CHOOSE THE RIGHT SITTER FOR YOUR PET YOUR FAMILY MAY NOT BE UP TO THE TASK!
How to Find the Right Pro When choosing a professional pet sitter, don’t start with the flier on the stop sign pole down the street (it was probably put up by a 10-year-old). Instead, call your pet’s vet, groomer, and/or trainer and ask if they can recommend a nearby pet sitter. You can also ask friends and family who are conscientious pet owners. Then, thoroughly check the sitter’s credentials and experience. Look for signs that they’re serious about their work, like certifications, insurance, and background check information, and set up an interview and meet-and-greet with your pet.
When your children were young, you wouldn’t trust their care to any old babysitter, would you? Of course not! Now, your pets are no different. When you head out for a summer vacation, they deserve to be cared for by someone who will pamper and protect them the same way you would. The only problem is, who? Friends and Family vs. Professionals You may be tempted to ask your sibling, friend, or child to watch your pet. This can be a great solution because you trust them, and they’ve bonded with your furry friend already. But have you considered a professional? Some situations may call for a little more. Use these questions to help you decide: • Will your friend or family member be able to visit your home regularly or stay there temporarily while you’re gone to avoid disrupting your pet’s routine? • Does your pet have a disability or need to take medication that would be better handled by a professional? • Does your friend or family member know how to stay cool and react calmly in case of a veterinary emergency? If your loved one is pressed for time or easily stressed, or your pet has medical needs, you may be better off working with a professional.
If you can’t find a sitter through your network, consider online groups like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Care.com, Pet Sitters International, Rover, or TrustedHousesitters, and use the same vetting strategy. For more help choosing a great sitter, visit HumaneSociety.org/resources.
A Must-Know Timeline for Truck Accident Victims ‘HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY SETTLEMENT CHECK?’ If you were recently involved in a truck accident and a stack of unpaid medical bills is growing on your desk, you probably only have one question: “How long until I get my settlement check?” It seems like a simple question, but the answer is complicated. Here in Virginia, it takes a long time for a truck accident case to make its way through the court system. The process involves several steps, including acquiring evidence, filing a demand letter, determining liability, negotiating the settlement amount, and valuing the damages. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can complicate things, too. If you have a mild TBI from the crash, that shouldn’t slow down your case’s timeline. But if your injury is severe, it could be in your best interest to wait a year or more before filing your lawsuit so you can identify which of your symptoms are temporary and which are permanent before negotiating compensation. All of that said, here’s the cut-and-dry answer to your question: The process typically takes about a year and a half. If you read last month’s newsletter, you might remember that our firm recently partnered with Jonathan Wren to win a $3.5-million settlement for one of our clients who was injured in a tractor-trailer collision. We initially filed that case in December 2021 and just closed it this summer — so it took one year and five months for our client to get her check.
Waiting for compensation is incredibly frustrating and stressful. But if you have a great lawyer, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Ultimately, we recommend putting this question out of your mind as best as you can. Instead of dwelling on how quickly your settlement will come, focus on your recovery, whether your settlement is fair, and whether it legitimately covers your damages. In the long run, those things are all more important than speed!
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