Caribbean American Weekly, May 2012, Issue 40

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BY CAW STAFF WRITERS

hey are two beautiful women from the islands of Jamaica and Barbados, respectively. They couldn’t be more different yet so similar. One is holds the distinction of being the first female prime-minister of Jamaica, the Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller, the other is an international superstar at the top of the entertainment field breaking all records, Robin Rihanna Fenty, known affectionately to her fans as “RiRi” and simply as Rihanna. No last name needed. continued on page 11

Park Slope for Obama

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The Business Event of the Year!... see page 10 Debut of the Caribbean American Weekly Website: There’s Something for Everybody

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BY MARILYN SILVERMAN

re you an astute entrepreneur whose dream is to establish, nurture and grow a phenomenally prosperous business enterprise so that you don’t have to burden your family with financial woes, and need advice? Are you an aficionado of the creative genre of cinema, books, arts and theater? Are you a fashion guru

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ow does a small group of volunteers convince their neighbors that it’s vitally important to start working on re-electing the President even when the election is more than a year away? That’s the question Park Slope for Obama had to answer when its handful of activists started meeting in the summer of continued on page 8

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Caribbean Consulates

Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0277

Antigua & Barbuda 610 Fifth Avenue, Suite 311 New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-421-6420

Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325

Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-1240

Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853

Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-768-2480

Grenada 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400K New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301

Guyana 370 Seventh Avenue, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10001 Tel: 212- 947-5110

Haiti 271 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor New York, N.Y. 10016 Tel: 212-697-9767

Jamaica 767 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000

Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887

Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200

Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450

St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521

St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278

St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272

For more Consulate information go www.cawnyc.com/directory

Debut of the Caribbean American Weekly Website: There’s Something for Everybody continued from page 1

that’s important and of interest to the Caribbean American community here in New York.

With just a click of your mouse, you can scroll down and learn something new and reinforce something old. Let’s visit this awesome website for but a moment and look at some headlines and see what it’s all about.

You emigrated to the U.S. for the proverbial better life but you still want to be kept abreast of news back home. Did you know that one of the meccas for tourists — Barbardos — is also home to Scotland’s sugar slaves? At long last —they’ve been suffering for too long — a beacon of hope is looming on the horizon for those living in this country in the unfortunate category of undocumented immigrants. Haiti is the lucky recipient of much needed advice proffered by UN economists as to how to attract foreign investors to rehabilitate their infrastructure.

Flip through the pages of the Consumer Advocate and learn how Congress can protect immigrant victims of crime. Calling all future titans of industry — the event of the year –the NACC International and Multicultural Business Expo is taking place June 14 at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. Mortgage lending to minorities is falling precipitously as fewer people of color are home owners, thereby no longer enjoying the American dream. Going on a job interview? Well thanks to technology, your boss can actually view your credit rating and your hopes of landing that job can be smashed to smithereens.

Immigrant women entrepreneurs are breaking the glass ceiling and making a positive impact on the economy as they create jobs. A new link has been unearthed between diet soda and the incidence of heart attacks and strokes, and we thought sugar free was a panacea. Living together without that piece of paper — the marriage certificate — is increasingly becoming a popular lifestyle choice.

Landlords are the winners — tenants the losers — in Brooklyn Housing Court, a

IN THE NEWS IMF says Trinidad and Tobago Economy ‘turning the corner’

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horrendous injustice.

Flip through the pages of Concerned Americans for Racial Equality. The despicable practice that’s currently on the books — Stop and Frisk — must be stopped. Minority students are confronted with harsher punishment than their white classmates. An ugly word has crept into the presidential campaign as Gingrich is accused of being racist.

Black History Month Symposium, chaired by Kings County DA Charles Hynes, empowers youth to dream of a day when they will live in a tolerant and just and equal society.

Light-skinned blacks face shorter prison sentences than their darker brethren. Immigrants have been targeted for deportation proceeding while passengers on Amtrack and Greyhound. Your fiancé can get a green card and become a permanent resident of the U. S. so you can build a wonderful future together.

Mark your calendar for NACC Chamber seminars. Protect your home from foreclosures. Don’t lose your home to the sticky fingers of the foreclosure agents. Would you know what to do if you’re a victim of police misconduct?

You have questions — we have answers on how to run a small business. Need that loan? You might first need credit restoration.

OK, so have I whetted your appetite with these headlines so that you will be a regular visitor to the Caribbean American Weekly website at www.cawnyc.com. l

ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago: A broad turnaround in the non-energy sector beginning in the second half of 2011 is fuelling the rebound of the Caribbean Community’s largest economy.

This is one of the major conclusions coming out of the March 28, 2012, Article IV consultation on Trinidad and Tobago by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF Executive Board report on the consultation issued recently stated that: “The economy of Trinidad and Tobago is turning the corner and growth is expected to resume in 2012 after an extended slowdown lasting three years.”

The IMF said real economic activity was expected to increase by 1.7 percent in 2012 as the non-energy sector picked up momentum with the acceleration of government investment and the restructuring of CLICO liabilities. This was expected to be further supported by the energy sector resuming normal operations later in the year.

The executive directors stated that they welcomed the signs of economic recovery following a prolonged slowdown, and commended Trinidadian authorities for implementing supportive policies, aided by ample buffers, which had helped maintain stability.

However, it cautioned that the immediate challenges are to support the recovery and to address remaining financial vulnerabilities. It suggested that enhancing competitiveness and promoting economic diversification should continue to be important medium-term objectives for Trinidad and Tobago.

The IMF also stated that inflation was expected to remain moderate. While inflation had accelerated from a historic low of 0.6 percent in August 2011 to 6.8 percent in January 2012, as food prices increased, the IMF noted that core inflacontinued on page 13

ABOUT US

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CARIBBEAN AMERICAN WEEKLY TEAM

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6

Publisher I.Q. INC.

Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip

Senior Editor Colin Moore

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman

Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Samantha Rosero Lana Delgadillo

Contributors Danny Ramrattan Marilyn Silverman Wendy Sersaf Vandell M. Park Walter Ewing Ben Winograd Jennie Estes

Email cariaweekly@aol.com Visit www.cawnyc.com

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The time for action is NOW!

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THOUGHTS

Does Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” Law Let Killers Go Free?

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BY DANNY RAMRATTAN

ublic awareness of Florida’s unfair and unreasonable “stand your ground” law has exponentially grown since the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin and the initial decision by the Florida police department not to arrest the shooter, George Zimmerman.

On February 26, 2012, Martin, a 17 year-old teenager, was returning home after purchasing some snacks when he was fatally shot by Zimmerman, a neighborhood crime-watch volunteer. The police declined to arrest Zimmerman because there was no evidence which contradicted Zimmerman’s claim that he was acting in self-defense. But most observers cannot understand how a grown man carrying a gun could plausibly claim that he was acting in selfdefense when killing a teenager armed with only some candy.

Florida’s approach to self-defense is based on the “stand your ground” law, passed in 2005, which allows a person to use deadly force when they are in a rightful location and they feel reasonably threatened with serious harm.

In most states, self-defense law requires an individual to retreat during a

confrontation rather than respond to provocations. The idea was simply, if more people retreated, fewer people would be killed. But the Florida law emphatically opposes, stating a citizen has “no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground.”

A major problem with the “stand your ground” law is the subjective standard of whether the shooter’s understanding of the situation was “reasonable.”

With the passing of Martin, Zimmerman is the only person able to talk to the police. Many times the person who is shot passes away and only one side of the story will be told and that is the defendant’s side. Furthermore, the level of deference to the defendant is extremely high because once self-defense becomes an issue at trial the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense.

Law enforcement has been extremely critical of the “stand your ground” law.

Former Miami police chief John F. Timoney stated that “trying to control shootings” by members of a well-trained and disciplined police department is a daunting enough task. Laws like “stand your ground” give citizens unfettered power and discretion with no accounta-

bility. “It is a recipe for disaster.”

Police officers are trained to de-escalate highly charged situations and use deadly force as a last resort. On the other hand, citizens have no such training and may act rashly based on emotions. To prescribe such a law which gives citizens such wide latitude in using deadly force is simply irresponsible by the legislature.

One lesson that we must not forget is that as constituents we must be aware of the actions our representatives are taking.

The “stand your ground” law was illfated from its inception and should never have been implemented. A tragedy should not have to occur before we open our eyes to these important issues. l

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Immigrant Tax Contributions and the Future of the U.S. Economy

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BY WALTER EWING

hen it comes to the topic of immigration, Tax Day is a reminder of two important and often-overlooked points. First, immigrants pay billions in taxes every year.

This is true even of unauthorized immigrants. Second, the federal government spends billions of taxpayer dollars each year on immigration-enforcement measures that wouldn’t be necessary if not for the chronic inability of Congress to reform our badly outdated immigration system. In other words, there is a strong fiscal case to be made for immigration reform. Were the U.S. immigration system to be given a 21st century overhaul, we would likely increase the tax dollars flowing from the immigrant community, and we would spend far less taxpayer money on immigration enforcement.

The taxes paid by unauthorized immigrants illustrate well the fact that everyone in the United States pays taxes, regardless of legal status. All unauthorized immigrants pay sales taxes. They also pay property taxes — even if they rent. And at least half of unauthorized immigrants pay income taxes as well. All of this amounts to billions in revenue to state and local governments. The Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) has estimated the state and local taxes

paid in 2010 by households that are headed by unauthorized immigrants (which may include members who are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants).

Collectively, these households paid $11.2 billion in state and local taxes.

That included $1.2 billion in personal income taxes, $1.6 billion in property taxes, and $8.4 billion in sales taxes.

The tax contributions of currently unauthorized immigrants would be greater were they provided with a pathway to legal status. A 2010 report from the Immigration Policy Center and the Center for American Progress found that the higher earning power of newly legalized workers would generate increased tax revenues of $4.5-$5.4 billion in the first three years following legalization.

Because the federal government refuses to create a legalization program, it is missing out on this extra revenue. A 2010 study from the University of Southern California estimated that because unauthorized immigrants in California earn

less than they would if they had legal status, the state government lost out on $310 million in income taxes in 2009, while the federal government missed out on $1.4 billion.

Rather than implementing reform, the U.S. government has chosen instead to pour ever-increasing sums into enforcement-only immigration policies. The budget of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) grew from $5.9 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003—when it was created as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—to $11.5 bil-

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lion in FY 2011. The budget of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—the agency with DHS that is responsible for immigration enforcement in the interior of the United States— increased from $3.3 billion in FY 2003 to $5.7 billion in FY 2011. It costs roughly $166 per day for ICE to detain one person, and ICE spends $5.5 million per day to detain 33,400 people in over 250 facilities, according to estimates by the National Immigration Forum.

It is ironic that the federal government devotes so much money to apprehending and detaining unauthorized immigrants who add value to the U.S. economy with their labor, entrepreneurship, consumer purchasing power, and tax payments. While Border Patrol agents chase busboys through the desert, the native-born population is growing older.

Roughly 77 million baby boomers will age into retirement over the next few decades, putting greater demands upon the cash-strapped Social Security and Medicare programs. Both of these programs need the tax dollars of new, younger workers — many of whom are, and will be, immigrants. As a result, we must not only create a pathway to legal status for those workers and taxpayers who are currently unauthorized. We also must fashion a flexible system of legal immigration which ensures we receive the immigrant workers and taxpayers our economy needs in the future.

