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1600 S. BRENTWOOD BLVD., SUITE 220 • ST. LOUIS, MO 63144 // FINNEYINJURYLAW.COM // 314-293-4222 // JANUARY 2024
The office received a call recently. The caller informed us that one of my former clients had died. The caller told us he is no longer at the address, so he doesn’t need the newsletter that comes. The caller was making calls because mail kept coming there. The former client will remain nameless. His case is and was subject to very strict confidentiality requirements. I intend to abide by those. I will call the client “Dougie.” Dougie was my first big client. His case was passed over by two firms, one of them the largest marketing firm in the area. He then called us. I remember him telling me in a gruff, gravelly voice that he was hit by a steel beam and injured his neck. It sounded bad. I went to his house and met with him that day. My First Big Case HOW ‘DOUGIE’ AND I BECAME A TEAM
elements. The radiologist could see clear evidence of frontal lobe damage due to hemosiderin deposits on the scan — leftover blood deposits after a brain injury. A big brain-injury case. I’d never had a case this big. I figured I was in way over my head, and Dougie would fire me to find someone else bigger and older. He never did. He stuck with me. He believed in me. I was his lawyer. I was on his team, and it was us versus the world. Our mediation, where the case was finally settled, had 15–20 lawyers for the other parties. Ours was just me, my incredible co-counsels Gerry and Newt, and Dougie. I helped Dougie set up his trust after the case was resolved, referring him to big-time lawyers. They had a staircase in the office between floors. They had a cafeteria for their employees. I remember waiting with him at their office. I said, “Dougie, you ever in a million years think you would be here? And they WANT your business?!” He just laughed. So did I. Both of us were fish out of water in that waiting room. We would have never been welcome in a place like this before the case. He and I were more similar than I first guessed. He set up his trust and wanted to give everything when he passed to his ex-girlfriend’s son. He also wanted to give to The Humane Society. “I figured I was in way over my head, and Dougie would fire me to find someone else bigger and older. He never did.”
I’ve taken many cases that firms pass over — probably my best cases are the “leftovers” others don’t want. I don’t care.
I got to his house and immediately noticed how big he was. He had a gash over his eye that was swollen shut and a neck brace. He had been injured while working on a barge. This typically falls under the Jones Act, but I knew very little about the Jones Act. I also knew Dougie had a case worth investigating. The more I talked to Dougie, I knew something else was wrong. He was a good guy, way different from me on paper. He had a rap sheet, grew up in a bar, never really had a dad, and wasn’t married. He was an ex-con in his 50s working on a barge. His hands were like catcher’s mitts. He was tatted up and liked to play up his criminal hitman persona. But he was smart. What I had a feeling about regarding his injuries proved correct. I had a radiologist look at his head scans. The radiologist called me immediately in a panic. He said I needed to get Dougie to the hospital because there was a fracture through his sinus directly to his brain. He said the blood-brain barrier was wide open, and Dougie’s brain was exposed to the
Over the years, we would talk every so often. I still know his number by heart. I called it recently after hearing he had passed. I was hoping it wasn’t true and that he would pick up. He didn’t. It didn’t even go to voicemail. He’s gone. And so is a part of me.
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Food for Thought: The Benefits of Eating as a Family
Educational Benefits Mealtime conversations can be educational. Parents can discuss various topics, helping children expand their knowledge, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. This intellectual stimulation can be particularly beneficial for school-aged children. Sharing meals with family or friends is not just a social custom but a healthful practice with numerous benefits. The advantages are numerous, especially for children. So, make it a point to gather around the table for a meal at least three times a week. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the simple yet profound act of sharing a meal with family or friends. However, research suggests that eating together at least three times a week can significantly benefit overall health, particularly for children. Let’s delve into why this age-old tradition is more important than ever. Promotes Healthy Eating Habits One of the most immediate benefits of family meals is you generally eat better. Families sitting down to eat together are more likely to consume a balanced homemade meal rich in essential nutrients like calcium and fiber. This is especially beneficial for children in their formative years who need these nutrients for growth and development.
healthier ingredients and allow for better portion control. Mealtime structure also supports better eating habits, which can be a crucial factor in weight management for both adults and children. Positive Effects on Child Development Research suggests that eating dinner together positively affects child development. Children interact with adults and siblings, and conversations help them learn social skills, table manners, family values, and culture. Emotional Well-Being Family meals are not just about the food but also about spending quality time together. Enjoying a meal with loved ones allows family bonding and may even improve mental health. It contributes to fewer emotional problems and helps children feel loved, safe, and secure.
Weight Management Eating together also helps in
controlling weight more effectively. Home-prepared meals usually contain
bridges and overpasses. These parts of the road can be colder than sections of the road that are on solid ground and are susceptible to greater ice build- up. Cold air can get beneath elevated surfaces and make the surface icy. Also, take caution when using ramps since they have less traffic, which can cause snow, slush, or ice to build up faster. Give yourself room. If you’re driving on a slippery surface, a sudden gust of wind or another driver sliding into your lane can suddenly cause you to lose control. So, it’s a good idea to give yourself extra space in front of, behind, and to the side of your vehicle. That way, if you slide unexpectedly, you’ll have more room to regain control without involving another vehicle. While you can’t control what our winters will bring to the roadways, you can prepare for winter driving success. By keeping a few safety tips in mind when you’re behind the wheel, you can reach your destination safely.
Tips for Arriving Safely on Slippery Winter Roads Slowing Down Gets You There Safer
In the Midwest, the change of seasons is beautiful and enchanting — but it’s more than just a shift from fall to winter. This time of year, the new season also means a potentially dangerous mix of driving conditions. One minute, you can be driving on clear pavement. The next, you can enter a wintry combination of freezing rain, sleet, and snow. The threat is real. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reported that 395 fatal crashes and more than 22,300 injuries happened during snow/sleet driving conditions in 2021. But there are tips you can use
to give yourself the best chances of avoiding being a statistic and arriving at your destination safe and sound. Decrease your speed. While speed limit signs may show 55 mph or 70 mph, remember that those posted limits are for normal conditions on dry pavement. They aren’t intended to guide how fast you should drive during slippery conditions. Prepare for ramps and bridges. Regarding winter driving, not all road surfaces are created equal. Pay extra attention to elevated surfaces such as
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Bumbling Burglars Prove Crime Doesn’t Pay
Committing a crime will never be a get-rich-quick scheme or a successful career path, but we’ve had plenty of would-be criminals who had to learn that lesson the hard way! One example is James Sorby, a Scottish man who decided he wanted to cash in on the rising price of copper. As he thought about how to get his hands on the metal prized for its ability to conduct electricity, he decided it would be a good idea to go right to the source, so he targeted a local power plant in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.
Another man, Nicholas Mark, entered a Pennsylvania pizzeria looking for work, but he found something else instead. A tip jar containing over $200 caught his eye, so after filling out the application, Mark left. A few hours later, he returned, snatched the tip jar, and ran out of the restaurant. However, his getaway was short-lived, as his completed application had provided his real name and address. Plus, he left behind a backpack that verified his identity, so he was eventually caught by police.
Finally, Alberto Saavedra Lopez demonstrated why you can’t go back home to the
As he started to carry out his mission, he forgot he was in a truly electric environment. He ignored the signs warning of the dangerous high-voltage lines in the plant. But as he collected coils of copper and prepared to make off with them, he was instantly jolted
scene of your crime. While living in Cottonwood, Arizona, he stole $5,000 from the bank where he worked. For two years, he got away with it by moving to Phoenix. In time, however, he moved back to Cottonwood and applied for a new job — at the local police station. But, as he applied to
with an estimated 22,000 volts of electricity, and around 400 homes were left without power. He miraculously managed to survive, though with severe burns and a damaged skull, and was given 12 months of community service.
become a dispatcher, officials did a background check, discovering he was an at-large suspect in the theft. So, when he showed
up for his job interview, they greeted him with handcuffs.
YOUR REFERRALS MEAN THE WORLD TO US There is no greater compliment we can receive than a client telling a friend or loved one about us. If you know somebody who has been injured and needs an attorney who will fight on their behalf and give their case the attention it deserves, please pass along this newsletter and have them give us a call at 314-293-4222. Thank you for spreading the word about Finney Injury Law.
Staying in the Zone for Trial Time Chris Finney Shares Preparation and Litigation Tips
Finding success in the courtroom requires the same level of preparation and focus that athletes, actors, doctors, and anyone else under pressure must put in. Attorney Chris Finney recently shared the benefit of his experience and expertise with more than 200 attendees at the Kentucky Justice Association Annual Convention and Seminar. During his talk with the group, Chris focused on the power of staying present, preparing for trial, and making the best use of practical tools along the way. As always, please reach out with any questions and let us put our experience to work for you.
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
‘Dougie’ Will Always Be a Big Part of Me
2
Why Eating Together Matters More Than You Think
2
Winter Driving Reminders
3
3 Not-So-Bright Burglars
3
Preparing for Courtroom Success
4
A Snowy Ride Into the Past
Winter Sledding on Art Hill Never Gets Old
‘JOLLY TIMES’ DATE BACK TO 1905
“Hey, let’s go sledding on Art Hill!”
Early accounts chronicled sledders taking advantage of the hills in Forest Park back in the 1870s. But Art Hill was a new wintry discovery. While the hill itself had always been there, it was covered in trees until 1902, when the land was cleared of timber to make way for the sprawling fair. Once it was discovered in early 1905, sledding quickly took off on the hill. And by the winter of 2005-06, the stairs that had been placed on the hill for the fair were removed. That gave sledders an even greater portion of the sloping land to enjoy. And that’s the way it has been since then. Today, Art Hill continues to deliver thrill-filled sledding. The top of Art Hill is home to the St. Louis Art Museum. It is also the starting point for a 430-foot ride with a downward slope of 8 degrees. Art Hill is a sledders’ delight, one that keeps them coming back for more. While the sleds may have turned from folding chairs and wood to plastic and fiberglass, and the clothes have evolved a bit since the days when Teddy Roosevelt was president, the sledding at Art Hill continues to pick up speed with “jolly times” that never go out of style.
That entertaining rallying cry has echoed through St. Louis for over 100 winters. It all started at the dawn of the 20th century in 1904. The World’s Fair had just concluded its historic run in Forest Park in mid-November. With the new year, a formidable winter storm rolled through the region, leaving snow, sleet, rain, and frigid cold. As the storm subsided, a few workers who were wrapping up the last details of the World’s Fair at the end of the day, found a fast way to go home — they slid down the frozen tundra of what came to be known as Art
Hill. Some even rode folding chairs down the snowy incline. It was a noticeable spectacle. Even the Globe-Democrat newspaper noted the “jolly times” the employees had discovered that day.
Practicing in Missouri and Illinois
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