Check out our April newsletter!
Justice MONTHLY
229-888-0888 • www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
APRIL 2022
Prevent Tragedy HOW YOU CAN AVOID THIS DEVASTATING PERSONAL INJURY CASE
Every day, I help victims of injuries caused by workplace, motor vehicle, or premises accidents receive the compensation they deserve and need to recover. As a result, I see a lot of devastation and witness a lot of resiliency. But there is one component to this work that can be pretty emotional and upsetting no matter how you look at it.
a park or your neighborhood. But keep this same principle in mind at home! For instance, if you receive packages or have people visiting your home, be aware of your dog’s temperament for strangers or other people. It’s best to keep them inside your home when dealing with delivery drivers, as this almost always negates the possibility of a bite incident. Make sure your fencing is secure, too. Owners should also spay or neuter their pets to limit the opportunity or desire of a dog to escape and find a mate. This safe procedure can also help an anxious or aggressive dog become more calm, as their hormone balance will change. Training can also create a calmer dog. The better trained your dog is, the more control you have over it. This also gives you the confidence and the tools needed to mitigate potential disasters before they occur. Dog bite prevention also starts in the home. Children are the most common victims of dog bites. It’s important to teach children not to approach unknown dogs and to ask owners before petting their animals. Children should also be taught that loud noises, putting their face close to a dog’s, or their version of play could be seen as aggression toward dogs. Teach your children to be cautious around new animals. Responding to Dog Bites After a bite, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately and record the effects of the bite with photographic evidence. These injuries can have lasting
These are our dog bite cases .
These cases are a tragic situation for the families of those who are injured and the family of the dog responsible for the incident. It can also involve sticky situations with property owners, who may not be aware of a dog or type of dog on the premises. Because National Dog Bite Prevention Week is in April, I want to take this opportunity to provide a few prevention tips and the background surrounding these cases. Georgia is among the top 10 states to report dog bites, costing more than $853 million in 2020, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). So, it’s vital that you heed this warning to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your four-legged companions. Preventing Dog Bites Dog bite prevention is two-fold, involving both owners and parents. For owners, there are necessary steps that need to happen to prevent an injury. At the most basic level, dogs should be leashed in areas where it’s legally required, like in
impacts with nerve damage, scarring, and anxiety. Survivors often struggle to feel safe around dogs and may be sensitive about their scars after an attack. It’s important to provide these victims with the resources they need after an attack, so seek legal representation immediately to ensure your family is protected. If you’re an owner, it’s important to remember that Georgia has a one-bite grace period for dogs, but this can be voided if we can prove that the dog was in violation of a local leash law or ordinance at the time of the incident. Your best route to avoid this is to prevent dog bites in the first place. You can learn more about preventing dog bites online at AVMA.org. As always, my law firm is prepared to help you or your loved ones if you are the victim of a bite. But my hope is that never has to happen.
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
www.puttingpeoplefirst.law | 1
TAKE YOUR INTERNAL PEP TALKS UP A NOTCH
WITH TIPS FROM ‘CHATTER’
You probably know about the benefits of positive self-talk, but have you mastered it? If not — or if you’ve never heard that phrase — "Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It" by Ethan Kross may be the most important book you read in 2022.
“chatter”) and giving your self-confidence a boost. One of his biggest tips, which drives a big chunk of the book, is the importance of creating “mental distance” during your internal pep talks. Mental distance is exactly what it sounds like — stepping back mentally from your worries and problems so you can gain a new perspective. Kross goes over several ways to do this, including trying to “look back” at your current situation from one, five, or 10 years later; comparing this hurdle to tougher ones in your life; and shifting your internal monologue to third person so you can try talking to yourself as if you were your own friend. With these strategies, we can transform our thoughts, rather than avoid them. Of course, those suggestions just scratch the surface of what’s offered in the book. Kross also goes over how to help your friends, colleagues, and employees eliminate chatter, and how mastering your inner voice will help you thrive under pressure. The magazine Inc. named “Chatter” one of the "4 Business Books That Will Accelerate Your Success In 2022” — don’t miss it.
Positive self-talk is something most of us engage in daily. It’s the “you can do this” nudge you give yourself to combat dark thoughts like “I don’t know what I’m doing” and “no one will take me seriously” before a big presentation. But few resources give you precise strategies for how to engage in positive self-talk effectively so you can make those negative impulses go away.
