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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 dickersonoxton.com FEB 2026
ANIMAL BITES
CAR ACCIDENTS
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
TIME, TRUST, AND TENDERNESS
BICYCLE/ MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
THE POWER OF POSITIVE PRESENCE
BRAIN & SPINAL CORD INJURIES
Time is often the most valuable gift we can give someone.
My involvement in port catheter mass tort litigation constantly reminds me of this truth. Most of the clients pursuing justice for faulty port catheters are cancer patients who now have to combat another challenge to their lives when that device causes them harm. It’s impossible not to understand when anger or weariness greets me on the other end of the phone. These are the situations in which listening and offering words of support can make all the difference in the world, changing someone’s mood or overall outlook for the better. Yes, I’m an attorney at a busy firm, but there’s never anything more important to me, or to everyone else here, than taking however long is necessary to help give that feeling to someone. Perhaps most importantly, we work to show kindness to our clients by encouraging them to be patient. Depending on the nature of their case, it could take years before they reach the finish line and are made whole again. We understand that this often necessary timeline can result in more than a few stressful days and sleepless nights for them, and we want them to know we’re there to stand by them for the long haul. If a phone call or video chat with any of us is what it takes to help make that road smoother, we’re always happy to connect. That said, this article isn’t meant just to talk about the firm. At the end of the day, everyone possesses the capacity to be kind. Let that other driver pull ahead of you, pay for that coffee for the person behind you, or get the door for someone with their hands full. And if you can ever be a sounding board for someone who needs it, answer the call … and give them your time.
As a law firm, we’re here to help clients overcome the injustices they’ve endured and reach a positive outcome to their struggles. Naturally, people rarely come to us in the best of times, and they’re contending with arduous situations that often leave them physically, economically, or emotionally drained. The frustration during our phone calls and Zoom meetings with clients can be palpable, and it’s our job to help them regain their confidence in their case and stay as positive as possible.
BURN INJURIES
CONSTRUCTION INJURIES
And we do that by listening for as long as they need us to.
Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day, a time for us to honor those who’ve brightened our lives through their care and empathy. It’s also an opportunity for us to focus on our own propensity for tenderness and consider ways to be better people to those around us. Whether you hold the door for someone, pay for the person behind you at the drive-through, or comfort a loved one in their time of hardship or loss, acts of kindness of all sizes matter. We hold that belief strongly here at the firm. Sometimes, a client seeks the added comfort of speaking with us face- to-face instead of coordinating details about their case over the phone. Other times, they simply want someone to be present for them as they vent. Either way, we do our best to always be there for them. Serving a client successfully isn’t just about building a case in their favor and defending their interests; it’s about lending them our ears and serving as a faithful ally to them. Paperwork is essential in our business, but people define who we are and what we do. Whether a conversation with a client takes five minutes or 45, we want them to leave it knowing they’ve just spent time with a real person who cares and understands.
NURSING HOME ABUSE
SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS
BOATING ACCIDENTS
TRUCK ACCIDENTS
–Blair Matyszczyk
PHARMACEUTICAL & DRUG INJURIES
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If you rely on the government to make rules that protect your health and livelihood from significant losses, you may be waiting longer than you think. Here are two examples of why pursuing litigation with a law firm’s help may be a wiser and more expedient choice than waiting for Uncle Sam’s help. MAHA’S REGULATORY MALAISE As reported in our August 2025 newsletter, a 100-plus-page lawsuit has been filed against 11 major food companies for knowingly selling “ultra-processed” foods that contribute to critical illnesses. While the scope and size of the suit suggest that it may take time before it moves forward in any noteworthy way, delays in addressing the potential dangers posed by such foods are also being felt on the governmental side. The reason? As of December 2025, no federally recognized definition for “ultra-processed foods” currently exists. Last summer, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly issued a request for information to establish a suitable definition. Shortly thereafter, the prolonged government shutdown significantly impacted the process, drawing media speculation about the effectiveness of the Trump administration’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) agenda. THE LEGAL RISKS OF GOVERNMENT GRIDLOCK Regulatory Roulette JOBSITE JUSTIC
The family of JJ, a preteen troubled by debilitating seizures, was struggling to manage the condition and allay its devastating effect on his learning and well-being. They tried numerous treatments and therapies, but nothing worked well enough to stabilize JJ’s health. Then, JJ’s community stepped up in a way that changed his life forever. Military veterans at Sun Outdoors, an RV community where JJ and his family live in Sarasota, Florida, learned about the difficult situation his family faced and took the initiative to help. THE SERVICE DOG THAT CHANGED A CHILD’S LIFE TRAINED TO PROTECT
Enter Ezra, the service dog.
The veterans reached out to Canines for Heroes, a Sarasota-based nonprofit founded by Air Force veteran Mark LaFlamme. As a highly decorated Air Force veteran of three combat operations in the Middle East, LaFlamme knew firsthand the challenges of dealing with post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); two of his fellow officers succumbed to the pain and took their own lives. As a way of coping with their loss, LaFlamme set out to help others by giving them access to the healing power of trained service dogs. Canines for Heroes has years of experience matching service dogs with individuals in need. So, Mark LaFlamme and his wife, Sandra, matched JJ with Ezra, a dog trained to detect oncoming seizures and provide emotional support. Ezra is a Czech shepherd, a Central European herding breed known for intelligence, alertness, intuitive ability, and loyalty. Service dogs’ sense of smell is more powerful than any machine and can detect changes instantaneously. They have been likened to a live- in medical alert system. They can also be trained to notice anxiety or discomfort and offer comfort and companionship, interrupting potential panic attacks by calming their human companions. With training by Julie Madison of Top Tier K9, a professional dog- training company, Ezra learned to detect seizures by using his ability to sense subtle changes in scent or behavior. He was also taught to alert JJ and those around him before any visible signs of a seizure appeared, allowing a few crucial moments for JJ to take medications to curtail the seizures and ensure he was in a safe place.
Construction is one of America’s most vital industries, employing 8 million Americans and creating more than $2 trillion worth of structures annually. However, the industry’s heavy reliance on potentially hazardous tools and equipment results in a considerable number of workplace injuries every year. There were 3,500 nonfatal injuries and 19 workplace- related fatalities reported within the Missouri construction industry in 2022 alone.
Common injuries in construction include (but are not limited to) slips and falls, falls from ladders or roofs, building collapses, falling objects, forklift accidents, defective work equipment, fires, and explosions. Fortunately, those who sustain a construction-related injury don’t need to experience the aftermath alone. Our firm’s team of personal injury attorneys is well-versed in recovering damages in this specialized field, and we’ve successfully utilized
our expertise to recover millions of dollars for our clients through verdicts and settlements. Our ultimate goal is to help the injured party receive fair compensation in accordance with Missouri personal injury and workers’ compensation laws. These
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THE SUPREME COURT’S CANCER CONTROVERSY Do health concerns from the general public outweigh government guidance? This is the question at the heart of tens of thousands of lawsuits filed by U.S. citizens against Bayer/Monsanto, the makers of the popular weed killer Roundup. The litigation claims that glyphosate, a chemical found in the product, is a carcinogen that caused the plaintiffs’ cancer. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disagrees, arguing that the chemical is unlikely to be carcinogenic when used appropriately. Late last year, Solicitor General D. John Sauer requested that the Supreme Court review the matter. Sauer has publicly stated his support of the EPA’s authority in determining the health risks associated with glyphosate, adding that current federal pesticide laws should be allowed to overrule state-level attempts to sue Monsanto and similar manufacturers for failing to warn consumers of potentially hazardous chemicals. If the Supreme Court ultimately agrees, thousands of existing lawsuits could be shut down or greatly limited. Our firm is committed to serving clients through direct action, rather than waiting for the government to determine the next steps. Please contact us today to discuss legal options that will protect your interests and recover your losses much more quickly than a bureaucracy ever could. laws are in place to protect and provide for those who need it, and we work to ensure they’re followed to our clients’ utmost benefit. CE Construction Injury Counsel in Action There are many moving parts to a successful case of this nature. We work with and support our clients by gathering evidence, responding to employer pressure to return to work prematurely, defending against denied
TAKE A BREAK
HOT HONEY-INFUSED FETA CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS •
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• •
2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tbsp crumbled feta cheese 2 tsp fresh rosemary chopped (or thyme)
• • • •
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
•
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp hot honey
•
1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
workers’ compensation claims (including representing you at related hearings), assessing case values, negotiating fair settlements, and more. We will fight for the highest possible value for a client’s case based on factors including the extent and duration of their injuries, their associated medical treatment and expenses, their ability to work in the future, and the at-fault party’s legal obligations.
DIRECTIONS 1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. 3. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden. 4. In a small bowl, mix hot honey and minced garlic to create a glaze. 5. Place the seared chicken in a baking dish. Pour the hot honey mixture over top. 6. Sprinkle chicken with crumbled feta, then rosemary or thyme. 7. Bake at 400 F for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. 8. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra caramelization. 9. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon juice and extra herbs before serving.
Construction workers are critical to our nation’s infrastructure and way of life, and they deserve justice and care when they’re injured on the
job. If you’ve been injured in the construction industry, please contact us for help in building a case that will provide you with the care, compensation, and respect you deserve.
Inspired by LadySavor.com
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ADVERTISING MATERIAL
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816-268-1960 | 913-428-8220 dickersonoxton.com
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Kindness at the Core
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PG2
Meet the Canine Hero That Warns of Seizures
PG2
Beat the Bureaucracy
PG2
Legal Help for Laborer Healing
Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken
PG3
Reduce Risks, Reap Rewards
PG4
A STRONGER FOCUS ON FRUGAL FINANCES THE GOLDEN GAME PLAN
SIMPLE SUPPERS THAT SAVE CENTS A food budget should be based on what you throw out, not what you eat. It may surprise you that the average American family tosses $1,600 in produce annually! Although you’ll likely have fewer mouths to feed as you age, the likelihood of at least some of your groceries ending up in the garbage can is still high. Planning your meals in advance and purchasing only the necessary items to prepare them is one way to reduce unnecessary food spending, especially as the likelihood of sticker shock at the supermarket seems slim at best in the new year. MIDWEEK MOMENTS OF MEANING One of the beautiful things about reaching an age when you’re done raising young children is that you’re no longer beholden to schedules that accommodate their needs first. Gone are the days of waiting for summer or holidays, which are among the priciest times of the year to travel, to take a vacation. With more flexibility in your daily schedule, you can now plan trips in a more budget-conscious way. Flights and accommodations often cost less during weekdays or in the spring and fall, and you can save even more by taking advantage of AARP discounts where available.
As you prepare for retirement, it’s never a bad idea to critically examine your current expenses and determine which costs you should keep or discard as your income changes. Here are three thoughts on streamlining your budget for greater security in your senior years.
A REDUNDANT RISK EVALUATION When raising families, we implement ways to ensure financial security if unexpected circumstances affect a breadwinner’s income. Expenses like disability and life insurance may have been critical costs in years past, but perhaps you’re at a point where these policies could be reconsidered. If you’re approaching retirement and your children are grown and out of the house, you may no longer need to cover yourself in the event of a disability. Additionally, a life insurance payout for your family may not be as critical now as it would have been if you had passed away when your kids were younger.
ADVERTISING MATERIAL: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. This newsletter is provided to former clients, individuals who have contacted the firm regarding representation, and individuals who have requested to be on the newsletter mailing list. This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or direct solicitation for employment of the firm on any particular legal matter.
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