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www.LouisBerkLaw.com 407-906-0500 December 2024
Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Slip & Fall/Premises Liability | Wrongful Death
Our First Annual Louis Berk Golf Tournament for Verb Kind MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUTH
Having the opportunity to give back is one of life’s greatest gifts.
Last month was exciting and busy. We hosted our First Annual Louis Berk Golf Tournament to raise funds for Verb Kind, a nonprofit devoted to giving young people in juvenile detention a second chance through education and mentorship. One of the most meaningful ways we support their mission is by visiting these centers and connecting directly with the kids. I’ve been fortunate to spend time with them, hear their stories, and learn from their experiences. Many of these young people face challenges stemming from the lack of a father figure or a stable upbringing. It’s heartbreaking to witness how these factors can lead them into a flawed and often broken system, but I’m so glad we could put together this event to give back and directly better their lives.
That next day, Halloween, Oct. 31, was also Marisa’s birthday (she’s a Halloween baby), so as you can imagine, we had a jam-packed few days right there at the end of the month, especially now that our oldest child, Ziva, enjoys trick-or-treating. This year for Halloween, we did a whole “Frozen” theme in the Berk household! Ziva dressed up as Elsa, Marisa was Ana, Gavri was Olaf, and I, of course, was Kristof. We were the “Frozen” family and had a ball! Then, the next day was the First Annual Louis Berk Golf Tournament, and what an incredible experience it was! This private course is typically closed to the public, so having the opportunity to play there was remarkable. A huge thank you goes to Josh, a member of the Verb Kind board, who made access to this exclusive course possible. We’re thrilled to announce that we raised $16,000 for this incredible charity!
This has been the best year at Louis Berk Law, and we are so excited to work with many more clients, local charities, and communities to continue to give back. Thank you to my family, friends, and our amazing clients for a fabulous year. Here’s to a wonderful 2025! We can’t wait to see what the future holds! -Louis Bernardo Berk
We hosted a sold-out event at the beautiful Alaqua Country Club in Longwood for our First Annual Louis Berk Golf Tournament. Teeing things off on Wednesday, Oct. 30, we held a pre-event celebration at Guacamole Mexican Grill, where players and sponsors had the chance to connect and get to know one another. The restaurant generously hosted us, and we had a great time building camaraderie and excitement. Throughout the evening, we held raffles and gave away event tickets, including suite tickets to see the Orlando Solar Bears, to raise additional funds for Verb Kind alongside the tournament proceeds.
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CANINE COUNSELORS THE ROLE OF COURTHOUSE DOGS
they also greatly emphasize how schools treat their puppy pupils. To become accredited, a school must also employ humane training methods, have a valid health care regimen, and employ well-trained and evaluated trainers. The accreditation process is essential because courthouse dogs are only assigned to a handler after at least two years of training. If you think in dog years, that’s the equivalent of a Ph.D. in being a fluffy, adorable companion. Handling Business Once a dog has graduated from an accredited dog school, it is ready to be assigned a handler. The handler essentially adopts the dog and is responsible for housing, feeding, and caring for the professional pup. The handler is typically a victim advocate, forensic interviewer, police officer, or attorney, as they most often interact with people needing the dog’s expert care. Handlers also can’t have other dogs in the home who are overly aggressive, and most handlers provide support to the courthouse dog during off-hours. A secondary handler is typically necessary, as they can accompany the dog when the primary handler is required elsewhere. The Drawbacks Issues can arise if court employees or participants are allergic to dogs. Dog dander, a common allergen, can be on handlers’ clothing, making them a hazard to those with strong allergies. Care must be taken to avoid contact between handlers, their dogs, and those allergic to the animals. Similarly, some people have intense phobias of dogs; in this case, similar measures should be taken to avoid contact between the dogs and these individuals. The Benefits Courthouse dogs can seem alien in the stuffy courtroom environment, but their benefits greatly outweigh any breach in tradition or hindrance allergies or phobias may cause. They can help vulnerable witnesses regain the confidence to share their stories, no matter how difficult, and persevere through a challenging situation.