It’s a shame that so many of the lawmakers who create our immigration policies can’t recognize this fact. l

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DIASPORA CONCERNS

Deportation is the #1 Problem for St. Vincent Consulate in New York

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BY VANDELL M. PARK

he head of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consulate in New York, W. Selmon Walters, says the major problem his consulate experiences is the interfacing with U.S. immigration authorities on the deportation of nationals of his country who encounter problems with the law here in the U.S. Speaking on the issue Walters said: “The number one problem is the deportation cases… the problem of the number of people being deported back to the Caribbean.”

The Consul General says that quite often the deportation issue becomes problematic for his office since a majority of the deportees lived most of their lives here in the United States and are not familiar with their native country: “It’s the case where people have been living here for decades but they were not smart enough to go ahead and get their status legalized in terms of becoming citizens of the United States. When they break the law, we are asked to give them deportation papers back to the Caribbean. In some cases, some people never lived in St. Vincent or in the Caribbean, they lived here all their years but they are citizens of the Caribbean so they are sent back and that is our number one problem.”

According to Walters, many of these individuals, after spending years in

prison, now have to go back to their native country not knowing where they are going. Some do not have any known immediate relatives living there, while others, after being imprisoned, possess no skills to make a contribution to society, thus they become misfits in the society they are thrown into. He noted that a majority of the offenders are men and he made this appeal: “I would appeal particularly to the (Caribbean) young men in the United States to be exemplary in their conduct, because 99% of the offenders are males between ages 15 - 50. Those petty crimes like domestic violence, gun crimes, theft, robberies are the major offenses and the males are the culprits.”

He is calling on nationals of his country and the wider Caribbean living here in the United States, to make use of the opportunities that are given to them.

Walters says while he understands that the rule of law must be upheld, he is of the view that the U.S. legal system seems to be designed to some extent to target immigrants, especially blacks and Latino’s; thus urging his people to be vigilant in their conduct. He shared his observations on this matter: “sometimes I listen to the police officers doing their work on the street; you may find them interrogating a white youth who isn’t behaving himself. They would ask him where is your mom? where is your dad? why are you here at this time of the night? do you have your mom’s number? could I talk to your mom and they’re trying to see if they can get him back on the right path…that’s certainly nice, but that same concern is not transferred to the black youth. The black youth is told, what are you doing here? oh, you’re going to jail, and I am wondering if there is an overemphasis on jail for the black youth rather than trying to reform him into a decent citizen.”

On the brighter side, the Consul General says his office is the face of his government here in the United States and is tasked with the responsibility of representing all the concerns of his people liv-

ing here. He said the role of the consulate officials is to visit the various communities where nationals of his country live and listen to their concerns and ideas and then see how best they can represent those interests. In addition to meeting with his country folks and listening to their concerns, the consulate facilitates housing needs and residency issues for students of his country, as well as any other problems both students and regular citizens of St. Vincent may encounter.

The consulate is also responsible for processing travel documents such as passports and other travel letters where required.

Passports renewals are also done at the consulate office and it takes about two weeks to process once the application is submitted with the required documentation. Married women in this case are required to provide a copy of their marriage certificate along with their birth certificate. Citizens of St. Vincent can visit the consulate office at which is located at 801 Second Avenue on East 42nd Street in Manhattan between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Appointmens are not needed. l

FREE Immigration Seminar the last Thursday & Saturday of every month. Call 718-243-9431 for more information.

FAMILY MATTERS

Tips to Encourage and Help Boost Your Child's Growing Confidence

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our growing child needs love and attention to help build their confidence. From learning how to read, preparing for grade school to being able to ride their first two-wheel bike, it's the positivity from Mom and Dad that keep kids striving for more. Sometimes kids transition with ease to the next stage in development, and other times may experience a few bumps in the road prolonging transition. One of those areas where a child might need an extra boost of confidence is when they are experiencing an issue with wetting the bed at night.

Though many children stay dry at night by age five, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that bedwetting remains an issue in about 15% of children age four and up. Parents experiencing this issue with their child may think of bedwetting as an occasional occurrence or accident, instead of something their child cannot control. It's important to understand that bedwetting is not the child's fault and will likely resolve in time. Keeping a positive attitude and providing proper support from the family is very important to the child during this time. Children may feel embarrassed, especially when they are trying new things and trying to build their confidence.

Parents should be patient while deal-

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or her that this is something he or she can't control. Remain an optimist and emphasize to your child how well they have been doing on other things, such as helping to clean their room or helping set the table for dinner, rather than dwell on the accident.

Tip 3: Stress and anxiety may increase bedwetting Stress and anxiety may result in bedwetting. If a stressful situation comes up in your child's life, such as moving to a new town or the first day at school, help keep your child calm by reminding them how proud you are for everything they do, helping to keep their attitude up and making them feel confident!

ing with their child's bedwetting. It's important to keep the conversations positive and avoid displaying any frustration.

If a child is afraid to make their parent mad, it can actually worsen a bedwetting problem.

Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg is a nationally renowned parenting expert, and has practiced pediatric and adolescent medicine for more than fifteen years. She is also a mother of three. She offers some tips and advice for parents dealing with bedwetting.

Tip 1: Set the Scene for Success When parents set the scene for their child to ease into a good night's sleep, it can help both parent and child get a better night's sleep. Try to provide support and encouragement to your child as he or she gets ready for bed, incorporating fun ideas such as story time and a trip to the bathroom as part of the routine.

Tip 2: Deal with setbacks positively Bedwetting setbacks are to be expected. If your child wants to talk about it, help keep confidence by reassuring him

Tip 4: Limit liquids, but don't eliminate It's easy for parents to restrict liquids after dinner in order to help their child avoid a full bladder at bedtime, but this can also cause dehydration if fluids are limited for a long period of time. Instead of limiting fluids completely, offer ice chips so your child stays hydrated, but doesn't overwhelm their bladder.

