By David Daggett on 12/24/2007 6:42 AM

Safe, Happy Holidays!

     Holidays can be the happiest of times with family and friends. Please join with us in using our best efforts to keep your holidays safe and happy.

     Over the years we have seen holidays turned into instant tragedy by causes that should have been prevented. Perhaps one of the worst and most frequent tragedies are those caused by drunk drivers. We know – for years we’ve been helping the victims of drunk drivers.

     Other areas of safety concerns fall into categories of fire safety, food safety, child safety, and driving safety. Each of these areas can produce increased risks over the holidays.

     Fire safety includes taking appropriate precautions with Christmas trees and Christmas lights. Christmas decorations can also present hazards we usually don’t have around the house. Lastly, don’t forget fireplace safety as your family gathers around the living room fireplace.

     Certainly the holidays are a time for good food and fellowship. Be sure to be particularly careful with fully cooking meats and poultry. There are also lots of leftovers around the holidays that need to be properly and promptly wrapped and refrigerated.

     We all enjoy children around the holidays, and perhaps the holidays are the most special time of the year for our little ones. Use care in buying and selecting toys for small children, including watching for small parts and choking hazards. Also, children tend to be very curious of all of the additional decorations and holiday items in our houses. So, we need to keep a watchful eye and help them to have a safe, happy holiday too.

     Lastly, as mentioned above, safety on the roads and while driving is perhaps the most frequent danger we face. Above all, please don’t drink and drive. Call a cab or use a designated driver if you need to make your trip home a safe one for you, and for everyone on the road.

     Please join us in preventing accidents at this special time of year. From our Lewis & Daggett family to yours, happy holidays!

 

 

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By David Daggett on 12/17/2007 10:10 AM

   Our Future Looks Bright! 

    Youth are our future. At Lewis & Daggett we have focused for many years on youth initiatives, like Safe Sober Prom Night. We do this naturally out of our concerns for individuals. This is consistent with our L & D Team’s care and helping of people seriously injured, hurt at work, and disabled.

     So, to further this mission we spent some time this week with the After School Program at the West Forsyth YMCA. As you can see from the photo above, we had a good time.

     We were contacted by the After School Program Director Mary Ridings to talk about internet safety. She is a delightful hard working young lady who clearly loves the kids. Mary had read our piece on Internet Safety and asked us to discuss these issues with the students. We were more than happy to go out and have a discussion with their students.

     Don’t sell our students short - they were very bright and had a keen insight on the issues presented by today’s world, including internet safety. Our discussions led to three basic principles that probably apply to most aspects in life.

     First, "You Become Who You Hang With." This is their language, not mine. Certainly this is great advice and is consistent with what we all learned as kids - surround yourself with good and you will be good. The same applies with on-line activity.

     Next, "Don’t Talk to Strangers." We all learned this when we were very young, yet somehow the impersonal nature of the internet seems to make us not take it so seriously. There are predators (strangers) out there that we shouldn’t talk to. These students understand that the same principle applies just the same with the internet.

     Lastly, "Establish and Keep a Good Reputation." The students already know and are aware that colleges look at things like Myspace pages when making admissions decisions. Law firms do too. So, it is important to keep on-line materials positive and reflect favorably upon you.

     Please contact us if you would like more information on internet safety. Help us encourage and support our young people. We were impressed by these students and know that their future is bright!

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By David Daggett on 12/10/2007 12:42 PM

     HEROES

     Who are our heroes? We probably all have them. The truth is our real heroes are usually not superstars, but everyday people who affect us in everyday life. Perhaps we should spend more time focusing on the heroes who we see every day.

     Here at Lewis & Daggett I believe we have many heroes. I believe we have a team of people who truly care to help the folks who come to us at their times of greatest need. Quite frankly, I believe that quality is in all of our folks right up to the top with our leader, Mike Lewis.

     In actuality, many of our clients become our heroes. These people come to us when they are severely injured, disabled, or out of work, and somehow manage to keep on going. In fact, many times they end up being our encouragers. Wow! We are proud of and truly admire these people who can persevere at such difficult times.

     Can you think of the various mentors in your life? This would certainly include family, parents, colleagues, folks at church, and all those people we depend upon regularly for counsel and guidance. I read somewhere that everyone should intentionally have several mentors and at the same time have several mentees. When you think about it, this is how our values get passed along from person to person and from generation to generation.

     John Edwards has been a friend of our law firm for many years. He has gone on to be a United States Senator, vice-presidential candidate, and now presidential candidate. Certainly John Edwards has now become a star. However, knowing him on a personal basis also probably puts him in the hero category.

