DiBartolomeo Law Offices - May 2019

DiBartolomeo Law Offices - May 2019

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

May 2019

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

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

A NERD’S FAVORITE WEEKEND

How to Celebrate These Nerdy Holidays

CELEBRATING STAR WARS DAY The scrolling introductions accompanied by John Williams’ soaring score; the hums and beeps of droids; the electric clash of lightsabers between Sith and Jedi; the Force — May 4 is the day to celebrate it all with the films, TV spinoffs, books, comics, and toys. The galaxy far, far away has invaded Earth, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. It all started with the pun “May the fourth be with you.” From then on, just as Luke Skywalker was destined to become a Jedi Master, this day was destined to be all about George Lucas’ beloved creation. You could just watch the movies on May 4, but anyone can do that. Really showcase your passion by getting a group together and dress up as your favorite characters. Make some themed drinks, like a “Hoth” toddy or Qui-Gon Jinn and tonic. Jam out to that catchy Cantina bop. Debate your fan theories with friends and remember that you’re there to celebrate, even if the discussion about “The Last Jedi” gets a little heated. Whether you make it up as you go like Han Solo or carefully plan like Emperor Palpatine, there are enough festivities to fill a Star Destroyer. So, attention all space nerds, “Star Wars” fanatics, and comic book geeks: May 3–4 is your weekend. Get together with your friends and maybe make some new ones as you celebrate the passions that bring you all together.

The first weekend of May is the perfect weekend for nerds everywhere. If you know comics aren’t just for kids, rant and rave about “Star Wars” every chance you get, or have a passion for physics that goes beyond the classroom, congratulations! There’s a whole weekend just for you. The stars have aligned, and you can let your inner nerd shine on May 3–4 while you celebrate International Space Day, Free Comic Book Day, and Star Wars Day. There are plenty of ways to enjoy these holidays, so take part in the festivities and ensure the weekend is as action packed as a starship battle in a galaxy far, far away. CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL SPACE DAY Space Day is exactly what it sounds like: a day to commemorate the science and exploration of space and appreciate the final frontier in all its wonder and mystery. Although Lockheed Martin Corporation is credited with starting Space Day in 1997, the holiday really lifted off in 2001 when Sen. (and former astronaut) John Glenn declared the first Friday in May to be International Space Day. The holiday’s immense popularity continues to this day, with many scientific organizations celebrating space with demonstrations, gatherings, and educational programs. There’s no set protocol for the celebration, so you can observe Space Day however you see fit. Check out popular space podcasts like “Interplanetary Podcast,” “Main Engine Cutoff,” or “Planetary Radio,”

all of which go over the latest news in space and space exploration. You can read up on asteroids, colonizing Mars, or the newest extrasolar discoveries to build your knowledge of all things extraterrestrial. Or, if you have a telescope, you can see some of those things for yourself. Like space, the possibilities are endless. CELEBRATING FREE COMIC BOOK DAY With the release of so many superhero movies and other films based on comic book adventures, comics and graphic novels have flown, punched, and clawed their way into our mainstream culture. Free Comic Book Day started in 2002, a day after the release of the first “Spider-Man” film, as a way to reignite popularity for the medium after a massive bust in the comic book industry in the 1990s. The idea was received positively by the public, and ever since then, it has been accompanied by the release of a comic book movie on the same weekend. Celebrating the day is simple; go to the Free Comic Book Day website and find out if there are stores near you participating. Then, get a comic (or two or three) free of charge. Browse the rest of the store while you’re there. Find a new series to enjoy and maybe watch your favorite superhero movie later that night with friends (or by yourself; no judgment here). It’s a great way to celebrate a hobby shared by millions of Americans and introduce new readers to some truly heroic stories.

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

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‘HEY, ALEXA!’ 3 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help Get Your Kids Ready for School

REMINDERS AND LISTS Alexa can also help you check off items from your family’s morning to-do lists to minimize the chaos of weekday mornings. You can create reminders to pack lunches or grab homework, and then all you have to do is ask, “Alexa, what are my reminders?” She will run down the list, so you can hit the road early without the nagging feeling that you left something behind. MAKE IT A GAME “Out the Door” is an interactive Alexa game that turns getting ready for school into an adventure for younger children. Each day, kids are given a new superpower and have to defeat a different creature as they complete “missions,” which include tasks like brushing their teeth and getting dressed. It makes the process of getting ready for school exciting and gives kids an incentive to fulfill their responsibilities. If you don’t already have an Echo Dot, you can find them at most major retail stores. Make your mornings less stressful by starting with “Hey, Alexa” and going from there.

Even though parents and kids everywhere are getting close to celebrating the last day of school this year, school day mornings are difficult no matter what season it is. Do you feel like you’ve run a marathon by 9 a.m. every day? Rest assured that you’re not alone. Mornings are often the most hectic and stressful part of a parent’s daily schedule. Fortunately, there is an inexpensive and popular device that can help take some of the pressure off your morning routine and get your kids to the bus on time: Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa! ALARMS OF ALL KINDS You can place an Echo Dot in your kid’s room and set an alarm that wakes them up to the weather report, a standard alarm sound, or their favorite tunes. You can also program Alexa to turn on a compatible bedside lamp so they wake up to light instead of sound, which offers a more calming way to wake up. If your kid decides to catch a few more z’s and ignore their alarm, you can use some of Alexa’s other features, like Drop In and Intercom, to start a two-way conversation or send announcements to all the kids’ rooms in the house.

