DiBartolomeo Law Offices - September 2018

DiBartolomeo Law Offices - September 2018

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

September 2018

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

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

THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

HOW THE TOWERS CAME TO BE

On Sept.11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 struck the north tower of the World Trade Center traveling at 470 mph, ripping a hole in the building from floors 93 to 99. At 9:03 a.m., a second plane smashed into the south tower traveling at 590 mph, cutting a gaping hole from floors 75 to 85. Within an hour, the south tower collapsed due to the sheer weight of the building combined with the damage dealt by the impact and burning jet fuel. At 10:28 a.m., the north tower followed. The rubble and debris from the collapsed towers caused fires and further damage to the surrounding buildings and areas. Within hours, nearly 3,000 people had lost their lives. The attack left the world in a state of terror and grief, and the United States was changed forever. Today, the twin towers’ last day is remembered as the worst terrorist attack in history, but few people know how the buildings became part of New York City’s skyline in the first place. A world trade center pavilion was first hosted during the New York World’s Fair in 1939 — the exhibit was dedicated to the slogan “world peace through trade.” The idea for the World Trade Center was then abandoned after seven years, until David Rockefeller revived the concept to reinvigorate lower Manhattan. Rockefeller took the reins and continued the project, finding premises near the Fulton Fish Market on the East River, and construction on the $250 million complex began. He also turned to the Port of New York Authority for

financial support to ensure the World Trade Center’s completion, and the first real plans for the World Trade Center were put into action. It was then that the Port Authority decided the towers should break the record for the tallest building in the world, beating the 1,250-foot Empire State building. To do this, architect Minoru Yamasaki designed the towers to hold 110 stories each, but they would not have the traditional glass-and- steel-box design used for most skyscrapers at that time. Instead, Yamasaki worked with structural engineers to come up with a revolutionary design that would disperse the weight throughout. The plan included two hollow tubes supported by steel columns spaced closely together and wrapped in aluminum, while floor trusses connected this shell to the tower’s central steel core. Construction of the World Trade Center officially began in February 1967. The north tower was completed in December of 1970, and the south tower was finished in July of 1971, but construction continued for the next two years until the outdoor plaza was finished. An estimated 10,000 workers labored to build the World Trade Center. The towers had 99 elevators, 43,600 windows, 40,000 doors, and 3,000 miles of electrical wiring, and each building weighed 250,000 tons. They were the tallest buildings in the world until Chicago’s Sears Tower was completed less than a year later. The towers were first attacked in 1993. Down in the basement of the north tower’s

parking garage, a 1,200-pound bomb was set off. The attack cost six people their lives, and over 1,000 people were injured. The Port Authority wasted no time in renovating the building; over the next eight years, the company spent $700 million on renovations, including added safety features such as battery-powered stairway lights and a separate emergency command center for each building. The towers remained an iconic part of NYC’s famous skyline for another eight years. Today, the towers are gone, but the peace they once symbolized lives on in the tranquility of Ground Zero, and every man, woman, and child who lost their life on Sept. 11, 2001, is memorialized on the stone monuments and through the annual reading of names. As Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, said, “If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

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

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WAIT, WHAT’S IN MY CONCEALER? The Risks of Counterfeit Cosmetics and How to Spot Them

This spring, the Los Angeles police department seized $700,000 worth of fake cosmetics during a raid in downtown LA. Last year, the London Police issued a warning to consumers: Avoid buying counterfeit beauty products at all costs. So why is law enforcement so worried about where you get your blush? Not only are retailers who engage in selling fake items breaking the law, but they’re also often using the proceeds to fund organized crime.

a sedentary lifestyle, but plenty of other psychological and physiological factors can contribute to it. Thankfully, we have seen the rise of pain management clinics that take a holistic approach to finding each patient the care that fits their needs. We have helped many of our workers’ compensation and Social Security disability clients find affordable access to such pain treatment facilities in the past. If you are dealing with chronic pain, please reach out to us. We’d be happy to share our most up-to- date resources with you. your order to check the official website of the product’s brand. Oh, and as you’re site- hopping, practice some basic web security to help avoid sites selling counterfeit products — look for the “https” at the beginning of a site address, and pay attention to spelling and grammar mistakes on the website and in the URL. Buy From Sites That Verify Their Retailers Two of the biggest online retailers, Amazon and eBay, both allow unauthorized retailers to sell on their sites, though they do encourage consumers to do their own investigation and look at reviews and ratings before purchasing from a seller. Jet, a more recent addition to the online retail sites, operates in a closed marketplace where sellers must be verified. Whichever sites you buy your products from, look out for red flags that may signal a counterfeit item. A good deal isn’t worth putting your money or health at risk.

Significantly Lower Prices If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. A significantly lowered price could signal a counterfeit item. Sellers often get counterfeit items in bulk from foreign factories, which allows them to sell at a vastly lowered price and yield a large profit. No Return Policy If there isn’t a return policy, that concealer might be a counterfeit. These sellers aren’t worried about customer satisfaction; they’re concerned with selling the fraudulent product as quickly as possible to make money.

TREATING PAIN Modern life can be a pain in the back — literally. In a recent survey of medical journals, researchers estimate that roughly 500 million people worldwide now suffer from some form of lower back pain. Leading theories suggest that an increasingly sedentary lifestyle spent staring at screens — both at the office and at home — is a primary contributor to this debilitating phenomenon. Considering that this age of automation isn’t going away any time soon, what are your options? If you asked your doctor less than a decade ago, their answer may well have been opioids. However, the tragic wave of overprescription and subsequent overdoses that has swept the nation has made it abundantly clear that these powerful painkillers should only be used as a last resort. The even scarier aspect is that these products put consumers’ health at risk. The London Police guidelines note, “Fake cosmetics and fragrances have been found to contain toxic levels of chemicals and unpleasant substances, such as arsenic, mercury, and even urine, that could seriously harm your health.” The LAPD reported similar findings. We like to think we can trust online retailers, but unfortunately, it’s all too easy to sell counterfeit items on the internet. Counterfeit goods, as defined by the London Police, are “fake items deliberately made to look genuine.” They can be hard to spot, but there are a few key clues that can indicate whether you’re buying a real-deal product.

Check the Brand’s Authorized Retailer List Take a couple minutes before you submit

FINDING RELIEF IN LIGHT OF THE OPIOID CRISIS

effectiveness into question. After all, these drugs only mask pain rather than address the issues causing it in the first place. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published new guidelines on pain management and offered many alternatives that should be considered ahead of dangerously addictive opioids. Citing “High-quality evidence,” the CDC listed alternatives that included bed rest, non-opiate medication, and physical therapy. When it comes to chronic pain, there is no “one size fits all” approach. Back pain may be primarily caused by

In fact, the recent media attention on opioids has brought their very

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

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Give Them Resources

When disaster befalls someone you care about and leaves them hospitalized, it can be hard to know what to say or do. In the face of a life-altering injury from an accident, such as a car crash, you may feel powerless to make a positive, lasting impact on your friend’s recovery. But take it from us — there are practical, everyday acts of kindness you can perform to brighten someone’s day and make their situation that much more bearable. Some injuries can make driving difficult or impossible. This is especially true for car accident victims, who may feel anxious about getting behind the wheel again. Unfortunately, life doesn’t get put on pause to give these folks a chance to recover. Being there to take your friend to appointments, drive their kids to school, or just get them out of the house can be a great way to help them return to a sense of normalcy. Offer to Take Them Places

Injuries caused by events like car crashes often come with a lot of paperwork, medical appointments, and legal concerns. While you can’t help your friend with these logistics directly, you can point them in the direction of people who can. Referring your friend to a trusted personal injury attorney can be a great way to help them protect their legal rights. The single most important thing you can give your friend during this time is empathy. Injuries can often leave people feeling isolated and depressed. Having someone there to listen to their struggles and understand their pain can make all the difference in the world. Just by making the effort to understand their situation, you can let your friend know that they are valued, their experience is real, and their voice matters. Open Your Heart to Them

Make a Home-Cooked Meal

Someone recovering from an injury has enough to worry about as it is. The question of “what’s for dinner?” can compound the stress. They may be fiscally or physically unable to go shopping or cook for themselves. Giving your friend a home-cooked meal can lift their spirits and ensure they are getting the nutrition they need.

INSIDE-OUT Ingredients GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE • 8 slices of bread (Pullman works best) • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano) • 8 ounces ham, thinly sliced

• 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1/4 cup apricot preserves

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine.

Directions

Football Touchdown Quarterback

Barbecue September Harvest Apple Students Homecoming

1. Butter each slice of bread on the outsides and sprinkle with Parmesan. 2. Layer ham and cheese evenly on top of 4 slices of bread. 3. Spread apricot preserves and mustard across the other 4 slices. Press sandwiches together. 4. In a cast-iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. 5. Cut in half and serve.

Autumn Equinox LaborDay

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

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1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside

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The Hopeful Beginning and Catastrophic End

Look Out for Fake Cosmetics

Back Pain? You Have Options

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How to Support an Injured Friend

Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese

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International Talk Like a Pirate Day

YO HO HO, LANDLUBBERS! CELEBRATE TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY

Ahoy, matey! Wednesday, Sept. 19, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Brush up on your pirate vocabulary, grab your eye patch, get your puffy shirt dry cleaned, and bring a little seafaring fun to your office or classroom.

began speaking like pirates while playing racquetball, saying things to each other like, “That be a fine cannonade” (“Nice shot, dude”) and “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm” (“But watch this”). They decided Talk Like a Pirate Day needed to become official, so they chose Sept. 13, which was Summers’ wife’s birthday (and the only date he could remember besides Christmas and the Super Bowl). In 2002, they pitched the idea to humor columnist Dave Barry, who promoted it in his syndicated column, and the concept quickly spread internationally.

to Robert Newton’s 1950 portrayal of Long John Silver in the movie “Treasure Island.” Historically, English-speaking pirates probably sounded more like Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Unfortunately, the pirates of the Golden Age didn’t leave behind any YouTube videos to confirm this. Participating in Talk Like a Pirate Day is easy — you just need to know a few key phrases. “Ahoy, matey” means “Hello, friend!” “Blimey, that son of a biscuit-eater hornswaggled me out of me doubloons” means “Darn it, that jerk cheated me out of my money!” “Shiver me timbers, that old salt is three sheets to the wind” means “Wow, that old sailor has had too much beer.” And if a pirate (or your boss) says, “Swab the deck, ye bilge rat, or it’s Davy Jones’ locker for ye!” start mopping the floor immediately. Learn the Lingo, Landlubber

The History of These Swashbuckling Shenanigans

The holiday began as an inside joke between pals John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995. For reasons not even understood by themselves, they

Did Pirates Really Talk Like That?

The “pirate-speak” popularized in movies and Disney attractions probably sounds nothing like real pirates did in centuries past. Today’s swashbuckling phrases delivered in a strong Southwest England accent can be traced back

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

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