After a workplace injury, there can be a lot of uncertainty. For many, the biggest concern aside from healing is how they will be able to support their family. After all, a job isn’t just a passion; it’s a way to fund basic needs. Workers’ compensation is designed to protect employees from this, but the payments you receive while on this program may not be enough to cover the bills you need to pay. As a result, some people look for side gigs or light work that doesn’t require physical demands to pad their expenses. “Chatter” is an exception to the rule, perhaps because it was written by an actual psychologist! Leaning heavily on scientific research and engaging case studies, Kross offers concrete tips for reducing negative thoughts (what he calls CAN I WORK ON WORKERS’ COMP? The Definitive Answer Here!
and are receiving benefits without notifying the state of your employment status, you could lose your benefits and face charges of fraud. This is guaranteed if you have a “no work” status and receive benefits for that status.
However, like most areas of the law, this isn’t so cut and dry.
There are some instances in which you could pick up a part-time job, start a side hustle, or be employed at an office job and still receive worker’s compensation. In those scenarios, you have to be approved for light work and file it with the state. This can be a difficult status to obtain, but it does grant permission for “light work” in most scenarios where it’s approved. In these situations, you will likely be placed on partial or temporary workers' compensation status. The biggest point to take away from this is that if you want to work while still receiving workers’ compensation benefits, discuss your options with your attorney. While it may not be feasible, this discussion can prevent you from committing fraud and losing your benefits completely. As a silver lining, you just might learn that working while maintaining your benefits is an option for you! If you or someone you know is injured in the workplace and needs clarification on their rights, please contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. at 229-888-0888 today.
If this is you, you may want to reconsider. You should not work while receiving workers’ compensation benefits. If you are employed
2 | 229-888-0888
A ‘CRYSTAL BALL’ FOR INSURANCE RATES
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our March newsletter: The best way to know what may happen after an accident is to review your insurance policy. Speak with a trusted agent if you have any questions. Remember, you won’t be able to determine with certainty how an accident will impact your insurance, and if you are involved in an accident, do not speak with any affiliate of the insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Our team at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can help you receive the compensation you need from an insurance company after an accident. Call us today at 229-888-0888. accident occurred, you can expect your rates to increase because the insurance company will “punish” you for the payouts they make to other drivers, pedestrians, and those with property damage (even if they fight against these payments). If you were a victim or the driver of a vehicle hit by the at-fault driver, the responsibility for payments falls onto the at-fault driver’s insurance, so your rates shouldn’t increase. There may be instances where drivers involved in an accident see increased car insurance payments after an accident. In these scenarios, if it was discovered that both drivers share responsibility for the accident, their insurance companies could raise their rates. While unlikely, some insurance companies may choose not to increase a party’s payments if the percentage at which they were at-fault is low enough.
Predicting insurance is a lot like predicting how much money the slot machine at the casino will deposit; it’s impossible to do! But while you may not know how much your rates will increase, there is a scenario in which you can be guaranteed that they will jump. In Georgia, car insurance rates can spike by as much as 60% per year after an accident. The severity of the accident, the details of the accident, and the location (i.e. if it’s not in Georgia) can impact how much your insurer decides to raise your rates. And these rates could be the reality for years because it takes a long time for the insurance company to consider you a “good driver” again.
However, there is a caveat: Car insurance rates should only increase if you are the at-fault driver. This means if you are the reason why an
ONE-PAN CHICKEN TACOS
This recipe from TikTok user @violet.cooks almost broke the internet — and you’ll see why! The fried tortillas make it out-of- this-world delicious.
Brian Gibson Earnest Price
Gregory Ingram William Lattimore
Ingredients • 1 lb chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch pieces • 2 tbsp garlic powder • 2 tbsp cumin • 2 tbsp chipotle powder
• Canola oil (for frying) • Corn tortillas • Grated cheddar cheese • Pico de gallo and guacamole salsa (to taste)
Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments about our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
Directions 1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, garlic powder, cumin, and chipotle powder. Mix until the chicken is coated. 2. In a frying pan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken mixture. Cook on medium heat for 5–8 minutes. 3. Remove the chicken from the pan, and add the corn tortillas (avoid overlapping) so they soak up the juices. Flip the tortillas and repeat. Then, add chicken and grated cheddar to each tortilla and fold it over the filling — in the pan. 4. Cook the tacos for 3 minutes per side until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. 5. Top with pico and guacamole salsa, and serve!