Even for older children, bedwetting will cease in time. Be patient, positive and supportive, and you and your child will make progress you can both be proud of.l

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Park Slope for Obama

continued from page 1

2011. As it turned out, the way to get more people to take action was to take action and talk to more people. Over the summer and fall, volunteers registered voters at street festivals in Sunset Park, Prospect Park, and Boerum Hill; collected petition signatures at the Atlantic Center; and phone banked people who were active in the Obama 2008 campaign.

The handful of volunteers grew to a team with over a hundred people taking part.

Now a smaller core group meets weekly to call voters, write letters, and plan for the coming get-out-the-vote drive as the campaign heats up.

Like other neighborhood campaign groups around the country, Park Slope for Obama gets advice from the President’s national campaign organization, Obama for America. But it has no funding, no paid staff assigned to it, and no office location. The group meets in team members’ homes or in donated space, and it pays for its own phone calls and travel.

Early on it became clear that New York volunteers would be most useful by joining up with the campaign in Pennsylvania. Always a battleground state, Pennsylvania is every bit as critical for the President’s re-election as it was in 2008. In November 2011, Park Slope for Obama began writing personal letters to voters in Pennsylvania, telling them about the President’s American Jobs Act, which would create up to 1.9 million new jobs with investments in infrastructure,

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

rebuilding roads, rails, and airports, modernizing 35,000 schools, and rehiring laid-off teachers, police, and firefighters. Now the group is making phone calls to prospective volunteers in Pennsylvania to get them involved with local Obama support groups. By late spring, they expect to be taking bus trips to the State to knock on doors and identify voters in preparation for the all-important get-out-the-vote effort in November.

As the race for the Republican nomination has brought the opposition into focus, more and more prospective volunteers have realized how important this election will be and they have stepped forward to get involved. So many of President Obama’s accomplishments would be at risk of being reversed if he is not re-elected: the Lilly Ledbettter Fair Pay Act that guarantees equal pay for equal work for woman; the requirement that new health insurance plans cover women’s preventative services without charge; the Affordable Care Act’s prohibition on denying coverage to people with preexisting conditions or canceling coverage when someone gets sick; the closing of the Medicare prescription drug “donut hole” for 2.6 million seniors; the American Recovery Act that saved our economy from falling off a cliff and moved us from losing 700,000 jobs a month to gaining 200,000 jobs a month; and the investments in clean energy and new technologies that have increased the number of manufacturing jobs for the first time in decades. All these victories would be at risk with a Republican president. With a second term for President Obama, there will be an opportunity to build on these accomplishments, help the people who are still struggling, and re-establish a society where everyone plays by the same rules and everyone does their fair share. l

Interested volunteers can make contact with Park Slope for Obama by visiting its Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/ParkSlope-for-Obama/156198054450605.

Or you can find out about other neighborhood teams by visiting www.barackobama.com.

White House Announces Nearly 300,000 Summer Jobs and Other Employment Opportunities for Youth

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ecretary Solis will join Mayor Nutter at Philadelphia’s City Hall to announce that the Administration has secured additional commitments from 95 companies and non-profits, three cities, two federal agencies and the White House to provide 110,000 new summer jobs and other employment opportunities for low-income and disconnected youth this year as part of the Summer Jobs+ initiative for a total of nearly 300,000 opportunities.

Employment opportunities include 90,000 paid jobs and thousands of mentorships, internships and other training opportunities. The Administration will also launch the Summer Jobs+ Bank, a new online search tool to help connect young people to jobs, internships and other employment opportunities this summer and year round.

“In January, we called on the private and public sectors to help us address record unemployment among America’s youth. Today, we are proud to announce that cities, federal agencies, non-profits, and companies from across the country have come together to provide hundreds of thousands of summer jobs and employment opportunities for our young people,” said President Obama.

“The Summer Jobs+ Bank and the growing list of organizations stepping up to answer the President's challenge are important to maintaining our commitment to the next generation of the American continued on page 11

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IMMIGRATION

Crunching — and Clarifying — the Numbers on Prosecutorial Discretion

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BY BEN WINOGRAD

ate last year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instructed its attorneys to review matters pending before immigration courts in search of low-priority cases warranting prosecutorial discretion. But of the approximately 300,000 immigrants now in deportation proceedings, how many stand to potentially benefit from the initiative? In recent days, immigrant advocates have fretted that the figure could be as low as 1 percent — a fear based on the number of cases that had been officially suspended as of the start of last week. In truth, the actual figure presently appears closer to 10 percent. While the government bears the blame for much of the confusion, it now seems certain that advocates’ initial fears were unwarranted.

The source of the discrepancy can be traced to a congressional hearing last week, when ICE Director John Morton fielded questions from lawmakers regarding the agency’s ongoing review of pending immigration cases. According to Morton, the initiative has thus far led to “administrative closure” in 1,500 of the approximately 150,000 cases reviewed by government attorneys — a figure that led understandably concerned advocates to fear the government was offering to suspend deportation proceedings in a mere 1

percent of cases. But according to information that surfaced after the hearing, the number of immigrants expected to receive offers of prosecutorial discretion appears to be much higher. According to information sent to members of Congress following the hearing: As of March 5, DHS attorneys had reviewed the cases of more than 165,000 immigrants with pending deportation cases.

Of those, the government found more than 13,000 immigrants — or approximately 8% — to be eligible for a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion based on their lack of criminal records and

the presence of positive factors, such as former military service and having U.S. citizen children.

Excluding the roughly 23,000 immigrants being held in detention, many of whom have been convicted of crimes, the share of cases found eligible for prosecutorial discretion exceeds 9%.

