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12/22
THE MOTTLEY CREW REVIEW
www.MottleyLawFirm.com | (804) 823-2011
IT’S TIME TO GO AFTER SCROOGE! HOW TO REACT IF YOU’RE HURT AT WORK When I worked as a defense lawyer, “victory” was denying someone compensation or, perhaps, denying them much compensation at all. I guess for some people that is rewarding enough. For me, though, I only got that feeling when the person seeking compensation had a meritless case, which for me, did not happen enough. Most injured people I encountered had a genuine injury and likely deserved something. The question was just how much. After years of doing this, I realized I wanted to represent Bob and Tiny Tim — not Scrooge. That’s why I started The Mottley Law Firm. Today, I help injured people instead of big companies. Most of my cases involve incidents on the highway, like tractor-trailer crashes, but sometimes my clients are injured on the job. That’s why workplace conditions are as important to me as they were to Dickens. People get traumatic brain injuries and other serious injuries at work all the time. These traumas often become workers’ compensation cases — which I don’t typically handle. But if multiple companies are working together on a single project, they can turn into personal injury cases instead, which I do take on. For example, years ago, I represented a gentleman who worked for an environmental company. A local waste management business contracted him to monitor the garbage dumped into its landfill. One day at the landfill, he was busy gathering data when a bulldozer backed right over him! Because the bulldozer belonged to the waste management business, not his employer, the incident became a personal injury case. If you or someone you know was injured at work, you probably have either a workers’ compensation case or a personal injury case, or both. Don’t let your Scrooge of a company get away with it — call my office for help, or tell your friend to reach out! I’m ready to help if you have a personal injury case, and if your case is a better fit for workers’ compensation I can send you to a trusted attorney and work with them every step of the way.
Before I opened The Mottley Law Firm and started representing people with serious injuries, I worked on the opposite side of the courtroom. For years, I defended railroads against workers who got hurt on the job, and I defended other companies against personal injury claims as well. Representing railroads was interesting. Usually, when someone gets injured at work, they have to file a workers’ compensation claim. But the railroads existed before workers’ compensation laws were enacted. To deal with railroad workplace injuries, Congress enacted the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) to govern compensation of railroad workers for workplace injuries. A lot of the cases I worked on during that time were interesting. I learned a lot, and I have a lot of good memories of the people I worked alongside. But looking back, those cases could get pretty contentious and unpleasant. I was likely called Ebenezer Scrooge, or worse, by many of my opponents. You probably know Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s famous novella “A Christmas Carol.” But did you know that Dickens wrote the book in part to protest the terrible working conditions in England? He was so shocked by a government report on child labor released in 1843 that he felt compelled to write a manifesto. At first, he called it “An Appeal to the People of England on Behalf of the Poor Man’s Child,” but eventually, it evolved into “A Christmas Carol.” Once you know the history, it’s easy to see where workers’ rights show up in the story. At the tale’s start, Scrooge is a terrible person and a particularly awful boss to his clerk, Bob Cratchit. He refuses to donate to the poor and doesn’t even want to give Bob time off for Christmas! It isn’t until three ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve that he finally sees the error of his greedy ways. By the end of the story, Scrooge is a much better boss. He gives Bob a pay raise, sends a turkey to his home for Christmas dinner, and even shows concern about his sick son, Tiny Tim.
Cheers to a safe, Scrooge-free holiday,
–Kevin Mottley
www.MottleyLawFirm.com | 1
GRANDMA BABS IS TAKING TIKTOK BY STORM!
