DiBartolomeo Law Offices - October 2020

DiBartolomeo Law Offices - October 2020

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

October 2020

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

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

The Fear We All Love HAUNTED HOUSES: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

Halloween is a time to enjoy the things that send a jolt of fear through our bodies. Nothing brings out the spirit of All Hallows’ Eve like putting on your favorite horror flick, dressing up in a terrifying costume, or heading to your local haunted house. Haunted houses have been one of the most popular October activities for decades. In the U.S., haunted houses were first created to keep young people from “running amok.” Boys were known to take to the streets on Halloween and cause mischief with harmless pranks like scaring pedestrians, ding-dong ditching, or even stealing neighbors' gates. However, after the Great Depression, their antics grew more serious. Halloween of 1933 is often referred to as “Black Halloween” because hundreds of teenage boys went on a rampage across the country, flipping cars and sawing off telephone poles. In order to redirect these boys' actions, many communities began setting up activities for them to participate in, such as Halloween parties, costume parades, and haunted trails or houses. However, this wasn’t the world’s first haunted house appearance.

of decapitated figures from the French Revolution, dubbed the Chamber of Horrors. In 1915, a British company built one of the earliest haunted houses, which featured demonic screams, shaking floors, and dim lighting. Since then, the allure of haunted houses has taken the world by storm, appearing in countless countries, cities, and communities. Haunted amusement rides and houses from all over the globe draw thousands of guests each year, but Japan is known for some of the most frightening haunted houses in the world. One of the country’s most renowned haunts is the Labyrinth of Fear, located at the amusement park Fuji-Q Highland. Not only is it one of the scariest haunted houses in the world, but it’s also one of the largest. The Labyrinth of Fear is set up in a former hospital, and it takes about 40 minutes to walk through the two-story building from start to finish. Japanese residents and visitors can usually enjoy these frights year-round. During a typical summer, many cities across Japan open haunted houses for the sheer enjoyment of visitors who travel from all over to get their scares in early. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses had to shut down across the country this summer, and things were looking bleak.

However, one production company, Kowagarasetai, did not give up. Kenta Iwana, a Kowagarasetai producer, decided the company could still offer a haunted house while practicing safe distancing by setting up a drive-thru haunted house. Although this may sound dangerous at first, the car itself remains stationary throughout the production. In this attraction, guests sit in a car and watch as horror opens up around them — zombies crawl across the hood of the car and press their faces against the windshield, and visitors can hear the shrieks of terror through the radio as an unlucky soul is trapped outside. This new and innovative way to enjoy these annual frights could be just what everyone needs this Halloween. No matter what’s in store for the spooky holiday this year, be safe, have fun, and enjoy Halloween!

In the 1800s, London’s Marie Tussauds wax museum had a frightening display

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

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THE BEST FALL SPICES TO BOOST YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

It’s the season of fall spices. Pumpkin spice — which is actually a mix of many different seasonal spices — is a favorite, but it’s not the only one we should try this year. Seasonal spices are a fun way to literally spice up your meals, and many of them also have surprising health benefits! SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART: CINNAMON Cinnamon can actually help lower your blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for folks with Type 2 diabetes. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website also reports that cinnamon has heart- healthy benefits. For example, studies show that cinnamon can reduce high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus decreasing the risk of developing heart disease. How to add more cinnamon to your diet: Sprinkle cinnamon on oatmeal or plain yogurt for a warming boost of flavor. You’ll also find cinnamon in pumpkin spice, a seasonal favorite. SOMETHING FOR YOUR BRAIN: TURMERIC Recent research has found that turmeric can reduce inflammation. A compound in turmeric called curcumin has been shown to help reduce the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. The

anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric may also help reduce inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s. How to add more turmeric to your diet: Homemade curries are a great way to get a good dose of turmeric. You can also add turmeric to roasted vegetables or taco seasoning. SOMETHING FOR YOUR STOMACH: GINGER If you’ve ever drunk ginger ale on a plane to calm your upset stomach, then you’ve already experienced the healing properties of ginger. Ginger can be used to treat nausea, including nausea due to motion sickness and pregnancy. Studies show that ginger can also offer relief to cancer patients suffering from nausea caused by chemotherapy. How to add more ginger to your diet: There are many baked goods that call for ginger. Your morning coffee or tea could also benefit from a hint of ginger.

These are just a few spices that are also superfoods! Do some research to discover the secret benefits of your favorite spices.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION & TELECOMMUTING

SANDBERG V. JC PENNEY CO. INC. In this case, a worker was expected to work from home for her position. Her job required her to travel place to place as she met a variety of clients and to bring along with her slips of fabric the client would consider. While she kept the slips with her at each site, she left whatever fabric she wasn’t working with in her garage. One day, she was walking to her garage to grab a few of these pieces of fabric when she tripped over her dog, fell, and fractured her right wrist. After her claim was denied several times, the court ultimately ruled in her favor. They concluded the accident had occurred not only while she was on the job for her employer but also at her place of employment. Since her employer required her to work from home, her home became her work premises. This case proves that a worker who is telecommuting is still capable of receiving workers’ compensation, even when they are injured at home. If you have a similar case, or have any questions in regards to your workers’ compensation claim, call Di Bartolomeo Law Office to speak to one of our attorneys.