Of course, the revised figures still beg the question why deportation proceedings have been as to formally suspended in only 1,500 cases if more than 13,000 immigrants have been found eligible for prosecutorial discretion. At least four possible answers exist.

First, any immigrant found potentially

eligible for prosecutorial discretion must pass a background check before the government’s offer becomes final. Second, even after passage of the background check, the parties must submit a motion to suspend deportation proceedings and receive approval from an immigration judge. Third, immigrants who are not represented by attorneys may not receive offers of prosecutorial discretion until they appear in person in immigration court. And finally, many immigrants with applications for relief — such as asylum — have reportedly declined offers to suspend proceedings because they would prefer to take their chances before an immigration judge.

In sum, while the number of immigrants who could potentially benefit from prosecutorial discretion may be lower than initially hoped, the true figure remains much higher — and more important — than the number of cases that happen to have already been officially suspended. To prevent similar confusion in the future, DHS would be wise to release statistics in a more regular, and less misleading, fashion. l

FREE Immigration Seminar the last Thursday & Saturday of every month. Call 718-243-9431 for more information.

ALL IMMIGRATION MATTERS lGET THE FACTS

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LAW OFFICES OF FIGEROUX & ASSOCIATES BROOKLYN: 26 Court Street, Suite 701. Tel: 718-834-0190 n 1105 Nostrand Avenue. Tel: 718-363-7788

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10

EVENTS

The Business Event of the Year!

A

BY MARILYN SILVERMAN

re you the type of entrepreneur whose daily business strategy, which you have strenuously and meticulously implemented, revolve around what is known in the vernacular of business, as cold calling — cold calling, those two dreaded words with their abysmal failure rates?

Or, are you the type of savvy entrepreneur who dreams of success in the year 2012, an entrepreneur who wants to embark on a productive and lucrative business partnership that will catapult you into the stratosphere of success? If you are the latter individual, then we want to invite you to the NACC International and Multicultural Business Expo--the event of 2012.

Now, you're probably wondering, and justifiably so, what is the alternative to cold calling? Your sales staff has been doing this from time immemorial. Why change? This alternative can be summed up in just one succinct word — networking. As the president of NACC, Pearl Phillip elaborates, "It's the personal touch. Nothing replaces the personal touch where you are able to use your charm, your personality, your business acumen." Networking enables you to establish and nurture relationships that will ultimately translate into business leads and business contracts.You never

know who might be standing right next to you. And entrepreneurs like to do business with people they know, people they’ve met face-to-face at a business function.

Now what’s wrong with cold calling?

As Pearl continues, “You’re calling someone who may be having a bad day. They don’t want to take your call or they cut the call short because they‘re very busy and transfer your call to voice mail.” Sound familiar? As a result, your daily progress report will be a blank sheet.

Now let me tell you about our awesome business event. You’ll be able to meet, interact, network and schmooze with a plethora of businesses. As Pearl said, “You are going to be able to meet with our exhibitors who are going to run the gamut from network marketing to corporate America. The contacts that are going to be

made are going to be priceless.” And did I tell you about our raffles and giveaways?

Everyone loves these. Flip the pages of your calendar and be prepared to spend “at least four to six hours at our expo.”

Throughout the day there will be seminars/workshops where the guest speakers, who are respected experts in their fields, will share their secrets of success with you.

As Pearl says, “We will have seminars where we tell people about the elevator pitch.” When you network, it starts with but a smile, a few words of greeting and a brief synopsis of your business, with an emphasis on the word brief. “Your elevator pitch should be down to thirty seconds.”

One of our sponsors is New York’s favorite newspaper, the Daily News who is going to host a seminar on “marketing your

business in the digital age.” It’s imperative that as a business owner, you immerse yourself in today’s technology. We will teach you the ropes. McGraw-Hill, the publishing giant, is another one of our sponsors. “Some of their books will be available for sale. One of their authors, Michael Lee, will be presenting based his book, The Chinese Way to Wealth and Prosperity.”

As Pearl said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone, whether you’re an executive or professional, a small business owner or part of corporate America. You have a middle-size business. You’re a student, a bright young person who wants to own your own business in the near future or even right now. Bring your child, your niece. Let your pastor announce it in church. It’s an opportunity for persons of color in the minority community to see what opportunities are available to them to start a business and grow their business and to take their business to the next level.”

It’s never too early to introduce young members of your family to business ownership while they’re still in school. Perhaps one day they’ll be one of our exhibitors or maybe one of our sponsors who will say, ‘I owe my success to the NACC International and Multicultural Business Expo.’ I urge everyone reading this article to attend. It’s free.

I’d like to take a moment and cite an impressive statistic that will reinforce Pearl’s message whereby expos are the pre-

continued on page 13

11

CARIBBEAN SHINING STARS

Caribbean Super Women Honored

continued from page1

fields, that of politics and entertainment, they similarities are in their passion, hard work, dedication, commitment to execellence and the determination to be trailblazers.

On April 24, 2012, when Bajan superstar Rihanna attended this year’s eighth annual Time 100 Gala at Lincoln Centre , she had every reason to celebrate.

The five-time Grammy Award winner had not only secured her own place on Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” list, but had done so in style by bagging the number eight spot.

The 24-year-old megastar was in very good company, sharing the Caribbean spotlight on the American news magazine’s coveted list with Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

Rihanna and Simpson-Miller were among 38 women honoured – the highest number in any year since the list’s inception.

“As a country we are proud that our Prime Minister is being recognized on such an influential list,” said Dr. Wykeham McNeill, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Entertainment. “As her vision for the country is being noticed, it’s crucial for all of us to do our part to ensure Jamaica continues to shine in the global marketplace.”

