Smith Wallis & Scott January 2018

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

JAN 2018

LEGAL INJURY GUIDE

327 Bankhead Hwy, Carrollton, GA 30117

OUR ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

Here’s a look at some of our favorite events from 2017.

• In July, we were in the Fourth of July parade and went all-out on our float with a “law for freedom” theme. One of our team member’s husbands even dressed up as a judge! • In October, we did a client appreciation event and gave out gift bags. There was a huge barbecue and a raffle, where we gave a huge TV. We’re excited to make this an annual get-together.

• September was our back-to-school drive. We gave away hundreds of bags of school supplies to students to make going back to school a little easier.

• To create more happy Thanksgivings, we gave away 100 turkeys in November. Using social media, we let people know we’d be giving them away, and on that day, we had food and drinks and gave away the turkeys. Seeing posts from people who said they wouldn’t have been able to buy a turkey otherwise made us realize how impactful the giveaway was. Thank you to everyone who participated. We hope you enjoyed it. It’s something we plan to continue and grow each year.

How were your Thanksgiving and Christmas? It’s still hard to believe the holiday season is over, isn’t it? It seems to go by more quickly each year. One of the highlights for my family is going to a tree farm to get our Christmas tree. We go every year to cut one down ourselves and bring it home to decorate. My kids love it. They enjoy picking out the perfect tree, and of course, the marshmallows and hot chocolate. In addition to time with family, we were busy at the practice. We saw our business grow and our team become stronger, and we felt like we go to know you a little better. It’s been a focus of ours this past year. We have been in the West Georgia area since 1993. We want to offer you the best, so our focus is on what’s best for you. Most of our clients come from West Georgia, and we’re thankful to be part of the community and to fulfill a need we recognized. Now that we’re here, we’re using our resources to make fun and supportive contributions to our community. It’s always satisfying when we are able to give to the community where we work, live and play.

• During the Carrollton Christmas parade, we gave out candy and got to share in the festive celebration with you all. Wasn’t it a good time?

Events like these are meaningful because they remind all of us that it’s not about the money — it’s about helping people. The need is all around us. Statistics make us realize how deep the need goes, like how many of the students in our schools are on free or reduced lunch. Many people are still recovering from the economic troubles of the last decade. As an organization, we are ready to make a difference in both the legal profession and our community.

We had a lot to be grateful for last year, and in 2018, we want to find even more ways to share that with others.

Happy new year, and we hope to see you at the next event.

-Luis Scott, Jr.

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WANT TO SEE BETTER REPORT CARDS IN 2018?

Make Reading a Family Resolution

Every parent wants to see their child do well in school, and there’s one fun activity that benefits students of all ages: reading. In a world with so much stimulation, however, it can be difficult to motivate kids to put down a screen and pick up a book. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity to make reading a priority. Here are a few tips to make 2018 the year your kids become bookworms. There’s no better motivator than solidarity! Plus, we’re guessing everyone in your household could stand to read a little more. You don’t have to read the same books or set identical goals, but it’s a lot more fun when everyone participates. Schedule weekly reading discussions so everyone can share the cool MAKE IT A FAMILY RESOLUTION

stories they’ve read. Stack your completed books in your house somewhere as a monument to all the knowledge your family has gained.

SET REWARD MILESTONES

Positive reinforcement will propel your kids to keep reading long after the calendars have turned. For a certain number of books completed or hours spent reading, offer them a prize. You can even create a big end goal to really cement those reading habits. Better yet, set a combined goal that the entire family can work toward. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If your kids know that reading one book per week through June means an extra-special summer vacation, their enthusiasm won’t wane come spring. Goodreads is a social network for bibliophiles. You can find recommendations, share ratings, and create lists of both completed and to-be-read books. Users also create reading lists based on topic, genre, decade, and more. With over 2 billion books added, you’ll never run out of inspiration. Biblionasium offers the same services, but it’s designed specifically for children. Talk to other parents and create a network of friends and classmates. After all, nothing is cooler to a kid than what their friends are doing. Avid readers tend to do better academically from kindergarten through college. In fact, a study from the Journal of Education and Practice found that reading comprehension predicted success in other subjects more than any other factor. If you want to see improved report cards, make a reading resolution for your entire household. USE READING APPS

After suffering injuries from a car accident, your spouse might not be able to return to work right away. It’s a scary and frustrating prospect. How can you keep your household going on just one income? They might be compensated for lost wages in their lawsuit, but until their case is settled, you have to make ends meet. Here are some suggestions for how to cope with the situation. PRIORITIZE Quality medical care comes first. Don’t skip important appointments so you can pay other bills. That missed appointment could cause medical issues and worse expenses down the road. Once you’ve budgeted for immediate medical expenses, think about your basic costs of living. If you can no longer pay rent, consider finding a subleaser and moving to a more affordable home or apartment. Can you move in with your family temporarily? MAKE MINIMUM PAYMENTS Health is your priority. But minimum payments are also essential because failure to pay will destroy your credit record and make it difficult to secure financing in the future. The stress of the situation makes it hard to remember everything. Set alerts for all student loans, credit cards, and time-sensitive payments. THREE SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR FAMILY AFTER AN ACCIDENT

SEEK PRE-SETTLEMENT FUNDING Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for pre-settlement funding. This will help you keep your family afloat on one income until you reach a settlement in your personal injury case. If your case fails to settle, you won’t owe on your loan. The bottom line in the aftermath of an accident and during recovery is to prioritize health and personal injury proceedings, but not to get behind on your minimum payments. A little budget management can make all the difference at this difficult time. Smith, Wallis & Scott can help you reach a swift, favorable settlement so you no longer need to worry about the financial impact of your car accident. Get in touch with our team at 770-214-2500.

