Check out our latest newsletter!
On Your Side A Publication of Kevin McManus Law Injury & Disability Attorneys
Unplug and Reconnect
KevinMcManusLaw.com (816) 837-4433
Time in the Desert Might Be the Break You Need
A Personal Message From Kevin McManus
As summer unfolds, many of our friends and colleagues will be heading off on summer trips. For some, a successful summer vacation is taking a cruise or sightseeing tour. Others prefer kicking back on the beach. Traveling to a faraway desert that resembles the surface of Mars might not seem like a great choice. But that’s where my family and I went last summer, and we had a great time! During a visit to my wife’s family in Paraguay, we spent time in the Atacama Desert in Chile, a 1,000-mile-long plateau between the Andes Mountains and Chile’s coastal range. The Atacama gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “high and dry.” It is one of the driest places on Earth, and also one of the highest- altitude deserts. The Atacama so closely resembles the surface of Mars that NASA has tested some of its robotics there. Its wild terrain is said to have inspired scenes from Disney’s “The Mandalorian.” I absolutely loved that trip. We hiked through wonderful landscapes, salt flats, and geological formations of a kind I had never seen before. In many areas, there was absolutely nothing alive, at least nothing I could see. In our culture, I don’t think people know what real silence is. And in the Atacama, it was so quiet that my older son said he could actually hear his blood moving in his ears! The Atacama is one of the best places in the world to see stars at night. We went out stargazing, and while we had access to a massive telescope, all we really needed to see the Milky Way in detail was our own eyes. From our Kansas City home, the galaxy appears to be static. But from the high desert,
Welcome to our newsletter! We’ll introduce you to our office team, share client stories and life lessons, updates about our work and community, and have some fun along
the way. Have feedback? Email us at info@kevinmcmanuslaw.com and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you. We’re on Your Side!
HOW WE CAN HELP Kevin McManus Law assists clients with personal injury and long-term disability claims throughout Missouri and Kansas. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis and offer free consultations. Call (816) 837-4433 today or visit our website for more information: KevinMcManusLaw.com.
we could see that it is clearly moving ! My iPhone camera even picked up the swirling of nebulae within it. That trip gave me a chance to totally unplug for more than a week. Doing otherwise wasn’t even an option. We had no internet service, except for one certain spot where we were staying. We were off the grid, literally and figuratively. For me, that was awesome. It gave us a chance to disconnect and to be present with each other as a family. Our boys were 10 and 8 at the time, and I thought trying to entertain them might be a disaster. But I was shocked by how naturally they gravitated to being in nature. They didn’t have their iPads or TV, but being in the wild, going on hikes, and exploring was like their new iPad. In the evenings, we could read, journal, think, or just be present with each other.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS!
We’d like to thank the following clients and referral partners for trusting us with their referrals. Your support gives us the ability to help others.
CAROLYN J. MELODY F. WALLA A. MARIA C. LISA F.
GROVER LAW LANGDON & EMISON ZOILA T. BARBARA R. FISHMAN LAW
CONTINUED ON PG. 3 ...
1
KevinMcManusLaw.com • 816-837-4433
ISSUE 5
SAY YES TO THE CELEBRATION, NOT THE OVERSPENDING Celebrate Your Loved Ones Without Breaking the Bank
When wedding season rolls around and birthday invites start stacking up, it’s easy to feel like your wallet is under attack. Between flights, gifts, and party attire, the cost of celebrating your loved ones can add up fast. But with planning and savvy spending, you can still show up for the big moments without blowing your budget.
wearing something you already own or borrowing from a friend. If travel is involved, check if you can split an Airbnb or crash on a friend’s couch. BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR BUDGET. Money can be a tricky subject, but being upfront about your financial situation can help you avoid unnecessary stress. If an event is out of your budget, have an honest conversation with the host. Most people will be understanding and actually appreciate your transparency. Be sure to express gratitude and excitement for their big day, even if you can’t be there in person. STAY CONNECTED IN CREATIVE WAYS. Just because you can’t attend doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate! Send a thoughtful gift within your budget, offer to help with planning, or schedule a video call to toast their milestone. Your presence matters more than your presents, and true friends will appreciate any effort you make to share in their joy. Ultimately, celebrating your friends and family shouldn’t come with financial stress. The best memories don’t come from the most expensive gifts or the fanciest flights. They’re built on laughter, love, and the moments you share, no matter what that looks like.