The courtroom can be an intimidating place. The formality, seriousness, and importance of our legal system — paired with potential trauma — can make it a challenging environment for those called to testify. Scared witnesses, victims of crime, and experts who are just having a down day can all have trouble when taking the stand. However, recalling a traumatic event can be easier with the help of a well-trained dog snuggled up against you on the witness stand, providing the mental nourishment to get through it. Courthouse dogs are used throughout the United States, providing an invaluable service often overlooked or unknown despite their noble purpose. They are professionally trained animals chosen from the most friendly and compassionate pool of dogs to provide reassurance in high-stress situations. Here is what you should know about these unsung heroes. Accredited Companions Not just any dog can become a successful courthouse dog. First, it needs to meet the professional standards. Only the friendliest and most adaptable dogs can cut it in an accredited assistance dog school. These hallowed nonprofit institutions are accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the world’s leading authority in the industry. ADI has been an integral part of the process since 1986 and only awards accreditation to organizations that meet its rigorous standards. While the ADI evaluates a dog school’s organizational operations, treatment of clients, safety, cleanliness, and compliance with legal regulations, “Courthouse dogs are used throughout the United States, providing an invaluable service often overlooked or unknown despite their noble purpose.”
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Picky Eaters
TAKE A BREAK
HOW TO HELP KIDS ENJOY MORE FOODS
No matter where you go in the world, most kids are picky eaters. According to a study published in Frontier, about 54% of kids are reluctant to try new foods. In the U.S., many kids will scoff at anything but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In France, it’s probably peanut butter and creme fraiche. And good luck getting Scandinavian kids to eat anything that doesn’t taste like black licorice or pickled herring! In all seriousness, parents everywhere have a similar problem. So, what’s the solution? Small Steps Kids go through many different dietary phases as they grow up. While frustrating, it is common for young kids to go through their “picky eater” phase. Some common tactics parents employ to counter this, however, are counterproductive . For instance, making kids eat everything on their plates can be stressful and make them even pickier than before. Instead, serving smaller portions is more helpful, especially when the foods are unfamiliar. Role Models When it comes to food, parents should lead by example. Eating together as a family and demonstrating how you enjoy the foods you are trying to introduce to your kids can go a long way to getting them to try new cuisine. While you’re at it, describing what you’re serving is a good idea so the textures and flavors don’t catch them off-guard. Introducing New Foods Building on the previous tips, introducing new foods, even in very small amounts, can help expand a child’s culinary boundaries over time. Even if the child does not eat the food the first time you put it on their plate, or even the fifth time, they will naturally become more familiar and comfortable with it. Studies show that you may need to feature new foods on their plates up to 15 times before kids are willing to try them!
Creamy Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup almond butter • 3 cups diced carrots • 3 cups peeled, diced sweet potatoes • Salt and pepper to taste • Cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil • 2 cups chopped yellow onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger • 2 tbsp red curry paste • 4 cups vegetable broth, divided
Directions 1. Melt coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté for 5–6 minutes. Stir in curry paste. 2. In a small bowl, whisk 1/3 cup broth with the almond butter until smooth. Add the mixture to the pot, along with the carrots, sweet potatoes, salt and pepper, and remaining vegetable broth. Stir to combine. 3. Bring soup to a low boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. 4. Blend with an immersion blender until the soup is smooth. 5. Season with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more spice if desired.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Our First Annual Golf Tournament Raised Funds and Spirits
How Canines Bring Comfort to the Courtroom
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Creamy Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
Conquer Picky Eating
Hospital Loses Part of Patient’s Skull
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ANYONE SEEN A SKULL? Hospital Misplaces Patient’s Body Part
hospital scheduled the procedure to repair Fernando’s skull for November 2022, issues arose that made it impossible for the hospital to fulfill its end of the bargain. The hospital made errors when identifying the bone flaps and had no idea which skull fragments belonged to Fernando. Eventually, hospital
All of us have had to search underneath the couch cushions for a missing wallet or TV remote, or we’ve had to scour the mall parking lot in search of our somehow misplaced car keys. I would almost certainly lose my head if it were not attached to my body. Which, as it turns out, is why I definitely should not work
staff informed the patient they could not find his bone flap and, as a result, they would be unable to put the missing pieces back in his skull.
at one particular Atlanta hospital. In September 2022, the Emory University Hospital Midtown staff allegedly misplaced something more important than the contents of a patient’s pants pocket. Following his brain surgery, Fernando Cluster was horrified to discover that the hospital had misplaced part of his skull . What a Headache Fernando underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering a stroke and subsequent cranial bleeding. As part of the surgery, surgeons removed a portion of Fernando’s skull, known as a bone flap, with plans to reattach that portion of his skull after he healed from his surgery. While the
Suing Over a Skull Consequently, Fernando and Melinda Cluster have filed a civil lawsuit against the hospital. The Clusters claim the hospital’s failure to find his bone flap led to an extended hospital stay, increased medical debt, and undue pain and suffering. Not to mention, of course, the alleged negligence in misplacing a patient’s skull . If nothing else, the Clusters have a remarkable story to tell and, most probably, a large settlement headed their way instead of a fully functional brain cage.
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www.LouisBerkLaw.com 407-906-0500 Diciembre 2024
Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Slip & Fall/Premises Liability | Wrongful Death
MARCANDO LA DIFERENCIA PARA LOS JÓVENES Nuestro Primer Torneo Anual de Golf Louis Berk para Verb Kind
Tener la oportunidad de retribuir es uno de los mayores regalos de la vida. El mes pasado fue emocionante y ajetreado. Organizamos nuestro primer torneo anual de golf Louis Berk para recaudar fondos para Verb Kind, una organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a brindar a los jóvenes en detención juvenil una segunda oportunidad a través de la educación y la tutoría. Una de las formas más significativas en que apoyamos su misión es visitando estos centros y conectándonos directamente con los chicos. He tenido la suerte de pasar tiempo con ellos, escuchar sus historias y aprender de sus experiencias. Muchos de estos jóvenes se enfrentan a desafíos derivados de la falta de una figura paterna o de una educación estable. Es desgarrador presenciar cómo estos factores pueden llevarlos a un sistema defectuoso y a menudo roto, pero estoy muy contento de que hayamos podido organizar este evento para retribuir y mejorar directamente sus vidas.
Al día siguiente, Halloween, el 31 de octubre, también era el cumpleaños de Marisa (es una bebé de Halloween), así que, como pueden imaginar, pasamos unos días repletos de fin de mes, especialmente ahora que a nuestra hija mayor, Ziva, le gusta pedir dulces. ¡Este año para Halloween, hicimos un tema completo de “Frozen” en la casa de Berk! Ziva se disfrazó de Elsa, Marisa fue Ana, Gavri fue Olaf y yo, por supuesto, ¡Kristof! Éramos la familia de “Frozen” y nos divertimos. Luego, al día siguiente fue el Primer Torneo Anual de Golf Louis Berk, ¡y qué experiencia tan increíble fue! Este campo privado suele estar cerrado al público, por lo que tener la oportunidad de jugar allí fue notable. Un enorme agradecimiento a Josh, miembro de la junta directiva de Verb Kind, que hizo posible el acceso a este curso exclusivo. ¡Estamos encantados de anunciar que recaudamos $16,000 para esta increíble organización benéfica! Este ha sido el mejor año en Louis Berk Law, y estamos muy emocionados de trabajar con muchos más clientes, organizaciones
Organizamos un evento con entradas agotadas en el hermoso Alaqua Country Club en Longwood para nuestro Primer Torneo Anual de Golf Louis Berk. El miércoles 30 de octubre, llevamos a cabo una celebración previa al evento en Guacamole Mexican Grill, donde los jugadores y patrocinadores tuvieron la oportunidad de conectarse y conocerse. El restaurante nos recibió generosamente y lo pasamos muy bien fortaleciendo la camaradería y emoción. A lo largo de la noche, realizamos sorteos y regalamos entradas para el evento, incluidas entradas para ver a los Orlando Solar Bears, para recaudar fondos adicionales para Verb Kind junto con las ganancias del torneo.
