Social distancing, constant hand washing, stockpiles of toilet paper…we’re all adjusting to life during a pandemic, but that doesn’t make it easy. For many of us, the most frustrating part is knowing that lots of people are suffering and thinking there’s nothing we can do to help. The good news is that there are things we can do to help those around us! During the COVID-19 pandemic and any that may come in the future, do your part for the community by helping in the following six ways:

1. Follow all official orders and recommendations. This is a society-wide problem that requires a society-wide solution. If we all act together, we can beat a pandemic.

2. Be a role model for those around you: wash your hands often; cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow; clean and disinfect surfaces and objects; avoid touching your face; and keep your distance from others. And don’t just do these things, talk about doing them too. Set an example that others can follow.

3. Don’t hoard. Call out others who are hoarding. In a time of crisis, basic supplies can run low when our first responders and medical professionals need them the most.

4. Stay home from work when sick. If you have the power to influence the culture of your workplace, make sure to push for others to do the same. It should not be socially acceptable to come to work sick.

5. Help with childcare and meals. When schools are closed, childcare becomes a major issue for working parents! Help if you can. Nutritious meals, for children or for our elderly neighbors, may be harder to come by during a pandemic. If you have extra, sharing is a great way to help.

6. Look out for the most vulnerable. Be especially mindful about putting seniors or people with health conditions at risk. If you have loved ones who fall into a high-risk category, it is hugely helpful if you are able to run errands for them so they can avoid putting themselves at risk in public.

Here are 5 things you can do to avoid a Coronavirus scam:

test kits. Scammers are selling products to treat or prevent COVID-19 without proof that they work.

Hang up on robocalls. Scammers use illegal sales calls to get your money and your personal information.

Watch out for phishing emails andtext messages.

Don’t click on links in emails or texts you didn’t expect.

Research before you donate. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. Get tips on donating wisely at ftc.gov/charity .

If you see a scam, report it toFederal Trade Commission ftc.gov/complaint

Coronavirus ScamsKEEP CALM and Avoid

Stay in the know. Go to ftc.gov/coronavirus for the latest information on scams. Sign up to get FTC’s alerts at ftc.gov/subscribe .

Ignore offers for vaccinations and home

COVID-19and beyond:How we can help

SUMMER2020

WWW.TSALERNO-LAW.COM

809 North 96th Street, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114Phone: (402) 502-9002 l Fax: (402) 991-0037 l web: www.TSalerno-law.com l email: Terry@TSalerno-law.com

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

There is a superfood and it’s more

common than you think

Want to lower your chances for heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes while helping to keep your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol at healthy levels? All while living longer? The cheap, readily available answer is ... fiber!

Fiber may bring to mind gross drink mixes and cardboardesque cereals, but it is a part of many foods that we already eat and enjoy. You can find fiber in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds. You can easily increase the fiber in your diet by switching from white flour to whole wheat and white rice to brown, cooking your potatoes with the skin on, eating more oatmeal, and eating a lot of fruits and veggies.

Fiber makes us feel “full” and helps the body to absorb fat better. It also keeps our gut healthy by feeding the "good" kinds of gut bacteria. It is recommended that adults consume 25 grams of fiber per day. Since fiber is usually listed on product packaging, we can choose the packaged foods with the most fiber. Usually these are the foods made with whole grains. Add in fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds and we can easily increase the fiber in our diets and thus improve our health. And we can do it in a tasty way!

Commercial trucks, like big rigs and delivery vehicles, are a common sight on our roadways. While commercial truck drivers must meet certain standards to get behind the wheel and are generally more careful on the road than the average automobile driver, accidents still happen with unfortunate frequency. Often, the accident could be avoided if the automobile driver were aware of the limitations of the truck - such as ability to accelerate and brake, visibility, and turning radius.

To lessen your chances of being involved in an accident with a truck, watch out for the following:

Driving in the danger zone, where the truck driver can't see you, is one of the leading causes of truck/automobile accidents. Pay special attention when near the back or sides of a truck and remember, if you can't see the driver's mirrors, they cannot see you.

Special care must be taken when passing a truck. Changing lanes abruptly and passing without giving enough space are both especially dangerous.

Trucks need more space than other vehicles to make turns. A common accident scenario is when a truck is turning right and it swings out to the left before making its turn and an automobile tries to pass on the right.

Trucks take longer to accelerate and need more space to brake. Misjudging a truck's acceleration/braking, especially when merging, can lead to trouble.

By staying aware of these common causes of truck accidents, we can all stay safer while sharing the road. Accidents, however, will always happen. Driving a truck is difficult and even the best truck drivers make mistakes. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a truck, contact our office for a consultation.

Common causes oftruck accidents

IVC Filter lawsuits ongoing

Recipe Preparation:Preheat oven to 425°. Wrap beet tightly in foil and place on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the tines of a fork slide easily into the center of beet, 60–70 minutes. Let sit until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, process chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, ricotta, garlic, salt, pepper, and coriander in a food pro-cessor until smooth.

Using a paper towel, rub beet to remove skin (it should slip off easily and any staining to your hands will be temporary). Trim root end and cut beet into 8 pieces; add to food processor. Process until mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Taste and season with salt, if needed.

Transfer hummus to a shallow bowl. Top with mint and poppy seeds and drizzle with oil.

Hummus can be made 4 days ahead; transfer to an air-tight container and chill.

Lawsuits related to IVC filters continue to be filed due to serious risks that the companies manufacturing the devices are alleged to have known but not warned patients about.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are small devices that are implanted into the main blood vessel running from the patient’s legs to their heart (called the inferior vena cava) to filter out blood clots before they can reach the lungs. When operating properly, IVC filters can save lives. However, there have been enough serious problems over the last few years that the FDA has issued a warning about them.

