Over the past several years, I have been fortunate to be a member of the Injury Board (IB), a group of very experienced, like-minded personal injury lawyers from around the United States and the United Kingdom committed to helping those who have been injured due to the careless conduct of another. There is a tremendous amount of talent within the group, as membership is limited to trial lawyers holding or have held leadership positions in state or national trial lawyer associations.
All members of the Injury Board are committed to being on the leading edge of personal injury litigation. We meet twice annually to discuss current cases and trends in the law and discuss current technologies to better serve our clients. During the pandemic, IB has been an invaluable resource for introducing me to new technologies to help us to work from home to keep staff and clients safe. As an added value to potential clients, we can refer you to IB members in another state if your injury occurred in a state other than Virginia.
In addition to having access to the leading personal injury lawyers across the country, I joined IB as its guiding principle is the firm belief in lawyers giving back to the local community, a value near and dear to the entire Curcio Law team. To that end, IB sponsors a nationwide annual Day-of-Action in which members and their firms participate in events designed to help fellow community members. Each year’s event focuses on addressing a current existing issue or need. This year’s event, held in September, was the 7th annual and focused on families’ inability to visit or communicate with loved ones residing in a nursing home or a rehabilitation facility due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
To that end, my firm donated four Nest Max Hub Video Display devices, two to Manor Care Nursing Home, and two to Mount Vernon HealthCare Center.
Both facilities are located in Alexandria. If you are not familiar with the Nest device, it is a portable screen/audio device about the size of an iPad. It is extremely easy to use, only requires a wi-fi connection, and can be carried by the facility staff from room to room so residents can see and talk to their loved ones. The activities directors at both facilities were extremely excited about receiving the devices and assured us that their residents and families would immediately use them.
As I write this, a smile comes to my face thinking about the experience and again recognizing how good it made Rakin, Justin, and I feel knowing that a small gesture will help improve others’ lives in our community. Previous Day-of-Action events that we have participated in have similarly been as uplifting as this year’s event.
Last year’s event also utilized modern technology. We donated an Alexa device to an elderly couple, making it easier for them to stay in their home by setting reminders for medications, programming frequently used numbers, and using voice commands to turn lights on/off. Again, the time that Rakin and I spent with the couple (married 60+ years) and the sincere thanks we received warmed both of our hearts.
Previous Day-of-Action events we have had the pleasure of participating in have included cooking “Brinner” (breakfast for dinner) at the Ronald McDonald House at the Fairfax Hospital, organizing a day of games and sporting events at the Alexandria Boys and Girls Club, and conducting recorded interviews of Vietnam Veterans at the V.A. Hospital in Washington D.C.
My guess is that if you are reading this newsletter, that you too, have been blessed with many opportunities in your life and that you are generous with your time, talent, and treasure. In closing, being involved in the IB Day-of-Action events over the past several years (and looking forward to next year’s event) reminds me of the words of Arthur Ashe, who wisely said, “by what we get, we make a living, by what we give, we make a life!” As I approach the end of my 63rd year on this earth, those words ring louder and louder with each passing day.