Kunkel Law Firm - May 2021

Kunkel Law Firm - May 2021

MAY 2021 KunkelCase Files 888-228-9680 • www.KunkelLawFirm.com • [email protected]

FROM THE DESK OF

Gregory Kunkel, Esq.

2 HEARTWARMING STORIES ABOUT NURSES More Than a Year Into COVID-19,

CAN I WIN A DISABILITY CASE WITH OLD MEDICAL RECORDS? The answer is no! While older medical records may establish a diagnosis and provide some useful background information, old records are typically not sufficient to prove a disability case. As a general rule, Social Security is most interested in your medical records for the year prior to when you stopped working and the medical records documenting treatment and limitations after that date. It is also best to seek out specialists when treating for disabling impairments, as Social Security is much more likely to credit the opinions and observations of a specialist in evaluating your claim. If you can’t work due to a physical impairment, Social Security will want to see recent medical evidence reflecting your ability to walk, stand, and sit. They also want to know how much you can lift and carry. Applying for Social Security disability can be long and frustrating experience. Don’t go it alone. Call our office for a free consultation if you are unable to work because of an illness or disability.

These Heroes Still Deserve a Shoutout

Rawsi Williams — a nurse, lawyer, and U.S. military veteran — once said this about nursing: “To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can do, despite all that we go through, that is to be a nurse.” I think at this time last year, every single person in the country would have agreed with Williams. We would have shouted it from the rooftops! In May 2020, we were just starting to adjust to the “new normal” of the COVID-19 pandemic, and part of that was coming to terms with how amazing our health care workers are. Back then, the whole world celebrated nurses and doctors with drive-by parades, food donations, and daily applause. It was fanfare central. But now, even though nurses are still on the front lines delivering vaccines, I don’t see many people commending their efforts.

I think that’s a shame. Our nurses are still heroes, and they deserve recognition, especially on National Nurses Day, which is on May 12!

In honor of their special day, I went on a hunt for stories about nurses who have saved the day or just been plain awesome in 2021. One of my favorites was published by 9 News in Colorado.

Nurse Amy Dempsey and her husband, Whitney, both work at the Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge. Amy delivers babies, and Whitney provides

–Greg Kunkel

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hospice care. On their 26th wedding anniversary this January, each was scheduled to get their second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, but there was a twist! Amy was volunteering to administer shots at the hospital. Serendipitously, her husband was her first patient! He joked that getting poked was a great anniversary gift. 9 News captured the moment on film, and it warmed my heart to see the couple high-five afterward. What a sweet moment between heroes! Similarly, in California, nursing students stepped into their miracle-worker shoes early to help distribute the COVID-19 vaccines this January. According to the Los Angeles Times, a team of students from Cal State Long Beach volunteered their time to give shots, despite the crushing nursing school workload. When the call for volunteers went out, it was under the banner “HealthCare Heroes Needed” and the students came through immediately. “It wasn’t even a question of do I want to,” student nurse Naomi Muñiz told the Times. “If they need help and I can help, I’m going to go in.” Nurses like Amy and Naomi are still fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s not all high-fives and student solidarity out there. Many nurses are struggling with burnout because of the long hours and high pressure of treating patients

while trying to protect themselves. Hopefully, this pandemic will end soon, but until it does, try to show some love to the nurses in our community. If you get a vaccine this month, thank the person who gives it to you! You can also make a donation or drop off a care package on the stoop of a health care worker you know. Even an encouraging text message on May 12 could make a world of difference.

Happy National Nurses Day!

THE 3 STRANGEST CELEBRITY LAWSUITS

the shoes — which were outfitted with $500 orthopedic insoles — but never succeeded. She sued Cowell for the shoes and gas money, and the “America’s Got Talent” star shelled out. Internet conspiracy theory results in a court case against Beyoncé. The internet is a wild place, and conspiracy theories are often born on its digital channels. One such theory was that Beyoncé and her husband, Jay-Z, hired a surrogate to give birth to their daughter, Blue Ivy, in 2012. Internet trolls who saw her pregnant belly roll as she sat down for an interview fanned the flames of this theory, and soon, a lawsuit emerged. A woman claimed she was the true biological mother of Blue Ivy, and she asked for compensation and DNA testing to prove it. Previously, the same woman claimed to be the birth mother of North West, the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, but the court threw out the case. Mila Kunis ruffles some feathers. Actress Mila Kunis was sued for $5,000 by her childhood friend, Kristina Karo, in 2015 because Kunis allegedly stole a chicken from Karo when they were still children in Ukraine. Karo, an aspiring singer, claimed the theft resulted in extreme emotional distress and prevented her from pursuing the American dream. According to Kunis, the theft occurred when she was 7 years old and Karo was just 1 month old. Kunis and her husband, actor Ashton Kutcher, speculated that the case was all a publicity stunt to promote Karo’s upcoming music video, and the case was eventually dropped.

Stories about celebrities can be enjoyable or awkward, but no matter what happens, they usually create great material for Buzzfeed or Reddit users. This also includes celebrity stories involving the law, which bring on a lot of head-scratching and legal action — like these three strange cases. Simon Cowell pays for a chef’s disappearing shoes. Known for his unrelenting critiques and setting the stage for some of the world’s biggest names in show business, Simon Cowell has amassed enough wealth to afford a private chef. When one such chef came by his house for a job interview, she was asked to remove her shoes, but according to court documents, she never received her shoes back. The chef claims to have tried multiple times to retrieve

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JFK HAD BACK PAIN And Physical Therapy — Not Surgery — Helped!

Born into American royalty, former president John F. Kennedy would go on to preside over historic changes, including NASA’s growth and the emergence of the Peace Corps. Sadly, Kennedy’s tragic and controversial death often overshadows his work — meaning very few people may know just how impressive it is that Kennedy was able to do all that he did with debilitating back pain. Kennedy was plagued by ailments in childhood. This included bouts with whooping cough, measles, and scarlet fever. He was also diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, but his severe back pain would be his Achilles’ heel. Historians believe he had osteoporosis — the degeneration of the bone — in his lower back. Kennedy underwent spinal surgery multiple times, but the procedures reportedly did nothing to help. To combat this, Kennedy then tried various medications, including codeine, which is an opioid, and methadone, which is similar to morphine. Experts believe Kennedy could have been on as many as 12 medications at one time, many of which cause extreme mood swings during times when the nation’s leader needed to be the most lucid man in the room. (The Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis of

1962, for example, happened when he was on these medications.)

Other doctors on Kennedy’s treatment team prescribed what was then called “exercise.” This form of physical therapy appears to be the only treatment that worked for Kennedy! (It’s also believed that he underwent massage therapy, had heat therapy, and began swimming to treat his back pain, and all of these treatments helped in combination.)

Soon, Kennedy’s doctors began to believe that treating him with intense medications was not ethical. His doctors weaned him off the drugs and only prescribed “exercise” routines. Furthermore, it’s been speculated that Kennedy’s leadership abilities were far better when he wasn’t on the medication, making it all the more imperative that he opted for physical therapy. It’s been more than 60 years since Kennedy found relief for debilitating back pain through physical therapy, but the studies being done on his life, legacy, and the pain he suffered continue to astound historians and offer a glimpse into treatments for those in leadership. As many have found, it was physical therapy that not only helped Kennedy but also protected our nation.

Take a Break!

SHAVED ASPARAGUS SALAD

Inspired by ACoupleCooks.com

Ingredients

• 1 lb asparagus spears • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. With a vegetable peeler, shave each asparagus spear from tip to base. This is easiest to do if the asparagus is on a flat surface. 2. Place shaved asparagus in a bowl and blot off excess moisture with a paper towel. 3. In a separate bowl, make a vinaigrette by whisking together lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. 4. Pour vinaigrette over shaved asparagus and add Parmesan cheese, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings.

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One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, Suite 4300 Pittsburgh, PA 15219

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Gregory Kunkel, Esq. PAGE 1 2 Heartwarming Stories About Nurses PAGE 1 Mila Kunis Got Sued for That!? (And 2 Other Weird Celebrity Legal Cases) PAGE 2 How Physical Therapy Helped JFK Be a Better Leader PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Shaved Asparagus Salad PAGE 3 99-Year-Old Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity PAGE 4 How to Live to 99

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

Betty White’s Secrets of Longevity

hard work. As she told Parade in 2018, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.”

Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White is still enjoying her golden years. The famed actress celebrated her 99th birthday this January. While she told People magazine that she’s “blessed with good health, so turning 99 is no different than turning 98,” she also had a few tips for folks looking to make it to their centennial birthday. Keep Laughing “Don’t take yourself too seriously,” White says. “You can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself.” White has undoubtedly provided many laughs to viewers over the years, but she’s not just playing it up for the camera. Laughter is part of what keeps her young. Be Optimistic White says a good sense of humor also helps her keep a good attitude and look for the positive rather than “dwelling on the downside.” Avoiding negativity also gives her energy. “It takes up too much energy being negative,” she told People magazine. Stay Busy With nearly eight decades of acting under her belt, six Emmys on her shelf, and over 120 screen credits to her name, White is no stranger to

Exercise Your Mind In addition to her busy work schedule, what keeps Betty White sharp? Crossword puzzles! She told Katie Couric in an interview, “I’m addicted. An admitted addict. I just can’t put ’em down.” Find a Cause White is a lifelong animal lover. She calls her golden retriever, Pontiac, “the star of the house.” While pet ownership itself comes with proven health benefits, White has channeled her love for animals in bigger causes. She’s been a trustee and board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for over 40 years and has done work to help protect endangered species in the wild. Funds raised from White’s official fan club, Bet’s Pets, all go to support animal charities. Embrace Your Vices White told Parade she loves vodka and hot dogs “probably in that order,” which just goes to show that you don’t have to forgo your treats to live to 99.

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