ECRWSSPRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

PERMIT NO. 321

Local Postal customer

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North Charleston5861 Rivers Ave.

N. Charleston, SC29406

Columbia1333 Main Street

Suite 170AColumbia, SC 29201

Clinton509 N. Broad St

Clinton, SC29325

Myrtle Beach2050 Corporate Cntr Dr.

Suite 140 Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Back row l-r: Davis Rice, Milt Stratos, Matt Jackson, Ken Harrell, Mark Joye, John Roxon, Chris McCool, Brent Arant, William Asche Front: Mark Bringardner, Pat Jennings, Stephanie Mascella, Ran Stoney, Jeff Gerardi, Sydney Lynn, Ryan LeBlanc, Ramie Shalabi.

I N T H E CO M M U N I T Y

Serious Injury & Workers’ Compensation Claims888-324-3100 | JOYELAWFIRM.COM

Charleston | Columbia | Clinton | Myrtle Beach

Continues on page 3

N E W S L E T T E R

With the holiday season al-most upon us, many people will be looking at the pos-sibility of leaving their own

vehicles at home, using ride-share plat-forms such as Uber and Lyft. This would be a more convenient way to get to parties, go on shopping excursions or attend concerts or sporting events.

After all, driving can be a hassle or even dangerous in bad weather, heavy traffic or when you’ve enjoyed yourself a little

too much at a holiday get-together, not to mention the problem of finding a parking place.

Riding with someone else behind the wheel is not without risk, however. Uber and Lyft drivers are sometimes involved in traf-fic accidents or worse. While it is unlikely that something bad will happen, it is still a good idea to brush up on some safety tips. Here are some ideas to help keep you safe and sound during the holiday season and beyond.

Wait in a safe placeYour Uber or Lyft app will tell you exactly

when your driver will arrive, so it’s best to stay in well-lit areas with lots of other people around while you wait.

Make sure it’s the right car and the right driver

Before you get into an Uber or a Lyft, ask the driver what your name is. The driver

Ride Sharing for the

Holidays

Our firm always has the same goal — work tirelessly toward the best possible outcome for each individual client. This is true for big and small cases alike. Just like every client, every case is different. While the size of the verdicts and settlements may vary widely, the amount of time and attention in each file is surprisingly similar.

This hard work has been rewarded recently with several JLF attorneys securing verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million or more for clients. While we are pleased to share these results, please remember they don’t guarantee a similar outcome in future cases.

Attorney Pat Jennings exceeded firm records by securing a $1.5+ million Personal Injury/Workers Compensation settlement for a worker who suffered catastrophic injuries in a two-story fall at a job site. Right after the fall, the worker’s employer immediately tried to start distancing themselves from

responsibility. Other than life-saving treatment, the worker was not being provided any of the healthcare or financial assistance he desperately needed in order to recover.

When his family reached out, at their wits’ end, Pat immediately went to work. Under S.C. law, injured workers are only entitled to seek compensation against their employers through the state’s Workers’ Compensation claim process. Thankfully, through the hard work of the WC Team, our client was able to get all of his necessary medical treatment and financial benefits during the course of the claim.

In addition, Attorney Chris McCool sought out, and after a long fight, secured benefits for the injured worker based on dangerous defects at the job site, which lead to the initial accident. Therefore, Pat’s client received a $1.5 million Workers' Comp settlement and

is also pursuing a Premises Liability claim. Most importantly, Pat’s client was able to get the many surgeries and other medically necessary care he needed. Although his client’s life will never be the same, it is hard to imagine where he’d be if the responsible parties were able to shirk their accountability.

A Charleston County jury awarded a $1.93 million verdict to a client of Attorney Mark Bringardner’s who was injured in a car wreck caused when an unlicensed dump truck driver ran a red

light. Shockingly, the company

that owned the dump truck knew their driver was unlicensed, but allowed him to be on the road anyway. Despite several attempts at a fair

settlement, the other side’s best offer was $250,000. Knowing that wouldn’t be enough to pay for the necessary medical care and financial assistance his client needed, Mark filed a lawsuit.