HIT BY A TRUCK:

What You Need to Know

Winding roads are just a fact of life here in the Pacific Northwest, as are logging trucks and various other big rigs. Sadly, this means trucking accidents become a real possibility. Beyond the extensive damage these kinds of collisions can cause, the resulting claim process can be hard to navigate. Here’s what you need to know if you’re ever hit by a truck. THE FULL COST Accidents involving semitrucks or other large vehicles are far more likely to cause catastrophic injuries like broken bones and head trauma. Many of these wounds can stick with you for the rest of your life, meaning frequent doctor’s visits and medication regimens. It’s important to factor in this emotional and financial toll when pursuing compensation. THE LEGAL COMPLEXITY Unlike car accidents between two average drivers, truck accidents have a third party involved: the trucking company. The factors that led to the accident may have involved regulatory missteps on the fault of the trucker’s employer or improper maintenance on the vehicle. If you don’t know what to look for, it can be hard to tell who to direct your claim at: the driver or the company. Having an experienced truck accident

lawyer on your side can make a huge difference when navigating this process. THE OPPOSITION The business interests tied up in truck accident claims can lead to aggressive opposition to your claim. Often, a trucking company’s insurance will contact you very quickly after an accident, offering a settlement to avoid anyone having to admit fault. While these sums can sound large at first, remember the full cost of your injuries. If your claim does go to court, the insurance company’s lawyers will do everything in their power to question your side of the story. Hiring an attorney like Joe DiBartolomeo, who has a deep familiarity with Oregon truck accidents, can defend your claim from these big-business interests.

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

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EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE There are extenuating circumstances that might require you to see a different attending physician. The following exceptions to the rule do not count against your allotted changes.

A common question we get asked at the firm is if a person with a workers’ compensation claim can change their doctor. This is a completely understandable concern; when you are recovering from a severe injury or dealing with chronic pain, it’s important to have a physician you trust. The short answer is yes, you can change your doctor, but there are limits. CHANGING AN ATTENDING PHYSICIAN The doctor who is primarily responsible for your medical care is known as the “attending physician.” They may refer you to more specialized care professionals over the course of your treatment, but they remain the person overseeing and guiding your overall treatment. It’s relatively easy to change the specialists you see by asking your attending physician to refer you to a different doctor. However, changing to a different attending physician is where your workers compensation claim can complicate things. TWO CHANCES Under Oregon workers’ compensation law, you are afforded the freedom to switch out your attending physician twice. If you have an issue with your original doctor, you can see someone else. If this second physician doesn’t work out, you can change doctors again, but this will be the last time you’ll be able to make the decision on your own. From that point on, you’ll have to ask your employer’s insurance company before changing again.

• When the insurance company asks you to see a doctor.

• When the insurance company enrolls you in a Managed Care Organization, which will result in a change of physician. • When the change of your physician is beyond your control, such as the physician leaving the practice, the physician no longer wanting to treat you, you moving away from the area, or rules not allowing the physician to provide treatment. If you are in the middle of a workers’ compensation claim and wonder about changing physicians, contact us at 503-325-8600. We can help you decide how to go forward with the claim.

SHRIMP SAUSAGE SKEWERS Inspired by PaleoLeap.com

Ingredients

Creole Seasoning Ingredients • 2 tablespoons paprika

• 1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined • 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder • 1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder

• 2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

• 1/4 tablespoon dried oregano • 1/4 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions

1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).

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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International Space Day, Free Comic Book Day, and Star Wars Day

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3 Ways Alexa Can Help Get Your Kids Ready for School

What Makes Truck Accidents Different

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Know This Before You Change Your Doctor

Shrimp Sausage Skewers

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How to Travel Sustainably

GO GREEN

GET OUT THERE WITH THESE ECO-TOURISM TIPS

Vacations can come with great expense, and not just for your bank account. According to a 2018 study published in Nature Climate Change, travel accounts for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cut through the greenwashing and do your part to lessen these emissions by traveling sustainably. TRAVEL GREEN When possible, trains, hybrid buses, and carpooling are great alternatives to larger, more environmentally intrusive travel methods. Large cruise liners are detrimental to oceans, and airplanes emit large amounts of toxins into the air. However, you can cruise and fly with the earth in mind. Some cruise lines are working to reduce their impact by installing more eco-friendly lighting and materials, and flight experts recommend using “green” airports, choosing fuel-efficient airlines, staying longer, and traveling less. If anything, it’s an excuse to extend your European vacation! STAY GREEN Where you stay impacts the environment as much as how you get there. Hotels use copious amounts of water for bathing and

laundry, and they struggle to reduce energy because guests leave their lights and televisions on. However, many luxury resorts, woodsy cabins, and even entire countries have opted to make eco- tourism easier. If you’re looking for a region of the world committed to preserving nature, look no further than Iceland, Finland, and Sweden, which are ranked the three most environmentally friendly places in the world. DO GREEN Man-made attractions like the Egyptian pyramids and Machu Picchu are some of the world’s greatest wonders, but Earth itself is pretty breathtaking. Check out natural attractions while hiking or camping in preserved forests, or soak up all the Caribbean has to offer by snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. When you’re mindful of your surroundings and remain unobtrusive, there are endless outdoor activities you can explore. Some locations even partner with environmentally conscious organizations you can donate to or volunteer with.

Opt for a green vacation and know that while you relax, the earth is getting a little relief too.

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

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