What I Learned from Being in a Crisis … That Can Help You

Allen Ritchie • April 3, 2020

 

What you may be going through because of the coronavirus is not that different than what my clients and I go through after a serious injury.

Here is what I have learned from facing trouble for more than a few decades:

  • Stay level-headed.
  • Be realistic.
  • Look at the big picture.

Being afraid to touch a doorknob is not that much different than fearing that your loved one will not survive back surgery. This may sound strange, but facing the unknown is scary no matter when it happens.

My clients who succeed best are those who concentrate on what they can control. For the families of accident victims, it may mean getting the kids fed, walking the dog or planning a birthday party. During the coronavirus outbreak, it may be a lot of the same for you.

Bill Eiland provides meal for medical workersMy law partner Bill Eiland recently had lunch delivered to an emergency room here in Mobile. He saw two things that could use some help. The sub shop where he got the food needed to keep their workers, well working, and the medical staff, who were working unreal hours, could use a little help with one of life’s necessities.

Bill did what he could control. It may not have solved the coronavirus crisis, but it helped make life a little better for two Mobile groups during the crisis.

Here is one other suggestion. Put together a crisis team. It is how we tackle complex cases; because no one person can do it alone. For us, it might be conference room meetings with medical experts, hiring investigators plus getting government program specialists involved to help the family.

For you, let me suggest having periodic meetings with your family, reaching out to government and social service groups, and dividing up responsibilities such as finances, education and family activities.

If you are hurt in a traffic accident or suffer a personal injury, you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie for free. We want to help you get back on your feet. We are working remotely mostly but are always available.

Also, join us on NBC 15 LawCall here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30 right after the news. We will take your calls live. We are experimenting with new ways to do the show and still follow the CDC guidelines. You might want to see what we have come up with.

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