On October 3, a jury sided with Mark’s client. He received $1.13 million in actual damages and an additional $800,000 in punitive damages since the company allowed an unlicensed driver to operate a company dump truck.

Attorney Ran Stoney negotiated a $1,025,000 settlement for a woman seriously injured in a car wreck. Ran’s client was stopped at a red light when

she was rear-ended in a chain-reaction crash. The impact of the wreck was immediately apparent.

Ran’s client suffered serious head and neck injuries that would result in a cervical neck

fusion surgery. Initially, the insurance companies for the at-fault drivers were trying to deny their responsibility. Not

one to back down from a fight, Ran pressed on. Because of his hard work, he was able to secure a fair settlement for his client.

When heavy trucks and 18-wheelers are involved in wrecks, the damages can be catastrophic. While lucky to have escaped with his life, Attorney Brent Arant’s client suffered numerous serious injuries when a logging truck failed to yield right of way, causing a horrific crash.

The client underwent several surgeries including the need for a two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery. Despite clear evidence of their wrongdoing and responsibility, the insurance company consistently tried to undervalue our client’s claim. Brent wouldn’t give up so easily, and through shrewd negotiation was able to secure a settlement that would properly compensate his client for the injuries and damages he sustained.

For Attorney Chris McCool’s client, a dream vacation on Folly Beach turned into a nightmare when she fell through an elevator shaft and suffered horrific injuries, including a broken back and pelvis.

In his investigation, Chris discovered that in addition to the home rental company, a third-party company was also responsible for the elevator maintenance and safety. However, on the evening of the fall, the door was not functioning properly. The elevator shaft was left open and exposed, resulting in the fall. When faced with overwhelming evidence and a pending trial, the other side finally agreed to an $1.8 million settlement.

Page 2

N E W S B R I E FS & CO M M U N I T Y U P D AT E SJoye Attorneys Secure a String

of $1 Million+ Results for Clients

McCool

Jennings

Arant

Bringardner

Stoney

also should know your desti-nation. In addition, the make, model and license plate of the car and the photo of the driver should match what you see in the ride-share app. If any of this doesn’t add up, cancel the ride immediately.

Ride with friendsIt’s a good idea to share a ride

with a friend, not only because it’s safer but also since you can share the cost of the ride.

Always let someone know where you are

You can keep a friend updated about the status of your ride through the Lyft and Uber apps, and it wouldn’t hurt to call a friend during the ride to let your driver know that someone is expecting you at a specific time.

People are less likely to commit a crime if they think they might get caught.

Don’t get personalThere’s no need to give your

driver your contact informa-

tion, social media handle or last name. If you are on your way to your house or apartment, it might be a good idea to be dropped off at a safe nearby location so the driver doesn’t know your address.

Sit in a safe placeIt’s generally safer to sit in the

back seat; that gives you two possible exits if you find the need to leave the vehicle on short notice.

If you are sharing a ride, try to find a seat that is near a door. Beware of a driver who tries to force you to sit in a specific place.

Follow the safety rulesAlways wear your seat belt,

and watch out for traffic when getting in and out of the car. And don’t do anything that would distract your driver from his or her main job – getting you to your destination safe and sound.

Trust your instinctsIf anything at all seems out

of place about the car or driver, cancel the ride and find another means of transportation.

Ride sharingFrom page 1

Page 3

Buttermi l k Banana BreadFill your home with the delicious smell of fall all the while

enjoying this delightful treat. This recipe comes to us from a Personal Injury Client who insists it is the perfect addition to your holiday table.

Ingredients:2 ½ cups flour 1 cup white sugar1 tsp baking soda1 tsp salt ½ tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves 1 ¼ cups water ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 cup pumpkin puree2 eggs, beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract½ cup buttermilk

Directions:Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Whisk flour, sugar,

baking soda, salt and spices, then set aside. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, pumpkin and vanilla then stir in eggs. Once blended, pour in dry ingredients and stir until combined. Pour into greased 9 x 5” baking dish and bake for 55-65 minutes. Let loaf cool on wire rack.