Law Offices of Paul Levin - April 2018

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LAW NEWS APRIL 2018

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THE HARTFORD YARD GOATS

What Could Possibly Bring a Red Sox Fan and a Yankees Fan Together?

being able to give the Yard Goats the same color scheme as the old Hartford Whalers, the team that left in 1997 to become the Carolina Hurricanes.

M inor league baseball has some of the greatest team names in all of sports. Where else are you going to find the Rubber Ducks playing against the Biscuits?

Here at the office, we’re both baseball fans, but we’re divided when it comes to our team allegiances. While we argue legal cases together

as a team, we argue about baseball on opposite sides of the table. Kelly is a big Red Sox fan. Paul is a big Yankees fan. You can see where this might be an issue. We’d hire a mediator, but let’s face it — there’s no fixing this situation. We’ll have to let the teams do the talking for us, starting on April 10 when the Yankees open up a three-game series in Boston. The best part of having the Yard Goats is that it improves our community. We’re sure Hartford’s geography puts many of you in the same situation we’re in. We’re smack dab in the middle of Boston and New York,

Or even the Jumbo Shrimp versus the Blue Wahoos? It’s pure, unadulterated fun, and we can’t get enough of it. That’s why we were so excited when Hartford got its very own team. But when it came time to come up with a unique name of its own, the team did something very different. Rather than leave it up to ownership or the players, the team opened it up to the public. What followed brought us the final product of Hartford’s very own Yard Goats.

“THE YARD GOATS BRING US TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF TO CELEBRATE ALL THE GREAT THINGS BASEBALL MEANS TO OUR COMMUNITY.”

Some of you may remember the “Name the Team” contest, as it drew in 6,000

submissions. What you may not remember is that Yard Goats nearly lost out to Whirlybirds. Hartford’s new mascot was chosen out of a final list of five fan-submitted names: Hedgehogs, Praying Mantis, River Hogs, Whirlybirds, and Yard Goats. When it finally got down to it, Yard Goats prevailed. While the logo is an actual goat, a yard goat is something quite different. In the train industry, a yard goat is a slang term for a switch engine. These are the small trains that move train cars and assemble them for a full-blown locomotive to take over for transport. Just as with any sports team name, there are going to be people who dislike it. But this is minor league baseball, and it’s supposed to be fun! Perhaps one of the nicest parts of bringing a team to Hartford was

so there are bound to be fans pulled in either direction. The Yard Goats bring us together under one roof to celebrate all the great things baseball means to our community. It allows us to come together as a city to celebrate all the wonderful aspects of Hartford. People of all backgrounds are brought together to root for the home team, no matter how odd the name may be. That’s why we love what we do as a firm, because we care about our community and we want to serve others. The Yard Goats do the same, just in a very different way. –Paul Levin & Kelly Kasheta

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Spring is in bloom, and there’s no better time to get some fresh air. If you are looking for a way to get your family outside and away from their screens, why not plan a spring-themed scavenger hunt? More than just a fun way to spend the afternoon, scavenger hunts build problem-solving skills, encourage teamwork, and get your family to exercise their minds and bodies. Here are some tips on how to plan a memorable family scavenger hunt. Play in Teams Your whole family can participate together, but it can also be fun to strike up some friendly competition with teams. Have at least one parent or an older, responsible sibling on each team to make sure everyone stays safe and follows the rules. Take Pictures Since everyone has a camera on their phone, why not use it? By taking pictures, you don’t have to worry about losing anything you find, and your teams can more safely collect certain items. For example, bird feathers are a great item for a spring scavenger hunt, but you don’t want your kids to touch them. Make a rule that a team FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNTS Made Easy Searching for Spring Motorcycle accidents aren’t like most accidents. In a car, you’re tucked in tight with a seatbelt and safety measures backed by millions of dollars in research and development. When you ride a motorcycle, you’re exposed and vulnerable. This makes riding a motorcycle extremely dangerous, especially in the case of a collision. Based on a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatalities occur 27 times more frequently on motorcycles than with any other vehicle. When we had someone come to us fighting for the memory of their loved one involved in a motorcycle accident, we took the case. Our client passed away after being struck on his motorcycle by a vehicle on Route 9. The driver of the vehicle claimed that our client was driving erratically with no lights on his motorcycle. But the evidence suggested that the motorcycle malfunctioned and caused our client to pull off to the side of the road to fix his bike. The investigation revealed that the driver who struck our client had been drinking that night. After further digging, it was determined that alcohol played a significant role in the accident — there was very little slowing or braking before impact. This led to a consensus that delayed reaction time and possible impairment from alcohol consumption had a major effect on the accident. Case Highlight Series

member must appear in every picture so no one can cheat by finding photos online. Customize Your List There are plenty of scavenger hunt lists online, but it’s more fun to brainstorm with your family. Have everyone think of three to five spring-related items, like yellow flowers, a kite, or a rabbit-shaped cloud. Do some research into your local flora and fauna. If you put a bluebird on the list, you might want to make sure there are bluebirds in your area. Don’t Forget the Prizes! Prizes don’t have to be elaborate to be fun. It can be something simple, like Popsicles or fake medals, or maybe the winning team gets to pick a restaurant for dinner. Scavenger hunts are one of the best ways to create lasting family memories this spring without breaking the bank. Just get your list, gather your family, and have fun. Happy hunting!