Mrs. Simpson Miller, who has been in politics for almost four decades, made

history in 2006 by becoming the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of Jamaica. In 2011, she was re-elected to lead the country. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke from New York's 11th District, in her tribute to the Prime Minister in the magazine, salutes her as one who embodies strength and inspires a new generation of Caribbean women to get involved in public service and to make a difference.

According to Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch, the selection places Jamaica in an favorable light, which could lead to additional conversations with tourism investors.

“We’re hopeful that our Prime Minister’s visibility around the world will assist in drawing additional attention to the island,” said Lynch. “As the tourist industry continues to recover from a very challenging global economic environment, we’re proud that Mrs. Simpson Miller is recognized as a positive influence on notable platforms such as the TIME 100 list.”

Glowing in pink on the red carpet of the TIME 100 Gala, Rihanna spoke about the the honor really surreal. According to Rihanna, the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious list isn’t taken lightly.

“It's a big deal. I mean The Time 100 list. It doesn't feel real. It is a list I always read about and always looked at,” explained Rihanna.“It feels special. It really is surreal.”

The young entertainer joins the ranks of other influential people on the list like Robert Grant, Adele and Claire Danes.

According to TIME, the annual list

Opportunities for Youth

continued from page 8

recognises the activism, innovation and achievement of the world's most influential individuals and includes people who inspire, entertain, challenge and change the world.

It is divided into five categories — moguls, breakouts, icons, pioneers and leaders.

This year’s list features international figures from 37 countries and also includes several controversial figures, such as Syrian President Bashar Assad, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar.

Other high-profile names on the list include United States President Barack Obama, Apple CEO Tim Cook, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, United States Congressman Ron Paul, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, International Monetary Fund boss Christine Lagarde, the Duchess of Cambridge and her sister Pippa Middleton.l

workforce,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. “There's no replacement for the dignity that comes with earning your first paycheck, and whether young people are looking for a job at the retail store around the corner-or at a national park states awaythey now have one place to start their search.”

The President proposed $1.5 billion for high-impact summer jobs and year-round employment for low-income youth ages 1624 in the American Jobs Act as part of the Pathways Back to Work fund. When Congress failed to act, the Federal government and private sector came together in January to commit to creating nearly 180,000 employment opportunities for lowincome youth in the summer of 2012, with a goal of reaching 250,000 employment opportunities by the start of summer. Since the announcement of the initiative in January, nearly 100 more private sector partners nationwide have answered the President’s challenge to provide young people summer jobs, mentorships, internships and other opportunities to build skills.

As pathways to careers, summer employment is critical to the success of young people, good for business, and important for our country. But today’s youth are struggling to get the work experience they need for the jobs of the future: last summer, the unemployment rate among youth ages 16-24 set a near record high, and only 21 out of 100 low-income teens had a job. According to a recent report, taxpayers shouldered more than $93 billion in direct costs and lost tax revenue to support young adults disconnected from school and work in 2011 alone. l

EVENTS

T&T’s Economy Improving?

continued from page 2

tion, remained low at 1.8 percent in January.

The Washington-based monetary authority said the “subdued inflation” meant the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago had maintained an “accommodative monetary policy”, lowering the policy rate by 75 basis points since end-2010 to 3 percent.

The IMF also noted that after a decline that lasted 20 months, commercial bank credit to the private sector has been noticeably more dynamic since mid-2011 (5.3 percent growth in November yearon-year), consistent with the non-energy sector recovery. Commercial banks remain well capitalized, profitable, and liquid.

The banking system’s non-performing loans (NPLs), after peaking at 7.6 percent of total loans in August 2011, have declined to 6.4 percent in November and remain low by regional standards, reported the IMF. Following the collapse of the CL Financial Group and its insurance sub-

sidiary, CLICO, significant progress has been made in compensating CLICO claimants. Nevertheless, vulnerabilities remain.

The IMF also noted that unemployment has remained moderate 5.8 percent in mid-2011; the current account surplus rebounded strongly to 20 percent of GDP in 2010 and an estimated 21 percent in 2011 from 8 percent in 2009, stemming mainly from the improvement in oil prices and a recovery in non-energy exports; while gross official reserves reached US$9.8 billion (over 13 months of imports) at end-December 2011.

It reported that the 2010/11 fiscal year, the central government’s finances were nearly balanced thanks to a strong revenue performance and lower than planned current and capital spending.

Nevertheless, the deterioration in the non-energy balance implied a large fiscal stimulus. The debt-to-GDP ratio has significantly risen from 25 percent of GDP in 2008 to 33 percent in 2011.

The Executive Board’s assessment was that the 2011/12 national budget provided stimulus through a timely execution of the budgeted investment programs, while emphasizing the need to contain current spending and improve the targeting of social programs.

The IMF Directors recommended developing a medium-term fiscal framework that strikes an appropriate balance between consuming, saving, and investing energy revenue, with a view to resuming net savings of energy wealth for future generations. =

The Business Event of the Year! continued from page 11

ferred venue for entrepreneurs. Seventyfive percent, and that’s quite a impressive percentage, of decision makers, attest to the fact that expos save their companies both time and money by bringing vendors together under one roof. And let’s face it, we’re all concerned about the mighty dollar and trying to squeeze as much as possible into one day.

Here’s some helpful tips on how you should navigate your way through the crowded aisles of our expo. Okay, so you have mastered the art of networking. It will now end with the exchange of that crucial document that no business owner should ever leave home without.

What should be first on your agenda is that you ascertain that your briefcase is bulging with stacks of business cards. That business card, as Pearl states, ”shows that you have a level of professionalism.

Sometimes it happens and it’s unfortunate, that people run out of business cards. But to come to an event and say you don’t have business cards, that means you’re not serious. You’re not ready for business.” You don’t want to scribble your contact information on a scrap of paper since your potential business lead might be gone by the time you’re finished. And furthermore, Pearl emphasizes that “most importantly you have to have a professional business card.”