Telecommuting has become something of a necessity in the time of the pandemic. In order to stay safe, employers and employees have made the necessary adjustments to work from home. This has opened many doors for some businesses and created its fair share of challenges in others. One of the challenges involves workers’ compensation and the benefits a worker will receive if or when they are injured on the job. REVIEWING THE BASICS OF WORKERS’ COMP When a worker is injured while they’re working, a few necessary aspects of the injury must be met if they are to receive workers’ compensation. First, a worker must be employed with the employer at the time of the accident. Second, the injury must occur while the worker is performing tasks they were hired to do. Third, the worker must be within the expected time frame of their work — if someone works from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the injury must occur in that time.

As you might already guess, someone who is telecommuting for their job might not meet some of these requirements.

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

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REPLACING THE SEAT When a car seat is involved in a moderate to severe motor vehicle accident, it should be replaced, even if it looks completely fine. The car seat could be damaged in areas not visible, and it’s not something you should risk. If, however, the car seat was involved in a minor crash, the NHTSA states that the car seat doesn’t need to be replaced immediately. Keep this in mind when purchasing a used car seat: If you know the seat was involved in an accident, do not use it. Both the CDC and NHTSA have car seat recommendations, additional information, and resources on their websites. Visit them at CDC.gov and NHTSA.gov to learn more.

The simplest answer as to why it’s so important our children ride in car seats is that it keeps them safe while in a motor vehicle. In the event of an accident, a car seat can be the key factor in saving a child’s life. Finding the right car seat for your child, installing it correctly, and knowing what to do with it afterward, should it be involved in an accident, are all factors that play into its usefulness and effectiveness. FINDING THE RIGHT SEAT Keeping your child safe first starts with the right seat. The child’s age, size, and weight will also determine the seat they need. As a child grows older — from birth to 10 years and older — their seats will change over time, eventually leading to the use of a seatbelt. This includes rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats. GETTING THE SEAT INSPECTED Once you have the right car seat, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to install and use it correctly. Before putting your child into their seat for the first time, you should know how to use the harness without solely relying on the store’s display. Take the car seat to a local car seat inspection station set up by the federal government. The inspectors can double-check to see if you’ve installed it properly and know how to use the harness correctly. You can search for a car seat inspection station by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.

CLASSIC PUMPKIN SOUP

Pumpkins aren’t just for pie — they make delicious soup, too! This fall, try your hand at this healthy soup recipe and warm up with a bowl.

Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 shallots, diced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 2 1/4 cups pumpkin purée (homemade or canned) • 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 cup canned light coconut milk • 2 tbsp honey

• 1/4 tsp sea salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté olive oil, shallots, and garlic for 2–3 minutes. 2. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. 3. Transfer the soup to a blender and purée. Pour the blended soup back into the pan. 4. Cook over medium-low heat for 5–10 minutes. Taste and add additional seasoning as desired, then serve!

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

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1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside

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Get Your Fear On

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3 Healthy Spices to Try This Fall Workers’ Comp Benefits: When You're Injured at Home

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The Effectiveness of Car Seats Classic Pumpkin Soup

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Your Old Phone Could Protect Your Home in 2 Steps

Don’t Throw Your Old Phone Away! PROTECT YOUR HOME (AND OTHER COOL THINGS) FOR CHEAP

Home automation and security are more important than ever before, but between high startup fees, monthly costs, and the constant speed at which technology outpaces itself, these systems can be costly. Instead of throwing money into something you’ll have to upgrade in a year or two, look to your old phone that’s been collecting dust in the junk drawer. Recent developments enable that old device to do so much more! Here’s how you can automate and protect your home with just your old cell phone, an app, and some ingenuity.

the phone will always be on, and you may want to purchase a cheap wide-angle lens to see a broader view. Then, you’ll simply check the app on your new phone to periodically check in on your home!

Home security isn’t the only thing your old phone can do. Here are three home automation ideas.

Create a baby monitor. Much like a security system, you can turn your old phone into an affordable baby monitor. Set it up in your baby’s nursery and use your new phone to Skype into their room. You can find apps that can make this much easier, too. Add more storage. Cloud platforms are not your only photo storage option. You can delete all the apps on your old phone and use it for photo storage, freeing up space on your new phone! This is a great option for those looking to limit their online presence. Set up a universal remote. Your old phone can serve as the “universal” remote for all your home’s smart devices, like a central hub that controls everything. Specialty apps like iRule can link all your platforms together. All you need is the app, Wi-Fi, and an old phone that can connect to the Wi-Fi.

HOME SECURITY SETUP

Step 1: Choose an app. Choose which features are most important to your home’s safety and find an app that’s going to best suit your needs. Then, download the app onto your current phone and your old one. Walk through the setup on your new phone, then log into the app on your old one. Just be sure to select “camera” rather than “viewer,” if that’s an option. Step 2: Mount your phone. Position your old phone’s camera toward whatever you want to watch and protect. It will have to be connected to a power source since

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

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