Take a look at our April newsletter!
816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com APR 2023
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
It’s a Slippery Slope! AVOID THESE DANGEROUS DISTRACTED DRIVING BEHAVIORS
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
IF YOU’RE FEELING TIRED, ARRANGE TO DRIVE ANOTHER TIME.
In 2021, 382 fatalities on Missouri roads were due to distracted driving — nearly 38% of all traffic-related deaths, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT named cellphone use as responsible for over 2,200 crashes in the state in 2021. These statistics are even more alarming because they’re only increasing (up 2% from 2020 alone). And even though we all seem to know distracted driving is dangerous, these crashes continue. This may be partly due to the excuses many people tell themselves that enable distracted driving, like “I’ll just look at my phone at red lights” or “I’ll stop when I’m on the highway.” But using your phone while behind the wheel is a slippery slope. Whenever you allow yourself to use your phone at a red light or glance at it for a few seconds while driving, you permit yourself a feeling of complacency that pushes your bad habits further until something terrible happens. Maybe you think it won’t happen to you, or you’re better at multitasking than everyone else. But the truth is that all it takes is a couple of seconds of distracted driving to cause serious harm to yourself or others.
someone only glanced at their phone for a few seconds and ended up injuring or killing someone else. It’s also common to see distracted driving wrecks with only a single car. The driver looks at their phone and doesn’t realize they’ve drifted off the road. Using a phone while driving doesn’t just mean texting. It means checking Instagram, email, or Snapchat or even just taking a phone call. However, distracted driving includes more than using a cellphone. It’s any time your attention is off the road, including eating, doing your makeup, or even falling asleep behind the wheel. So, if you find yourself slipping into these distracted driving habits, here are tips to help you get back on the right track. KEEP A HARD NO-PHONE RULE. If you have difficulty staying off your phone, don’t tempt yourself by having it near you. The easiest way to keep off of it is to put the phone away and out of your reach, so you won’t be able to check it even if you have the urge to. View your driving time as an opportunity to decompress and relax from the stressors of your life. Listen to some light tunes on the radio, set your favorite audiobook or podcast before you drive, and enjoy the time you have to yourself.
Feeling sleepy behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because you’re slipping in and out of consciousness. This means your reactions will be more delayed, and you cannot make maneuvers that might save your life while on the road. So if you feel sleepy, don’t get behind the wheel. Take an Uber or a Lyft and pick your car up later. If driving long hours is part of your job, call your employer or dispatch service to ask if you can postpone or delay your trip. Many try to avoid this option because they’re worried about getting in trouble with their job. But if you fall asleep and crash, you’re likely to lose your job anyway, so it’s better to ask for some time to rest safely. Car wrecks happen more often than you may think; anyone who has experienced one likely thought it wouldn’t happen to them. So, this month, make an extra effort to be mindful of your focus while driving, and if you or someone you love ever finds themselves in a collision, call us at 816-268-1960 . We’ll help you receive the justice you deserve after suffering from someone else’s distraction.
BURN INJURIES
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
We see the results of these bad habits all the time in our cases, where
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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You may have heard of some homeowners experiencing a lien on their homes. But lately, liens on personal injury settlements are something we’re facing more and more often in court. Many people aren’t even aware of the possibility of liens on injury compensations or how much they affect the amount of money an injured party can receive. So, the team at Dickerson Oxton Law is here to explain what exactly a lien is and how it can affect your injury settlement. WHAT IS A LIEN? A lien is when a third party makes a claim on a person’s personal injury settlement, claiming they are owed a portion of the money received. Examples include claims from medical providers to recover payments for outstanding medical bills, or claims by health insurance companies to be reimbursed for payments made for treatment related to the injury. These third parties are typically insurance companies, medical providers, and government agencies, such as Medicare and Medicaid. The Truth About Liens and Injury Cases WHY THIRD PARTIES MAY WANT YOUR SETTLEMENT
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. Never Doubt a Canine’s Senses One Sniff Can Save a Life
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. 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 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 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. 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.
“Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production!”
You may have heard of the irresistibly popular children’s book “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems. Well now, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical” is here in Kansas City!
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
If you haven’t heard of this children’s book, we’ll give you the pigeon scoop.
One day, when a bus driver takes a break from his usual bus route, an unlikely volunteer quickly jumps in to take his place. That volunteer was a pigeon! However, Pigeon knows he shouldn’t drive the bus and spends the duration of the book begging the reader to allow him to get behind the wheel. This book has been so successful because it’s interactive and marketed as “the book you can say no to.”
their incredible skills will come in handy!
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HOW CAN A LIEN IMPACT MY INJURY SETTLEMENT? It’s essential to be aware of the possibility of liens because they ultimately reduce the amount of money you as the injured party will receive after your case. If a lien is determined to be valid, it is paid directly from the settlement funds. But whether a lien is valid is the key question. Many lawyers will simply pay any lien demand made by a third party. Here at Dickerson Oxton, we advocate for our clients and ensure that any third party claiming a lien truly has a valid, legal right to be repaid from the case. Even if a lien is valid, we will still work to reduce the amount our clients have to pay to ensure they receive the most from their settlement. When it comes to personal injury settlements, the Dickerson Oxton Law Firm has extensive experience resolving and negotiating liens. We can help you understand a lien’s impact on your settlement and will always work hard to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
TAKE A BREAK
If you or someone you know faces a lien on a personal injury claim, call us at 816-268-1960 .
Cod and Asparagus Bake Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Now, Pigeon is taking his antics to the stage with a musical written by the original book author, Mo Willems! The musical uses puppets in partnership with Mesner Puppet Theater and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. This musical is great for children of all ages, and previous knowledge of the book is not necessary. 60 minutes long and packed full of fun, families are encouraged to check out “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical” at The Coterie. The opening night special performance is Friday, April 7, at 7 p.m., and the musical will run through May 21. Adult tickets for the musical are $18, and tickets for children and seniors are just $14. You can find The Coterie Theatre on the lower level of the Crown Center Shopping Complex at 2450 Grand Blvd, Suite 144, Kansas City, MO 64108. Your family can purchase tickets at Web.OvationTix.com/trs/ pr/1114806 or by calling The Coterie Box Office at 816-474-6552 . We hope to see you there! Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
INGREDIENTS
• Oil for baking pan • 4 4-oz cod fillets
• 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 www.dickersonoxton.com
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Put That Phone Away!
PG1
Roger to the Rescue
PG2
What Is a Settlement Lien?
PG2
The Pigeon-Perfect Family Event
PG2
Cod and Asparagus Bake
PG3
Putting Together a Self-Care Routine
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FIND MORE ‘YOU’ TIME Developing a Self-Care Routine
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.
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
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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