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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
DeWittLaw.com
407-245-7723
BE SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN WITH THESE 4 TRICK-OR-TREATING TIPS We’re closing in on Halloween season! These next few weeks will be full of decorating the house, finding the perfect costumes, and stocking up on candy to pass out to trick-or-treaters. While trick-or- treating can certainly be fun, it can also be dangerous when proper safety measures aren’t taken.
AVOID DRINKING ALCOHOL. If you’re taking your kids out trick-or-treating, put the alcohol away until you’re back at home. You aren’t as aware as you normally are when you drink, and your attention will not be focused on your children. When you’re out with your children at night, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Additionally, if you are not taking your children out trick-or- treating and are instead going to a costume party, do not drink and drive. Order a ride-share vehicle or get a designated driver if you want to drink away from home on Halloween. That decision could save someone’s life. CHECK YOUR CHILDREN’S CANDY. While it’s incredibly unlikely that you’ll find drugs or razor blades within your children’s candy haul, there are other dangers lurking within. Some candy may be expired, which can make your child ill. There are also allergies that you need to be aware of so that
According to a study conducted by State Farm, children are twice as likely to be fatally injured by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. If your kids are going out trick-or-treating this year, follow my four tips so that your children’s Halloween adventures are safe and fun. WEAR BRIGHT OR WELL-LIT COSTUMES. It can be difficult for drivers to see children in dark costumes, so find ways to make them more visible. If you can, have your child choose a costume that consists of bright colors. If they’re committed to their dark costume, apply some reflective tape to the costume so they’re easily noticed by drivers. Everyone should also be carrying a flashlight or lantern to make the entire party more visible. ACCOMPANY YOUR CHILDREN. The question about when parents should let their children trick-or- treat on their own has been around for years. While many experts believe that children over the age of 13 are fine to trick-or-treat on their own, you can never be too careful. Your presence will keep them out of trouble while also keeping them safe. If you do decide to let your kids trick-or-treat on their own, make sure you know the path they are taking and that your children have a cellphone on them so you can contact them if need be.
your child doesn’t accidentally eat something harmful. If you find any candy that is unwrapped or suspicious, throw it away. It’s not worth the risk.
Halloween is a fun and exciting time for the whole family, but being safe should be your biggest priority. Even if you don’t have kids out trick-or-treating, still use the utmost caution if you leave your house. I hope you all have a wonderful start to the fall season and a fun-filled Halloween! – Moe DeWitt
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PERSONAL INJURY - AUTO ACCIDENT - DIVORCE
Life Can Be Unpredictable PRESERVING THE BALANCE OF WORK AND FAMILY LIFE
Workers shouldn’t have to choose between the job they need and the family members they love. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to allow employees to take reasonable unpaid leave for a particular family or medical reason so they can maintain a work/life balance. WHAT DOES IT PROVIDE? The FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave a year with the requirement of group health benefits to be maintained during the leave as if employees were continuing to work. They are also entitled to resume their same or equivalent job at the end of their FMLA leave. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FMLA? FMLA applies to all public agencies, all public and private elementary and
secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees. Employees can be eligible for FMLA if they have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location that employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. WHEN CAN I USE FMLA LEAVE? An eligible employee can be granted up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for the following reason(s):
(child, spouse, or parent, but does not include parent in-laws) To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work due to a serious health condition For qualifying exigencies arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, child, or parent is on covered active duty or call to covered active- duty status as a member of the National Guard, Reserves, or Regular Armed Forces
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The FMLA exists so employees can tend to their families without worrying about their job, allowing them to provide the best care for their loved ones. For more information regarding whether or not your company is eligible for FMLA, check out your local government agency for more details.
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Birth of and/or bonding with a newborn child
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The placement of a child for adoption or foster care with the employee To care for an immediate family member with a serious condition
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WE CAN HELP! Affected by Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
Did you or a loved one reside or serve on active duty at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987? If so, you may be entitled to recover monetary damages for harm from exposure to contaminated water. Between 1953 and 1987, the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with toxic chemicals such as perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, benzene, and more. The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune contained many toxic chemicals linked to different types of cancer including lung, brain, leukemia, thyroid, esophageal, breast, bladder, liver, and kidney cancers. In addition to this, there have been other illnesses linked to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune including cardiac
defects, neurobehavioral disorders, Parkinson’s disease, nephrotoxicity, and many more. Birth defects, miscarriages, and childhood cancers have also been linked to this toxic water. In 1985, the maximum PCE level in Lejeune’s water was 215 parts per billion; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems anything over five parts per billion to be unsafe for consumption or use. Even with this information, it’s been difficult for those affected to get the compensation they deserved in the past. There was a North Carolina law, referred to as the statute of repose that gave plaintiffs only 10 years to bring a claim for disease, which prevented many veterans from bringing civil action to
Camp Lejeune. Additionally, the VA rejected a number of claims that stemmed from this issue. Now, there’s renewed hope — the Camp Lejeune Justice Act will help those affected pursue justice and will override the statute of repose. This enables those exposed to water contamination at the base for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, to file personal injury and wrongful death claims in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. If you or a loved one were potentially exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, give us a call today.