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‘The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Survival Guide’ ADDRESSING YOURWORKERS’ COMPENSATION QUESTIONS

The following is an excerpt from our book, “The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Survival Guide.” We wrote this book for those of you who’ve suffered a work accident and are left with pain and a lot of questions. Perhaps it happened in an instant. You were carrying a heavy box and your back gave out on you in a painful spasm. Or maybe an ill-placed step twisted your knee and re-aggravated an old high school injury, and now you can barely limp to the kitchen without agony. Or maybe the source of your trauma was cumulative. Months or years of working in a poorly ventilated shop caused a serious lung ailment or cardiac issues. Or poor workplace ergonomics topped off by a heavy computer workload strained your shoulders and wrists.

A million questions are running through your head, and you need answers. We wrote “The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Survival Guide” with you in mind.

This e-book is designed to help you begin to answer these questions and many more like them. Our experienced Georgia workers’ compensation law firm has prepared an extensive series of essays addressing these crucial questions. We believe that knowledge is power, and we want you to feel strong and ready to take on the challenge. You didn’t ask to get hurt, and you can’t turn back the past. But you can strategize to make your future the absolute best it can be. You can download your free copy of “The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Survival Guide” by visiting smithwallisandscott.com/ebooks. Your guide to the challenging questions, and to some peace of mind, is only a click away.

No matter what brought you to this point, you need insight. You’re probably frustrated, confused, scared, and angry — perhaps in equal parts.

LEFTOVER Turkey Ramen

Whether your leftover turkey has been sitting in the freezer since the end of December or it’s from a more recent meal, take that bird and turn it into a warm bowl of ramen, perfect for the cold winter months.

INGREDIENTS

1 leftover turkey carcass

4 eggs

6 scallions, divided

4 ounces bacon

8 slices ginger

4 portions fresh, not instant, ramen noodles

6 dried shiitake mushrooms

2 cups leftover turkey, shredded

16 cups water

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove most of the meat from the turkey carcass, shred, and set aside. Put carcass in a large stockpot, along with 3 scallions, ginger, mushrooms, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours. 2. Place eggs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove pot from heat and let sit for 4 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath to cool.

3. Cook bacon until crisp. Drain, chop, and set aside. Chop remaining scallions. 4. Once the broth is done

Winners will be announced Wednesday, February 14th HAVE A LAUGH

simmering, prepare the fresh noodles according to package directions. Divide noodles among 4 bowls and cover with broth. Add shredded turkey, chopped scallions, chopped bacon, and an egg to each bowl.

Recipe inspired by TheWoksOfLife.com

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770-214-2500 swslawfirm.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE

327 Bankhead Hwy Carrollton, GA 30117

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Reasons to Stay Local in the New Year

The Resolution That Leads to Better Grades

How to Cope After an Accident

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Your Resource Guide to Georgia’s Workers’ Comp

Revive That Leftover Turkey!

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Can a Bird Save the Day?

WILLIE SOUNDS THE ALARM In 2009, Megan Howard and her pet parrot, Willie, were babysitting 2-year- old Hannah Kuusk. When Megan went to the bathroom, she suddenly heard a loud scream and a high-pitched voice shouting, “Mama baby!” She dashed out of the bathroom and found Willie next to Hannah, whose face was turning blue. Howard quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver to save the choking girl, but she considers Willie the real hero. The local chapter of the Red Cross later awarded Willie their Animal Lifesaver Award. CHER AMI AND THE LOST BATTALION During World War I, a division of U.S. forces managed to cross German lines in what would be called the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Unfortunately, they were completely alone. Enemy and friendly fire rained down on them, and the commander sent a plea to headquarters with his last carrier pigeon, Cher Ami. The moment Cher Ami took off, Germans opened fire on the pigeon. However, despite being shot through the breast and losing a leg and an eye, Cher Ami kept flying. He made it 25 miles to headquarters, delivering the message that saved 194 men. Cher Ami was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, a medal celebrating wartime heroics, and his body is enshrined at the Smithsonian’s Price of Freedom exhibit in Washington, D.C. THESE FEATHERED HEROES Aren’t Exactly Birdbrains

We hear stories about dogs, cats, and even dolphins stepping up to save the day, but mammals aren’t the only animal heroes worth celebrating. Check out these feathered friends who prove every bird has its day. CHARLIE THE WATCH BIRD When two men knocked on his door early one September morning in 2011, kindhearted Jack Dukes welcomed the strangers into his home, hoping to offer assistance. The men turned on him. They beat Jack up and demanded pills, but this didn’t fly with Jack’s pet macaw, Charlie. The colorful bird leapt to his master’s defense, scratching and biting one of the invaders. After Charlie took a chunk out of the intruder’s arm, the man and his accomplice fled, and Jack called the authorities.

They say birds of a feather flock together, and these brave birds flock with the humans they love. Maybe being birdbrained isn’t such a bad thing after all.

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