Appel Law Firm LLP announces Carol Greer as the winner of their Accident Survivor Scholarship. A traumatic accident that left Carol Greer with a brain injury and her mother with a fatal injury inspired Carol to pursue a career as a injury attorney.
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — After a careful and considered selection process, Appel Law Firm LLP is pleased to announce the winner of their $1,000 Accident Survivor Scholarship. The winner, Carol Greer, told of losing her mother and suffering a traumatic brain injury herself after the family vehicle she was traveling in was struck by a semi-truck.
"The semi-truck rear ended my family and triggered an avalanche of destruction," Carol wrote. "I was told the sight of the wreckage is a frightening demonstration of the miracle that I survived. My mom lost the ability to enjoy life at all, and then died. My dad kept my mother's hospital bed in their room for four years after she passed." Carol's mother was just fifty-one years old and lingered, paralyzed, for six years after the accident.
Carol has since applied to school again, and submerged herself into her studies and school involvement. This summer she applied for the scholarship to help fund her law school education. Carol just began her 1st fall semester at IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Carol is pursuing a career as an injury attorney – despite being victimized by the attorney her family hired after the accident. The lawyer forged signatures and mishandled funds, lying to the family about their settlement and subsequently attempting suicide. While the attorney concerned was duly punished for malfeasance, the lack of good faith hasn't put Carol off of practicing law herself.
Joseph J. Appel contacted Carol to tell her the good news, and they recorded a short Skype call to talk about Carol's plans and how she has managed to recover from the tragedy.
http://youtu.be/w9j_e5kUQC4?t=3m6s (starts at 3:06)
"We were amazed to hear from so many applicants with compelling stories," said Mr. Appel. "It really brought home how devastating and life-altering automobile crashes can be." Along with this thought, Mr. Appel found inspiration in how so many have been able to recover from such serious losses. There were submissions from across the country and even overseas.
Carol's story was the most compelling. The accident crippled her mother, but also crippled Carol's ability to bond with her mom – something we all take for granted. A particularly poignant statement came in her essay's closing paragraph. She wrote, "Today, I understand my brain injury confused my memories and relationship with my mom. I try not to think about what we could have had if the truck driver paid attention that day…"
Congratulations Carol. We look forward to many more successes to come and believe you will be an excellent advocate and an asset to the legal profession.
For press inquiries or to set up an interview, please contact: Thomas Appel, Appel Law Firm LLP, 925-938-2000.
Appel Law Firm LLP
100 Pringle Ave., Ste. 730
Walnut Creek, California 94596
925-938-2000
www.appellawyer.com
Information on PTSD and motor vehicle accidents:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2396820/
http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0801/p524.html