Barbara Costello, deemed TikTok’s favorite grandma, has taken the world by storm with her cooking and lifestyle advice on the popular platform. Like most viral TikTok users, Costello “blew up” during the COVID-19 quarantine by showing users how to make easy meals at home and giving advice to make everyday living a little easier. Grandma Babs began her journey in April 2020. Her daughter, Liz Ariola, already had an established TikTok platform when she recruited her mother to start her own account. She was hesitant initially, but Grandma Babs lives by the mantra, “You’re never too old to try something new!” There was a future beyond entertainment, and Babs realized her show could also be used as a teaching tool. Grandma Babs’ first video — demonstrating how to cook a sheet-pan chicken recipe — received more than 130,000 views! The recipes she has collected throughout the decades from family, friends, magazines, and even newspapers have benefited many people. But since her recipe box can’t supply TikTok content forever, she began expanding her repertoire. She has posted many simple life-hack videos along with some wise grandmotherly advice. Grandma Babs’ fanbase ranges between 20–40-year-olds, and fans have found comfort in her presence as many couldn’t see their relatives during the quarantines of the past two years. COOKING UP FOOD FOR THE SOUL
She continues to use her TikTok platform to help people, but now she is on TV, too — like “Good Morning America” and “Access Hollywood.” TikTok has taken Grandma Babs to a celebrity status that has transitioned well from the phone screen to the television screen. Her most popular post to date has been an overnight breakfast casserole that caught the attention of Drew Barrymore, who then invited Costello to her show! So, what’s in store for Grandma Babs? She may be 72 years old, but her trajectory on the popular platform suggests she may host her own cooking show someday! But, she’s in no rush and would prefer her career to evolve naturally. She still enjoys her time on TikTok and plans to stay on as long as her content continues to help others.
Fact-Checking the TV Show ‘The Finder’ CAN A BRAIN INJURY TURN YOU INTO A SUPERHERO?
real-life condition known as acquired savant syndrome (ASS). As Scientific American puts it, “In acquired savant syndrome, astonishing new abilities, typically in music, art, or mathematics, appear unexpectedly in ordinary persons after a head injury, stroke, or another central nervous system (CNS) incident where no such abilities or interests were present pre-incident.” ASS is rare, but it does happen. In 1860, a man named Eadweard Muybridge was injured in a stagecoach crash and woke up to find he’d suddenly become a brilliant inventor. In 1994, New York orthopedic surgeon Tony Cicoria was struck by lightning and transformed into a pianist and composer overnight. Then there’s the story of college dropout Jason Padgett. In 2002, someone attacked Padgett in a bar and gave him a concussion. When he awoke in the hospital, the BBC reports that “[his] world was overlaid with geometric shapes and gridlines.” He became a math genius! Of course, ASS doesn’t appear without strings attached. It often coincides with scary personality changes, pain, symptoms of autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). More often than not, there are no upsides to a traumatic brain injury. If you or someone you know has experienced one because of an accident, don’t go straight for the Harvard applications — call our firm for help! We’ll make sure you get the treatment and compensation you need.
If you’re a fan of the TV show “Bones” — a crime procedural/comedy about a forensic anthropologist — you might remember the short- lived series “The Finder” from 2012. “The Finder” was a “Bones” spinoff with a different premise. The main character wasn’t a doctor but a veteran who gained superpowers from brain damage! “The Finder” focused on Walter Sherman, a former military police officer turned detective. According to IMDB, when Sherman walked into an IED explosion in Iraq, his traumatic brain injury “triggered the ability to see connections between seemingly unrelated events, objects, or people.” He uses this new superpower to solve crimes.
The premise of “The Finder” is pretty cool — but is it realistic?
This probably isn’t the answer you were expecting, but yes! It’s possible that Walter’s superpower in “The Finder” was a form of the
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SUDOKU
YOUR BURNING QUESTION, ANSWERED!
SOLUTION
Who Is at Fault in a Blind Spot Crash?
Our team at The Mottley Law Firm has handled dozens of tractor-trailer crash cases. These collisions are some of the worst on the road. They typically cause serious injuries that rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills. With so much money on the line, it’s vital to discover who caused the accident (aka who is at fault) — but that can be trickier than it seems. The Big Question Exceptional circumstances can create confusion over who is to blame for an accident. We hear this question regularly from clients who have been in tractor-trailer collisions: “ The truck driver claims they didn’t see my car before the crash. Who is at fault for the accident?” We call this kind of collision a “blind spot crash.” Assuming the trucker was telling the truth, the car was probably in one of their blind spots — places just in front of and behind the truck that are hidden from the driver. Even oversized side mirrors can’t eliminate these blind spots because of the way truck cabs are designed. Solving the Fault Puzzle You might think this blind spot problem would absolve the trucker of guilt. However, truck drivers should be trained to take their blind spots into account when they change lanes or merge on and off the highway. Now that electronic and mechanical safety features are available, there is no excuse for a truck driver to miss seeing a car. The Final Answer Ultimately, truck drivers have an ethical and legal responsibility to keep their blind spots in mind and avoid crashes. This means they are often (but not always) at fault in blind spot crashes. If you or someone you know has been in a blind spot crash, you can find out for sure who is to blame by calling our office. Our team will gather evidence and discover whether the truck driver is at fault or whether you can collect compensation from another party, like the trucking company, a loading crew, or even the manufacturer of a faulty truck part. With an experienced truck accident attorney on your side, the fault puzzle isn’t so puzzling.
WHOVILLE ROAST BEAST
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • •
1/4 cup brown sugar
• • • • • •
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp paprika
4 thyme sprigs
2 tsp black pepper
2 rosemary sprigs 1/2 cup beef broth
2 tsp salt
3 tbsp olive oil
1 12-oz bottle of stout beer 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes (with liquid)
1 5-lb bone-in rib-eye roast
3 tbsp butter
2 heads of garlic, halved
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, pepper, salt, and olive oil. 3. Place roast in a baking pan and coat with spice mixture. Let marinate uncovered in refrigerator for 1 hour. 4. Place pan on stove over high heat. Brown the roast on all sides, then add butter, garlic, and herbs. 5. When butter melts, add broth, beer, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. 6. Transfer pan to oven. Braise until meat is tender, up to 2 hours. 7. Remove roast from pan and let rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, strain pan juices and put back into pan and boil until reduced by half. When finished, slice roast and serve with pan sauce.
Inspired by TasteMade.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
8001 Franklin Farms Drive, Suite 125 Richmond, Virginia 23229
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
www.MottleyLawFirm.com | (804) 823-2011
1
How to Handle a Workplace Injury
2
TikTok’s Grandma Babs’ Advice and Recipes Bring Comfort
When an Injury Becomes a Superpower
3
The Truth About Blind Spot Crashes Whoville Roast Beast
4
Best Christmas Tree Attractions to Visit this Holiday Season
TRAVEL-WORTHY CHRISTMAS TREES LIGHTING UP LIFE ONE PINE NEEDLE AT A TIME
The Rockefeller Center Tree in New York City
As the holiday season approaches, the twinkling lights and spectacular Christmas tree attractions are always a must-see! Here are the best travel destinations to catch a glimpse of one of the pillars of the holidays.
from the U.S. Marine Band performed as the tree was lit. The Coeur d’Alene Resort Tree in Idaho Also known as the World’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree, this grand fir holds the record at 162 feet tall. It is festively decorated with more than 40,000 lights that twinkle in time to the music of “Jingle Bells,” and the tree is crowned with a 10-foot-wide star!
The Rockefeller Center tree is located just west of 5th Avenue from 47th through 51st streets in New York City and dates back to the Depression era, with the first tree placed there in 1931. This beloved tourist attraction draws thousands yearly with its dazzling lights and grand scale. To even be considered a contender for this role, a tree must be at least 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide!
The Biltmore Christmas Tree in North Carolina
The National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. This American favorite has long been a
This majestic 55-foot Norway spruce tree is in front of the Biltmore Estate and lit as guests make their way down the path of luminaries. With ornaments and miles of garland, this tree is selected for the Banquet Hall each year for guests from all over to see. Some are lucky enough to live near or in a city with a magnificent tree, but if you don’t, consider traveling to one of these locations to enjoy the holiday with your loved ones.
tradition. Every year, the ceremony begins with live performances by musical artists, and an annual highlight is when the president delivers a message of peace. President Calvin Coolidge was the first president to light the National Christmas Tree in 1923. The tree was 48 feet high and decorated with 2,500 red, white, and green electric bulbs. A local choir and a quartet
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