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August 2019
THE SOUNDS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
With the move, our world expanded again. Suddenly, we had different people to interact with and new neighbors to know. We got together for barbecues and parties. On many days, we can look outside to see our kids playing and riding their bikes.
Recently, Josh and Jacob were riding their bikes outside on the paved trail around the homes, and they wound their way back toward a street a block from our house, where several kids were playing basketball. The kids called out to Jacob to come play with them, so, he looked at Josh, who nodded and smiled, and Jacob hopped off his bike to go play with his friends and neighbors.
In 2004, wanting more space and a reprieve from the busy D.C. life, Josh and I moved to Maryland. It was an exciting time in our lives. We’d recently gotten married, I’d graduated from law school about a year earlier, and it was our first time buying a home together. We felt like real adults. Suddenly, with this change in location, we had a new community. We were blocks away from the supermarket with restaurants within walking distance, and we were close enough to our jobs that the commute was easy and fairly fast. Going from apartment living to owning a home was also a big shift for us in terms of space. My husband is a minimalist, and we couldn’t imagine filling up the multiple rooms. (One kid later, we quickly realized it was not hard to do). We relished having more space than we’d ever had before and the luxury of spreading out if we wanted. Some nights, we walked to a little Italian place just a block from where we lived. The staff there got to know me before I was pregnant with Jacob, and, through my pregnancy, we continued to visit this local spot to satisfy our pasta cravings. After Jacob was born, Josh and I still walked to the restaurant and brought a bassinet with little baby Jacob inside. Eventually, we moved to a new house to have more space, but I still have so many happy memories from those times. It was our first home as a family.
Growing up in Puerto Rico, I didn’t have the same experiences. We had neighborhoods, but they were on a tropical island on a beach. Our schools were often further away from home, and we didn’t necessarily go to school in the same city where we lived. Some of my classmates lived in different parts of the city or another city altogether. I’m glad Jacob can experience the joy of having friends right next door. It’s a little different from what I knew, but it’s wonderful all the same. I love seeing him outside with his friends, hearing the sound of the basketball bouncing, and listening to the kids call out for the ball. These are the sounds of our neighborhood.
–Meliha Perez Halp ern
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Ensuring You ' re Protected REVIEWING THE ENHANCED UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE
It’s been a year since Maryland’s Enhanced Underinsured Motorist (EUIM) Coverage law went into effect, requiring insurance companies to offer drivers EUIM coverage in place of the previous underinsured coverage. The law is intended to offer more
to pay the difference — $20,000 — for a total of $50,000. Under the previous statue, even if damage exceeded $50,000, Sam only received the difference in her coverage and Dan’s. Now, though, with the new coverage in place, Sam could get the full payout if she has EUIM coverage. The damage Dan caused would be first covered by his $30,000 of insurance; then Sam’s could kick in up to her full policy limit of $50,000. She would have a total of $80,000 available if needed. While the law requires auto insurance companies to offer EUIM as of July 2018, your policy does not transfer automatically. You should call your auto insurance company to opt in for Enhanced UIM. We know the world of auto insurance can be confusing, and because of our work, we deal with it all the time. If you have any questions about your coverage, give us a call. We can answer your questions in Spanish and English. stall on the eighth floor, and, as she sat on one of the old toilets customary in the building, pressure building from inside the tank caused a massive explosion that sent her body hurling out of the stall. You don’t need to know the details of her injuries to understand the extent of her grievances. Some forms of suffering are better left to the imagination, especially if the aggressor was a literal stink bomb. She sued the building’s landlords for anxiety, pain, and medical expenses, but it’s hard to determine which party was truly at fault without more information. IT’S RAINING CATS AND DOLLARS You can’t predict the weather, no matter what your weather app says, but some people tend to forget that. A few years ago, an Israeli weatherman was faced with a lawsuit by a woman who claimed his inaccurate forecast caused her a great deal of suffering. She claimed he misrepresented a particularly harsh day in the forecast, and it encouraged her to wear insufficient layers that left her health to the whim of the elements. As a result, the woman caught the flu from the downpour and missed work for four days. Citing lost income, large medication costs, and tremendous anxiety, she sought reparations from the fraudulent weatherman and was amazingly awarded a four- figure settlement!
comprehensive coverage and further protection to drivers. If you haven’t yet opted in for EUIM coverage, here’s another look at what it offers and a chance to reevaluate if it’s right for you. Previously, if you had an underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage policy that was more than the at-fault driver’s, your policy would kick in only after the at-fault driver’s limit had been reached, and even then, only up to the full amount of your UIM coverage.
For example, let’s say Sam was in a collision that Dan caused. Sam is badly injured. She has a UIM policy that covers up to $50,000 worth of damages, and Dan has a policy that covers up to $30,000. Dan’s policy pays out to its full limit to cover the damages, and then Sam’s UIM coverage kicks in
The Right Place at the Wrong Time A LOOK AT SOME INTERESTING PERSONAL INJURY CASES
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here is no shortage of crazy cases that come through a court of law, but those revolving around personal injury can be especially surprising. Whether it’s a slip-and-fall accident or something a little more eccentric, there are a million ways to hurt yourself while simply going about your day. The problems arise when it’s determined to be another party’s fault. Let’s take a look at some notably strange cases where bizarre miscalculations led to injuries and ailments.
AS BELOW, SO ABOVE Time spent in the restroom is inherently private. We don’t normally talk about it, but that’s not the case for a Pennsylvania woman who experienced a traumatic event during a routine trip to the lady’s room. In 2007, a horror plot came to life in a building along Philadelphia’s famous Market Street. The culprit was a faulty plumbing system. The woman was inside a restroom
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MARYLAND’S REDUCED SPEED LIMITS FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES A TWO-WAY STREET
It’s often easier to point a finger than it is to reflect on how our own actions may be part of the solution or problem. When it comes to pedestrian safety, as the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) points out, being part of the solution is a two-way street. Drivers and pedestrians both have responsibilities to prevent dangerous and deadly situations. This spring, MDOT’s State Highway Administration reduced speed limits along Maryland Route 97 (Georgia Avenue) in an effort to prevent pedestrian-related injuries or death. Georgia Avenue has been a common area for pedestrian accidents, and the changes are part of a larger effort in prevention. Updated crosswalks and narrowed lanes are also scheduled.
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Stay visible, especially at night. Wear bright or reflective clothing.
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Focus on crossing the street and avoid distractions, like looking at your phone.
HERE ARE TIPS FOR DRIVER SAFETY.
phone on silent and in the back seat, so you’re not tempted. It’s illegal and dangerous to use handheld devices while driving.
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Be aware of pedestrians preparing to cross at intersections.
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Always stop for a pedestrian.
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Focus on your driving and avoid distractions. Put your
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Stick to the posted speed limit.
We all have a right to get where we’re going safely. Let’s improve pedestrian safety together!
As a pedestrian, there are a few things you can do to promote a safer journey. Here are some of MDOT’s tips for pedestrian safety.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a collision and need legal help, we are here for you. Contact the attorney at Pérez Halpern, LLC. Our bilingual, caring team is here to help.
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Always cross the street in a marked crosswalk.
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Make eye contact with drivers before crossing to ensure they see you.
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Puerto Rican Alcapurrias
Ingredients • 1 lb yuca root (available at Latin markets), peeled and grated • 4 green bananas or plantains, peeled and grated • 1 tbsp Sazon seasoning • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste • 1 3/4 cups backfin crab meat, minced shrimp, or a combination of both
Inspired by foodsogoodmall.com
• 1/4 cup sofrito • Canola oil for sautéing and deep frying • Several banana or plantain leaves, cut into rounds • Several tbsp of butter, 1 per each alcapurria
Directions 1. Mix yuca root, bananas or plantains, sazon seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Transfer to a food processor and process until smooth. 2. In a sauté pan, add preferred meat along with sofrito and a little oil. Sauté for 2 minutes and mix well. 3. On each leaf round, spread oil, butter, and spoonful of meat mixture. Fold into torpedo shapes. 4. Slide alcapurrias into hot canola oil (about 350 F) one at a time. Do not overcrowd pan. 5. Fry the alcapurrias until golden-brown.
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Have You Taken Advantage of Enhanced Coverage? PAGE 2 Bizarre Personal Injury Cases PAGE 2 Keeping Our Communities Safe PAGE 3
Puerto Rican Alcapurrias PAGE 3
A Summer Send-Off for Your Garden PAGE 4
Contact me for all of your auto accident and personal injury needs!
OUT WITH THE OLD If any of your plants didn’t fare so well, take some time to remove them and clear space for future plants. This removal should include any invasive plants or weeds that found their way into the soil. Remember to use gloves, wear long pants and socks, and use caution around thorns or plants that can cause irritation. For daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and any other bulbs that sprang up in the spring, you can now pull them up (if you haven’t already) and divide any bulblets you find into separate plants. This will help cut down on crowding even more come spring. TAKE COVER Cover crops are plants that improve soil health, reduce erosion, and keep your garden healthy, and now is a great time to plant them! Hardy legumes, field peas, certain types of clovers, and warm-season grasses can all work as cover crops, so talk to your landscaper or local nursery to pick out the best choices for your region. While you may not see the fruits of your labors until spring, you can still enjoy preparing your garden for a successful upcoming year and cherish the time you spend with your family outside.
Late summer is the perfect time to clean up your garden and prepare it for the coming winter. In the next couple of months, the temperature will start to drop, but by putting in work now, you can ensure your garden is healthy and ready to flourish next spring. You can even turn garden cleanup into a fun activity for the whole family. Here are three ways to get your garden ready for the next season, while sharing some valuable outdoor time with your loved ones.
MORE MULCH, PLEASE While most gardeners know the benefits of summer mulching, winter mulching can help lessen water loss, keep weeds out, and regulate soil temperatures during the colder months. It offers an added layer of protection for your plants’ roots, which can be sensitive to continuous freezing and thawing, by keeping the soil temperature more consistent.
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