Di Bartolomeo Law Office - January 2022

Di Bartolomeo Law Office - January 2022

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

January 2022

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com

Beating the Winter Blues HOW TO HAVE A HAPPIER SEASON

SET A SLEEP SCHEDULE A lot of people tend to sleep more

get as much sunlight as possible, even when it’s cold outside.

during the winter, but more sleep doesn’t necessarily equal better sleep. In fact, sleeping too much can be a sign of poor sleep quality, and it has its own effects on mood. Meanwhile, the consequences of not getting enough sleep include irritability, reduced hormone production, and a likelihood of increased stress. Your kids probably have a set bedtime, but you should, too. For the best sleep possible, everyone should follow a simple but regular bedtime routine that includes winding down and dimming the lights. Consistently going to bed and waking up at the same time every day (yes, even on weekends!) will create better sleep, and morning exposure to light is critical to training your circadian rhythm. If these tips don’t work, it’s time to visit a doctor. If symptoms last for longer than two weeks, the “winter blues” can really be SAD. Treatments, including light therapy and medication, are available for all ages, and should be discussed with a professional. Whether you and your kids need professional care or just a little pick-me-up, winter is much too long to spend feeling sad. Despite the cold and the darkness, everyone can have an enjoyable season with a little help.

I love the holidays, but now that they’re over, a long winter lies ahead. With the hustle and bustle of last year behind us, I think it’s easy to feel like there’s not much of anything to look forward to until spring. Between the short days, frigid temperatures, and additional time spent cooped up inside, a lot of people — including kids — become lethargic, irritable, or even depressed. Yes, the winter blues are real. Sometimes, they rise to the level of a diagnosable condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), aka seasonal depression. Other times, they just result in feelings of boredom or listlessness. Either way, feeling down during the winter can have a big impact on you and your children. If you or other members of your family experience the winter blues, rest assured that not all is lost. With some dedication, and by following these steps, you can have a happier winter! GET SOME SUN During the winter, the days are short and the nights are long. The extra darkness is generally considered to be a major cause of seasonal depression because the sun helps balance serotonin and melatonin levels and replenishes our Vitamin D. So, it’s important for adults and children alike to

When the only daylight hours are spent at work or school, this can be tricky. You can compensate by opening the curtains to let in as much sunlight as possible and spending all the time you can in sunny areas. The weekends are also a great time to make up for the sunlight lost during the week. Make sure everyone in your family has a warm coat and boots before venturing outside for a walk or snowball fight. EXERCISE REGULARLY Since most people spend more time indoors during the winter, they also tend to get less exercise. However, exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which is even more valuable when you’re feeling down. You can encourage your kids to get in some activity and also use their need for exercise as motivation to get your own. Because of the sunlight exposure, engaging in activities outdoors is best. You could try ice skating, hockey, or hiking. (Shoveling snow is also great exercise, if you’re looking for an excuse to enlist your kids.) But plenty of indoor options exist too! Take your kids to a trampoline park or indoor basketball court or pool. Dance and martial arts are great activities to keep kids moving, and video games that require movement can trick them (and you) into getting a workout without even realizing it.

–Joe Di Bartolomeo | 1

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

EMBRACE YOUR INNER BOOKWORM When you think of reading, you might conjure up an image of yourself curled up next to a cozy fireplace, sipping on coffee, and reading the day away. However, with the hustle and bustle of daily life and raising kids, it’s tough to find the time to truly dive into a good book. We know it’s important to read to our children, but we forget how valuable it is for them to see us reading, too. MAKE IT A FAMILY AFFAIR. Sometimes parents feel guilty when they take time for themselves that could be spent with their children. If this sounds like you, make time to read together — the kids read their books, and you read yours! Some days, this 4 Secrets to Finding Time to Read as a Busy Parent

may last 10 minutes, but other times, they may stay captivated longer. Either way, you are creating healthy habits for your kids while getting in a chapter for yourself, too! SWAP OUT THE MOVIES FOR BOOKS. Once the kids are tucked in after a long day, it sounds so nice to park yourself in front of the television with a cozy blanket and mindlessly

So, how can you fit it into your schedule?

DON’T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT A BOOK. Whether you are waiting in the pickup line at school, at the dentist’s office, for your order at the coffee shop, or at your kid’s soccer practice, this downtime could be spent reading a chapter of your book.

watch a good movie or an episode of your favorite show. However, instead of watching TV for an hour, dedicate some or all of that time to reading. This way, you’re still making progress in your book. No matter how you make the time to read, you will be glad you did. Good luck and happy reading!

SCHEDULE READING TIME. This one sounds quite silly, but as parents know, if you don’t make time for something, it won’t get done. Plan out 30 minutes of reading time each day to allow yourself to get comfortable and read without distractions. The trick here is to make sure you don’t cancel on yourself!

PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY What Is It, and Do You Qualify?

When a person is injured at work, the results can sometimes be permanent. Some people will face an incapacitating disability that will prevent them from ever working again, while others will resume work in a diminished capacity. While Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) protects the first group, Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) exists to support the second. PPD is a form of workers’ compensation designed to adjust for any permanent limitations that will affect future earning potential. To qualify for PPD, a person must meet impairment rating standards proving the disability interferes with work activity. There are two types of PPD benefits. The first type is known as “whole person impairment.” To qualify for whole person impairment, an independent physician will take different measurements to determine whether the person has suffered significant loss of repetitive use of the injured body part(s). The findings are then used to calculate the permanent partial disability rating and assigned a dollar value.

a result of their permanent disability. A person who qualifies for work disability can be eligible for a significant PPD benefit, the amount of

which will be calculated by the insurance company using metrics such as the person’s age, education, and skill level. Fortunately, when determining whether or not a worker can return to their previous job, only the doctor’s opinion counts.

A worker who disagrees with the insurance company’s findings on PPD has the right to an appeal with the Workers’ Compensation Division, but an appeal is not always the right move. In fact, sometimes a claimant ends up with fewer benefits than they qualified for before their appeal. At Di Bartolomeo Law Offices, we see these kinds of cases every day. If you may be eligible for PPD or want to dispute the decision made in your case, we are here to help. Contact us today so we can review your claim and let you know where you stand.

The second type of benefit is called “work disability.” Work disability is intended for someone who cannot return to their previous job as

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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

It’s no wonder that distracted driving is so prevalent. We’re all used to “quickly” checking our phones countless times every day, and people have so many responsibilities that it can be hard to find a free moment. It makes sense to want to multitask in the car by making a quick phone call or having a snack. Unfortunately, humans are not as skilled at multitasking as they think, and distracted driving results in an average of eight deaths every day in the U.S., plus countless additional injuries. To avoid a tragedy in your family and someone else’s, start working on dropping these three distracting habits today. TEXTING. Everyone knows they shouldn’t text and drive, but millions of people still do it every day. It’s not just texting that’s problematic, either. Reaching for the phone, checking who left a message, or quickly looking at the weather can all cause a collision. In fact, reaching for or using one’s phone accounts for about 14% of all distracted driving accidents. EATING. Virtually every vehicle has a cupholder, and drive-thrus are on every corner. When you’re busy, you want to eat on the go. Unfortunately, it can be a dangerous practice. The actual act of eating isn’t so risky as everything else that surrounds it — opening a beverage, reaching for a napkin, or digging into the bag for some french fries all take your focus off the road. CONVERSING. Talking on the phone using a hands-free device is legal in Oregon, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely safe. Similarly, if you’ve got a passenger in the car, it’s natural to

want to have a conversation with them. Talking while driving is both enjoyable and sometimes necessary, so it will never be completely eliminated. But it’s important to be mindful of how much attention the conversation is taking from your driving responsibility. If you can’t focus on both, driving safely always needs to come first. Perhaps surprisingly, about 62% of distracted driving accidents are caused by people simply getting lost in their thoughts. Wandering thoughts aren’t always something you can control, but they are something to be aware of. Now that you know just how dangerous having your head in the clouds can be, it will serve as a reminder to keep your mind grounded on the road.

PUZZLE

Chicken and Leek Filo Pie Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com

Ingredients

Directions

• 3 oz unsalted butter, divided • 2 large leeks, finely sliced • 2 large carrots, finely chopped • 1 tbsp flour • 14 oz chicken stock, warmed • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 3 tbsp heavy cream • 12 oz cooked chicken, cut into chunks • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 12 sheets frozen filo pastry, thawed

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a pan over low heat, melt 1 oz butter. 3. Add leeks and carrots and cook for 15 minutes, until softened but not colored. 4. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. 5. Gradually add chicken stock, stirring until sauce is smooth, then let simmer for 10 minutes. 6. Stir in mustard and heavy cream, then add cooked chicken and parsley. Transfer to a large ovenproof dish. 7. In a pan, melt remaining butter. 8. Put a single filo sheet on a board and brush with melted butter. Scrunch up pastry sheet and place on top of chicken mixture. Continue until pie is covered. 9. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the filo is golden and chicken mixture is bubbling.

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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503-325-8600 JoeDiBartolomeo.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside

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Save Your Family From Winter Blues

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Make More Time for Reading Understanding Permanent Partial Disability

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3 Distracted Driving Habits to Give Up Chicken and Leek Filo Pie

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Alternative Search Engines — Are They Worth Trying?

Can You Really Give Up Google?

HOW 2 ALTERNATIVE SEARCH ENGINES MEASURE UP

Only one search engine has become a verb since its founding: Google. According to StatCounter, more than 86% of internet users worldwide depend on Google to answer everyday questions. But the tech company’s Big Brother-like >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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