By David Daggett on 11/26/2007 11:45 AM

     Are We Thankful?

     Are we really thankful? The Thanksgiving holiday probably makes many of us think a little deeper about that. On Thanksgiving day it is easier to get in touch with all we have and to be thankful. The challenge seems to be the days in between when we have the routines of "life." Some days it is easy to be thankful . . . others maybe it seems impossible.

     It is interesting also to study the history of Thanksgiving in our country. Although the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the pilgrims in the early 1600's, and George Washington declared a day of "Thanksgiving" in the late 1700s, there were many lapses in the celebration of Thanksgiving. It wasn’t until Abe Lincoln’s 1863 "Proclamation of Thanksgiving" that Thanksgiving then became official.

     Perhaps we too "lapse" in our personal Thanksgiving. I have written elsewhere articles entitled Pursuit of Happiness and Have a Happy Heart, and although being thankful may be part of those perhaps it has another component. Thankful people appreciate what they have.

     Sometimes it is amazing to us at Lewis & Daggett how seriously injured and disabled folks can seem to be so thankful even in their most difficult of circumstances. People who are in seemingly, to us, in very bad situations still can be thankful. Perhaps we can learn from them.

     As I was observing and wondering about some of our clients who remain thankful during what most of a would consider bad times, a common theme seemed to be developing. These people tend to look at what they have, instead of looking at what they don’t have.

     I suppose human nature causes many of us not to be so thankful during tough times. Maybe we can work to be super human and learn to see all we do have instead of what we don’t. Let’s be thankful!

Read More »

By David Daggett on 11/19/2007 8:45 AM

     Keeping ‘em Honest

     Many times people who have never been through a fight with an insurance company may wonder why we are needed . . . once you've been through it you probably understand. People who are wrongfully injured, disabled, or hurt at work probably ought to be able to assume they will be treated fairly. The truth is that most times the insurance claim is handled by trained personnel whose job it is to save the company money, not treat you fairly.

     Our firm believes that you are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, to be told the truth (even if it is tough), and to be treated fairly in obtaining a just result. Unfortunately, many folks simply don’t get treated that way when they have a claim. That is where we come in - our job to is work hard so you can be treated fairly.

     Recently Anderson Cooper 360 broadcast a program on some of the underhanded tactics of the multi-billion dollar insurance industry. These tactics attempt to keep you from getting the medical payments and benefits that you deserve following an automobile accident or injury. The report also mentions one particular insurance company that is known to fight virtually all claims.

     Building on their previous story revealing the "Three Ds" of insurance tactics to deny auto accident victims due compensation, CNN reported on a bill recently passed that would require insurance companies who refused to pay a claim and lost in court to pay up to three times the initial claim value and attorney’s fees. Insurance companies immediately started a nationwide advertising campaign to try to defeat any limitations on their practices. Watch the report here

     Unfortunately, dealing with an insurance company usually is not on a level playing field. We do our best to help even out your side of the equation, treat you fairly, and make sure someone is on your side.

Read More »

By David Daggett on 11/11/2007 10:28 AM

     Honor Our Veterans

     Have you taken time to thank a veteran? We probably tend to take for granted the sacrifices of our living veterans who served honorably so that we all can be free. Our daughter’s first grade class had a class project to all write a thank you note to a veteran - our 85-year-old neighbor received five of them!

(Iwo Jima WWII Monument - Washington, DC)

     Maybe we can all learn along with the first graders. Veterans Day was originally Armistice day which was to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. In 1954, after World War II, it was changed to Veterans Day to honor veterans of all wars. It is a day to honor and thank all of those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

     There are currently about 25 million living veterans in the United States. These are the folks who have supported the law and legal system we have today. Our freedom is what sets us apart from the rest of the world. For most of the history of mankind the rules were determined only by the rich and powerful. Here, because of the freedom our veterans have protected, the law helps and protects all of us.

     So, Veterans Day is certainly a day to be thankful for in our country, for our freedom, and for those who have helped protect it. Please join us today by thanking a veteran and telling them we appreciate their service

Read More »

By David Daggett on 11/5/2007 8:49 AM

     Internet Safety In Your Own Home

     Computers can be a terrific educational tool, and the internet makes the ability to learn and explore our world almost limitless. These learning opportunities are available to everyone and there is (usually) no charge. What a great opportunity! But, then, we also need to know what dangers are out there lurking. 

         "Look out for predators - Halloween 2007"

     So many kids put their names, photos, and even addresses on My Space and other teenage internet spaces and then get into trouble with predators. Some recent studies show that approaching two-thirds of all teenagers have an online profile, and over one-third all of "kids" have been exposed to unwanted sexual material online.

     These issues are starting to become so prevalent that public service organizations, schools, local law enforcement, and even the FBI have become involved in efforts to help make the internet safer for our young people. State and Federal governments are beginning to pass laws regarding privacy and information regarding minors (under 18). The FCC now has guidelines and the authority to enforce them.

     What can we do to help our children? First, supervision, household discussions, and general household awareness of the issues. Recently there are a number of computer monitoring software programs designed to reduce the amount internet dangers.

     We can also look for other signs of "issues" beginning. We can pay attention to our phone and credit card bills for unusual activity which could indicate a problem. We can watch for signs of grades slipping, or unknown absences from school. Many of these signs could be very similar to what we see at the beginning of drug or alcohol use.

     The number one thing we can do is communicate with our children regarding the very real dangers that exist. Parental guidance, support, supervision and communication go a long way toward heading off the dangers that are lurking. Please help us to help our youth. Thank you.

Read More »