     We are all surrounded by heroes in our daily lives. I want to say a special thank you to all of my heroes. Some of you probably know who you are, and others, I will try to do a better job of recognizing. Thank you!

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By David Daggett on 12/3/2007 8:45 AM

     What Are We Affraid Of?

     What are we afraid of? Does fear motivate or paralyze us? Perhaps it can do both. When we fear what we do not know, it is clearly helpful to call on those who do know. For example, Lewis & Daggett can help when you are injured in an accident or disabled, just as experienced parents can help new parents with baby care questions. We help people who are many times scared and don’t know what to do next.

We are here to help!

     Fear is an interesting emotion. Most of us have other fears that keep us from fully exploring our inner selves. We usually do not fear our limitations - those are known. Rather we fear exploring our furthest abilities - those are unknown. When we take ourselves to our limits, whether it is it after an injury or in academics, spirituality, social, parental and spousal relationships, etc., or in athletics, we are at the same time exposing ourselves to failure, and yet we don’t feel "complete" until we have explored that unknown area.

     When we do explore, we then develop a peace or calmness that comes from truly knowing who we are, and what we are capable of achieving. When we are tired, scared, injured or out of work, what do we do and how do we respond? We can either give in and fail to discover our true power, or we can look fear right in the eye, keep putting one foot in front of the other, do what is right, good, and tough. When we persevere we therein find part of ourselves and our true character along the way.

     Perhaps the words from Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech in 1994 describe the power we possess but many times are afraid to obtain: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure . . . . There's nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

     When we conquer our fears we not only become what we can become, we also give others permission to become what they can become. It’s magical!

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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By David Daggett on 10/29/2007 7:07 AM

     How often do you consider all of the hazards we face in our daily walks of life?  With Halloween coming up this week it is probably a good time to review some of the risks we often face but don’t always think about.  I was doing a little research on accidental injuries and deaths in the United States and was shocked by some of the statistics. For example, according to the National Safety Council’s (NCA) most recent statistics your odds of dying from other than a natural cause is one in twenty-two! 

     According to the statistics, accidental injuries and death are on the rise. There are many reasons including are increasing complicated and crowded society. But, it also seems that maybe we just don’t pay as much attention to the risks we face; or, perhaps even the converse - that is since we don’t pay enough attention we face higher risks.

     Perhaps predictably, injuries and deaths from automobile wrecks occur with the highest frequency. But I was surprised to learn that deaths from poisoning rank second in frequency in North Carolina. Other major risk areas include falls, choking, fires, smoke and suffocation. I wonder how many of us actually think about or prepare for these sorts of risks?

     For example, the NCA research indicates that most Americans worry more about random acts of violence than about any sort of accident even though the odds of an accident are much higher. Further, we are actually more capable of and have more control of managing accidental risks yet most of us don’t actively do so.

     Many causes of accidental injury and death are preventable. Please join us helping our families and friends be aware of the every day risks and dangers we face. We can all work for a safer today, and a better tomorrow. Thank you for your help.

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By David Daggett on 10/22/2007 6:49 AM

     Completion

     Completion - that seems to be a goal in helping people who have been wrongfully injured, hurt at work, or who are disabled. This past week I competed in the Hawaii Ironman World Triathlon Championship. My article on the race and other links are here. The theme for this year’s event was "Kupau," Hawaiian for "Completion."

     The photo above is The Place of Refuge dating back to at least the 1500's. It was a spiritual place, a place for royalty, a place of safety, and a place where Kupau is obtained.

     In ancient Hawaii there was a sort of rite of passage in obtaining Kupau. It included demonstrating the seven traits of knowledge, understanding, wisdom, strength, inspiration, authority, and endurance. To me an interesting part of Kupau is that part of obtaining completion is the understanding that the journey regarding these traits continues. Most of us probably tend to think of completion as being an end, not a journey.

     Learning about Kupau had me reflecting a lot about what we do as a team at Lewis & Daggett. Certainly part of our culture of learning incorporates traits similar to the seven traits of Kupau. They are sort of common traits or areas of study for most major religions and philosophies throughout history. It would take a book or two to cover these subjects!

     Understanding that completion is part of the journey seems strikingly similar to what our clients and we frequently experience. The cases conclude, many times very favorably, and yet many times the injury, loss, or disability continues well beyond completion of the case. This is one reason why the continuing relationships are so important to us.

     I plan to continue to further reflect on the seven traits of Kupau, as well as to further understand that part of completion is understanding that the journey continues. Thanks for joining us.

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