IVC filters are meant to be placed temporarily, then removed when the risk of pulmonary embolism has passed. Pulmonary embolism is a condition where one or more arteries in the lungs are blocked by a blood clot. It seems that many filters are being left in too long, leading to a variety of problems. The filters can move or fracture, causing internal bleeding and increasing the risk of the pulmonary embolism they were meant to prevent. They can also become extremely difficult to remove.

If you or a loved one has suffered from complications related to an IVC Filter, contact our office right away to find out what your legal options are.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Beet and Ricotta

HummusIngredients: 1 baseball-sized red beet (about 6 ounces), scrubbed1 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed, drained1/3 cup tahini, well mixed1/4 cup fresh lemon juice1/4 cup ricotta (Greek yogurt or softened goat cheese can be substituted)1 garlic clove, finely grated or smashed to a paste with flat side of knife on cutting board1 teaspoon (or more) kosher salt10 cranks freshly ground black pepper1/4 teaspoon ground corianderMint leaves, poppy seeds, and olive oil (for serving)

Over the past decade, pedestrian deaths on U.S. roadways have increased by 50%, reaching a 30-year high in 2019. Death rates of vehicle drivers and passengers have stayed roughly the same over this period. The data comes from an analysis from the Governors Highway Safety Association estimating that pedestrian deaths totaled 6,590 in 2019, an increase of 5 percent over 2018. Why is this so? We have some ideas.

The ubiquity of cell phones has led to a huge increase in distracted driving, and as we all know by now, distracted driving dramatically increases the risk of injury. Additionally, Americans have moved more and more over the years to larger (think SUVs) vehicles that are more likely to kill a pedestrian in the case of an accident. Most of our roads were designed with vehicles, not walkers, in mind, which adds to the danger. Night-time is also a major risk factor as nighttime deaths went up 67 percent from 2009 to 2018 while deaths occurring during the day were up 16 percent in that period. About three out of four pedestrian deaths happen at night.

Intoxication, of both drivers and pedestrians, also remains a problem. According to the report, “An estimated 33% of fatal pedestrian crashes involved a pedestrian with a [blood alcohol concentration] of 0.08% or higher, and an estimated 16% of drivers involved in these crashes had a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Pedestrian safety can be addressed by conducting high-visibility impaired driving enforcement in areas with robust nighttime pedestrian activity.”

In order to cut down on the risk of walking along the road, drivers must slow down and pay attention while pedestrians must keep their eyes up (not on their phones) and stay aware of their surroundings.

Pedestrian deathsreached 30-year high in 2019

..............................................

.................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

..............................................

Driving in the rain presents a set of dangers that are not present in dry conditions. Slick roads and lowered visibility top that list of dangers, along with the risk of hydroplaning. What is hydroplaning? Glad you asked!

Hydroplaning occurs when your vehicle’s tires don’t have enough traction on a wet road and you lose control. This happens because the water on the road’s surface is not pushed out of the way by the tires. When this happens, your vehicle has a thin layer of water between the road and the tires. Traction is lost and for a moment or two, you will not have control of your vehicle.

If you begin to hydroplane, stay calm. The worst thing you can do is panic. Ease off the gas and hold the wheel firmly. Do not slam on

the brakes or turn suddenly. Instead, pump the brakes gently and if you start to skid, turn your steering wheel in the direction you’re sliding. Once you regain traction, ease back to straight and continue driving carefully.

There are a few things you can do to prevent hydroplaning before it starts. Slow down in wet conditions. Be aware of puddles and standing water and avoid if safely possible. Don’t use the cruise control in wet conditions. Take your time and be extra aware, especially around intersections. It is also smart to make sure your tires have good tread and are properly inflated at all times.

If the worst happens and you are involved in an auto accident, you aren’t in it alone. Contact our office for help.

It started when a small online pharmacy decided to test the drugs they were selling for purity. One of the first to be tested, Zantac, failed. Zantac, the brand name of the drug ranitidine, is a heartburn medication available both as a prescription and over-the-counter. Valisure, the online pharmacy, found in their testing that ranitidine could degrade over time and create a chemical, NDMA, which is believed to cause cancer. The levels of NDMA they found exceeded what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set as a safe standard. Valisure petitioned the FDA to pull ranitidine from the market.

The FDA initially pushed back, citing questions about the testing. Nevertheless, most manufacturers pulled their ranitidine from the market. In April, the FDA changed course, asking companies to stop selling all forms of the drug. They recommend any consumers taking the over-the-counter product stop immediately and dispose of the medication. Those who are taking it by prescription should consult with their physician. The FDA seemed to confirm the previous findings by Valisure, saying, “the impurity in some ranitidine products increases over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures may result in consumer exposure to unacceptable levels of this impurity.”

If you or someone you love was taking Zantac and is suffering from symptoms of NDMA exposure, contact our office to find out what legal rights you may have.

© Copyright 2020. Premier Print Marketing. Printed in the U.S.A. www.PremierPrintMarketing.comThe information included in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional legal advice. For your specific situation, please call the appropriate legal professional.

RECALL UPDATE: ZANTAC

Hydroplaning

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDLANCASTER, PAPERMIT NO. 242

SALERNO & LEAVITTAttorneys At Law809 North 96th Street, Suite 100Omaha, NE 68114

WWW.TSALERNO-LAW.COM

The greatest professional compliment we can receive iswhen one of our clients refers a friend, family member,

or neighbor to our firm. Thank you to everyone whohas done so. We appreciate your confidence in us.

Referrals