Here’s some more helpful bits of advice. Don’t assume that just because you handed out lots and lots of business cards, that you can go on an exotic vacation and your phone will be ringing off the hook.

13

For FREE passes to the Expo Text MYNACC to 41411

You must take the initiative and follow up “at least within a week of the event or else it will all be for nothing.”

And lest we forget, image is everything in a business milieu. If you want to be taken seriously as a major player, dress professionally. ”Don’t come in T-shirts and jeans.

People judge you by your appearance.” It’s so easy to do an inventory of your wardrobe the night before and select that suit, that dress, that says, “I’m a serious business owner.”

How you engage in conversation is important. You have to be open and friendly. And if you’re an exhibitor, most of the time you should be standing by your booth, not sitting down. Stand in a way so that you look welcoming so people will want to approach you.

For more information on exhibiting space and sponsorship opportunities, or if you are just interested in attending the NACC International and Multicultural Business Expo, Thursday, June 14, 2012, 8:00am-5:00pm, at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201, please call 718 722-9217 or visit our website at www.mynacc.org. =

#

NEWS

15

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Rekindling the Romance: Easy Ways You Can Get Your Relationship Back on Track

W

BY JENNINE ESTES

e all know the story. On your wedding day, you are absolutely in love with your soon to be spouse. Most couples often feel a sense of absolute happiness, love, connection, and excitement. You may not look back on your wedding day with those exact feelings… but the next part of this story may sound more familiar. The bond probably seemed so tight that nothing could pull it apart…but, you learned otherwise. What happened to that bond after many years of routine and added responsibility such as children, work, bills, cleaning, health, and all of life’s other little obstacles?

Somewhere the relationship got moved to the “back burner” and just surviving dayto-day life became the central focus. While you were living the daily American routine of working too much and trying to cope with life’s ongoing struggles, the romance that sparked the marriage began to diminish.

I am going to teach you what you already know; marriage doesn’t have to be routine, boring and dry. It may not be easy, and it may not always be fun. How you experience saving your relationship often depends on…. Yes, you guessed it…You. Hopefully you and your significant other are both trying to fix things, but right now, this is about You. The following quick tips

will help You get the romance to spark again: 1. Flare-up the Flirt: Find ways to flirt with your partner and show them you are interested in connecting with them. Try to show your playful mood where you can and have fun and connect in a flirting way.

Spice it up a bit…I dare you.

2. Maintain the connection: We all know life gets busy… with late hours at work, taking kids to soccer practice, running errands, etc. Make your relationship a priority and schedule time each week where you are alone. Make this time together mutually enjoyable and a way to maintain your emotional connection. And yes…this means time away from the television. Create a time and place where there are no distractions and no responsibilities… just like it used to be.

3. Slow it down: You are probably wellknown for giving, giving, and giving some more. But, by the end of the night, you find yourself so exhausted from your day that you no longer have any energy for your partner. An easy way to help fight this relationship killer is to slow down and find ways to rejuvenate and re-energize throughout the day. Not only will you save your own sanity, but the more energized you are, the more you can be available for your partner at the end of the night.

4. Remember the past: Take a look back on how you used to interact in your relationship. In the past were you overwhelmed with work and life? Or were you energetic, enthusiastic and ready to take on life’s challenges? Did you wait until 6pm to have a real conversation with your partner or did you call each other throughout the day? Think of what you used to do back in the good ol’ days and try to recreate some of those same themes. l Jennine Estes is a liscensed marriage

and family therapist living in San Diego, CA. She has appeared in both local and national media, such as Redbook Magazine, Social Worker and Today Magazine, and Whole Living Magazine, Fox 5 News. She specializes in all areas of relationships; singlehood, dating issues, conflicting couples, affairs, communication struggles, etc.

For more information please visit www.estestherapy.com.

16

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

When Starting a Business, Remember Time Is Money

T

his challenging economy and stagnant job market have left plenty of qualified and capable Americans without work. And when qualified and capable people suddenly have time on their hands, many of them will think about starting their own business.

Almost everyone knows that you need a business plan, but one of the most difficult questions to answer when developing that business plan is how much start-up costs will be. There are so many factors to consider, including business licenses and incorporation fees, patents and trademarks, business insurance, and leases for an office or production facilities.

So many, in fact, that it is almost impossible to accurately calculate business start-up costs. Even adding a new location to an existing business can produce wildly different start-up costs when compared to the original start-up experience.

So is it useless to plan? Not exactly, says Theodore Bolema, a professor at South University's Novi, Michigan campus and director of the business program.

Bolema, who holds a Ph.D. in business as well as a law degree, says planning is important — but so is being realistic about the accuracy of your forecast.

"A decent rule of thumb is to figure out what you think your costs will be.

Then double it," Bolema says.

There is a good reason that it is nearly impossible to accurately predict these costs, according to Bolema.

"Determining fees, equipment purchases, inventory and the like is relatively easy for most businesses. What's much more difficult is knowing what your cost of time will be."

The "cost of time" is an important concept for all businesses, but especially for start-ups. If a business is obligated to pay an office lease or employee salaries while it is not yet able to do business — or a regulatory agency is holding up its ability to do business — then start-up costs will add up quickly.

And don't expect government agencies to operate with your costs in mind.

Even the best-run agency will not move with the same urgency you would like, Bolema says. After all, it may be your lifelong dream and your life's savings at risk, but to them, you are just another file folder stacked on the desk.

So while you are waiting for an agency to act, or a supplier to supply, or an advertising firm to get that mailer in your customers' mailboxes, you'll be paying building leases, business loan payments, utility bills, payroll and all the rest — all without any revenue to offset those expenses.

It can be frustrating, but it certainly will be less frustrating if you build a busi-

So you want to be a star?

You can’t just hog the limelight. You need a gimmick. Then the tall tale.

If you don’t have a gimmick, get some AUTO HOME BUSINESS LIFE

Stanley K. Raj ness plan realistically and raise capital accordingly.

"It's better to tie up capital in a cash reserve than to have an inadequately funded business plan," says Bolema.

As in life, there is plenty of uncertainty in business. So hope for the best and plan sensibly, including how long things will take, not just how much they will cost. l

Main Street Insurance 108-05 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11419 Tel: 718-848-7610 24hr: 800-684-1168 Visit: www.mainstreetquote.com

17

HEALTH MATTERS

Bid Adieu to Achoo: Finding Relief from Spring Allergies

F

or many, spring signifies the budding of flowers and longer days filled with warm sunshine. But for one in five people, spring also means allergies are in full swing.

Seasonal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, cause cold-like signs and symptoms such as itchiness in the nose, roof of the mouth, throat, eyes and ears, along with watery eyes, runny noses, congestion and sneezing. But unlike a cold, allergies aren't caused by a virus; they are caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as mold, trees, pollen and pet dander.

Allergies, which affect an estimated 60 million people in the United States both young and old, can really take a toll on your daily routine. Whether you're affected year-round or during a specific season, learning how to manage allergy symptoms can be vital to restoring your comfort and quality of life.

This condition can also be expensive to manage. From 2000 to 2005, the cost of treating allergic rhinitis nearly doubled from $6.1 billion to $11.2 billion, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. More than half of that was spent on prescription and over-the-counter medications. Some experts recommend patients purchase store-brand, over-the-counter medicines

as an effective means of managing both the condition and its associated costs.

"There are a number of very effective over-the-counter treatments to address the symptoms of seasonal allergies," says Dr. William Berger, professor of allergy and immunology at the University of California, Irvine.

"In fact, to help patients save money, I would recommend many of the storebrand, non-sedating antihistamines sold at leading retailers and pharmacies, such as Cetirizine or Loratadine. These products are approved by the FDA, but cost significantly less than the brand names."

According to Berger, many allergy sufferers may find better relief of their symptoms by trying one of these newer, more effective treatments now available in the aisle, like Fexofenadine, which just

switched from prescription to over-thecounter in 2011.

"Effective management with medicines, ideally before the allergy symptoms start, is key," he says. l (ARA)

You can find more information about the symptoms and treatments for allergic rhinitis at the American Academy of

Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.aaaai.org), or the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (www.acaai.org)

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18

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Know Your Legal Rights in Personal Injury Cases

Y

ou're a passenger in a friend's car when it's struck by a truck running a red light. Your child is bitten by the neighbor's dog and requires a trip to the emergency room. You're skiing at a well-known mountain resort when a snowboarder who was drinking hits you from behind and knocks you unconscious. You eat a hamburger at a local restaurant and later become seriously ill, the result of an E. coli bacterial infection.

Americans from all walks of life experience personal injuries every day — many of them through no fault of their own.

They just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While most can recover from these injuries, the road to recovery is long for others. Some may never again be able to lead normal, healthy lives.

What should you do if you've been involved in an accident that left you with injuries? According to FindLaw.com, the nation's leading source of free online legal information, people who have been injured should act quickly to ensure that their rights are protected and they receive fair compensation to pay for medical treatment and lost wages.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you're involved in an accident: 1. Seek medical help immediately. It's important to seek medical help as soon as

possible to recover from your injuries — and to establish that they were caused by the accident and not by a previous incident. Medical bills and receipts will be crucial in demonstrating the extent and nature of your injuries.

2. Call the police. Sometimes it's critical to call legal authorities into a situation to not only provide immediate help, but also to establish a legal record of an accident or incident. For example, the neighbor's dog gets off its leash and attacks your child, resulting in a trip to the emergency room where your child receives stitches. Filing a police report may be the right thing to do to protect your rights and prevent the dog from attacking another child in the future.

3. File an accident report. If you're involved in a workplace accident — either you were injured or were a witness to an accident — file a report with the person responsible for a safe working environment. Following this procedure will be critical to creating a safer work environment, and to recovering compensation for injuries and lost wages.

4. Document the accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, it's vital that you document what happened. The longer you wait, the greater the possibility that memories fade and

physical evidence disappears. This involves writing down what you remember about the accident, identifying all possible witnesses and obtaining detailed observations from them about what happened, and preserving evidence that may be essential to proving your claim (including photos and video). The more information you have to lend credibility to your claims, the greater the chance you will be believed and recover compensation for the damages you suffered.

5. Find the instructions. Every year, thousands of Americans suffer personal injuries when using a product. If it happens to you, be sure to keep the item exactly as it was when the injury took place. You also should store any instructions, labels, warnings or packaging that came with the product in a safe place.

6. Contact a personal injury attorney.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine if your case is strong enough to file a claim. In addition, a personal injury attorney can help evaluate any offers you may receive from the insurance company representing the person or company that may have injured you.

7. Keep track of the time. Every state has laws regarding time limits under which you can file a personal injury law-

suit. This is called the "statute of limitations." In some states, you may have only a year to file a lawsuit involving an auto accident. If you miss the deadline, your claims may be dismissed. That's why it's important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

8. Recognize that you may be at fault.

There's always a chance that you may be partially at fault in an accident. For example, if you were hit by a car while bicycling, you may be at fault if you did not follow the road regulations for cyclists in your state at the time of the accident. This could affect any compensation you may receive for your injuries. If it's determined you were 50 percent at fault, for instance, your compensation may be reduced by that amount. l

To learn more about your legal rights if you've been personally injured, schedule an appointment with an attorney. (ARA)

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