benéficas locales y comunidades para continuar retribuyendo. Gracias a mi familia, amigos y a nuestros increíbles clientes por un año fabuloso. ¡Brindemos por un maravilloso 2025! ¡No podemos esperar a ver qué nos depara el futuro! -Louis Bernardo Berk
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¿Alguien ha visto un cráneo? Hospital extravía parte del cuerpo de un paciente
la cirugía para reparar el cráneo de Fernando en noviembre de 2022, surgieron problemas que hicieron que el hospital no pudiera cumplir con lo prometido. Dicho hospital cometió errores a la hora de identificar los colgajos óseos y no sabían cuál de los fragmentos de cráneo era el de Fernando. Eventualmente, el personal del hospital le informó al paciente que no encontraban su colgajo óseo y, por ende, no podrían volver a colocar las piezas faltantes en su cráneo.
Todos, alguna vez, hemos revisado debajo de los cojines del sofá buscando una billetera perdida o el control remoto de la TV, o hemos tenido que rastrear el estacionamiento del centro comercial para buscar las llaves del auto que perdimos de alguna manera. Yo, sin duda, perdería la cabeza si no la tuviera sujeta al cuerpo. Y, por esa razón, no debería trabajar jamás en cierto hospital de Atlanta. Presuntamente, en septiembre de 2022, el personal del Emory
University Hospital Midtown extravió algo más importante que el contenido de los bolsillos de un paciente. Tras una cirugía cerebral, Fernando Cluster se horrorizó al enterarse de que el hospital habia perdido parte de su cráneo . Qué dolor de cabeza Fernando se sometió a una cirugía cerebral de emergencia tras sufrir un derrame y una hemorragia cerebral. Como parte de la cirugía, los cirujanos quitaron un fragmento del cráneo de Fernando, conocido como colgajo óseo, con la intención de colocarlo de nuevo en su lugar después de la cirugía, cuando hubiera sanado. Mientras el hospital programaba
Demanda por un cráneo Por todo esto, Fernando y Melinda Cluster han presentado una demanda civil contra el hospital. Los Cluster sostienen que la pérdida del colgajo óseo incurrida por el hospital supuso una hospitalización más larga, una factura médica más alta y dolor y sufrimiento excesivos, por no hablar, obviamente, de la presunta negligencia que supone extraviar el cráneo de un paciente . Como mínimo, los Cluster tienen una gran historia que contar y, muy probablemente, recibirán un pago considerable en lugar de un cráneo totalmente funcional.
Ingredientes
• 1/4 de taza de mantequilla de almendras • 3 tazas de zanahorias cortadas en dados • 3 tazas de camotes pelados y cortados en dados • Sal y pimienta al gusto • Pimienta de cayena (opcional)
• 1 cucharada de aceite de coco • 2 tazas de cebolla amarilla picada • 2 dientes de ajo, picados • 1 cucharada de jengibre fresco picado • 2 cucharadas de pasta de curry rojo • 4 tazas de caldo de verduras, divididas
Instrucciones 1. Derrite el aceite de coco en una olla grande a fuego medio. Añade la cebolla, el ajo y el jengibre y sofríelos durante 5-6 minutos. Incorpora la pasta de curry. 2. En un tazón pequeño, bate 1/3 de taza de caldo con la mantequilla de almendras hasta que quede suave. Añade la mezcla a la olla, junto con las zanahorias, los camotes, la sal y pimienta y el caldo de verduras restante. Revuelve para mezclar. 3. Lleva la sopa a ebullición a fuego medio-alto, luego baja el fuego, tapa y cuece a fuego lento durante 15-20 minutos o hasta que los camotes y las zanahorias estén tiernos al pincharlos con un tenedor. 4. Licúa con una batidora de inmersión hasta que la sopa esté homogénea. 5. Sazona con sal y pimienta. Si lo deseas, añade una pizca de pimienta de cayena para darle un toque picante.
SOPA CREMOSA TAILANDESA DE ZANAHORIA Y CAMOTE
Inspirado por CookieAndKate.com
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