Life throws punches. When you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with work issues, and facing the unexpected, it’s easy to feel knocked off balance.

As a trial lawyer at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, I help people navigate some of the most difficult times in their lives – times often filled with immense stress and uncertainty. It’s my job to help clients fight for the compensation they may deserve so that they can restore balance back to their lives. But long ago, I learned that to help others persevere and achieve positive outcomes, you have to know how to live (and learn) through life’s challenges yourself.

My Wake-up Call

Life as a lawyer, like many demanding professions, can feel like a battleground. The pressures are intense, and the stakes are incredibly high – often life-changing for our clients. For years, I thought the answer was simply to work harder, be better, and achieve more. But I was just existing, not thriving.

My perspective changed dramatically one night in 1999. After finishing a deposition in Durham, I was shot in a parking lot. Recovering from that experience forced me to think deeply about my own mortality and what was truly important. The clichĂ©, “Enjoy life today, because tomorrow might not come,” suddenly held real meaning. I realized I needed to do more than just exist; I needed to start living.

This realization set me on a path of change. I eventually stepped away from practicing law for over a decade to pursue a dream of becoming a journalist. It was a leap of faith into the unknown, but that journey took me around the world, producing stories for 60 Minutes and often putting me in dangerous situations.

Interestingly, despite the external dangers, I found that the stress and anxiety I had felt as a trial lawyer didn’t exist for me as a journalist. When I returned to practicing law in North Carolina, I began channeling lessons learned from the incredible people I met during my time away.

Lessons Learned: How to Deal With Stress

Managing stress isn’t just about avoiding it; it’s about finding healthy ways to cope and fuel your ability to keep going. For me, that includes pushing my physical limits through triathlons, marathons, and ultramarathons – actively living my life. This physical perseverance mirrors and even fuels the mental toughness needed in demanding situations and makes me stronger.

It’s also about being prepared and informed. As both a journalist and an attorney, I discovered that learning the subject matter at hand calmed me and put me back in control. People struggling with legal issues often feel uninformed, and this can be highly stressful. It’s important to ask questions, and keep asking until you receive answers you understand, so that you can restore some measure of control back to your situation.

Another way to manage stress is by taking “controlled risks,” a lesson I learned from a well-known B.A.S.E. jumper (and lifelong friend) I interviewed for 60 Minutes. This daredevil faced many risks, but there were no risks he was not prepared for, or that he and his team had not planned for. You can scale down the anxiety of most situations by identifying and planning for potential risks and making them more manageable.

A mantra that helps me limit stress and stay healthy: Never stop learning and stay curious. Another? Anything is possible. These aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re guiding principles for navigating challenges.

In the midst of demanding situations, I’ve found immense strength and purpose in focusing on the “tiny moments” in life. These aren’t grand achievements, but simple interactions – conversations with my son about my work, remembering the quiet support of my father. Beyond helping ordinary people in extraordinary need, it’s the tiny moments that keep me going – those brief interactions which over time give our lives meaning and purpose.

For me, managing stress and prioritizing well-being isn’t just for personal benefit. By learning to manage the pressures of life, I am better equipped to stand up for what I believe in, overcome adversity, and fight for meaningful results for my clients. I hope some of these tips can help you live better through life’s challenges as well.

Visit our Attorneys page to learn more about Coleman and the other remarkable attorneys fighting for our clients every day.
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James Scott Farrin Offers Durham Gas Explosion Victims and Businesses Help, Hope

The Blast That Shook Downtown Durham

On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 911 received a call from a woman who reported smelling “a very strong gas smell” around the Durham School of Arts at around 9:11 a.m.

Firefighters were dispatched to the area at 9:13 a.m. to investigate, but reported that they could not confirm its source.

At 9:37 a.m., a contractor called 911 to report that they had hit “a gas service line.” In a released audio clip of the 911 call, the contractor describes how they had hit a gas line and that they were waiting for the gas company to come turn off the gas. Firefighters and first responders started evacuating people inside the buildings.

At around 10:06 a.m., a building in the popular Brightleaf District exploded. The resulting blast radius could be heard and felt throughout downtown Durham, including the James Scott Farrin headquarters. The entire building shook, windows rattled, and the lights flickered. As co-workers anxiously left their cubicles and offices looking for a cause, news started to trickle in that a building had exploded and collapsed a mile away.

“We looked out the windows and saw the giant black tower of smoke rising above the skyline,” one Farrin employee said.

Chaos and Panic in Downtown Durham

Businesses near the blast suffered severe damages. People in nearby offices or inside their cars when the blast occurred were injured by shrapnel and glass. As people ran away in terror, some ran into the chaos to help the injured. Images and videos started streaming onto social media. Over two dozen people were injured, and one person tragically died. Some remained in the hospital a week later in serious condition.

Durham Community Rallies Around Blast Victims

As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the blast, many in the community are reaching out to the victims to see how they can help. With damages set to exceed $100 million in total, those affected have to assess how much they lost and eventually, rebuild and repair.

Damages are wide-ranging and some may take months or years to rectify. Many people were physically injured, some lost their businesses and livelihoods, many no longer have a place to work or live, and vehicles were severely damaged.

James Scott Farrin — Committed to Helping Victims of the Durham Gas Explosion

Our firm is ready to lend a legal hand to those affected by the explosion. We have an attorney who volunteered to help victims of 9/11.5 We also have an attorney that represented victims of the 2009 Garner ConAgra plant explosion, and one that represented those affected by the 2017 Hatteras Bridge blackout that caused hundreds of businesses to lose revenue at the height of the summer season. Our lawyers have handled other fire/explosion personal injury and loss of business cases.

CBS17 news and other news outlets interviewed Farrin attorney Gary Jackson about the legal options for those impacted. Gary has over 30 years of legal experience, and he believes the best outcome for all involved is for the insurance companies and those parties responsible to step up to the plate. Click on the image below to watch the interview:

Attorney Gary Jackson on CBS17 news discussing the Durham explosion

If you want help or guidance in putting together your claim, AND discussing whether or not you need an attorney to represent you, we would be happy to talk with you. Contact us here or call us at 1-866-900-7078.

We can lay out all of your options for you and help you assess the full extent of damages you may be owed along with any potential claims.

5Results obtained prior to joining the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin

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