PLAN AHEAD LIKE A PRO. Before you say “yes” to every invitation, take a moment to map out your year. Write down weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and graduations you hope to attend. Once you see them all in one place, estimating your total spending is easier. Set a realistic budget for each event, and don’t forget to factor in travel, gifts, and attire. Always do your research and verify prices for flights, hotel rooms, and registry gifts. CUT COSTS WITHOUT CUTTING FUN. Once you have a budget, look for ways to trim expenses without missing out on the fun. Instead of buying a new outfit for every event, consider re-
A $300,000 Win! HELPING A DISABLED ENGINEER GET THE BENEFITS HE DESERVES
Our client was working as a licensed professional engineer, designing and developing public infrastructure projects in St. Louis, when he sensed something was wrong. Nagging pain in his feet and legs was becoming so acute that he found it difficult to concentrate on his work. Plagued by pain 24/7, whether he was sitting, standing, walking, or sleeping, he sought help from a neurologist. The diagnosis, peripheral neuropathy, was serious and nearly impossible to treat. Our client did everything he could to continue working, but the opioids and other pain medications prescribed by his doctors impaired his thinking. To avoid the meds’ mind- fogging effects, he tried spine surgery, injections, and a consultation with a Mayo Clinic specialist, but the disabling pain continued. The pain and side effects of the medications eventually made it impossible for our client to work. He was approved for long-term disability
payments by Unum, a private disability insurer. When Missouri approved cannabis for medical purposes, our client embraced medical marijuana to avoid the risk of addiction to opioids. But Unum seized on that medication change to deny our client further benefits, saying he was no longer disabled and could perform some other kind of work. Alarmed, the engineer reached out to us. A detailed review of his policy clearly showed that our client was entitled to ongoing benefits. The contract assured coverage if he was unable to perform his “own job” — that is, his lifelong profession. The licensing requirements of his profession prevented him from working during treatment with medical marijuana. Also, an updated EMG reconfirmed our client’s ongoing peripheral neuropathy.
client, a judge quickly agreed and awarded him a continuation of his disability benefits plus all back benefits that were owed, for a total of $300,000. Our client was delighted and wrote in a review, “Kevin and his team … literally ‘snowed the insurance company under’ with a barrage of arguments so compelling that they ‘rolled over and played dead,’ reinstating benefits without question.” For us, helping this engineer get the benefits he deserved was a pleasure! If you have questions about long-term disability benefits, download my free guide on the topic from our website. And don’t hesitate to contact our office today.
After we prepared a carefully researched, well-documented appeal on behalf of our
2
KevinMcManusLaw.com • 816-837-4433
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else, it may seem as if you’ve acquired a new best friend — an adjuster from the at-fault party’s insurance company. If they are badgering you to sign release forms, make a recording, or even accept a quick cash payout, we have legal advice for you: Contact an experienced personal injury attorney first! SNEAKY TACTICS INSURERS USE TO CUT INJURY PAYOUTS The Lowball Playbook
... CONTINUED FROM COVER
For me, a successful summer trip provides that kind of time and space to be present in the moment. The meaning of our trip to Atacama wasn’t just about the value of being silent. It was about the importance of creating space in your life, so you have the ability to think, reflect on what is important to you, and live a more intentional life. Throughout different faith traditions, in stories as old as time, people have traveled into the desert to find purpose, meaning, or clarity. That is no accident. The desert sky is endless, and there, you can truly hear your thoughts. We can’t all live like monks, but even a week there left me with greater clarity about life — about things that were going well, and others I might want to work on. To have that ability to separate from our culture — where everything is go, go, go all the time — and to simply slow down and be quiet, to me, that’s a successful trip! This summer, I hope you have a chance to enjoy a peaceful sojourn of your own!
Here are three common tactics insurance companies use to trick injured parties into undermining their own case.
