and positive effects on productivity. Positive emotions appear to invigorate human beings, while negative emotions have the opposite effect.” The study linked decision-making, processing, and learning to the dopamine release triggered by happiness, so smiling can also make you a more creative and efficient worker.
Chronic Pain and Job Loss Wasn’t Enough
Our client Roger (not his real name) suffered from an extreme chronic pain disability triggered by his laminectomy surgery. How We Won This ER Physician’s Bogus Long Term Disability Insurance Denial on Appeal Roger’s treating physicians told him that he was absolutely unable to work as an emergency room physician as he would be putting himself and his patients at risk. Yet Prudential Insurance Company ignored their opinions and denied his claim for disability benefits, stating that Roger could still do portions of his specialty and was therefore not disabled nor entitled to benefits under the policy. Prudential contended that his evidence was insufficient to prove his case, despite his treating and pain management physicians’ unwavering opinions that he was physically disabled and could not work. In helping Roger gather evidence to build his case, we quickly realized that his story of multiple surgeries, cervical fusions, severe disc degeneration, and the post-laminectomy syndrome was the most extreme we had ever heard. He had tried almost every treatment modality under the sun. Roger underwent several surgical procedures for his cervical degenerative discs, followed by a shoulder acromioplasty and debridement. However, these procedures worsened his symptoms, and his arm and leg showed new weaknesses. He then underwent a laminectomy and fusion. But similar to all the other treatments, his symptoms did not improve and continued to worsen. Roger’s symptoms had become so severe that the hospital gave his duties to other emergency medicine physicians since he could not perform his job. His physician and employer finally told him that he needed to apply for long- term disability and that they had to let him go. With Roger’s help, we spoke with some of his treating physicians and created detailed physician notes, which we made into formal, signed statements. We also created a much clearer and more vivid statement for Roger describing his symptoms and physical limitations. We presented this, and other overwhelming evidence not part of Roger’s initial denied application, to Prudential Insurance Company. Thankfully, Prudential Insurance Company finally did the right thing.
Dick Costolo, the former CEO of Twitter, said, “You don’t have to be the quickest wit in the room. The easiest way to have more humor is not to try to be funny; instead, just look for moments to laugh.” So, when you need a boost of spirits, try on your biggest, toothy grin. Even a little giggle,
snort, or belly chuckle could give you the boost you were looking for, and you just might pass it along to someone in need!
EASY FRUIT DIP Inspired by InspiredByCharm.com
Spring is here, which means it’s time to enjoy fresh fruits and refreshing treats! This recipe has only four ingredients and can be made in under five minutes, so it’s great to bring to parties or make before a quick get-together. We recommend serving it with strawberries or cut-up pineapple, mango, and honeydew. Ingredients • 1 7-oz jar marshmallow fluff • 1 8-oz package of cream cheese, softened • 1 cup vanilla yogurt • Splash of maraschino cherry juice • Fresh-cut fruit of your choice
In the end, because he continued to fight, appealing the insurance company’s denial of his disability claim rather than just accepting it as the final word, Roger maintained his financial security while taking some much-needed time to pursue further treatment and focus on healing.
Directions 1. In a bowl, place all the ingredients except fruit and blend with a hand mixer until smooth. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving. 3. Serve with fresh-cut fruit. Dip and enjoy!
If your client or someone you know is dealing with a similar denial, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (225) 201-8311 so we can start reviewing their case!
(225) 201-8311 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
ERISA INSURANCE J. PRICE MCNAMARA Claim Attorney
10455 Jefferson Hwy. Suite 130 Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 201-8311 WinMyBenefits.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2
How Any Attorney Can Become an Author
Putting Together a Self-Care Routine
Spread Happiness With a Smile!
3
Easy Fruit Dip
Case Summary: An Emergency Physician’s Denied Claim
4
Roger to the Rescue
NEVER DOUBT A CANINE’S SENSES Dogs are known for their keen sense of smell — on TV, you will often see dogs that can find missing people or even search for drugs and bombs. When dogs use their extraordinary senses for a particular job, they’re often trained for that one purpose, but even without training, dogs do seem to know something is wrong. Cohen just got home and parked his car in the garage when he found himself in a spot of trouble. As he tried to exit his vehicle, his walking stick suddenly snapped in half. Unable to keep his balance, Cohen fell and became wedged under his car’s brake and clutch started looking for him, and that’s when she found Roger and Cohen. She immediately called emergency services, and three firefighters came by the home to free Cohen. They quickly took him to the hospital because they worried about hypothermia. ONE SNIFF CAN SAVE A LIFE
pedals. The man called for help several times, but unfortunately, no one could hear his pleas, and he remained stuck overnight. The next day, Roger’s owners let him roam around outside. Roger began sniffing around Cohen’s home (some believe Roger had heard the man’s calls for help), and once Roger found the elderly man, he didn’t leave his side for the rest of the day. After a couple of hours, Frances Wall, Roger’s owner, began calling for Roger. When he didn’t immediately come home when she called, she
Over a week later, medical staff released Cohen from the hospital, and now he gives Roger treats whenever he sees him. “I owe my life to that dog. They [health care professionals] said that if I would’ve been there for a few more hours, I would have been a goner,” Cohen told Bournemouth Daily Echo. Fortunately for Cohen, Roger’s amazing canine senses saved the day. It’s always great to have a furry friend around — you never know when their incredible skills will come in handy!
Roger, the Jack Russell terrier-poodle mix, is a great example.
Our story takes place in Ringwood, England, in December 2022. Winter was in full swing, with temperatures below freezing. No one wanted to find themselves outside in the cold for too long because it could be dangerous. Unfortunately, that’s what happened to 94-year- old Morris Cohen, and he almost died.
4
WinMyBenefits.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator