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Review Brooks & Crowley
February 2025
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
NO ‘GROUNDHOG DAY’ HERE The Ever-Changing World of an Attorney’s Work People often discuss the movie “Groundhog Day” as Feb. 2 rolls around. As a personal injury attorney, I sometimes hear the question, “Don’t you get bored dealing with the same types of cases over and over again?” To many people, it might seem like my job is the legal equivalent of the movie “Groundhog Day” — where each day is just a repeat of the last, a never-ending cycle of car accidents, truck accidents, and arguments with insurance adjusters. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, every case presents its own set of challenges. No two cases are ever the same because no two clients are ever the same.
Check out Neil’s free book, “8 Costly Errors That Insurance Companies Want You To Make,” at BrooksAndCrowley.com/ reports/8-costly-errors-that- insurance-companies-want- you-to-make.cfm
who greeted neighbors, shop keepers, and dog walkers along the way. He kept on walking after he retired. One day he was struck by a car and wasn’t able to walk distances for more than a year. Given his age, the insurance company didn’t think his injury was a big deal. I knew the accident had stolen his sense of self and social network. We were able to identify many witnesses who were willing to testify how much their interactions meant to each other. At arbitration, my client was awarded the full policy limits.
One of the most important things I do as your attorney is listen. Personal injury law isn’t just about damages and medical bills — it’s about people. It’s about your story. I need to know who you are and how the injury has impacted your life. That’s the only way I can effectively advocate for you. It is easier to demonstrate the effect of an injury when the client is a professional drummer who breaks a wrist or a construction worker who breaks a leg.
Maybe you’ve been hurt in a car accident, and you’re worried not only about your medical bills but also how your injury is affecting your ability to work or even enjoy your hobbies. Now your life revolves around doctor’s appointments and physical therapy. Each client I meet comes with their own set of fears and concerns, and it’s my job to tailor my approach to those specific needs.
If you’ve ever had to deal with an insurance company, you know they’re not exactly known for their flexibility. But even insurance adjusters and defense attorneys bring different tactics to the table depending on the case. Some are more willing to listen to people’s stories than others. My experience allows me to navigate these personalities and strategies effectively. At the end of the day, my job is to be an advocate, and advocacy begins with understanding. I’m here to help clients navigate a complex system and make sure their voice is heard. But it’s not a cookie-cutter process. So no, it’s not like “Groundhog Day” — and that’s what makes this work so rewarding. –Neil Crowley
It is tougher to show the losses of people who are “beer league” athletes and weekend warriors who can no longer participate in their favorite sport because they are injured by someone else’s negligence. Losing the ability to play, even temporarily, is far more significant than just playing a game. It is the social aspect of hanging out with people who share a common interest. It is also a form of stress relief. Without playing, you are no longer part of the group. As people age, it is tough to find that type of social interaction. It’s a big loss that doesn’t show up on paper. I once had a client, a retired postal worker, who worked at the U.S. Postal Annex in South Station. He lived in Dorchester and walked both ways every day for 20-plus years. Four miles each way. He was a friendly guy
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Chills ’n Thrills
New Winter Wonders Await
If your kids are tired of building the same old snowman or taking another sled trip down the hill this winter, here are three fresh ideas for kids and teens — or the young at heart — to have new adventures in the snow.
to use the mounds of flakes as a yard-length white canvas? All they’ll need to create art in the snow are squirt bottles, food coloring, and their imaginations. If you’re short of food coloring, your kitchen offers plenty of art supplies. For example,
you can smash up blueberries and mix them with water to create natural purple “paint,” use tomatoes to make a red solution, and strawberries can add a touch of pink. Just be sure any ingredients your children use are safe for the environment — and watch as they create their own Picassos on your property!
FROZEN BUBBLE FUN While adults may not care much for freezing temperatures, kids who dress warmly enough can find plenty of fun things to do in cold weather besides building another Frosty in the front yard. If the air is frigid enough, they may be able to blow bubbles that will freeze mid-air. Watching frozen bubbles pop can be a delight, as they often resemble broken glass as they cascade to the ground. If this activity sounds like a great time, ensure your kids are well protected from the elements so they don’t get too cold while creating their makeshift shards.
PLUNGE LIKE A POLAR BEAR Now, this one’s not for the faint of heart. A “polar bear plunge” is an activity where groups of people take ice-cold dips, runs, and leaps into a nearby river, lake, or ocean in the dead of winter, often to raise money for charity. If diving into freezing waters makes you shudder (or if there’s no way you’d let your children do that), you can still enjoy the event as a spectator — dressed comfortably in your warmest winter clothes.
BOLD ART ON THE SNOW If heavy snowfall has kept your kids from attending school for the day, why not turn their time away from class into a fun opportunity
Weird Stories From World War II Ghosts and Gold
World War II, the largest conflict in human history, saw millions of soldiers engaged in fierce battles across the globe, from the deserts of Tunisia and the muddy fields of Kursk to the streets of Singapore and the tropical atolls of the Marshall Islands. Some oddities go overlooked among the countless acts of heroism, savagery, desperation, stalemates, victories, and defeats. Bizarre events, characters, and plans that sound too outlandish to be true (but are!) prove reality is often stranger than fiction. THE GHOST ARMY Deception is a prominent part of war, but the U.S. Army invented an entirely new way of misleading the enemy. The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, nicknamed the “Ghost Army,” was a unit dedicated to creating a fake army
capable of drawing enemy attention and resources away from the rest of the front. Deployed on Jan. 20, 1944, the Ghost Army comprised around 1,000 men, including artists, fashion designers, and geniuses. The unit utilized inflatable tanks and vehicles, sent out phony commands over the radio, and even created a landfill big enough to convince any aerial reconnaissance that a much larger force was camped at their location. OPERATION GOLDEN EYE Following the Spanish Civil War, a fascist regime sympathetic to Nazi Germany, led by Francisco Franco, assumed control of Spain. While Spain was neutral during the war — partly due to skillful diplomacy by the Allies — the British Army prepared for the worst. If Spain entered the war and Germany
invaded British Gibraltar, they needed a plan to repel the invasion and defeat the Spanish and German armies. The British tasked Commander Ian Fleming of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve with this task. The plan was nicknamed Operation Golden Eye. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Ian Fleming went on to write a series of spy novels starring its titular character, James Bond.
