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DEC 2022 IT’S BEEN A GREAT YEAR! Looking Back at 2022 THE SLG ADVISOR
I like a whole lot more than running anyway. I have made a promise to myself not to complain about my knee situation as I know so many people have problems much greater than a bum knee and I know nobody likes being around a complainer. I also experienced my second bout of COVID-19 in 2022. I had it in 2020, and it kicked my ass back then. This time was the complete opposite. Besides the test strip saying I tested positive, I would have had no idea I even caught it again. I was symptom- free, largely thanks to vaccines, prior infections, and the antiviral Paxlovid. I am so grateful we are pretty much back to our pre-pandemic lives and no longer live in fear of serious illness, shutdowns and constant disruptions. I pray 2023 will see even more improvement on the Covid front. We had a year full of mostly positives on the business side of things. Spada Law Group grew rapidly and substantially, and we were able to help many more people with their legal needs than last year! We also had a
from work to see our couch or another piece of furniture gone and knew we were one step closer to moving out. After selling that house, we moved onto Plum Island while we waited for our new condo to be built. It was beautiful being there in the middle of winter. We stayed in a beach house and had many enjoyable nights experiencing storms and waves. Our condo was still under construction when our lease ended, so we had to move to another beach house while we waited. This one was way too big and expensive, which made us eager to move into our actual new home. It was finally ready in June, and we thankfully avoided being homeless in those months leading up to it. In other news, I underwent knee surgery this past September. I had become way less mobile than I had ever been due to a knee problem. I needed to make many adjustments to ease my arthritis pain. I have to take a break from many activities I enjoy including skiing. I might not be able to run again without accelerating the arthritis. The good news is it looks like I will be ready for ski season, which
We’ve finally reached December, which means 2022 is quickly coming to a close. Soon, we’ll celebrate the new year and make resolutions to ensure that 2023 starts on the right foot. I know we’re all highly anticipating the fresh start of a new year, but before we get there, we should reflect on the past year to appreciate the challenges we overcame and remember the good times we experienced. I know my year was full of ups and downs in both my personal and professional lives. But on balance, 2022 was an excellent year for me, my family and the firm and I am very grateful! One of the more significant things that happened in my personal life was my move to a new house! Well, actually, we moved three separate times. At the end of 2021 and into 2022, my wife and I sold the home where we raised our children. It was a big house in a sleepy town that was great for raising two kids, but after they moved out, we didn’t need as much space and decided to sell. We didn’t just sell the house. We also sold everything in it! More accurately, my wife sold everything in it through Facebook Marketplace. I’d come home
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APPLE’S NEW CAR-CRASH DETECTION FEATURE Does it Work? Apple is constantly unveiling new features for its devices. Some are designed with entertainment in mind, while others focus on the device’s speed. One of Apple’s most recent features is intended to keep users safe while driving their vehicles.
NOT ALL PERSONAL INJUR FIND A LAWYER WHO’S GOING TO DO MORE Finding an experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyer takes extensive research to find the best representation for your specific case. Lawyers have different standards, expectations, and even levels of commitment. Some lawyers do the bare minimum, while others go above and beyond for their clients.
When you work with us at Spada Law Group, you will always be a priority, and we will do everything in our power to ensure you are happy with the results. Look at the following two scenarios to understand the difference between lawyers who do the bare minimum and those that genuinely try to help their clients. The first scenario involves a client who was involved in a head-on collision. Their airbags were deployed, and the seatbelt retracted. The client survives but suffers a significant shoulder injury. They go to the hospital, get X-rays, and find that nothing is broken. The pain continues for days, so they see their primary care provider, who sends them to physical therapy. After completing physical
What happens when you get into a vehicular accident? Ideally, you’re unharmed and can freely leave your vehicle so you can call the authorities. But what happens if you’re injured and unable to alert others that you need help? Apple is providing a solution with their car- crash detection feature that can be utilized in new Apple iPhones and smartwatches. Apple Watch Series 8 can detect if you’ve been in a car crash. When a collision is detected, the watch will automatically connect you with emergency services unless you hit a cancel button within 10 seconds. They added a similar feature to the iPhone 14, three years after Google added it to its Pixel phones. While the technology sounds like a great idea, many wonder if it actually works.
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The Wall Street Journal recently tested them by bringing the devices to a demolition derby driver. The driver strapped on an Apple Watch and placed an iPhone 14 and a Google Pixel in his vehicle. On separate occasions, he crashed his car into a 2003 Ford Taurus and a 2008 Dodge Caravan. Both of these vehicles had an iPhone and a Google Pixel in them as well. When the driver crashed into the vehicle, the Apple Watch and the phones within his car acknowledged the collision and tried to alert emergency services. The phones in the vehicle on the receiving end of the crash did not report an accident. Apple responded to the Wall Street Journal by stating, “The testing conditions in the junkyard didn’t provide enough signals to the iPhone to trigger the feature. It wasn’t connected to Bluetooth or CarPlay, which would have signaled the car was in use. And the vehicles may not have traveled enough distance before the crash to indicate driving.” While there may still be some kinks in the software, it’s apparent that drivers who use the crash-detection feature will be better protected in an emergency. If you’re a driver who drives at night or in rural areas, consider utilizing this feature, especially if you already own an iPhone or Apple Watch.
“This was an amazing team, I had a car accident and I was
recommended Spada Law, and it was the best choice. They got right to work with my case, and kept me posted when any new updates were given to them.” –Eli C.
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RY LAWYERS ARE BUILT THE SAME
tear. They’re presented with new options that will put them on the road to recovery. The case is then settled for 20–30 times more than the first scenario’s client. The client in the second scenario leaves happy with their experience and decision, while the other client continues to struggle with a torn rotator cuff. Which lawyer would you choose? The answer should be obvious. Make sure you do your research so you can find a lawyer who’s going to keep your best interests in mind at all times.
therapy, the pain still lingers. The client contacts their lawyer, who gets information from the ambulance ride, doctor visits, and physical therapy. The lawyer then begins negotiating with the insurance company. An offer is conveyed, but it’s not substantial. The lawyer tells the client that it’s a soft tissue injury and these cases don’t hold much value. The client ended the conversation frustrated and still in pain but accepts the offer. In the other scenario, the client gets into the same accident, but the lawyer continually checks in on their progress. When they finish their physical therapy, the case manager asks probing questions to determine the extent of their pain. They ask the client if they had an MRI done as shoulder injuries can be long- term and hard to accurately diagnose. They direct their client to be aggressive with their doctor to order an MRI. The client takes their lawyer’s advice, gets an MRI, and finds there is a partial
INGREDIENTS • 2 slices sprouted grain bread • 1 medium sweet potato • 1/2–1 tsp lemon juice • 2 pinches sea salt • 2 pinches ground black pepper • 2 tbsp cubed avocado or 1 tbsp sliced black olives DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 450 F. On baking sheet lined with parchment, place sweet potato. 2. Bake 45–60 minutes or until soft. 3. Store sweet potato in fridge or freezer until ready to use. 4. Remove potato skin. In a small bowl, mash 1/2 cup sweet potato with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. 5. Spread mashed sweet potato on toast along with avocado or black olives. 6. Enjoy! Sweet Potato Toast As my journey to live healthier continues, I have tried to find breakfast options that taste delicious while providing nutritional value. This recipe has become one of my favorites.
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massive legal victory in May for a very deserving client. This courageous man was severely injured and had to wait seven years to get his day in court. He persevered through every obstacle, told his story, and won $5 million from a very attentive jury. Additionally, we had a long-term employee with us for 15 years who took an early retirement. She was amazing and incredibly talented at what she did, and we will miss her. While we could never replace her, we did hire a new Intake Manager named Tomas, who has continually impressed everyone on the team. He’s originally from Mexico but was raised in Georgia before deciding to make a go of it in Boston. So far, he seems to be loving Boston and he is constantly exploring the city and other parts of New England. He’s wonderful, and we love having him. It’s been an exciting year, and I’m sure 2023 will be no different. I hope you all have a fantastic end to 2022 and your 2023 starts strong!
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617.889.5000 | SPADALAWGROUP.COM
111 Everett Ave., #1F Chelsea, MA 02150 INSIDE Reflecting on the Most Significant Events in 2022
Investigating Apple’s New Car-Crash Detection Feature
Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
Testimonial
Sweet Potato Toast
You’re a Mainstay, Mr. Grinch
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How the Grinch Stole Our Hearts BEHIND THE TIMELESS CHRISTMAS TALE
most expensive television special made until that time. Later, Hollywood upped the ante with a live-action adaptation in 2000 and an animated full-length film in 2018. Both movies were box office successes, but neither has overtaken the 26-minute TV special as our favorite way to enjoy the Grinch. Why does the Grinch endure? Dr. Seuss based the character on himself, so it may be that there’s a little bit of the Grinch in all of us. Unlike that other well-known holiday-hater Ebenezer Scrooge, he gives those who aren’t full of Christmas cheer a favorable mascot. The Grinch’s wild schemes and comical complaints are more fun than menacing, and his story produces a reliably happy ending. As its greatest gift, an annual viewing can leave even the most hardened Grinch feeling as if their own heart has grown a size or two.
persuaded him to reconsider. Still, the story required some changes. Jones assigned the Grinch his signature green color, and the Grinch’s dog, Max, was given a more prominent role to increase the special’s runtime. But the songs were the most important of all. The TV special contains nine total musical numbers, the most famous featuring lyrics only Dr. Seuss could have written. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is a hilariously clever song and a highlight of the program. The filmmakers also secured a big win in the voice
As regularly as Rudolph does, the Grinch appears on our television screens every December. Despite his negative attitude and nefarious intentions, the protagonist of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” remains a family favorite more than 60 years after the animated TV special first aired. The Grinch’s transformation into a cultural icon began with a 1957 children’s book. Author Dr. Seuss had recently experienced great success with “The Cat in the Hat” and was a hot commodity. He published “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” later that same year, and the black-and-white book was an instant smash. The story might have ended there if Dr. Seuss had his way. Dr. Seuss was protective of his creations and didn’t trust them in anyone else’s hands, but his filmmaker friend, Chuck Jones, eventually
talents of horror movie legend Boris Karloff, who provided an alternatingly sneering and tender tone to the production.
Thanks to its full animation technique featuring 25,000 drawings, Variety says “The Grinch” may have been the
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