Di Bartolomeo Law Offices - June 2021

Di Bartolomeo Law Offices - June 2021

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

June 2021

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

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

Meet the Animal Lovers of Fukushima 2 MEN CARE FOR AN ABANDONED CITY'S PETS

A few weeks ago, I came across a story about two animal-loving men, a Japanese town, a nuclear disaster, and hundreds of abandoned pets. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since, so I finally gave in and decided to share it with you. The story starts in 2011 when a combination earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant spanning the towns of Okuma and Futaba in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan. The fuel rods in three of the plant’s reactors overheated and began to melt down, releasing radiation and setting off a series of explosions. The whole thing became known as the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. You probably remember seeing the nuclear fallout on the news, and you might recall that 160,000 people had to evacuate the area to avoid the radiation. But at the time you probably didn’t hear about Sakae Kato, the 57-year-old man who stayed behind. Kato lived in the exclusion zone around the damaged plant, which is still abandoned today. Back in 2011, he refused to leave his

home. Instead, he made it his mission to stay and care for the pets the evacuees of Fukushima left behind. According to Good News Network, Kato is still in Fukushima caring for the animals, including a whopping 41 stray cats, a dog named Pochi, and the local population of wild boars. As crazy as it sounds, Kato isn’t the only one risking deadly radiation and a shortened lifespan to help these animals in Fukushima. A 62-year-old man named Naoto Matsumura, who left during the initial evacuation, also returned to the danger zone to provide for the animals. Ten years later, he’s still there looking after dogs, cats, pigs, ostriches, cows, and ponies that wander freely through the streets. Matsumura works independently from Kato, funds his pet food through donations, and is known as the “Guardian of Fukushima’s Animals.” The Japanese police have asked both men to leave, but neither will budge. As Good News Network puts it, “Evidently, the city possessed not one, but two men whose love of animals cracked through their innate

sense of self-preservation; men who would give up everything rather than consigning other beings to starvation.” Isn’t that a beautiful sentiment? I’ve never met Naoto Matsumura or Sakae Kato, but I would love to shake their hands. It’s amazing how big the human heart can be and how much kindness we can learn from animals and each other if we’re willing to take the time to learn. In a way, the city of Fukushima reminds me of the entire world post-COVID-19. We’ve been dealing with a global disaster for the last year and a half. We’ve lost a lot of people, and for a while things got very, very bad. But now, it’s time for those of us who are still here to rebuild and give back. To do that, we need to help each other just like Matsumura and Kato are helping the abandoned animals of Fukushima. If we go forward with generosity, I know that something beautiful can come out of this disaster, just like it did in Japan. –Joe Di Bartolomeo | 1

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

Lawn Games for Family Summer Fun DIY OR BUY?

Buy: Check out the kid-friendly rubber horseshoe set from Wayfair. com, which requires no installation, can be used indoors or alongside your outdoor game, and is safe for younger children. CORNHOLE: ADVANCED DIY The humble beanbag may be the most versatile backyard game piece. It’s used in the popular game commonly known as cornhole. To build your own cornhole set, you’ll need a couple of sheets of 1/2-inch-thick plywood along with two-by-fours, some hardware, and a variety of tools including a drill, jigsaw, and sander. Visit DIYPete. com/cornhole-board-plans to get both written and video instructions. Buy: Ready to play ASAP? Cornhole sets are available from many large retailers around summertime, or you can order a customized set featuring your favorite team, family name, or characters from your favorite movies by looking at Etsy.com.

The warm summer sun may be enough to beckon your family outdoors, but lawn games will guarantee hours of fun outside. If you’re handy, there are plenty of great lawn games you can make yourself. If not, buy an off-the-shelf alternative and enjoy the easy setup. GIANT JENGA: EASY DIY All you need to build a giant Jenga tower are two-by-fours that are cut to length. If you’re handy with a saw, you can do this at home. If not, ask to have the wood cut at your local lumberyard. Be sure to sand down the edges before stacking the boards to create a classic Jenga tower! For extra fun, pick a few paint colors and paint each board. Visit ABeautifulMess.com/make-this-giant-jenga to see a complete set of instructions.

Buy: Skip the project and buy GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower online, which retails for about $70 and stacks over 5 feet high.

Whether you buy or DIY, remember to have fun and always supervise your children while playing outdoors, especially when it comes to yard games!

CLASSIC HORSESHOES: INTERMEDIATE DIY Tossing horseshoes is a great way to pass an afternoon. To play, you’ll just need to set up two sand pits in your yard. Get a handful of horseshoes, and you’re ready to go! Many DIY plans are available online, including one from HousefulOfHandmade.com/ultimate-diy- horseshoe-pit.

Social Security Disability Appeals

How Do I Pay My Lawyer?

the same statute that provides for Social Security benefits (and details the process to obtain them) also regulates how attorneys are paid while representing disability claimants. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. Your attorney cannot charge you a fee unless they are successful in obtaining benefits for you. No benefits? No charge. Of course, we want you to successfully obtain the benefits you deserve. When we are successful in representing you, we get paid out of your retroactive benefits. These are the Social Security disability benefits that have accrued from the time you filed your claim until you receive a favorable decision. Even then, there are limits on the fees attorneys can charge. Attorneys are entitled to no more than

25% of the retroactive benefits, and their fee cannot exceed $6,000 in any case.

CURIOUS HOW THAT PLAYS OUT? If your retroactive benefits totaled $5,000, the attorney fee would be 25% or $1,250. If your benefits totaled $50,000, our fee would be $6,000 because that’s the maximum amount allowed under the law. When we are hired to represent a claimant in a disability case, we clearly outline and review a written fee agreement with our client. In each successful case, the judge will approve the fee agreement. We want you to know where you stand in your case. Want to see if we can help you with your Social Security disability claim? Call us at 503-325-8600.

If you’ve filed a Social Security disability claim and been denied, you are entitled to file an appeal. This process can be lengthy and complicated, but we’re happy to help clients navigate this system and make successful appeals. We’ve been doing it for more than two decades! If you are experiencing a temporary or permanent disability and have limited income due to an inability to work, you may be wondering how you can afford to hire someone to represent you in the claims process. The good news is that

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

WORKPLACE SAFETY PROGRESS REPORT JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

Throughout the month of June, the National Safety Council (NSC) — a nonprofit organization advocating for worker safety and injury prevention — will be bringing attention to the most common safety-related issues. While preventable injuries and deaths can happen anywhere, employers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their workers while on the job, and the latest statistics show there is still a long way to go in ensuring everyday workplace safety. In 2019, the U.S. saw the highest number of deaths — 4,572 — due to workplace injuries since 2007, according to the NSC. Also, over 4.6 million workers suffered medically consulted workplace injuries in 2019. What’s worse is that these numbers have been trending upward for the last four years, with the exception of 2017 when there was no change over the prior year. With all the advancements in technology and all the information available about workplace safety, numbers should be going down, not up.

major industries, putting their health and safety at risk each day. The statistics around workplace injuries are no better. Overexertion; slips, trips, and falls; and contact with equipment or objects are the three leading causes of these injuries. If you’re injured at work, you are entitled to workers’ compensation, which provides injured workers benefits for medical care and lost income. Unfortunately, since Oregon’s workers’ comp system is private, insurance companies are responsible for paying claims and deciding what’s covered. Trying to navigate that complicated system while experiencing the stress and pain of an injury can be challenging. Though these statistics are staggering, we know they don’t begin to account for the human story behind each injury. Workers should be safe at work, and injury and death take a serious toll on workers and their families every day. If you’ve been injured, we’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn how we’ll fight for you.

In 2018 and 2019, the largest number of preventable fatal workplace injuries happened in the construction, transportation and warehousing, and agriculture/forestry/fishing/hunting industries. Many of the clients I represent each day work in these

PUZZLE

• 2 tbsp loose-leaf green tea • 4 cups filtered water, divided Option 1: Rose and Coriander • 1 tbsp dried rose petals • 1 tbsp whole coriander seeds Option 2: Ginger Mint • 1 handful fresh mint leaves • 1 inch fresh ginger, cut into coins Nothing says summer like a glass of iced tea. Enjoy these two twists on a classic summer soother. Ingredients Iced Green Tea, 2 Ways Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

Directions

For Rose and Coriander Tea: 1. In a large pitcher, place green tea, rose petals, and coriander seeds. 2. Bring 1/2 cup water to just below boiling. 3. Pour hot water over tea leaves, petals, and seeds. Let steep for 10 seconds, then add the remaining 3 1/2 cups water. 4. Refrigerate 4–8 hours until tea reaches your desired strength. Strain and serve over ice. For Ginger Mint Tea: Follow the instructions above, substituting the mint leaves and ginger coins for the rose petals and coriander seeds.

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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Meet the Animal Lovers of Fukushima

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DIY or Buy: Summer Lawn Games You Can Afford a Lawyer for Your Appeal

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June Is National Safety Month Iced Green Tea, 2 Ways

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A Look at Tech Trends in 2021

PANDEMIC-INSPIRED TECH WITH STAYING POWER

A LOOK AT TECH TRENDS IN 2021

The world’s largest consumer technology show, CES, takes place every January. This year’s show was virtual, but there was no less hype about new tech headed to market this year and prototypes that may never be consumer-ready but fuel innovation. This year’s CES offerings ranged from industry-changing battery technology for electric vehicles to aesthetic smartphone trends (spoiler: they roll up). But in 2021, one thing was undeniable: The pandemic has had a massive influence on where consumer technology is headed. As TechRadar writer Jamie Carter said in his write-up of the show, “While not all is designed to kill or protect from the virus that’s ruined lives for the last year, a lot of the latest tech from CES 2021 is clearly geared toward helping you stay healthier during the pandemic ...”

Here’s a rundown of some of the pandemic- inspired consumer tech, ranging from the accessible to the eccentric. MINI AIR PURIFIERS With heightened concern about indoor air quality, many commercial and whole- home options for air purification systems are racing to become market leaders. But what about people who just need something for their office? Enter the LUFT Duo and LG PuriCare mini air purifiers. Both are designed for use in small enclosed spaces. LG’s mini machines kill 99% of germs and allergens (a win even in a nonpandemic year), and the LUFT Duo also has ultraviolet LEDS to decontaminate surfaces. COMPANION ROBOTS The social isolation many older adults experienced during the pandemic created a new sense of urgency to develop a

companion robot that could substitute for the human support network many older adults living alone rely on. The standout product at CES came from CareClever Cutii, whose companion robot will launch this year. Unlike Google’s stationary Alexa and older models of companion robots, CareClever’s Cutii is mobile and can dial an emergency contact, give reminders, and escort older adults around their home. SMART TOILETS While the Toto Wellness Toilet can’t be tied directly to the pandemic, it caters to the market of folks newly concerned with finding more ways to stay healthy. Plus, it was only a matter of time before the smart home trend extended to the porcelain throne. Toto’s toilet has sensors that monitor then analyze “key outputs” from its users, who can then view suggested (and highly personalized) dietary changes through a linked mobile app.

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