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Been in an Auto Accident?
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
When an individual is involved in a car accident, it can be a stressful and frustrating situation, especially if they were not at fault for the accident. We see this a lot and help people every day through these situations. We’ve really come to understand how hard this can be for people, so we do what we can to make their lives easier during the process. The simple truth about accidents is that they can happen to anyone at any time. It doesn’t matter how experienced a driver you are or how short of a distance you’re traveling, there’s always the potential for an accident. Some people even get into multiple accidents that are not their fault, and they need help getting what they rightly deserve. That’s exactly what happened to our client, Daniel. “Last October, I was rear-ended on my way home. I contacted Moe while I was still in the parking lot. We took some pictures. Everything
was running smoothly for the first week or two, and then we had lots of hiccups with the other insurance company trying to call me and fight for information. Phillip and Jennifer took care of any problem that did pop up. They called me back within 30 minutes and said everything was taken care of and then called me to let me know a deal was reached. So, a lot of the stress and hassle we’ve had to deal with was taken care of because we contacted DeWitt. This is the second case we’ve had with them. If I had to recommend DeWitt, I definitely would to anybody who gets in an auto accident. Hopefully, there won’t be a third, but if there is, I definitely will be calling Moe.” –Daniel It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to make the situation even more difficult for those who are involved. If you find yourself in a similar situation and are unsure of where to turn, give us a call. We’ll find ways to help you.
FROZEN MOCHA TORTE
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
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1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
1. In a small bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, sugar, and butter. 2. In a greased 9-inch pan, add the wafer mixture and press to the bottom. 3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate syrup until smooth. 4. In a separate dish or cup, dissolve coffee granules in hot water. Once combined, add to the cream cheese mixture and fold in whipped cream. 5. Pour mixture evenly over the crust. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or overnight. 6. Remove from the freezer 10–15 minutes before serving. Garnish with chocolate- covered coffee beans if desired.
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1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted 1 8-oz package cream cheese, softened 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk 2/3 cup chocolate syrup 2 tbsp instant coffee granules 1 cup heavy cream, whipped Chocolate-covered coffee beans (optional) 1 tbsp hot water
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Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
| 3 PERSONAL INJURY - AUTO ACCIDENT - DIVORCE
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Tips for a Safe and Fun Halloween
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Your Guide to Family and Medical Leave
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Were You Affected by Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
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Relieving Our Clients of Stress After an Accident
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Frozen Mocha Torte
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The Insane Story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon
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It’s Unbelievably True! THE CRAZY OLYMPIC MARATHON OF 1904
In 1904, the year of America’s first Olympics, the men’s marathon was a bizarre spectacle to behold. In fact, it was likely the most jaw-dropping event ever in the history of the Olympic Games. On that hot, sweltering summer day in St. Louis, MO, only 14 of the 32 Olympic competitors crossed the finish line on what was deemed the most difficult course anyone was ever asked to undertake. Thomas Hicks, the American who actually came in first, received the slowest time of all of the Olympic marathons since 1896. But why was this one so tough?
course with seven hills was a bit much for competitors. Not to mention, support cars were churning up dust, leaving it behind for the runners to inhale, and they only had two water stations available before the halfway mark — and none in the second half! Even seasoned runners were not up to this crazy course! Three hours and 13 minutes after the marathon began, Fred Lorz, who had ridden a third of the course in a car, crossed the finish line. He was about to be adorned with a floral wreath when he confessed he had gotten so tired that he accepted a ride from one of the cars along the way, so he was disqualified.
Thomas Hicks, the true winner, was struggling with just 7 more miles to go. His fans on the sidelines provided him with a secret energy booster mix — a concoction containing strychnine (rat poison), brandy, and egg whites. By the time he crossed the finish line, he was hallucinating. And the fourth-place winner from Cuba wore dress pants and shoes for the entire race (because he lost his money gambling in New Orleans on his way to St. Louis and arrived after hitchhiking with nothing but the clothes on his back!). This 1904 Olympic marathon went down in history as the most bizarre and wildly entertaining race. Luckily, but surprisingly, nobody died!
With temperatures of roughly 104 degrees F and 90% humidity, a rigorous 24.85-mile
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PERSONAL INJURY - AUTO ACCIDENT - DIVORCE
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