Simple Summer Garden Pasta -Kevin McManus
SIGN THIS RELEASE A claims adjuster may pretend that signing a blanket release giving them access to all your medical records is a routine step. It’s not! Insurers often cherry-pick these records for evidence that you aren’t as badly hurt as you actually are. They may try to show you had a pre-existing condition or that the accident didn’t cause your injuries. Another common ploy is to ask an injured person to sign a release of claim or waiver. This is a legally binding document that gives up important legal rights and prevents you from filing additional claims in the future to cover expenses that should be compensated, including past and future medical bills, lost wages from work, pain and suffering, and any permanent impairments.
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
Ingredients •
4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 4 cloves garlic, minced
• • • • •
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper 1 lb angel hair pasta
•
1 cup fresh basil
•
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese Cooked, chopped chicken for serving (optional)
RECORD A STATEMENT Victims of an accident are not legally required to record a statement following an accident, especially not one requested by the at-fault party’s insurance company! The questions they want answered may seem innocent, but the insurance company will try to manipulate your words to reduce or deny your claim. SETTLE FOR CASH Insurance companies often pressure victims to accept a quick settlement before they know the full extent of their injuries. The allure of cash can cause injured victims to sign away further rights before they can possibly know their total medical bills, injuries, or other impairments, especially with brain or spinal cord injuries. Accepting a quick settlement will cut off future opportunities to seek further damages and lead to your receiving lower compensation than you probably deserve. Before you give in to any of these tactics, consult an experienced personal injury attorney to help you accurately assess what you are owed and get the compensation you deserve! If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation.
•
•
Directions 1.
In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and toss until well coated. 2. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature while the pasta cooks. 3. Add pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook per package directions until al dente. 4. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water to add to the tomato mixture. 5. Coarsely chop the basil leaves. 6. Add the pasta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil to the tomato mixture and toss again until combined. 7. Serving suggestion: Add cooked, chopped chicken for more protein!
3
KevinMcManusLaw.com • 816-837-4433
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
OVERLAND PARK OFFICE 7500 College Blvd., Suite 559 Overland Park, KS 66210
KANSAS CITY OFFICE 1100 Main St., Suite 2300 Kansas City, MO 64105
LEE’S SUMMIT OFFICE 1308 NE Windsor Dr., Suite 6 Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
KevinMcManusLaw.com KMLabogados.com Call (816) 837-4433
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Page 1
Desert Days: Rediscovering Family and Self in the Stillness Weddings, Birthdays and Baby Showers — Oh My! We Won $300K in Benefits for a Disabled Client Tricks Insurers Use to Slash Personal Injury Payouts Simple Summer Garden Pasta Meet Procrastination’s Worst Enemy
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
We Would Love to Receive a Review From You! Your review could help someone else in need! Simply scan this QR code to leave your review today.
Procrastination Got You Down? The Zeigarnik Effect Could Be the Key to Your Success
Take a moment to reflect on your high school years. Were you the student who completed all your assignments well before the deadline? Or were you the student waiting until the last second to get started? Maybe you thought you could still do it in time with a passing grade, or perhaps you didn’t know where to begin. Regardless of the reason, you procrastinated. Many people associate procrastination with schoolwork, but you can procrastinate about work, household chores, and even fun experiences like vacation planning. Those who struggle with procrastination have likely tried countless strategies to improve their efforts, from adjusting their environment to utilizing time management applications. However, we often overlook one strategy that’s been around for over a century. The next time you procrastinate, try using the Zeigarnik Effect to your advantage.
don’t commit to finishing them in a day or assigning yourself a deadline. Instead, commit to doing them for five minutes. Once those five minutes have passed, you can step away from the task. However, oftentimes, you continue working because you’ve found your flow and don’t want to leave it unfinished. If you continue to leave your tasks unfinished after starting them, try breaking them down into smaller steps. Each time you accomplish one of the smaller tasks, you gain motivation to continue your project. If you need to step away from your desk for more than a few minutes, write down the unfinished task. Doing so will keep it at the top of your mind, ensuring you return later to finish. This strategy shifts your mindset and increases productivity while avoiding the stress of starting something new.
The Zeigarnik Effect is a phenomenon wherein people remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. Here’s how it works: When you have tasks you need to do,
Unfortunately, procrastination can be a roadblock to a happier, more fulfilling life. So, if other strategies have failed you previously, try the Zeigarnik Effect!
4 KevinMcManusLaw.com • 816-837-4433
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator