May 2020
www.LetUsFight4U.com (256) 533-5000
Helping Injured Alabamians Make Great Decisions Regarding Their Legal Issues
It’s Wonderful to Be Part of This Fantastic Firm
I wanted to do, but it motivated me to go to law school so I could help injured people who needed it. After I graduated from law school, I eventually settled down in Birmingham with my first practice and prepared myself to help anyone who walked through my doors. In the 30 years I’ve spent in the law field, I’ve handled a lot of injury cases — there’s not a whole lot I haven’t seen. Having the chance to gain three decades of experience and help so many people in that time has made this profession deeply rewarding. I like to help people by providing themwith information about the legal process because I know it can be rather confusing, especially if someone has never been involved in an injury claim before. A lot of people have no idea what’s going on or what to expect. It’s my goal to reassure them and make them feel more comfortable by explaining that process. In my experience, understanding the process helps put people at ease. Many times, I’ve had people come to me with a case that they don’t actually need a lawyer for, and I’m not afraid to tell them that. Someone is perfectly capable of tackling a case where there wasn’t a lot of property damage, such as a very minor wreck that required minimal medical treatment. If I know it’s something they can handle on their own, I’ll give them all the information they might need to do just that. I’ll also give them the book I’ve written
Hello, readers! I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new managing partner at Pitman & Petro Law. This came about after a series of events, including my introduction to Charles Pitman through a mutual friend of ours. It was around then I learned that Charles was looking for a law partner, and it felt like an opportunity for both of us that we couldn’t pass up. I officially joined the firm on Jan. 1, and getting to know the clients and team members who Charles has worked with for so many years has been an incredible experience. Charles was looking for someone with a lot of experience and a deep understanding of things here in Alabama, and I was happy to have the experience he was after. I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and have been here most of my life. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1986, then attended the Cumberland School of Law in 1989. The first time I considered going into law was when I was working at UAB Hospital during summer break in college. At that job, I saw a lot of individuals who had been injured in accidents that were not their fault. That kindled a fire in me, and I began to think how good it would be to help people like these who’d been injured because of someone else. Before that moment, I didn’t really know what
called “The Truth About Injury Claims: Secrets Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know,” which I give all my clients to arm them with information about what to expect. I’m very excited about joining this firm as the managing partner so I can help the people in the office grow individually, personally, and professionally and to help even more people than before. It’s all about the client and finding ways to better serve them, and I’m hoping to give a “wow” experience to everyone who calls the office and everyone we represent.
REFERRALS WELCOME We thank you so much for referring clients to us over the years. We are grateful that you have trusted us with taking care of those who need our services. For any referrals, please contact us at (256) 533-5000 or fill out our online contact form at LetUsFight4U.com.
www.LetUsFight4U.com | 1 -Mark Petro
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
THE PROS AND CONS OF BUYING A HOME IN A 55-PLUS COMMUNITY
Depending on your wants and needs, buying a home in a 55-plus community might be a financially savvy way to set yourself up for retirement. But is it the right decision for you? Here are a few financial pros and cons associated with moving into one of these neighborhoods. PRO: THE HOMES ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. Oftentimes, 55-plus communities provide maintenance services, including housekeeping and landscaping. Also, it’s likely that only a handful of people have occupied the home since it was built, so buying in a 55-plus community means you’ll get a property in excellent condition with less wear and tear. CON: YOU’LL HAVE TO PAY A MONTHLY FEE. Unfortunately, all the great stuff doesn’t come free. Usually, you’ll have to pay an extra monthly bill, similar to a homeowners association fee, to live in a 55-plus community. Some communities include all maintenance and amenities in the monthly rent or mortgage (some even cover utility bills), but make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered before you sign a contract! PRO: AMENITIES ARE INCLUDED. Most 55-plus communities include amenities like exercise classes and educational programs for their residents. They also invite community
organizations and leaders to speak about local issues or upcoming elections. Some even have a clubhouse or dining hall for social gatherings. Save money by taking advantage of these programs instead of paying for a gymmembership or a course at the local community college. CON: IT’S A LIMITED BUYER’S AND RENTER’S MARKET. Most people who buy in a 55-plus community plan to retire there. If this is your original intention but your plans change down the road, you might have a harder time selling your home here than you would in a community that is open to people of all ages. Make sure to budget for those potential holding costs and plan accordingly.
Regardless of where you decide to buy, be sure to consult an experienced real estate agent and a financial planner. Here’s to living out your golden years in comfort and convenience! THE $60,000 HEISTYOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF Crimeless Theft in Cyberspace
Because of the risk-reward nature of the game, many players unite in huge factions for safety and to pool their resources. One of these groups, Circle of Two or CO2, was the target of the 2017 attack. Within a matter of hours, CO2’s bank accounts were drained and the space stations holding their fleets of ships were sold to their enemies. It was clear from the beginning: This was an inside job. The thief was CO2’s own head diplomat, a player called “The Judge.” For years he’d worked his way through the alliance’s ranks, only to use the access he eventually gained to rob it blind. But greed may not have been his only motivation. He’d had public disagreements with CO2’s leader called Gigx, and a rival faction was able to capitalize on this internal conflict. During an in-person EVE Online summit held in Iceland, representatives from The GoonSwarm Federation convinced The Judge to leave CO2 and commit the single largest robbery in gaming history on his way out. In the real world, The Judge’s actions were completely legal — currently, international law doesn’t treat such virtual objects as personal property. But this perception may be changing. As in-game purchases become more widespread in video games, legal lines have blurred, causing an increasing number of lawmakers to rethink what constitutes “ownership” in the digital age. But, for now at least, it seems like a good time to be a space pirate.
In 2017, sometime between Sept. 11 and 12, a total of $60,000 worth of digital assets were stolen from people around the world. The conspirators didn’t hide their identities, and they faced no criminal charges. As it turns out, there are no laws against stealing spaceships in a video game — even if they’re worth thousands of real-world dollars. EVE Online is a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) that was launched in 2003, and it was on this game that the theft occurred. This science-fiction game is all about spacefaring, but one notable feature of the game is that it allows players to purchase in-game assets with real money. This attracts players who can spend large sums on the game, with some of the game’s largest spaceships costing $9,000. But one thing to note in EVE Online is that no matter how much you pay, once you lose an asset, it’s gone forever.
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TAKE A BREAK
When cats are orphaned as kittens, they don’t get the chance to develop all the skills needed to become successful cats. Just like human children, kittens need older role models too. The most famous cat role model had a rough start in life but became an inspiration for kittens and humans alike. His name was Grandpa Mason, and during the last years of his life, he stepped up and gave love, care, and guidance to the orphaned kittens that lived with him. The Canadian animal rescue group TinyKittens rescued Grandpa Mason in 2016 from a property that was scheduled to be bulldozed. The poor feral tabby was suffering from many health problems, including severe dental issues, a badly injured paw, and advanced kidney disease. Since TinyKittens is a no-kill rescue organization, euthanization was out of the question. Given his health conditions, veterinarians predicted the battle- scarred Grandpa Mason didn’t have long to live, so TinyKittens’ founder, Shelly Roche, took him in and provided him with a comfortable place to sleep, plenty of food, and time to relax in the last months of his life. Grandpa Mason had a hard time adjusting to domestic life and would often shy away from being petted. In an interview with The Dodo, Roche described him as “an elderly gentleman [who] lived his whole life a certain way, and then, all of a sudden, [was] forced to live completely differently.” After Grandpa Mason grew accustomed to his home, Roche took in several foster kittens, and those new roommates completely altered Grandpa Mason’s behavior. Roche expected him to hiss, swat, or growl at the kittens when they invaded his space, but he didn’t. Instead, he allowed them to crawl all over him and appeared to enjoy it when they licked his ear. Suddenly a playful, affectionate, and gentle personality came out of Grandpa Mason as he played with, bathed, taught, and cared for the orphaned kittens that Roche welcomed into her home. Potentially due to the kittens’ influence, Grandpa Mason surpassed his prognosis by more than two years. During the last few years of his life, Grandpa Mason passed on important lessons and good manners to the kittens he looked after and adored, as a true grandfather should. He passed last September, but he spent his last night in his ultimate happy place: snuggling in his bed surrounded by kittens. THE STORY OF GRANDPA MASON How a Feral Cat Came to Care for Orphaned Kittens
STICKY AND SWEET PORK ‘RIBS’
Inspired by Bon Appétit
Whether you’re celebrating your mom or those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, there’s no better recipe to grill up than these delectable country-style pork ribs.