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BREW-TALLY HONEST THE PERKS AND PITFALLS OF CAFFEINE
Have a Laugh! BUZZ KILL Caffeine can be a needed pick-me-up, but it can also feed the grind that keeps you up at night or gives you anxiety. Tea and coffee can interfere with essential neurotransmitters like dopamine. This disruption can lead to a lack of motivation, irritability, and restlessness. Drinking too much of these fine brews can make you nervous, impact your sleep, and cause your Perk up, coffee lovers. We’re about to spill the beans on how the beloved brew can be a friend and foe to our mental health. Caffeine can lift our spirits, energize us, sharpen our focus, and even counteract the effects of depression. But this popular stimulant can also lead to jitters, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms if we sip too much. Grab a cup of Joe, and let’s explore the perks and pitfalls of this flavorful fuel. BUZZ BEHIND THE BOOST Studies have found that moderate doses of caffeine can have perks. This naturally occurring stimulant can help with weight loss, alertness, brain function, memory, and physical performance. Caffeine can also guard against certain types of cancer, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease. There’s even proof that coffee can reduce depression, thanks to the other acids in the drink that reduce inflamed nerve cells in the brains of people with depression.
body to go into flight or fight mode. For people who are already suffering from depression, the drink can cause your symptoms to worsen.
So, as you drink your morning java, just remember to find the balance with the beans. Caffeine can be the ultimate mood booster, but too much will make you feel wired instead of wonderful!
Vegan Greek Sheet Pan Dinner Inspired by ItDoesntTasteLikeChicken.com
Ingredients
Seasoning: •
Veggies and Tofu: •
3 tbsp olive oil
1 block extra-firm tofu, drained and diced 1 medium zucchini, sliced 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced 1 medium red onion, sliced
• • • • • • •
1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tbsp) 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
• • • • • •
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives 1/4 cup vegan feta, crumbled
directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. In a small bowl, combine all seasoning ingredients, stir, and set aside. 2. Spread tofu, zucchini, pepper, onion, and tomatoes on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle seasoning over top and mix with your hands until everything is well coated. 3. Bake for 35–40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until everything is golden brown. Remove from the oven, then sprinkle with olives and vegan feta. 4. Serve with cooked rice, warm pita bread, vegan tzatziki, hummus, or chopped parsley.
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 How a Personal Injury Attorney Brings Clients’ Stories to Life 2 Creative Cold-Weather Fun
2 Bizarre Stories From World War II
3 Is Your Coffee a Friend or Foe?
Vegan Greek Sheet Pan Dinner
4 Must-See Sports and Arts Events This Month
February Events in Boston A Thrilling Lineup to Beat the Winter Blues
HAND-STITCHED ART TO SHOW YOUR LOVE
Amid February snowstorms and volatile temperatures, what better way to spend your time than savoring the city’s best sports and arts events? From watching the world’s hockey greats face off in a four-country slugfest to enjoying a prize-winning drama about family ties, the city’s diverse calendar of events has something for everyone. Here’s a sampling. HOCKEY GREATS VIE FOR VICTORY Boston’s long love affair with hockey will reach a fever pitch on Feb. 15 when the 4 Nations Face-Off brings some of the world’s best players together on the global stage. Boston is a cohost city with Montreal for this best-on-the-best tournament among Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the U.S. The five-day event will open with a Fan Village Watch Party at Boston City Hall Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 15, and culminate in a championship game at TD Garden on Thursday, Feb. 20. The U.S. roster includes such
superstars as Jack Eichel, J. T. Miller, Quinn Hughes, Auston Matthews, and goalie Connor Hellebuyck, and the event will be televised in the U.S. by TNT, ESPN, and ABC. HEIRS CLASH IN PRIZE-WINNING PLAY If you liked watching siblings do battle in Netflix’s “Succession,” you will love this live production of August Wilson’s celebrated play, “The Piano Lesson,” by the Actor’s Shakespeare Project. Winner of the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “The Piano Lesson” focuses on a 1930s-era clash between two siblings over preserving the family’s legacy versus building for the future. At issue is a hand-carved heirloom piano created by an enslaved ancestor and embellished with images of his loved ones. A brother argues the piano should be sold to buy land, while his sister insists the heirloom be kept and cherished. The production continues through Feb. 23 at Hibernian Hall in Boston.
Customized embroidery is gaining popularity as a unique addition to denim jackets, shirts, and hats. DIY crafters are invited to learn this historic art form at an “Embroidery for Health and Wellness” workshop on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Boston School of Fashion Design. Create a colorful, hand-sewn item for someone you love while learning the therapeutic benefits of this calming art. Enjoy discussions, hands-on practice, and expert instruction as you create your final project.
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