SERIOUS INJURIES DESERVE SERIOUS EXPERIENCE

After taking all this into consideration, our case became difficult for the other party to defend. Motorcyclists have the same rights to the road, though the way they’re treated does not always reflect that right. This empowered our case and eventually helped us earn a settlement out of court for nearly the full amount of the liability insurance policy. Serious injuries deserve serious experience, and motorcycle injuries are among the most serious injuries we see. If you’re the victim of an accident, we want to help. Contact us today, and let us show you how we’ve helped thousands of clients find the results they are entitled to.

Attorneys Paul Levin & Kelly Kasheta

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3 FEET ISN’T ENOUGH Be Mindful of Cyclists

Turkey and Broccoli PASTA WITH When you are cognizant of bicyclists, you’re not only protecting bicyclists — you’re protecting yourself, as well. We frequently fight for bicyclists who have been injured in biking accidents. Failure to be aware of bicyclists could end in a lawsuit. If you have been in one of these situations, contact us today and let us fight for you. Our state should be safe for everyone, and that includes bicyclists. Keep Your Eyes Peeled Bicycle laws in Connecticut require riders to provide ample safety features. At night, bicyclists must have a front light that can be seen from 500 feet, a rear light that’s visible from 600 feet, and reflective material on each side that is visible from 600 feet. Most bicyclists will add even more lights or reflective material in an attempt to further limit their risk of an accident. Even with all this, it still requires an attentive driver to notice a bicyclist. This means limiting distractions while driving.

Though bicycles have the same rights as any other vehicle, they are often bullied on the roads. When you take into account the advantages a car has, it’s easy to see why. Traffic lanes are 12 feet wide and keep surrounding cars about 6 feet away from each other. Meanwhile, a bike lane might be a couple feet wide. Bicyclists should have at least 36 inches to separate them from two tons of steel barreling past them at 35 miles an hour. It’s crucial to be mindful of bikes. Here are two ways to generate awareness and help prevent bicycle-related accidents. 3 Feet Is the Minimum It’s Connecticut law to give 3 feet when passing a cyclist, but that is only the minimum requirement. Take a look right now wherever you are, and measure 3 feet away from you. It really isn’t all that much. This is why we encourage you to give even more room when passing bicyclists. If cars are 6 feet from each other, shouldn’t we give at least that for a bike?

Jack? Jack and Kelly are a certified therapy dog and handler team with Healers With Halos Therapy Dogs. Jack is a 5-year-old rescue collie adopted from Collie Rescue of the Carolinas. He is certified by the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program and attained his CGC title from the American Kennel Club. Jack works many venues, bringing comfort and happiness to the young and old. Where’s

Ingredients

• 3/4 pounds

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Salt • Parmesan cheese

Instructions pasta (shells or orecchiette) • 2 cups broccoli florets • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 pound ground turkey

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese.

KELLY AND JACK AT ST. BERNARD SCHOOL

JACK VISITING STUDENTS AT ASNUNTUCK COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN ENFIELD, CT

Recipe inspired by realsimple.com.

Attorneys Paul Levin & Kelly Kasheta

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

40 Russ Street | Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 560-7226 www.connecticutinjuryhelp.com Inside THIS ISSUE • Goats and Baseball

This Season’s Best Family Activity

HowWe Fought for a Client’s Memory

Watch Out for Cyclists This Spring

PastaWith Turkey and Broccoli

The Origins of April Fools’ Day

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A Newsletter for Clients and Friends from Attorneys Paul Levin and Kelly Kasheta

THE HISTORY OF APRIL FOOLS’ DAY Fooled Again

Although April Fools’ Day has been celebrated for centuries by cultures around the world, the holiday’s origin is unclear. Historians point to a variety of possible beginnings, but the only solid conclusion is that the April Fools’ Day we know today is a blend of traditions. The Gregorian Calendar In 1582, France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. Some people were slow to get the news, and others failed to recognize that the start of the year had moved from April 1 to Jan. 1. Those who celebrated during the last week of March became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. People placed paper fish on the backs of March celebrators to symbolize young, easily caught fish and referred to them as “poissons d’avril,” or “April fools.” Hilaria Other historians have linked April Fools’ Day to the ancient Roman festival Hilaria, which was celebrated at the end of March. The festival honored Cybele, a mother of gods, and celebrations included parades, masquerades, and jokes to honor the vernal equinox, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

‘Canterbury Tales’ Another origin story comes from Geoffrey Chaucer’s 1392 book, “The Canterbury Tales.” There are still questions about whether Chaucer really wrote the stories and whether they have any direct link to April Fools’ Day. In the book, Chaucer describes the date “32 March.” Some believe this was a joke, because March 32 doesn’t exist, but some medievalists insist it was a misprint. April Fools’ Day certainly has murky origins. Whether our traditions come from the Gregorian calendar switch, Hilaria, or even “The Canterbury Tales,” we can all enjoy our chance to let loose and play pranks on our friends and family at least one day each year.

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