Ingredients
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1/2 cup chili oil
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2 heads garlic, cloves separated
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1/3 cup oyster sauce
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3 thumbs ginger, chopped
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1/3 cup toasted sesame oil
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1 cup hoisin sauce
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5 lbs boneless pork shoulder, flattened
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3/4 cup fish sauce
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2/3 cup honey
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3/4 cup brown sugar
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2/3 cup rice wine
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1 tbsp molasses
Directions
1. In a blender, purée garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, honey, rice wine, chili oil, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil until smooth. 2. Reserve and chill 1 1/2 cups for later use. 3. In a bag, add the remaining mixture and pork shoulder. Marinate for at least 8 hours. 4. Using a convection plate on the grill, cook pork until the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 140–145 F. 5. In a large saucepan, simmer brown sugar, molasses, and reserved marinade for 6–8 minutes. 6. Baste the pork with the brown sugar glaze for 2 minutes before serving.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
(256) 533-5000 www.LetUsFight4U.com 7800 Madison Blvd., Ste. 700 Huntsville, AL 35806
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Joining 2 Firms Into 1 Amazing Experience
Is a 55-Plus Community Right for You? A $60,000 Robbery With No Jail Time
2
Sticky and Sweet Pork ‘Ribs’ The Best Grandfather a Kitten Could Have
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Technology Saves the Day
HOW TO STAY IN TOUCHWITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHILE FOLLOWING SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES
SPRUCE UP EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES.
Get in touch with other parents to set up virtual play dates over video chats for your kids. They can even watch a movie or TV show together.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are encouraging communities across the U.S. to practice social distancing. While this will help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, it also means that social interactions will be minimal. In addition to impeding many industries and businesses, this has significant impacts on families and friends who can no longer visit each other in person. Luckily, the technology we have today allows us to stay in touch while still practicing social responsibility.
Hopping on the phone or your laptop to video chat is a great way to reach out and catch up with loved ones. While folding laundry or doing other mundane chores, give a friend or your parents a call to idly chat; it can make your tedious tasks much more enjoyable. Video calls are also beneficial if, for example, you’re missing out on your daily workouts with a friend. Hop on a video chat to practice yoga, cardio, or other simple exercise routines together.
HOST A MOVIE NIGHT.
Speaking of movies, Netflix developed a unique way for people to watch movies and shows together: Netflix Party. If you have a desktop or laptop with a Chrome browser, visit NetflixParty. com to download the application. Once downloaded, open the movie or TV series you’d like to watch, create or join a “party,” then relax and enjoy the show while chatting with friends. These are only a few examples of how we can stay in touch during these concerning times. Talk with your family and friends and see what other creative ideas you can come up with together. Even though you may be apart from loved ones right now, virtual communication has never been easier or more plentiful.
LET YOUR KIDS CHAT WITH FRIENDS.
Kids can benefit from video chatting by staying in touch with their friends while school and other activities are canceled. Letting your kids connect to social media is a pretty big step, so consider signing themup for Yoursphere or Kidzworld, kid- friendly networks that let them keep in touch with their friends while you canmonitor their activity.
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