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
www.puttingpeoplefirst.law | 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
1918 DAWSON RD. ALBANY, GA 31707
Let’s Prevent This Tragedy Together PAGE 1
'Chatter:' Your Guide to Thriving Under Pressure
Think Twice Before Working on Workers’ Comp! PAGE 2
Can You Predict Insurance Rates?
One-Pan Chicken Tacos PAGE 3
Lawn Care Hacks You Need This Spring PAGE 4
GREENER PASTURES Have a Beautiful Lawn With Less Work
poke two or three holes in the cap with a needle, and bury them upside-down around your plants. The slow trickle will keep them watered for a week or more. Mow smarter, not harder. For most people, mowing is their most time-consuming outdoor maintenance task. Since you spend so much time on it, you need some hacks. First, don’t bag or rake your lawn clippings; use the mulch setting instead. It’s easier and better for your lawn. Second, if you mow in rows, it’s time to switch up your routine. Instead, work in a spiral, starting at the edges of the lawn and working inward. You’ll save both time and energy when you don’t have to wrestle the mower into sharp 180-degree turns. Love it or hate it, lawn care needs to get done. These tips will help you get the process finished quicker, so you can get back to doing the things you love — whether that’s watching TV or planting even more flowers!
As we head into spring, it’s time to fire up the mower and break out your hedging shears. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you want your yardwork to take all day. If you’d rather be doing anything else, these tips will help you put away your gardening gloves all that much faster. And if maintaining the lawn and garden is your Zen time, they’ll give you time for new projects to beautify your home. Vanquish weeds naturally. Dandelions are ugly, but weedkillers are pricey and bad for the environment. If you’re battling weeds, attack them naturally with a pot of boiling water. The heat will kill the plants instantly, so this tip works best for isolated weeds growing
between cracks in the pavement. If you’re planting your garden, lay down old newspaper before mulching. It will prevent weeds from popping up, and the separate sheets make it easier to work with than landscaping fabric. Make watering easier. If you want a lush lawn and garden, watering is essential. But doing it too frequently can be wasteful — and that’s if you manage to remember. Try only watering your lawn twice a week, but for lengthier periods. About 20 minutes should do the trick, and you’ll save water overall. Meanwhile, if you struggle to remember to water the garden, automate the process cheaply. Take water bottles,
Published by Newsletter Pro . www.NewsletterPro.com
4 | 229-888-0888
HAVE YOU OR A LOVED ONE USED ZANTAC? PLUS AN UPDATE ON CANCERS INCLUDED IN THIS CASE!
Do you or a loved one now suffer from cancer, nervous system disorders, liver failure, and other debilitating or deadly diseases?
If so, you may have a claim against the pharmaceutical manufacturers of Zantac.
In September 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Zantac — the over-the-counter name of the heartburn medication ranitidine — contained elevated and unsafe levels of the carcinogenic contaminant N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Experts claim that when the medication comes in contact with water, its production of NDMA increases. The FDA is continuing to investigate the cause of the elevated levels of the carcinogen. As a result, thousands of mass tort lawsuits have been filed on behalf of those who have been diagnosed with cancer and other dangerous illnesses after the continued use of Zantac. Evidence suggests that the manufacturers of Zantac were aware of the potentially deadly qualities of NDMAs and its presence in ranitidine when they mass-marketed the product. The Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. are your south Georgia mass tort case experts, so call us at 229-888-0888 today. Our attorneys will be there with you through every step in the process and work tirelessly to ensure you get the justice you deserve.
Continued on Back ...
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with one of the following cancers after taking Zantac, you may be entitled to compensation and justice for your suffering.
Cancers included in the Zantac mass tort case: • Liver
• Stomach • Bladder
• Esophageal • Pancreatic
The Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. are your south Georgia mass tort case experts, so call us at 229-888-0888 today. Our attorneys will be there with you through every step in the process and work tirelessly to ensure you get the justice you deserve.
We will continue to update you as this investigation progresses and more details are released.
229-888-0888 www.puttingpeoplefirst.law
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator