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S pada L aw G roup INJURY LAW LLC
THE SLG ADVISOR
617.889.5000 | SPADALAWGROUP.COM
APRIL 2019
A Cautionary Tale How Being a Lawyer Impacted My Parenting Style
W hen you’re a personal injury horrific accident and tragic wrongful death cases, I can list off countless ways a given activity can go horribly wrong. Just ask my kids, Jake and Jessie. When Jake was younger and wanted to get on a dirt bike or a mini motorcycle I’d freak out. All I could envision were the accident scenes I had witnessed countless times in my cases. When Jake and Jessie got their driver’s licenses as teenagers, I remember thinking about all the things they could potentially do wrong as new drivers that would get them killed. It made for a really uncomfortable time for me, and I recognize now how unfair it was for them. There’s a lot of joy and independence in getting your driver’s license, and I sucked some of the fun out of it for sure. Most parents understand being protective, but I’ll admit that my firsthand experience with accidents and terrible injuries has caused me to be overprotective in some areas. Almost any time my kids wanted to do something beyond stay home and play in the back yard, I would have some grim warning about a case I’d worked on. There were points when the kids told me they wished I wasn’t a lawyer. “All you think about is how we’re going to get hurt!” they accused me. They weren’t wrong, but I think I have worked to raise my kids to be cautious, recognize the dangers, and act smart. Though there have been occasions when I got a little intense with my fears, my wife, Liz, played a big role lawyer, danger lurks everywhere. After years of working on really
in keeping me in check. And I had enough self-awareness to realize when I was being an overly cautious freak. This has always been an internal struggle for me. I had to learn to accept the fact that there’s only so much control I have over a situation. Constantly dreading every worst-case scenario or nagging my kids about the risks isn’t healthy or helpful. Instead, I needed to give my kids the tools they needed to be safe and then step back. It’s not always easy. First of all, any parent knows that kids rarely want to listen when you give them good advice. I know I didn’t as a kid. When I would come home after working on a particularly disturbing case — like a crash that could have been avoided if someone hadn’t been texting or if the person had simply worn their seatbelt — I’d tell my kids about it, as a cautionary tale. “They weren’t wearing their seatbelt,” I’ve said on more than one occasion. “Can you believe that?” More often than not, when I told these stories, I could see their eyes start to glaze over, but I’d like to think something sunk in. In addition to these tales, I tried to train my son and daughter to be the best drivers they can be. I also got them reliable cars that prioritized safety. There’s a mentality out there that your first car should be a piece of junk, but I don’t agree. If you’re going to buy your kids a car (or help them financially with the cost), then as parents I believe we need to get them the safest car we can afford. I didn’t want my daughter to end up stranded somewhere I couldn’t help her or my son to get badly hurt because his car’s safety features were lacking.
So, I got them very decent vehicles and wrestled with the “Am I spoiling my kids?” guilt. That said, these cars came with incredibly strict rules. I made it clear that if they ever got a speeding ticket, the consequences were going to be severe, including, but not limited to, losing the car for a month. And if I ever suspected they had been driving while under the influence of anything, their car would be sold immediately. It didn’t matter if I would lose money or how inconvenient it would be on the family; they weren’t going to drive again until they could afford their own car. I think they knew I was serious. Fortunately, it’s never come to that. My kids are good drivers, and though there have been a few minor fender benders, it’s far from any of my worst fears. I love my children; they’re good kids, and I’m glad that my experiences as an attorney can help them stay safe … even if I get accused of being overprotective sometimes. –Len Spada
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Is It Okay to Skip Breakfast?
T he T ruth A bout the F irst M eal of the D ay
anything. The most important meal of the day is whichever meal you get the most out of, whether it’s nutritional value, enjoyment, or both. Having a healthy, protein-rich breakfast does come with benefits, though. It gives you energy for the day and helps you avoid scrambling to find something to eat a couple hours later when hunger sets in. All too often, skipping breakfast (or having
Sometimes you skip breakfast simply because you don’t have time to eat. Other times, you skip breakfast because nothing really appeals to you. This is a common occurrence for many people across the country. But when you skip breakfast, you may find that you feel just fine. It begs the question: Is breakfast really that important? Do you need to eat breakfast?
a carb-heavy breakfast) leads people to raid the vending machine or make unhealthy food choices they wouldn’t ordinarily make. Along these same lines, skipping breakfast may encourage you to eat more later in the day at lunch or dinner. You may think you’re saving calories, but over the course of a day, you can end up consuming more calories than if you had simply eaten breakfast.
It depends. Most people can skip breakfast and be totally fine. They’ll make it to lunch without skipping a beat. It all comes down to how you feel. Some people need breakfast or they’ll have caused by low blood sugar. A healthy breakfast can stabilize your mood, helping you feel more positive, energized, and focused throughout the morning. to deal with mood swings — often referred to as being “hangry” —
With so much research on the subject of breakfast, one thing is clear: You should eat when you feel hungry. You don’t have to live by the conventional wisdom of “three squares a day.” When you listen to your body, you’ll feel better for it!
We can, however, bust the notion that breakfast is the “most important meal of the day.” This phrase was used to market breakfast cereal in the last century. In reality, it doesn’t mean
Building a Better Community With RESPOND
Spada Law Group Supports Survivors of Domestic Abuse
A t our firm, we believe we have a responsibility to support others who are less fortunate in our community. We are proud to do this every day by being there for those who need legal services in the area of personal injury, but we have an obligation to do so much more. This is why we look for opportunities to support other organizations that make a positive impact in the world. One amazing organization we are honored to support is RESPOND, New England’s first domestic violence prevention agency. Intimate relationships can bring so much joy into our lives. Unfortunately, many people find themselves in dangerous relationships with partners who threaten their safety. In 2008, domestic violence was declared a public health emergency in the state of Massachusetts. Domestic violence includes physical or sexual violence, emotional or mental abuse, and threats against a person’s well-being. In the United States, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of domestic violence by an intimate partner. RESPOND exists to help survivors and end domestic violence. For 45 years, RESPOND has helped over 100,000 vulnerable members of our community through their emergency shelter, support services, crisis hotline, training, and education. They offer free,
confidential help to adults of all gender identities, as well as children and teens. Dedicated to giving survivors all the resources they need to escape a dangerous situation, RESPOND also accepts parents and their teenage sons, which is a rarity in Massachusetts. After learning about the important work RESPOND does for our community, Spada Law Group made a pledge to donate a percentage of its revenues to RESPOND so they can continue to fight for survivors and help make Massachusetts a better place. If you are interested in learning more about RESPOND or want to join us in supporting this important cause, visit their website at RespondInc.org . We can all do our part to end domestic violence in Massachusetts and be there for the people who need help.
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Word Search
Who’s To Blame?
Can I File a Claim if I’m Partially Responsible for the Accident? “I was injured in a car accident that might have been partially my fault. Can I still make a claim against the other driver for my injuries?” Determining fault in a car accident is crucial to figuring out how much in damages you may be entitled to. Under Massachusetts law, if you are found to be 50 percent or less at-fault for a car accident, you can recover damages from the other at-fault driver or their insurance company. Determining fault can be tricky. Despite what insurance companies might insist when they quickly deny claims, fault in auto accidents isn’t always clear cut. Several years ago, our firm represented a woman who had been seriously injured after she rear-ended a commercial truck. Because she hit the truck from behind, the insurance company insisted she was completely at-fault and refused to offer her any settlement. However, our team discovered that the accident took place because the truck had stopped abruptly on a major road for no apparent reason. Turns out the truck driver had been lost and stopped to make an illegal U-turn across double solid lines. Despite the insurance company’s initial denial of the claim, we were able to prove our client was less than 50 percent at-fault for the accident, and she was awarded a substantial sum. Insurance companies often deny claims and assign fault outright, but a professional examination of the case can reveal facts that could turn the tide of the case. As for how your percentage of fault may affect your claim for damages, Massachusetts is a comparative negligence state. This means the negligence of both parties during an accident is compared when determining damages. If you are found to be 50 percent or less at-fault, you can recover damages, though how much fault the jury assigns to you will determine how much you receive in damages. For example, if you are found to be 20 percent at-fault for an accident that recovers $100,000 at trial, your award will be reduced by 20 percent. This means the court would award you $80,000. But remember, if the jury finds you to be more than 50 percent at-fault for an accident, you cannot recover anything. If you are ever involved in a car accident, even if you believe you may have been partially at-fault, you owe it to yourself to get a professional assessment on whether your case is worth pursuing. Give us a call at 617.889.5000. We will review the facts of your case for free and give you our opinion on whether or not we can help you.
Rainbow Easter Prank Passover
Fool Showers Taurus Hoax
Spring Butterfly Dandelion Mischief
Opening Day Hamburgers Local Chef’s Corner Inspired by Saveur Magazine
INGREDIENTS • 1 pound ground chuck, 80 percent lean • 4 soft, white hamburger buns, split • 4 1/4-inch-thick tomato slices • 12–16 pickle rounds
• 4 small leaves iceberg lettuce • 4 1/4-inch-thick yellow onion slices • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • Condiments of your choice
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Lightly grease a small nonstick skillet with oil. Heat over medium-high. 2. While heating, gently shape meat into four patties 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Be careful to handle the meat as little as possible to prevent tough burgers. Season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Sear patties on each side, about 1 minute per side. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until desired doneness, about 1 more minute per side for medium-rare, 2 more per side for medium-well. 4. Let meat rest for a minimum of 3 minutes. 5. To assemble, place patty on bottom bun and top with tomato, pickles, lettuce, and onion (in that order). Spread condiments on top half of bun and place on top of onion. Serve.
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S pada L aw G roup INJURY LAW LLC
111 Everett Ave #1F Chelsea, MA 02150 617.889.5000 SpadaLawGroup.com
Inside This Issue
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The Truth About Being “Overprotective” Should You Skip Breakfast? Lawyers Paying It Forward Opening Day Hamburgers Injured in an Accident You’re Partially Responsible For? You Might be Able to File a Claim! Never Judge a Dog by Her Size
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Yorkie Doodle Dandy Considering the stress of combat, it’s no wonder military dogs tend to be tough breeds known for their size and strength. German shepherds, boxers, and various bully breeds are well- acquainted with the battlefield. But in World War II, the most famous military dog weighed only 4 pounds and stood a mere 7 inches tall. Smoky the Yorkshire Terrier wasn’t exactly what most people associated with Shakespeare’s “let slip the dogs of war,” but her small size is part of what made her such a hero. days to lay the wire. Her work kept over 250 ground crewmen and 40 fighter and reconnaissance planes out of danger from enemy bombings. SMOKY THE WORLD WAR II CANINE HERO
In addition to saving lives on the battlefield, Smoky is also considered to be the first recorded therapy dog. She learned a number of tricks to cheer up troops and would visit injured soldiers at the hospital in New Guinea. After World War II, Smoky and Wynne visited veteran hospitals across the United States. “Corporal” Smoky lived for another 10 years after the war before dying on Feb. 21, 1957, at approximately 14 years old. Wynne would go on to write a memoir about his time with Smoky titled “Yorkie Doodle Dandy.” Almost 50 years after her death, a life-sized bronze statue of Smoky was erected at her final resting place in Lakewood, Ohio. Her statue is dedicated to the bravery of all war dogs, and it is a reminder that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
In 1944, after being discovered beside a foxhole in the jungles of New Guinea, Smoky met Corporal William A. Wynne, an American soldier from Cleveland, Ohio. The two quickly became inseparable, and she stayed by Wynne’s side the entire time he was stationed in the South Pacific. Smoky is credited with going on 12 combat missions, surviving 150 air raids, parachuting 30 feet, and earning eight battle stars. Smoky’s sensitive hearing allowed her to alert Wynne and other soldiers of incoming air raids. Smoky’s most famous act of heroism occurred when she went where no man could go at an air base at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. The engineers needed help, so Wynne tied a strand of telephone wire to her collar and Smoky ran through a 70-foot-long pipe in a matter of minutes. Without Smoky, it would have taken three
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