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Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER
March 2023
Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability
1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com
May the Force Be With You
Life Lessons Learned From ‘Star Wars’
The movie industry changed forever in July 1978 when “Star Wars” premiered in theaters. George Lucas, the writer and director of the original “Star Wars” movie (now titled “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope”), thought the movie was going to flop, but he couldn’t have been more wrong. It was a critical success and became the highest-grossing film of all time until “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” dethroned it less than five years later. The fanfare continued as the “Star Wars” franchise released two more movies in the early 1980s that were also well received. The final movie in the original trilogy, “The Return of the Jedi,” is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In the 40 years since “The Return of the Jedi” was released in theaters, we have seen countless new “Star Wars” projects come and go. TV shows, video games, books, comics, movies, and two other trilogies have kept the franchise alive, and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down any time soon. The “Star Wars” franchise isn’t just about lightsabers, spaceships, and intergalactic battles. There are plenty of life lessons to be learned by engaging with “Star Wars” and its related media. Here are just a few. Everyone is redeemable. The relationship between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader is at the heart of the original trilogy. Throughout these films,
we witness Darth Vader perform some diabolical actions. After Luke learns that Vader is his father, he can look past these actions, as he knows his father can still be redeemed. In the climactic battle at the end of “The Return of the Jedi,” Vader proves he still has good in him by defeating the Emperor of the Empire at the cost of his own life. Did that excuse his previous actions? No. But Vader was redeemed in his son’s eyes, which was enough for him. We all have moments in our lives where we do wrong, or someone does something that negatively affects us. We can imagine the narrative where we could never be forgiven or forgive another, but that’s not the case. If Darth Vader can be redeemed in his son’s eyes after causing death and destruction throughout the galaxy, everyone is redeemable. You can change the world regardless of your background. All three “Star Wars” trilogies focus on the story of an underdog. Luke, Anakin, and Rey were all “nobodies” when they were called upon to fight and change the galaxy. Luke worked on a farm, and his relatives restricted him from fighting against the Empire. Anakin was enslaved with no hope for his future before Qui-Gon Jinn showed up and freed him. Rey was a scavenger with no past — then she found herself toppling the greatest force in the galaxy. Even Han Solo was a smuggler before joining the fight. The
message is that your origin does not dictate your capacity for success and impact.
Surround yourself with supportive people.
In each of the “Star Wars” trilogies, there is a team of individuals working toward a common goal. The original trilogy saw Luke, Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 work together to bring down the Empire and restore peace to the galaxy. The prequels saw Anakin, Obi-Wan, and several other Jedi fight to preserve peace, and the sequels saw Rey, Poe Dameron, Finn, BB-8, and many others fight to defeat the First Order. These groups would never have accomplished their goals without the combined efforts of everyone involved. Remember that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, especially if you surround yourself with strong, supportive individuals. We can accomplish the impossible when everyone works together. For 45 years, we’ve enjoyed watching the adventures of various heroes from a galaxy far, far away. The next time you load up your favorite trilogy, look for new lessons you might not have caught before. The movies are packed full of them, so listen closely, and you might learn something new that can benefit you in the real world for years to come.
–Joe Di Bartolomeo | 1
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
4 BENEFITS OF TAKING COLLAGEN PEPTIDES THE SKINNY ON COLLAGEN SUPPLEMENTS
Bone Loss Prevention Your bones are mostly comprised of collagen, and since your collagen levels lessen with age, your bone mass may suffer, leading to osteoporosis and weak, brittle bones later in life. Certain reports have shown that when consumed, collagen peptide supplements can help slow down or eliminate the breakdown of bone within your body. Increased Muscle Mass Did you know that collagen is the most abundant protein in your body? Just like how your bone mass suffers as you age, so does your muscle mass. However, studies have shown that when collagen peptide supplements are taken alongside an exercise program, muscle mass and strength can be regained and maintained. Joint Pain Relief Cartilage, the tissue that buffers the area where many joints in your body meet, can become worn down, or in some cases, nonexistent. Experts have proven that collagen peptide supplements are effective in replacing cartilage and reducing any joint stiffness or pain. As with any supplement, it is always important to check with your doctor before consuming collagen peptides to benefit your health — they will know what is best and safe for your body.
You’ve likely heard of the benefits of collagen creams and lotions to promote skin hydration, blood flow, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction, but did you know that supplementing your diet with collagen can improve your health? Collagen peptides, tiny particles of animal collagen proteins that are more easily digestible and absorbed by the body than the complete collagen protein, are commonly consumed by celebrities to treat myriad health conditions.
Let’s take a deeper look at the benefits of supplementing with collagen peptide supplements! Healthier Skin As we age, our body naturally slows down its production of collagen, which strengthens skin and improves hydration and elasticity. But several studies have proven that collagen peptide supplements slow down our skin’s aging process by helping it retain moisture and reduce wrinkles.
Compassionate Allowances Program Eligibility
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are programs that financially assist those who meet the Social Security disability criteria. Unfortunately, it can take months — and sometimes years — to complete the overall process to receive your benefits. The wait time between finishing your application and obtaining financial assistance can be stressful for some applicants because they are experiencing pain, discomfort, disability, and a loss of income since some cannot work. Fortunately, in 2007, the Social Security Administration created the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program to speed up the application process for people in dire need of their benefits due to their disabilities and other conditions. However, there is a specific criterion you must meet to be eligible. What conditions are eligible for CAL? • Several types of cancers, such as breast cancer, acute leukemia, kidney cancer, esophageal cancer, ureter cancer, and brain cancer. • Various syndromes, like Alstrom syndrome, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Lowe syndrome, Ohtahara syndrome, Rett (RTT) syndrome, Perry syndrome, and Zellweger syndrome. • Numerous diseases, such as Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Farber disease, Wolman disease, and Maple Syrup Urine disease.
For a complete list of conditions and disabilities that qualify for CAL, please visit the Social Security Administration website at SSA.gov/ compassionateallowances/conditions.htm. How do you apply for the CAL program? The Social Security website says that you can complete your application online at SSA.gov/applyfordisability, call the toll-free number 800-772-1213, or call or visit your local Social Security office. You’ll notice that the application is the standard form you must complete to obtain SSDI or SSI. There are no special documents you must fill out to apply for CAL. The Social Security system will automatically scan online applications and search for keywords or conditions that qualify for CAL. Applying for Social Security benefits can be confusing — and it can be difficult to prove disability or that you’re no longer working on a daily basis. If you need assistance with your application, need help proving your condition and circumstances, or have questions regarding SSDI, SSI, CAL, or other Social Security needs, don’t hesitate to contact Di Bartolomeo Law. We will be happy to assist you during this time.
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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
ASK YOURSELF THESE 3 QUESTIONS FIRST! Are You Considering a Settlement Offer?
Have you looked at all sources of compensation? Did you know that economic, non-economic, and punitive damages are not the only thing you can look at when analyzing all sources of compensation? Let’s say the at-fault driver was in a commercial vehicle. You may think the driver is the only one to blame for the accident, but that’s not entirely the case. The company or manufacturer they work for could be liable as well. If you were struck by a drunk driver, the bar or restaurant that served them could be held responsible also. Are your injuries healed? Before accepting a settlement, you want to ensure your injuries have healed or reached the maximum medical improvement. If you accept a payment early, when your injury is still in the healing process or are still conducting medical tests, you may not get all you’re entitled to in your compensation. Additionally, if you accept a settlement prematurely, in the future, you may not have adequate compensation to cover issues that appear due to the injury. While you can’t put a price tag on the trauma you experienced due to an accident, hopefully, your settlement can give you peace of mind. Although it is ultimately up to you when you want to accept compensation, please speak with us first. Our personal injury attorneys can help you go through your offer and determine if it’s fair or not. We will be happy to help you in any way possible during your injury claim process.
Filing a personal injury claim and going through the process of settling can be a time-consuming and confusing process. You may want both parties involved to reach an agreement as fast as possible, which is understandable. However, you will live with your injuries and experience for the rest of your life. Therefore, it’s vital that you receive the most out of your settlement.
You should ask yourself three questions before accepting compensation for your personal injury claim.
Does your settlement cover all economic and non‑economic damages? Although it’s crucial you’re compensated for your medical expenses, that’s not the only thing your settlement should cover. You want to consider lost wages, vehicle damages and repairs, property damage, and other economic losses when determining the price of your compensation. You also want to assess the non-economic damages your settlement should cover. This can include pain and suffering, mental distress, loss of enjoyment in life, worsening of prior injuries, and emotional distress.
PUZZLE
Inspired by TheKitchyKitchen.com IRISH PANCAKES
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tbsp white sugar • 1 large egg, beaten • 1 cup buttermilk • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
Directions
1. In a bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. Set aside. 2. In a skillet, brown 1 tbsp of butter.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the beaten egg, buttermilk, and browned butter. 4. In a constant stream, add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients while stirring. Do not over beat! 5. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tbsp of butter, stir until the skillet is coated, and then add a few large dollops of batter (about 3 inches wide) to the pan. Do not overcrowd. 6. Cook 4–5 minutes a side, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with butter, jam, and syrup.
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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Learning Life Lessons From ‘Star Wars’
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Have You Heard of Collagen Peptides? You May Be Eligible for Compassionate Allowances 3 Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Personal Injury Settlement Irish Pancakes
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One of the Hottest Marketing Trends of 2023
What That Means for Your Marketing Artificial Intelligence Is Everywhere!
Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the hottest marketing trends of 2023. AI is helping business owners boost their customer experience, better understand their target audience, and measure and judge for optimized growth. But what exactly is AI marketing, and how can it benefit you and your business? What is AI marketing? Companies will use AI technology to make automated decisions quickly. It collects and analyzes data, observes economic trends, and develops strategies faster than any human can. AI marketing software can take on a wide range of responsibilities, such as data analysis, consumer trends, and content creation and personalization. But how does AI compute and calculate this information? Whose data and trends is it looking at? Because AI marketing is used to help businesses improve their customer experience and understand their audience better, the best data for AI to use would be yours — the business’s customers. AI will analyze customer data and notice specific trends that will help it predict
your actions on apps, websites, and other media. With this insight, companies can use these trends to create personalized content just for you in a matter of seconds. What are the benefits of using AI? One of the biggest benefits of AI marketing is that it gives you a better understanding of your consumers. This means that your automation will be faster and more intelligent and can positively impact your company’s revenue and ROI. AI can also generate personalized content both on social media and in emails that will attract your customers. In addition, because you’re using technology to create content, AI won’t make any costly mistakes. AI marketing doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. In fact, it’s expanding its channels by improving customers’ experience using chatbots. The marketing tool will improve business’s messaging services to provide customers with a better chatting experience. Chatbots could even integrate into sales, lead generation campaigns, and other customer service channels.
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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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