Jones & Hill March 2018

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The Must-Read, Change-Your-Life Newsletter helping seriously injured people for over 30 years

MARCH 2018

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UPSETS ON THE COURT IN LAW AND IN BASKETBALL, DON’T COUNT OUT THE UNDERDOG

It’s the month of madness for basketball fans around the country. Whether you pull for your favorite team no matter what or have entire spreadsheets dedicated to crafting the perfect bracket, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the tournament. Regardless of our own predictions, there’s nothing our law firm enjoys more than a good upset. “REGARDLESS OF THE WEALTH AND RESOURCES OF THE OTHER SIDE, ALL THAT TRULY MATTERS IS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COURT. ” No matter who you root for in the regular season, it’s always incredible to see David slay Goliath on the court. It happens more often than you think. Some small-town school like Middle Tennessee can go toe-to-toe with Michigan State and come out on top. Sometimes this happens because teams in the Big Ten rest on their laurels and believe they can breeze through an easy win. But more often than not, these upsets are the result of the winning team’s hard work and technical prowess. There’s something empowering about watching these games. They are almost always close, demanding that the smaller team push themselves to the limit. Basketball is normally defined by star players. Sometimes we lose sight of how much of a team sport it really is. In these David-and-Goliath matchups, it’s impossible for one man to carry the game. These upsets aren’t dissimilar from battling a giant insurance company in the courtroom.

That’s why our firm enjoys underdog games so much. Our line of work

pits us against some of the biggest names in insurance. Winning those sorts of cases takes more than just a star lawyer. It takes a great amount of teamwork both within our firm and in conjunction with our clients. As long as we maintain a good line of communication and understand all the facts of your case, we have a shot at winning.

The key, both in law and in basketball, is to never let the size of your opponent intimidate you. Regardless of the wealth and resources of the other side, all that truly matters is what happens in the court. Sometimes big companies rest on their laurels, expecting a quick settlement. More often that not, it’s the hard work and experience of your legal representatives that make all the difference. We didn’t go into law to roll over every time a company flexes its muscles. We believe in sticking up for those who have been hurt by powerful employers and neglected by callous insurance corporations. That’s what separates us from those firms that act as “settlement mills.” We root for the underdog because we know they can win.

–Cra ig Jon e s

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WAIT—SCREEN TIME IS GOOD FOR KIDS? HOW A BALANCED MEDIA DIET BOLSTERS CHILD DEVELOPMENT

If you Google the effects of screen time on children, you’re sure to be bombarded with horror stories. Numerous articles claim that, beginning in infancy, the more time a child spends in front of a TV, phone, or computer, the worse their developmental outcomes will be. At first glance, the research is utterly conclusive. It seems we should throw out every TV in our house, smash our kids’ smartphones, and usher our children into the great outdoors as soon as possible. But what most of these studies fail to take into account is the content of the electronic media. If a child spends two hours a day binging episodes of “The Big Bang Theory” or screaming obscenities into a headset while playing “Call of Duty,” it’s going to negatively impact their experience of the world along with their mental and physical health. But not all content is created equal. In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended strict limits on electronic engagement for kids, following the old line of thinking that any kind of screen time would be better spent climbing a tree or running in the backyard. But in October of 2016, they offered new recommendations for parents. “My very first lawyer, and the very best. I highly recommend Jones and Hill. They were very understanding and explained everything word for word. I greatly appreciate everything they have done for me.” –Andrashia “I had the pleasure of being a client of Mr Hill. He was super informative of what was going on with my case. He also made it easy to contact him. His paralegal was super sweet and so were his office staff. I wouldn’t recommend anyone else to handle any kind of personal injury case. Although those types of things are super stressful, it was nice knowing someone like Mr. Craig had my back and I didn’t have anything to worry about! Definitely would recommend him to anyone! Amazing team!” –Erin “Mr. Hill, Ms. Shawana, and everyone who works in his office has been so wonderful to me in the time that they have been helping me. They are professional, friendly, and awesome people to work with! And they care about their clients! As hard as this experience has been for me, they have Testimonials

For infants and young toddlers, the research still sides pretty heavily against the use of iPads and television. Before 18 months of age, a child lacks the cognitive capabilities allowing them to apply the lessons of technology to real life, and even after that, the APP recommends that media consumption should be limited to “high-quality programming, such as the content offered by Sesame Workshop and PBS.” But for kids ages 5 and up, parents should avoid banning screen time outright, but function as their child’s media mentor. Instead of decrying time spent building complex structures in “Minecraft” as hours that could be spent on the soccer field, we should set expectations and boundaries to ensure that children can deepen their experience of the world through media, not hamper it. The problem starts not with the screen itself, but when the consumption of media becomes problematic, replacing regular face-to-face interactions and physical activity. But with a balanced media diet, kids can have the best of both worlds.

We’re lucky enough to live and work around folks we’ve known all our lives.

made it as pleasant as possible! I will recommend them to any of my family and friends! And If your looking for a good lawyer who cares and gets results, I highly recommend Mr. Hill!” – Jenn

Because of that, we feel like our clients are practically family! Like our parents and kids, we want to hear from you! If you have a story to share, a rating to give, or just want to get in touch, head over to our Facebook page and let us know about your experience with our firm! Find us at Facebook.com/jonesandhilloberlin and help us share this feeling with our community!

“I was very satisfied with my experience at this law firm. The staff was very friendly, and

every time I had a question or concern they were happy to help me out. I would recommend Mr. Craig and his firm to any of my friends looking for a good and honest lawyer.” –Sydney “I highly recommend Jones & Hill. I wouldn’t hire anyone else. I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone looking for great and friendly attorneys. Mr. Hill’s staff is very friendly and helpful. I want to give a special thanks to Shawana for always being so helpful. Mr. Hill and staff, y’all are the greatest!” – Christopher

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What Comparative Negligence Means for Injured Workers The Value of Honesty

If you were raised like us, you understand the value of personal responsibility. It takes a lot of honesty and goodwill to own up to your own mistakes and make amends. In Louisiana, the law accommodates these values, since it’s what’s known

more uniform, it really comes down to subjectivity. This is a crucial factor to be aware of when pursuing a personal injury claim.

In our line of work, we are privileged to represent some of the most hardworking, honest folk you’ll ever meet in Louisiana, from farmhands to oil rig workers. More often than not, these people are willing to own up to their mistakes. Maybe they didn’t read the labels on a dangerous piece of equipment, or perhaps they neglected to seek care immediately following an injury. This honesty is crucial; you should always tell the truth in court. It’s also important that you don’t overstate your own liability. This is just one more reason why having a lawyer on your side is so valuable. Recovering from serious injuries is very expensive, not just because of the costs of treatment and medication, but because of lost wages as well. An experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney understands both the value of honesty and the ins and outs of comparative negligence. They can ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

as a comparative negligence state.

Comparative negligence is a fancy name for a simple concept. It means that when an accident occurs, everyone who contributed to it is held accountable. In personal injury cases, the jury will allocate a percentage of blame to all negligent parties, including the plaintiff. For example, if you cross a street against a traffic light and are hit by a driver talking on their cellphone, a court may find that your injuries are 20 percent your own fault. This means that the negligent driver would pay 80 percent of the compensation you were seeking, leaving you to cover the rest. While comparative negligence sounds fair on paper, it’s far more complicated and problematic in practice. How do you quantify personal responsibility? While there are formulas that help make this practice

TAKE A BREAK

This simple and delicious one-pot recipe is perfect for a weeknight. It only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on work, but will taste like you spent all day building flavors. It’s a hearty comfort food that’s sure to delight eaters of all ages. Braised Chicken and Spring Vegetables

Ingredients

4 large carrots, cut into sticks

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon sugar

8 small bone-in chicken thighs

2 tablespoons fresh

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

12 radishes, halved

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. 2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Brown in pan for 6 to 7 minutes per side. 3. Remove chicken from pan and scrape off excess fat. Add broth and stir in radishes, carrots, and sugar. 4. Return chicken to pan, placing on top of vegetables. Gently simmer with lid on pan for 15 to 20 minutes. Finish with chives.

Recipe inspired by Real Simple

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Phone: (888) 481-1333 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. www.joneshilllaw.com

Jones & Hill Injury Lawyers 131 Highway 165 South Oakdale, LA 71463

KEEPING UP WITH YOUR

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO STAY ON TRACK AND PUSH FORWARD

March is the month of spring time and rejuvenation. It’s also the time when most people have forgotten about the resolutions and goals they set earlier in the year. Have you neglected or given up your goals? If you have, you are far from alone. Most people let their goals fall to the wayside at least by March, if not long before. It comes down to four simple reasons.

The best way to stay on track is to be as specific as possible. Understand what you need to do to accomplish your goals.

Make sure you have access to the appropriate resources that will help you make progress. Resources come in all forms. Look to the people around you for accountability — your family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues. If you don’t want to involve anyone else, keep a notebook or diary to track progress. Or if you are learning a new skill, such as a foreign language for a trip next year, the resource you need may be an app on your phone. When you bring specific goals together with the necessary resources, achieving your dreams becomes more possible than ever before. You just have to take steps to avoid falling into the mistakes listed above. Set attainable concrete goals, track your progress, and check in with someone to keep you accountable. Since it’s been a few months, take a moment to review how far you’ve come since January. What do you need to do to make the next three months — and the rest of 2018 — your best yet?

1. They set goals that were out of reach or unrealistic.

2. They had zero accountability.

3. They set abstract goals.

4. They didn’t track progress.

Setting goals is the easy part. A lot of people say they want to lose weight, eat better, learn a new skill, or try a new hobby, but they don’t define their goals any further. Vague goals aren’t really goals at all.

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